Rep. Robert Leadbeter of Columbia County announced that Sekisui Kydex, LLC in Bloomsburg has secured a $1 million grant to support improvements at its Bloomsburg South Campus Facility. The funding will be used to remove existing siding and build a new, extended siding to expand capacity.
“Securing significant investments, like this, is not just about bringing dollars to the table,” said Leadbeter. “It is about strengthening the freight rail system to ultimately create family-sustaining jobs, connect businesses to markets and provide opportunities to communities – all of which play pivotal roles in a thriving economy.”
The grant comes from two state programs: the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and the Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP). RFAP supports investment in rail freight infrastructure when it benefits economic development or preserves key services. It can fund up to 70% of project costs, with a maximum contribution of $700,000 per project. RTAP, also called Capital Budget, is available for applicants with items included in a Capital Budget Act.
Pennsylvania operates 65 railroads and maintains more than 5,600 miles of freight track—more than any other state in the country. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports and Waterways oversees both RTAP and RFAP programs. These initiatives are designed to promote public-private partnerships that help maintain and improve the state’s rail system.
