Small Railroads and Economic Development: A Partnership

Abstract

The Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) sponsored the "Small Railroads and Economic Development-A Partnership" conference on June 16-17, 1997. Moderated by Director Gerard McCullough, with opening remarks by Commissioner James Denn of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), the conference attracted nearly 160 attendees from regional development organizations, state and local government, shippers, small railroads, universities, and other organizations. This special report summarizes the event that included: the opening keynote by U.S. Representative James Oberstar; opening session speeches by Jolene Molitoris and William Loftus; a panel on success stories; a dinner pre­sentation by USDOT Secretary Rodney Slater; the second-day keynote by Kenneth Clayton; a panel on challenges and trends; a panel on government-industry partnerships; and a wrap-up by the session moderators.