Ms. Jennifer Green, Director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Jacksonville State University, prepared and provided a presentation to the Southern Rail Commission on the potential economic impact of expanded passenger rail service for the state of Alabama. The study examined feasibility studies for rail services connecting Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile while also evaluating the studies for high-speed rail from Atlanta, GA to Birmingham. The study accounts for potential economic impacts from tourism, construction, operations, and other investments that create benefit to the entire state. The report has been provided to the Commission for comments and further suggestions. Following the completion of the report, Ms. Green will work with CPEX for the development of an Executive Summary. The report in its entirety will be made available through the Commission’s website and Facebook page upon final approval and release. “As a follow up to the great work done by the University of Southern Mississippi’s Trent Lott Center on the economic impact related to the restart of passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast, it was professionally rewarding to conduct this assessment for the state of Alabama and to create an informative document,” says Green.

The Commission presented a Leadership Award to retired MDOT Commissioner and champion of passenger rail, Dick Hall. The Commission also recognized outgoing Chairman John Spain for his service.