Malheur County economic officials acknowledge they need to provide “tough answers” to questions about the proposed rail shipping center but they don’t want the state to “dictate unnecessary restrictions” for getting $26 million.
Greg Smith, Malheur County economic development director, said in a letter made public Tuesday that the Oregon Transportation Commission should award the money and fulfill “a promise made by Governor Kate Brown.”
The state commission is scheduled to consider the Treasure Valley Reload Center at its meeting in Salem Thursday.
In the letter dated Feb. 14 and addressed to commission chair Tammy Baney, Smith addressed risks and concerns raised about the project by state officials and their consultants.
The reload center is seen by local officials as a major economic development project to boost the region’s agriculture industry. The rail . . .
