Let’s be realistic: Would you like 30 trucks all day up and down county roads or maybe eight or 10 rail cars once a day on a dedicated, safe stretch of track?
Long-Bell and then International Paper used the rail line in and out of Chelatchie Prairie for years. The mill provided work for hundreds of people. After the mill closed and as the population increased, homes were built close to the tracks. But that rail easement was still there and written into new property deeds.
Any kind of commercial development requires local, state and federal permits. All these permits will be obtained or the development will not be operational. I am sure the rail company will meet all these requirements at great expense or they will not proceed.
This county has bypassed a lot of development of different industries because people do not want to advance themselves. The oil terminal could have brought in a lot of revenue. The railroad and the quarry will provide continuing revenue for Clark County and make a safe environmental area.
