(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) — State Representative Matthew Hill (R-Jonesborough) today announced he has helped secure a $2 million Competitive Rail Connectivity Grant for Washington County’s Economic Development Board.
The monies are funded through the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) Competitive Rail Connectivity Grant program and will be used for construction of a rail spur to serve existing industries in Washington County who currently lack rail connectivity.
The Competitive Rail Connectivity Grant program seeks to strategically expand rail access and opportunities within the state of Tennessee in order to benefit cities and towns by impacting job creation and capital investment by industries that require rail access. This enhances marketability of available industry sites and also reduces highway and bridge maintenance costs through the diversion of heavy freight from the roadway network to rail.
“This is a sizable investment in Washington County that will have a tremendous impact on our local economy and lead to additional job creation,” said Representative Hill. “I am grateful to our Department of Transportation for their partnership and for allocating these resources to Washington County. It was an honor to support our local leaders in securing this competitive funding.”
For more information about the Competitive Rail Connectivity Grant Awards, please click here.
Matthew Hill serves as Deputy Speaker for the 111th Tennessee General Assembly. Hill is also Chairman of the House Ethics and House Select Committees on Rules, Chairman of the House Tenncare Subcommittee, and a member of the House Calendar & Rules, House Finance, Ways, & Means, House Health, and House Insurance Committees, as well as the House Finance, Ways, & Means and Public Health Subcommittees. Hill lives in Jonesborough and represents Tennessee House District 7, which includes part of Washington County.