Freight Economic Development Program
Freight Economic Development Program supports Michigan rail customers and those providing them access by funding rail infrastructure that increases freight volume and strengthens the state's rail system.
Funder: Michigan Department of Transportation
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted at any time)
Funding Amounts: Up to 50% of eligible infrastructure costs, capped at $2 million
Summary: Supports infrastructure that connects Michigan rail customers to the rail system or expands their use of it.
Key Information: Every project must generate additional rail volume for Michigan’s rail system.
Description
The Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Office of Rail administers the Freight Economic Development Program to help new or expanding businesses use Michigan’s rail system to move commodities. It funds customer-side infrastructure, such as rail spurs, that establishes a rail connection or makes an existing connection more useful.
The program aims to strengthen the viability of Michigan’s rail system by increasing its use. MDOT weighs a project’s public benefits relative to its costs, including new rail carloads, jobs, public safety and local economic effects.
