U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) has announced a $4.8 million investment for a new rail spur project aimed at fostering economic development and job creation in Appanoose County.
“The Appanoose County Rail Spur will drive economic prosperity and create at least one hundred new jobs in this community,” said Rep. Nunn. “This is exactly the kind of project the federal government should fund – one that does the most good for the most people. I’m proud to have secured this critical funding to help the project succeed.”
The investment was secured through the Community Project Funding process, which allows members to designate funds for essential initiatives. The funding was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, signed into law on March 9, 2024.
“Our community is profoundly grateful to Congressman Nunn. His support made all the difference in not only this rail spur project, but this spur enables two other businesses to locate here in our industrial site,” said Michael Mathes, Executive Director for Promoting Appanoose & Centerville Together (PACT). “The hundreds of jobs and increasing prosperity this project enables will help to elevate the quality of life and the standard of living for everyone in Appanoose County and the surrounding region. Thank you, Congressman Nunn!”
The $4.8 million investment will assist the Appanoose County Community Railroad in constructing a rail spur that will add six miles of track, allowing long 100-car trains to be parked and loaded within one of the county’s two major economic development projects.
“Centerville and Appanoose County are blessed with the forward-thinking leadership of Congressman Zach Nunn to work alongside PACT and Appanoose County Community Railroad to deploy much-needed infrastructure funding into the region,” said Karla Klingner, CEO of Palindromes Inc. “The funding Congressman Nunn helped secure for this rail spur is attracting job-creating agricultural businesses such as Palindromes Inc to the region that prioritize opportunities for local economic development and farmer prosperity in a rapidly changing environment and marketplace. We look forward to beginning our site plans with local leadership as a result of this critical Southern Iowa victory.”
Rep. Nunn announced the new funding during a roundtable with Centerville Mayor Mike O’Connor, PACT President John Cosby, President of the Appanoose County Community Railroad Jeff Burns, and other community members.
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