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JON TESTER SL.NAtI H.jT SUITI 311 DC OS1O ?O2—’7 CUMMII-IE APPROPII I A nONS , 1 INDIAN Al FAIRS tillitcil -tatcs (‘dll1tC http l?r.o,.lT(I VETERANS 4FF AIRS OuELAND SECURITV AL) OVERNMENTAI M FAIRS June 2, 2015 The [lonorable Anthony Foxx United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue S.li, Washington. DC 20590 Dear Secretary Foxx: I write in support of the City of Kalispell and Flathead County Economic Development Authority’s application for TIGER 2015 discretionary grant funding ftr the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Redevelopment and Trail, This project will improve safety and spur economic development in the surrounding communities. The proposed $21 million project to strengthen road, rail arid trail infrastructure is a textbook example of a public/private partnership. The City and County have Partnered with BNSF Railway, Watco Companies and Mission Mountain Railroad to engineer the rail and operation plan for the park. BNSF has agreed to make a financial contribution to the development of the rail park and all three companies have provided extensive technical assistance to the project. The three private companies and the two public entities combined will provide $1 1 million in matching funds to the development oftlic rail park, creation of the trail and redevelopment of the Kal ispell Core Area. Additionally. l:lathcid County Economic [)evelopment Authority has reached an agreement with Cenex 1-larvest States (CHS) for the company to relocate their facilities to the Glacier Rail Park with both CHS and Flathead County Economic Development Authority contributing to the relocation and new facility costs. The Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Redevelopment and Trail project is the result of extensi e communit planning and support to encourage new and expanding businesses to increase rail use and stimulate job creation. [he City of Kalispell and Flathead County Economic Development Authority have been setting aside funds to prepare for this opportunitY fbr over a decade and need TIGER funding to leverage the local commitment. Thank you for your attention to this application. Ill can provide any additional information, do not hesitate to contact mc. Please inform my omce of the eventual decision on this application. Sincerely, Jon ‘[ester United States Senator Bo:i MAN Bui IF (ii FflfiVI Gll Al lA HIl I r K;,Lsl L $06) 5604450 406) 723 3277 (406) 365—2:PJ 1 (40(3) 452—0665 1406) 449—•54Q( (406) 257 3360 MIlL (406) 252 0550 (406) 728—3003 ---PAGE BREAK--- STEVE DAINES MONTANA APPROPRIATIONS COMMERCE, SCIENCE AND TRANSPORTATION nitcd *tates enate ENERGY AND NATURAL 2021 224—2651 INDIAN AFFAIRS June 1,2015 The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary ofTransportation United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E. Washington, DC 20590 RE: TIGER 2015 Grant Application Dear Secretary Foxx: I am writing on behalf of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2015 grant application submitted by the City of Kalispell and Flathead County Economic Development Authority for the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Redevelopment and Trail project. If successful, funds will be used to improve roads within Glacier Rail Park and the connection of Glacier Rail Park to US Highway 2 East, complete street connections, and construct a multi-use pedestrian trail. It is expected that improvements within and connections outside of Glacier Rail Park will attract rail- dependent, manufacturing businesses to the Kalispell Core Area, as well as retain existing businesses. The proposed $21 million project is the result of an 18-month community planning project and has been a cooperative public/private effort. The City of Kalispell and the Flathead County Economic Development Authority have worked closely with BNSF Railway, Watco Companies, and Mission Mountain Railroad to engineer the rail and operation plan for the rail park. It is expected that BNSF Railway will make a financial contribution to the development ofthe rail park, and all three companies have provided extensive technical assistance to the project. The three private companies and the two public entities will provide a combined $1 I million match to the development ofthe rail park, construction of the trail, and redevelopment ofthe Kalispell Core Area. The Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Redevelopment and Trail project is a best practice example of how it is possible for public and private entities to work together to build jobs and to transform a region through inclusive planning. Attracting new businesses by improving infrastructure is vital to expanding the economic vitality of the Kalispell Core Area. I trust you will give this grant proposal fair and thoughtful consideration. Sincerely, Steve Dames United States Senator ---PAGE BREAK--- RYAN K. ZINKE 113 CANNoN House OFFICE BIJILOING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 ONANA T- AEG (202) 225—3211 af tI 3IinitZi ‘tati oue of tpreentatibc QI fl515—6flfl June 2,2015 The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E. Washington, DC 20590 RE: 2015 TIGER Grant Application Dear Secretary Foxx: I am writing in support of the City of Kalispell and Flathead County Economic Development Authority’s application for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2015 discretionary grant funding for the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Redevelopment and Trail. Our government must support private investment opportunities by strengthening the infrastructure upon which our country was built. The northwest region was transformed by the construction of the railroad; a little more than one hundred years later, investment is needed once again to transform regional and national opportunities through the betterment of infrastructure. This proposed $21 million project focuses on constructing road, rail, and trail and showcases why rural public/private partnerships are the best options for communities across Montana and the country. The City and County have worked for years with BNSF Railway, Watco Companies, and Mission Mountain Railroad to engineer the rail and operation plans for the park. Direct financial and in-kind contributions to this project set it apart from others. Through local efforts, the non-federal match to this TIGER grant request is $1 I million—extraordinary for a rural Montana community where there are very limited public resources. The Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Redevelopment and Trail project has been the result of inclusive local planning and enjoys full community support. The goals of this project have always been based on creating positive opportunities for all parties involved. Since its inception, the long standing priority has been assisting two remaining rail-served businesses in Kalispell with relocating them to the new rail park. This move will allow for enhanced business growth, create rail-industry business attraction to the region, and improve the viability of the existing railroad corridor, which is currently considered highly distressed by the US Census. It is rare to see a project that is so well planned, coordinated, and comprehensive in its large scale impacts for a community and region. The Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Redevelopment and Trail project will have a transformative impact on Montana. The City of Kalispell and Flathead County Economic Development Authority has ftilly committed to the Glacier Rail ParklKalispell Core Area Redevelopment and Trail project and need TIGER funding to provide the final enabling investment. I urge you to support this rural Montana rail and public trail project. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER