Morganton hosts regional conference for the future of passenger rail

Local, state, and federal-ranking leaders from across North Carolina will gather in Morganton on Wednesday to discuss restoring passenger rail service to Western North Carolina, a long-standing goal for the region.

Officials from cities along the Salisbury to Asheville rail corridor will attend the Railroads and Regional Economic Development Conference at the Morganton Community House, where discussions will focus on the return of passenger rail, the region’s economic future, and the work needed to bring the service back to Western North Carolina.

It’s been more than 50 years since the last passenger train ran from Asheville to Salisbury. Restoration of the service could create over 300 jobs, generate $20 million in annual employee earnings, and produce nearly $60 million in annual economic output for the region, according to the 2023 Western North Carolina Passenger Rail Feasibility Study.

The conference has been six months in the making, according to Morganton Waiting for the Train’s Mimi Phifer, though the Western North Carolina Rail Committee has been working to bring passenger rail back to the area for more than 25 years.

Morganton Mayor Ronnie Thompson, who will welcome leaders to the city, alongside Marion Mayor Steve Little, said the restoration of passenger rail would be a great economic and tourism booster for the region.

“I’m really appreciative that all the elected officials and the people in charge are coming to Morganton,” Thompson said. “I just hope we can make this happen as soon as possible.”

Much of the conference will focus on ongoing efforts to restore rail service, with CSX, North Carolina Railroad, and Blue Ridge Southern officials planned to discuss the future in light of Hurricane Helene recovery. Norfolk Southern’s Mary Lesa Pegg is expected to discuss how to approach economic development with a Class 1 railroad.

Anchor city leaders, including Mayor Pro Tem Susan Kluttz from Salisbury and Mayor Esther Manheimer from Asheville, are expected to discuss what rail restoration could mean for their communities, followed by state and federal leaders, who will address the big question: how to pay for it all.

The Western North Carolina Rail Committee noted that speakers may change based on availability.

North Carolina Speaker of the House Destin Hall is expected to speak during lunch, followed by a state legislative panel made up of Rep. Steve Tyson, Rep. Jay Adams, Rep. Zach Hawkins, and Sen. Kevin Corbin, who will talk about how to gather state funding.

Representatives with U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis’s office and Sen. Ted Budd’s office, Congressmen Tim Moore, Chuck Edwards, Pat Harrigan, and Addison McDowell are expected to join Jim McClesky, director of North Carolina Washington Office, in discussions about chasing federal rail dollars.

Several local leaders from Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Planning Organizations such as the Western Piedmont Council of Governments and the Foothills Regional Commission, will discuss their organizations’ role in the effort.

The conference will be followed by Drinks at the Depot at 4 p.m., sponsored by Morganton Waiting for the Train and is free for the public. The public can also attend the conference, which requires a $40 registration fee. The daylong event starts at 8 a.m., lasts until 4 p.m., and includes a light breakfast and lunch. The conference will take place at the Morganton Community House.