NORWICH – The rail line, the natural gas industry and creating jobs to fill the many empty manufacturing plants and downtown storefronts have kept Chenango County’s economic developers busy during the first half of the year.
In a requested report to the Planning & Economic Development Committee last week, Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter outlined those activities and more, including recent loans made to businesses and start-ups, Empire Zone activities, and marketing and business recruitment projects.
The New York Susquehanna & Western Railroad remains inactive and in disrepair despite three years of effort. While a consultant’s study completed in February estimated only $15,000 to repair service to and from Norwich from the north, Carpenter said the railroad still intends to formally discontinue service.
About $1.2 million is needed to bring the entire line back to service, but only at a 10 mph rating as opposed to the 25 mph rating the railroad had previously. Carpenter said that an additional investment in the ties and other repairs would be needed to restore it to the higher rating. A federal appropriations request in the amount of $1.5 million has been filed with Congressman Acruri and Senator Schumer for the work.
Rail service could be used in the future for agricultural purposes, short line freight operations, scenic/tourism purposes or to transport natural gas pipe line supplies and water resources or drilling. But more definite timelines for development are needed, she said.
“At this time, the situation does not warrant using taxpayers dollars to repair the line, until more businesses request service. The repairs to bring service back into Norwich are minor, and can be completed in a very short time frame if needed,” she said.
Sites and facilities available for development include the Earl B. Clark Business Park in North Norwich, Procter & Gamble’s manufacturing facility in Norwich; Elmer’s in Bainbridge; Apple Converting in Norwich; Camp Pharsalia; the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford and the Salvation Army in the City of Norwich. Staff has been working “very closely” with a potential buyer for the P&G facility, Carpenter said, as well as with two prospects for the Elmer’s glue factory. A feasibility study has been commissioned for possibly siting a warehouse facility at Clark Park and the Center for Community Alternatives in Syracuse has been consulted to organize a public forum to discuss both Camp Pharsalia and the veterans’ home and create proposals that can be submitted to the state.
