Get on board with TIGER II application

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, AT LEAST, has recognized the importance of bringing the Plymouth-Sheboygan Falls rail line back to life and is taking a proactive step to make it happen.

Now it’s time for the city of Plymouth to step up and lend its support — support that, at this point at least, does not involve a financial commitment. And, when it does require a financial commitment, one that will be much less than what the city was looking at previously.

The county is in the process of applying for $15 million in federal stimulus funds under the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) II program through the federal Department of Transportation.

The City Council, at their last meeting, balked at adopting a resolution endorsing the county’s application, seeking a Committee of the Whole meeting with involved parties to gather more information. They need to do so quickly, and get on board with the TIGER II application, to get this project moving forward — which it will, make no mistake about it.

If the TIGER II application is successful, the local match will be only $600,000, much more palatable than the $3 million local match that was part of the earlier proposal from the state Department of Transportation to fix the line. While Plymouth could provide the entire $600,000 if necessary, there will be sufficient time if the stimulus funds are received to put together a financing package for that amount that could include Plymouth, the county, other communities along the rail line and affected industries and businesses, or perhaps some other funding mechanism that hasn’t been thought of yet.

But time is running out for the city to get on board with the county’s TIGER II application, which must be submitted to the federal government before the end of this month.

There is no doubt that the rail line rehabilitation will benefit the economy of Plymouth and Sheboygan County immensely. There are existing jobs that will be saved by putting the line back in service, and it will make Plymouth’s new industrial park much more marketable for new industry coming to Plymouth, bringing needed jobs.

The council was right to be concerned about the lack of communication from Mayor Donald Pohlman concerning the TIGER II application. The mayor still needs to brush up his communication skills and get information to the council before they are asked to make important decisions, whether it’s by e-mail, memo or however.

But the council also needs to recognize the importance of the rail line revival to the city’s economic health and future, and add its endorsement in time.

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