Rail Industrial Access Program
Policies and Procedures

Purpose
The Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will help fund the cost of constructing rail tracks required to serve a new business or a business expansion as part of a statewide effort to attract new industry to North Carolina. The purpose of the funds is to provide an incentive for companies to locate or expand in North Carolina rather than out of state. Funds should be applied for early, prior to making a location decision.

Eligible Recipients
Local governments, community development organizations, railroad companies and industries.

Eligible Projects
Funds may be used to construct or rehabilitate railroad spur tracks.

Allocation of Funds
Recipients may receive a maximum 50% of total project costs.

Responsibility for Project Tracks
The grant recipient (or industry) shall be responsible for ownership and assume maintenance and liability for the project tracks.

Administration
The Rail Industrial Access Program is administered by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). The Rail Division of NCDOT reviews applications and makes funding recommendations to the North Carolina Board of Transportation (NCBOT). To receive Board of Transportation approval in a particular month, the application should be submitted by the first of the prior month.

Application
Applications for Rail Industrial Access funds can be obtained from the NCDOT at the following address:
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Rail Division
1553 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27699
(919) 733-7245 ext. 274
Fax: (919) 715-6580

Railroad Commitment
The railroad company owning the main tracks to which a spur track is connected must agree to serve the industry and approve the track construction plans.

Industry Commitment
The industry shall commit to a specific number of new jobs and to a specific level of rail usage during the first five years of operation.

When project tracks are located in a municipality where the NCDOT has a Transportation Safety Plan, the industry shall accommodate it in their project planning.

County and City Resolution
The project shall be consistent with local land use and transportation plans. The County and City shall provide a resolution supporting the project.

NCDOT Railroad Safety Pledge
The industry, EDC and local governments shall pledge to work with the NCDOT in a leadership role to make highway-rail improvements that address the safety needs of the public, contractors and employees.

Project Selection Criteria
The following is required for NCDOT funding consideration:
1. Project Application
2. County/city support resolution
3. Industry commitment certification
4. Railroad commitment certification
5. Industry Safety Pledge

The NCDOT will use the following criteria and point system when evaluating rail industrial access applications:

Project Purchases and Cost Reimbursements
Project purchases are to be competitive and contracts must be awarded to the low bidder. All procurements are to be conducted in accordance with NC General Statute 143-129. To receive reimbursement the Grantee must submit a payment invoice after the project is completed and after the track is in revenue service.

Reporting Requirements

• For five years following project completion all grantees must report rail use and employment to the NCDOT.
• Grantees that are private or nonprofit must report project activities and project expenditures annually while the project is active. Forms can be found at this web site (NC Office of State Budget and Management): www.ncgrants.gov An NCID username and password is required to the Grants Center (https://ncid.nc.gov).

Contingent Interest
The grantee may be required to repay the NCDOT its contribution to the cost of construction and materials less depreciation if:

• Rail use in the first five years falls below the commitment levels indicated in the application.
• The project tracks are abandoned, relocated or sold.
• Employment commitments in the first two years are not met.