Lowndes County supervisors approved a resolution of intent last week to create a railroad authority, adding another tool to the county’s economic development toolbox.

“This helps to preserve, develop and maintain rail in the county, not just for (the Cinco megasite), but throughout the county,” Betsy Young, vice president of economic development for the Golden Triangle Development LINK, told the board during its April 7 meeting.

The county previously handled rail projects without an authority. The new board is intended to serve as a more efficient way to manage and develop rail in the county, while also being an asset the county can market to industry.

But what is a rail authority and why is the county making one? How will it support economic development? What’s the difference from how things were done before?

What is a rail authority and why create one now?

A rail authority is a public board that develops, manages and operates railroad systems in the county. Per state law, it is made up of five members who serve five-year terms. The rail authority can acquire property, build infrastructure, set usage fees and enter contracts, according to the state statute.

Along with LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins, the board will include the officers and two at-large members of the Lowndes County Industrial Development Authority.

Higgins said the idea to establish the authority came about while planning development for the Cinco megasite. The county already owns a significant portion of the rail infrastructure local industries rely on, including a line serving Mississippi Steel Processing. The county enters into maintenance agreements with the companies that use the rail, he said.

And there’s more rail coming. A $4.9 million rail expansion into the southern side of the Lowndes County Port is in the works, and Higgins expects there to be more progress made on it this year. Prospective tenants at the Cinco megasite will undoubtedly also want rail, he said.

Establishing a rail authority gives the county a centralized way to manage and expand that infrastructure. Higgins said it also gives the county added flexibility in negotiating right-of-way, maintenance and ownership.

“How often will we use it? Have no idea,” he said. “But it’s a tool for us.”

What’s the difference?

While the county has managed rail projects in the past without a formal railroad authority, creating one now has practical and strategic purposes. Previously, logistics – like coordinating between various stakeholders and railroads – could slow down a project.

But Lowndes County Board of Supervisors President Trip Hairston said establishing a railroad authority will help streamline future rail developments.

“It helps pave the way so you can turn around really quickly when dealing with rail easements and things,” he told The Dispatch. “It really does help moving forward with economic development.”

An easement gives the right to cross or use someone else’s land for a specific purpose – in this case, rail lines. While easements have already been obtained for the Cinco megasite, Hairston said the rail authority would help manage any future easements the county needs for rail expansions.

Higgins pointed to the ongoing addition of a rail crossing for a biochar project as an example of why a centralized body could help with rail projects. The new crossing is essentially complete, he said, but the railroads still need to finish their portion.

“In my mind, if we’d had the rail authority formed, we would have let them be the central point of contact on everything, dealing with the engineers to get everything done and working in conjunction with the company,” he said.

While there’s no guarantee a railroad authority will help secure more funding for rail projects in the county, Higgins said it may strengthen the county’s case when applying for rail specific opportunities, such as the state’s rail revitalization program.

“While you don’t have to be a rail authority to use it, I think it makes a better case if you say, the railroad (authority is) going to own it, going to maintain it – all that stuff,” he said.

How will it support economic development?

As the county prepares for more growth, Higgins said the authority could help integrate rail into broader transportation strategies, helping county industry stay on top in a supply chain-driven world.

For example, the Golden Triangle Regional Airport recently secured support from the cities and counties that collectively own it to make a $2 million offer on the 109 acres south of its runway, with stakeholders footing half the bill and grant funding covering the remainder.

The added space could open doors for expanded rail access, Higgins said, mentioning an intermodal facility in Huntsville, Alabama that connects rail, truck and air cargo in one location.

“We do have, occasionally, manufacturers here that have to fly in parts … and we’ve got a cargo ramp out there. We’ve got rail. We know we’ve got trucks, and we know we’ve got airplanes,” he said. “We may or may not do that, but it’s something that we can do, and the rail authority will help us do that.”

Having a central body to handle rail for industry in the county also isn’t a bad selling point for industries coming into the region, Higgins said.

“I don’t think it hurts our sales job in recruiting them if we can say we recently formed a rail authority that can … construct your rail, can own your rail, can maintain your rail,” he said. “We may charge you a fee for doing it, but more like a turnkey deal. We’ll take care of your rail needs.”

Editor’s note: Do you want answers to questions about the Golden Triangle? Each week, Dispatch reporters set out to explain or update a timely, practical issue. Email your question to [email protected].

McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.