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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCC (003)GRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA MEETING REQUEST FORM (Must be submitted to the Clerk of the Board by 12:00pm on Thursday) REQUESTING DEPARTMENT: BOCC REQUEST SUBMITTED BY: CEMANELL CONTACT PERSON ATTENDING ROUNDTABLE: CEMANELL CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: ❑YES ® NO DATE: 6/2/2026 PHONE:2931 ❑Agreement / Contract ❑AP Vouchers ❑Appointment / Reappointment ❑ARPA Related ❑ Bids / RFPs / Quotes Award ❑ Bid Opening Scheduled ❑ Boards / Committees ❑ Budget ❑Computer Related ❑County Code El Emergency Purchase ❑Employee Rel. ❑ Facilities Related ❑ Financial ❑ Funds ❑ Hearing ❑ Invoices / Purchase Orders ❑ Grants — Fed/State/County ❑ Leases ❑ MOA / MOU ❑ Minutes ❑ Ordinances ❑ Out of State Travel ❑ Petty Cash ❑ Policies ❑ Proclamations ❑ Request for Purchase ❑ Resolution ❑ Recommendation ❑ Professional Serv/Consultant © Support Letter ❑ Surplus Req. ❑Tax Levies ❑Thank You's ❑Tax Title Property ❑WSLCB Letter of Support for Washington State Rural Rail Rehabilitation Phase IV: Protecting Multigenerational Farming. 11 If necessary, was this document reviewed by accounting? ❑ YES LEGAL REVIEW: If this document requires legal review, rq"te to legall for revieW_prjior If necessary, was this document reviewed by legal? ❑ YES ❑ NO DATE OF ACTION:', APPROVE: DENIED ABSTAIN D1: D2: D3: 4/23/24 ❑NO 7N/A DEFERRED OR CONTINUED TO: WITHDRAWN: 0 N/A GRANT COUNTY OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS P 0 Box 37 EPHRATA WA 98823 (509) 754-201 1 June 9, 2026 Secretary Sean Duffy U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 RE: Supportfor Washington State Rural Rail Rehabilitation Phase IV: Protecting Multigenerational Farming Dear Secretary Duffy, The Grant County Board of Commissioners is writing to express our strong support for the Washington State Rural Rail Rehabilitation Phase IV: Protecting Multigenerational Farming submitted by the Washington State Department of Transportation, under the Federal Railroad Administration's CRISI program. This project continues the work that already has been undertaken to improve the state-owned Palouse River and Coulee City (PCC) short line railroad in eastern Washington. This 300- mile railroad serves five rural counties whose economies are primarily rooted in multigenerational farming. The goal is to improve the infrastructure to accommodate modern rail equipment, increase operational speeds, and build resiliency for a rail system that connects Washington farmers to global grain markets. This proposed project will strengthen the competitiveness of rural Washington farmers by providing a reliable, cost-effective short line rail connection to export destinations. Enhanced rail performance will help sustain demand for Washington -grown grain, preserving jobs across fanning, grain handling, rail operations, and the broader agricultural supply chain. Maintaining efficient rail access also avoids costly diversions to less efficient alternatives such as trucking grain more than 100 miles to barge facilities, thereby reducing transportation costs and improving supply -chain efficiency. The project directly advances these outcomes and is currently in Preliminary Design, with WSDOT funding all project development activities, including engineering and environmental reviews. The non-federal cost share exceeds 20% and includes both state and private contributions, demonstrating strong commitment from the community and a high level of readiness to advance the project into construction. Kevin R. Burgess Rob Jones Cindy Carter District 1 District 2 District 3 "TO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS9 SERVING TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES? WHILE FOSTERING A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WORK ENVIRONMENT." GRANT COUNTY OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS P 0 Box 37 EPHRATA WA 9BB23 (509) 754-201 1 For these reasons, the Grant County Board of Commissioners strongly supports WSDOT's request for funding Washington State Rural Rail Phase IV: Protecting Multigenerational Farming. This investment will provide lasting on -time performance, economic growth, safety and resiliency benefits at the local, regional, and national level. Thank you for your consideration of this application. Sincerely, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS a Kevin R. Burgess, Chair Kevin R. Burgess District 1 Ro ones, ice -Chair Rob Jones District 2 n Cindy C rter, Member Cindy Carter District 3 "To MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS? SERVING TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES9 WHILE FOSTERING A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WORK ENVIRONMENT."