HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - BOCCGRANT COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS AGENDA MEETING REQUEST FORM
(Must be submitted to the Clerk of the Board by 12:00pm on Thursday)
REQUESTING DEPARTMENT: BCC
REQUEST SUBMITTED BY:CEMANELL
CONTACT PERSON ATTENDING ROUNDTABLE: CEMANELL
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: FIYES WNO
DATE:8/11/2026
PHONE:x2931
'TYPE(S) 0FDOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED:
(CHECK ALL
THAT APPLYt-
FlAgreement / Contract
OAP Vouchers
DAppointment / Reappointment
DARPA Related
DBids / RFPs / Quotes Award
DBid Opening Scheduled
DBoards I Committees
FlBudget
DComputer Related
D County Code
DEmergency Purchase
El Employee Rel.
F1 Facilities Related
DFinancial
f-1 Funds
ElHearing
0 Invoices / Purchase Orders
ElGrants — Fed/State/County
DLeases
OMOA / MOU
DMinutes,
E30rdinances
Out of State Travel
El Petty Cash
OPolicies
OProclarnations
DRequest for Purchase
F1 Resolution
DRecornmendation
0 Professional Sere/Consultant
@@Support Letter
FlSurplus Req.
DTax Levies
0 Thank You's
DTax Title Property
OWSLCB
UGGESTED WORDING FOR AGENDA:
Who, What, When, Whv, Term, cost, etc.t
Letter of Support for the Palouse River & Coulee City (PCC) rail line Freight Rail
Assistance Program (TRAP") grant application.
If necessary, was this document reviewed by accounting? 0 YES ® NO W N/A
If necessary, was this document reviewed by legal? 0 YES � NO 8 N/A
DATE OF ACTION:S (0
APPROVE: DENIED ABSTAIN
D1: kwt--(�5
D2: Zt4
D3: 66
DEFERRED OR CONTINUED TO:
WITHDRAWN:
4/23/24
Outlook
Request for support
From Beau Duff <beaud@highlinegrain.com>
Date Mon 8/10/2026 9:03 AM
To Caitlin E. Manell <cemanell@grantcountywa.gov>
0 1 attachment (16 KB)
FRAP Support Letter Rail Cars.docx;
**EXTERNAL EMAIL**
This email originated from outside Grant County's network. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Good morning,
first want to thank you for your support in the past, which has helped us win multiple federal and state
grants to improve the rail infrastructure across our region — infrastructure that supports the thousands
of farmers in our communities.
Rail is one of the most efficient ways to move grain, but it is costly to maintain. The State of Washington
has opened another grant opportunity, and we are applying for funds to replace the aging rail cars
currently in service on our lines. As these cars age, they become more prone to derailment and to
causing damage to the track itself — a safety and cost risk we can get ahead of with this funding. For
this application, we are teaming up with two other grain cooperatives in the region, strengthening the
impact across all of our communities.
We would be grateful for your support once again, as it has been part of our success every time. To
make- it as easy as possible, I've attached a template support letter you're welcome to use as -is, edit, or
place on your letterhead.
We will need the signed letter back by 8/20/26 so we can include it in the submission. Please email it
back to me, and don't hesitate to reach out if you or your staff have any questions.
We appreciate your support!
Beau Duff
CFO
Highline Grain Growers, Inc.
R 509-725-7081
C. 509-288-7100
GRANT COUNTY
OFFICE OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
P 0 Box 37
EPHRATA WA 9BB23
(509) 754-201 1
August 17, 2026
Washington State Department of Transportation
Rail, Freight and Ports Division
P.O. Box 47407
Olympia, WA 9 8 5 04-7407
To Whom It May Concern:
We are writing this letter to express the Grant County Board of Commissioners' strong support
for the Freight Rail Assistance Program ("FRAP") grant application being submitted by the shippers and
rail operators on the state-owned Palouse River and Coulee City ("PCC") rail line. The purchase of more
modern covered hopper railcars for "scoot" service is crucial to ensuring that the PCC Line remains
competitive with alternate modes of transportation in the region.
The PCC Line is an important economic driver in our region. If the current "scoot" railcars fell into
further disrepair, they could begin to cause significant damage to the state and federal investments made
on the PCC Line. However, if this FRAP grant is funded and more modern and efficient covered hopper
railcars are placed in service, there is increased opportunity to draw more commodities to the PCC Line
and that will bring a multitude of economic opportunities to our region.
If the PCC ceased to be a rail shipping hub for any reason, the resulting increase in grain truck traffic will
have a very detrimental effect on our already cash -strapped counties, cities and towns. Most of these
small rural government entities do not have the monetary capacity through their tax base to handle
increased maintenance and repair of our roadways. The loss of this important asset in our community is
simply not in the best interests of any of the partners who are trying to make the PCC Line a success.
We appreciate the leadership and partnership of the shippers and rail operators on the PCC in submitting
this FRAP Application and urge your highest consideration to make it a reality. We desperately need the
jobs and economic activity that the PCC drives in our region and this FRAP is crucial to achieving these
benefits.
Sincerely,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Kevin_
R. Burg sss Chair
Kevin R. Burgess
District 1
R64oftes, Vice -Chair Cindy h arter, Member
Rob Jones
District 2
Cindy Carter
District 3
"PTO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS? SERVING TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES, WHILE FOSTERING
A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WORK ENVIRONMENT."