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L1 Pau’ B. Anderson BNSF Rauway Company Vice President P.O. Box 961051 RAIl 14’A p’ Marketing Support Fort Worth, TX 76161-0051 2650 Lou Menk Drive Fort Worth, TX 76131-2830 [PHONE REDACTED] [PHONE REDACTED] Fax The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E. Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary Foxx, BNSF Railway supports the efforts of the Flathead County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) and the City of Kalispell as they work to develop the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail in Kalispell, Montana, for which they are applying for TIGER 2015 Discretionary Grant funds. The proposed rail park is located on a BNSF branch line leased to Mission Mountain Railroad, a Watco Companies’ shortline railroad. Mission Mountain Railroad interchanges with BNSF providing the region access to the national rail network and the global marketplace. Glacier Rail Park creates a location for existing businesses to consolidate and expand operations, and for new businesses to locate to the region improving efficiencies while expanding their rail use. With the development of the Glacier Rail Park and relocation of current rail customers, rail traffic will be eliniinated from the southern section of the branch line making that section a candidate for abandonment. BNSF is willing to pursue abandonment of this section of rail line and dispose of the underlying property subject to applicable federal and state law and standard BNSF policies and procedures. The City of Kalispell intends to acquire certain portions of the abandoned rail line to construct a trail pursuant to Section 1247(d) of the National Trails Systems Act. During the abandonment process with the Surface Transportation Board, BNSF will act in good faith to negotiate a railbanking agreement and purchase price for the City to acquire the abandoned line. In support of the efforts of FCEDA and the City to develop Glacier Rail Park, BNSF will provide a financial contribution of $500,000 as a match for their Tiger 2015 grant application. BNSF will continue to partner with FCEDA and the City through the design and development process and supports this grant application. Vice President, Marketing Support ---PAGE BREAK--- f’atkead ECONOMIC ‘I DEVELOPMENT COUflW AUTHORITY June 2, 2015 Mr. Anthony Foxx, U.S. Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 RE: Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Dear Mr. Foxx, On behalf of Flathead County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), I am sending this letter to request your support for the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail, for which the City of Kalispell and FCEDA are requesting Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER 2015) grant funding. The Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail project meets the TIGER program’s selection criteria and application requirements. Our project will have a significant impact with desirable short and long-term outcomes for the City of Kalispell, Flathead County, the State of Montana and the nation. It will improve the condition of existing rail transportation systems, stimulate the economy, foster livable communities, improve energy efficiency and increase vehicular and bicycle safety. As the governing authority of the Flathead County Economic Development Authority, consider this a letter of certification of the availability of non-federal matching funds of $6,175,375 to complete this project and our guarantee that we will obligate any grant funds received by September 30, 2017. These funds combined with qualifying matching funds guaranteed by the City of Kalispell and BNSF Railways bring the municipal, county and private contribution to $11,175,375 to match the grant request of $10 million. Furthermore, if selected for funding, the Flathead County Economic Development Authority will comply with the requirements from the Federal Rail Administration described in 49 U.S.C. Subtitle V, Part C and also wage rate requirements included in subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code (Federal Wage Requirements) as required. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Kimberly Morisaki, Business Development and Special Projects designated point of contact. Ms. Morisaki can be reached at [PHONE REDACTED] Ext. 3 or Kim @DoBusinessInMontan3coifi,, ncereiy,) - •eafie Luckey / Vice Chair of the Board of Directors 2 Ave West Kalispell, MT 59901 ‘[PHONE REDACTED] [PHONE REDACTED] www.dobusinessinmontana.com • kimdobusinessinrnontana.com ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Kalispell Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903 Telephone: (406) 758-7701 Fax: (406) 758-7758 June3,2015 Anthony Foxx, Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Mr. Secretary, As Community Development Manager at the City of Kalispell I am writing to express strong support for the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development project as proposed to the US Department of Transportation for funding through the TIGER 2015 Discretionary Grant program. This $21.1 MM project will transform the northwest Montana region through systemic safety improvements, increased community access to all the necessary components of self-reliance and independence, expanded business opportunities through raifroad access, brownfields remediation, environmentally sustainable infill, and cures environmental justice concerns of the past. This project strengthens the very fabric of our community by acknowledging its heritage and embracing its future. Following the recommendation from its community volunteer Urban Renewal Agency, Kalispell City Council approved the commitment of $4,500,000 from the Westside Tax Increment Finance District (Resolution No. 5719) on June 1, 2015. These funds will match an award from US DOT TIGER grant to support the construction of infrastructure at the Glacier Rail Park so that existing rail served businesses may access the rail at the new location, and support costs related to the construction of the Kalispell Trail and the complete streets components of the project. We ask for your favorable review of the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail project. Sincerely, 9Wy2&c atharine Thompson Community Development Manager