NORWICH – Discretionary funds under the direction of Chenango County’s Planning & Economic Development Committee were granted Wednesday for a consultant’s study of the New York Susquehanna & Western Railroad line through the area.

In the fall of 2005, the Cooperstown-based railroad filed the initial documents required to begin abandonment procedures of its right-of-way between Chenango Forks and Sherburne. The railroad cited underutilization. Later in 2006, the line shut down after being damaged by record-breaking floods in the region.

County officials, Commerce Chenango executives and the Industrial Development Corporation have been trying to remedy the situation ever since. The IDA has held a payment-in-lieu of taxes agreement with the railroad since 1982.

According to Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter, three options have developed from discussions with NYS&W officials: The IDA would take ownership of the tracks and bank them for future economic development, develop a rails-to-trails system, or create a scenic railroad linking Chenango County to northern destination sites such as Old Forge.

The NYS&W has two years before they officially file for abandonment with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

“This continues to be a high priority item for the IDA. We need professionals with experience,” Carpenter told the committee, “people who know what programs and funding sources are out there for us.”

Carpenter requested $20,000 from the committee’s set-aside pool for economic development. She said the Chenango County Area Corp. would be applying for a grant in order to kick in $10,000 for the $30,000 contract. If the grant isn’t awarded, the Area Corp. would tap into profits from the sale of the Eaton Center, she said.