Across the Nation

Iowa: Increases in shipping demands have prompted Iowa railroads to upgrade. Iowa Interstate Railroad, after spending $22 million to upgrade its track system, will be adding 12 new locomotives for a price of $2.2 million apiece. Iowa Northern Railway is also upgrading as it is a partner in the opening of a 100-acre rail terminal at Manly.

Louisiana: Many education bills have been filed that could offer significant financial boosts for rural districts. One such bill proposes $5,000 supplemental pay to teachers in small parishes with large numbers of impoverished students. Another proposal would create a Statewide Education Facility Authority and authorize an initial $60 million from corporate income, state sales, and riverboat gaming revenues taxes. Louisiana is one of only a few states providing no state funding for educational facilities.

Missouri: Rock Port (population 1,403) has become the first 100 percent wind-powered city in the U.S. with the establishment of the Loess Hill Wind Farm that has four 1.25 megawatt wind turbines. The turbines are estimated to generate 16 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, which is beyond the 13 gigawatts the town consumes each year. Excess power will be purchased by a local utility when available. John Deere’s Wind Energy financing aided with the project.

Nationwide: As gas prices hit record high after record high, the pinch is especially painful for rural Americans. Lower incomes, heavy dependence on pickup trucks, and longer commutes contribute to the increased impact of gasoline prices in rural areas, which affects private citizens, businesses, and local governments.

Virginia: Communities of the Appalachian coalfields have long suffered or prospered in conjunction with the coal industry, creating many economic and social problems when the industry is bad. The establishment of new schools like the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia, however, provides an opportunity for communities to grow as many jobs are created (professional and otherwise) and graduates are more likely to remain in the community.

Contact: Casey Francis, caseyf@cfra.org, 420.687.2100, for more information or to comment.