LOCK HAVEN — Sen. Cris Dush (R-25) and Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-76) announced a $3.2 million grant, awarded to Clinton County business Snavely’s Mill Inc. through Pennsylvania’s Rail Transportation Assistance Program.

“For nearly 200 years, rail freight infrastructure has been vital to American agriculture, connecting farms to markets and bringing fresh nutritious food to our family tables,” said Dush. “I am pleased to see that Snavely’s Mill is investing this highly competitive funding toward dramatically increasing their wheat processing capacity, the lion’s share of which comes from Pennsylvania farmers and is distributed to mostly Pennsylvania bakeries and producers. Supporting modern and efficient freight rail transportation will keep our region economically competitive and on the right track for creating and retaining family-sustaining jobs for years to come.”

“This investment in Snavely’s Mill is a win for Clinton County and for Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy,” said Borowicz. “By improving rail infrastructure and expanding capacity for wheat shipments, we’re helping one of North America’s oldest and largest family-owned flour mills remain competitive in a growing market. These upgrades will not only strengthen Snavely’s operations but also support local farmers and food producers, ensuring our region continues to thrive.”

The grant funding will be used by Snavely’s Mill to construct two new rail spurs and rehabilitate over 3,000 feet of track at Snavely’s transloading facility. Snavely’s expects the improvements will increase their flour production operations by three times the current level.

The Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) invests in freight infrastructure to boost economic development. The program funds up to 70% of project costs for maintenance or construction. Applicants include railroads, businesses and municipalities.

This round of funding also saw a grant awarded to South Avis Realty, in Clinton County, who received $819,000 to replace ties and rehabilitate three grade crossings throughout its facility.

Funding also went to SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority in Blair and Centre Counties — $2.1 million to rehabilitate five bridges on the Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad (NBER) Nittany Main and the Bellefonte Branch.

Together, the funding was part of a nearly $53 million investment in rail freight infrastructure throughout the Commonwealth. A release from the Shapiro administration billed the grants as “creating and sustaining an estimated 450 jobs across Pennsylvania.”

Pennsylvania is the only state with a dedicated rail freight grant program in the country, and the Shapiro administration has invested over $150 million in the Commonwealth’s rail freight network since taking office in 2023.

Pennsylvania is also the only state in the Northeast with a growing economy, according to Moody’s.

“Pennsylvania’s rail freight network supports family sustaining jobs and connects Pennsylvania communities to the global economy while bolstering local economic development,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These investments to expand and improve the network will create opportunities for generations of Pennsylvanians to come.”

Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads, which is more than any other state in the nation. PennDOT is committed to working with private rail operators and rail-served businesses to construct new rail lines and assist in maintaining and improving Pennsylvania’s roughly 5,600 miles of freight lines.