$750K to fund rail line at business park

The Kootenai Business Park is getting a boost.

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines announced on Friday that $750,000 from the federal Economic Development Administration is being awarded to the 400-acre Kootenai Business Park, which is located south of town limits.

The grant will be used to fund development of a railroad, according to a press release from Daines’ office.

“The investment will support the creation of additional wood product manufacturing jobs in the distressed region of Lincoln County and will help the Lincoln County Port Authority to redevelop its defunct rail spur, which serves the business park,” the release states.

“Completion of the project will allow the local company to expand and attract additional manufacturing companies to the area.”

Daines said the funds will enable Lincoln County to create and save good-paying jobs. “The Kootenai Rail Development Project will invigorate the region and be a boon for local business,” he said.