Press release
The Wyoming County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) along with state and local elected leaders, representatives from Norfolk & Southern Railroad, Clark Patterson Lee, and members of the local business community, were pleased to welcome the new Wyoming Rail Transfer Station, LLC at a ribbon cutting ceremony held on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.
The Wyoming Transfer Station, LLC, located at 4565 Route 19A in Silver Springs, is a Multi-Modal Rail transfer facility that is officially open and welcoming business customers from the area to fully realize the economic advantages of shipping by rail.
The multi-modal rail project is the final stage of Wyoming County’s Rail Initiative which began in 2008, and represents a nearly $1 million investment from the NYS Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Multi-Modal program, the Wyoming County IDA, Wyoming County, with private site work and investment provided by Marquart Companies. Several businesses have expressed interest in the facility to access environmentally friendly and cost efficient transportation of products including agriculture commodities, manufacturing components and finished products, and transportation of other bulk commodity products and materials.
In 2008, the IDA received a $1.3 million grant from NYSDOT to improve truck/rail facilities at two sites within Wyoming County. The IDA, as project lead, committed an additional local share of $500,000 for multi-modal project development within Wyoming County. The first phase of the project was completed in 2012 which included the relocation of 2,300 feet of rail track in Arcade to allow for the expansion of Koike Aronson, a local manufacturer of metal cutting and welding equipment.
In 2015, with the strong support of Senator Patrick Gallivan, the NYSDOT approved phase two funding of the remaining grant for a new multi-modal rail transfer facility in Gainesville. The state grant along with commitments from Wyoming County and the IDA totaled nearly $1 million to construct the multi-modal project in the Town of Gainesville.
The IDA worked closely with multiple construction and design companies to develop the multi-modal transfer facility on a 66-acre parcel adjacent to the Norfolk & Southern Railroad in the Town of Gainesville. The IDA and the Marquart Company developed the parcel for the construction of 1,365 feet of track for the rail spur, a type of secondary track used by railroads to allow the loading and unloading of railcars, and required switching equipment with additional spurs planned for the future. Project design and engineering services were provided by Clark Patterson Lee from Rochester, NY; Patterson-Stevens, Inc. from Tonawanda, NY was the contractor hired to build the rail spur at the site.
“The state’s investment in this project makes good on a commitment made to Wyoming County several years ago. The new facility will support existing businesses and jobs and will make it possible to attract new ones to our region. I want to thank Wyoming County leaders and the IDA for bringing this project to fruition,” said Senator Patrick M. Gallivan.
“The state’s continued investment in this important project, with combined funding from the Wyoming County IDA and Wyoming County, represents our commitment to build and enhance our infrastructure, promote economic development, and secure current and future jobs,” said A.D. Berwanger, Chairman of the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors. “Thank you to Senator Gallivan for his continued strong support, and many thanks to everyone involved who helped to make this important project a reality.”
“On behalf of the Wyoming County IDA Board of Directors, thank you to the staff and the many partners who worked together to make this project a reality,” said Mark Dadd, Chairman of the Wyoming County IDA. “As a result of this successful transportation infrastructure initiative, we look forward to private sector business growth, and positive economic benefit to Wyoming County.”
“The driving force behind the IDA developing a multi-modal rail project that could be used by Wyoming County area businesses was simply recognizing that we had very limited access to rail service which was a major economic disadvantage for our businesses, especially those involved in the agricultural industry,” said Jim Pierce, Executive Director of the Wyoming County IDA. “Given the complexity of this project, it took many players from both the private and public sectors working together, making the investment and commitment to get this project to the finish line. We are grateful to everyone that was involved.”
“Norfolk Southern is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the many dedicated individuals who saw this project from concept to completion,” said Joseph Torp, Industrial Development Manager for Norfolk & Southern Railroad. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Marquarts, Wyoming County IDA, Chamber of Commerce, and the State of New York on this facility as well as on future development opportunities.”
“We would like to thank everyone involved that made this possible and we look forward to the opportunity to serve Wyoming County and the surrounding areas for years to come,” said Adam Marquart, Partner of Marquart Dairy, LLC. “We are proud to have partnered with the Wyoming County Industrial Development Agency on the Wyoming Transfer Station, LLC’s Multi-Modal Rail Spur and Trans-load Facility located in Gainesville, NY. The impact of this facility will help local farmers and businesses, as well as providing multiple employment positions for our local workforce.