The Cumberland County Rail Authority met this morning and approved the acceptance of two grants from the state. The first is for $818,748 and the second is for $388,418 making a grand total of $1,207,166.

The money comes with a $90,000 match that will be covered by Lhoist North America – Crab Orchard plant. It will be for railroad upkeep on the line running from Crab Orchard into Rockwood. Tennessee Central built the railroad line around 100 years ago. Norfolk Southern later gave the railroad line to Lhoist North America to take care of the 16 miles of track.

The Cumberland County Rail Authority  was established to utilize grant money that starts from the federal government to the state then to the county for railroad upkeep. The authority is made up of Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster, chairman of the rail authority Wendell Wilson (6^th district county commissioner) and vice-chairman of the rail authority Joe Sherrill (6th district county commissioner).