IN THE NEWS
Dedication Ceremony & Open House For Knox Industrial Park Lead Track
A Dedication Ceremony was held on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 to celebrate completion of a new lead track into the Knox Industrial Park located at 300 East between 25 South and 50 South in the City of Knox.
Funding for this project was made possible from award of a $1,285,600 Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant, matched by $128,200 in City of Knox EDIT funds, $117,500 in Starke County EDIT funds and $117,500 from the Knox Civic Development Corporation. This project has also leveraged $700,000 in new, private, investment from the N&S Railroad and Knox Fertilizer.
This multi-phased project consisted of construction of approximately 4400 linear feet of lead track originating at the main line of the Norfolk Southern Railroad at the northwest side of the City of Knox, and terminating in the industrial park. Several underground and overhead public utility service lines were also relocated.
Part two of the project saw construction of a "team track", truck dock and truck maneuvering area within the industrial park.
This project reflects the positive result of teamwork: For a very long time. Starke County has been in need of a connecting rail line to the industrial park. Increased rail service to the park will allow existing and future businesses to grow and prosper. This in turn aids the overall economy of Starke County and its resident.
The commitment of the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission (K-IRPC) in submitting and securing the grant, together with the Economic Development Agency (EDA), Starke County Commissioners, City of Knox, and its Civic Development Corporation and the Starke County Development Foundation have combined to make this project a reality.