(The following story by Tom Rafferty appeared on the Minot Daily News website on January 14.)
MINOT, N.D. — The City of Minot is making a small contribution toward a study that could have a big impact on Minot and the surrounding area.
The Minot City Council approved spending $2,500 in city funds toward a study to determine the feasibility of an intermodal hub on Monday.
The beginning of the $192,000 study was announced last month.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation has already agreed to pay for half of the study, up to $10,000 has been pledged by the Minot Area Development Corp., $2,500 by the Ward County Farm Bureau and $30,000 from the Agricultural Products Utilization Committee if the study reaches the second phase.
The Minot Area Chamber of Commerce has also been raising funds for the study.
Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman, who doesn’t make motions during city council meetings, asked the council to consider his proposal.
Council member Chuck Barney then made the motion to spend the money and all of the 14 council members voted in favor of it.
An intermodal facility would provide the region with a hub to ship products in large sealed containers by a variety of modes of transportation. An intermodal facility would benefit farmers and businesses by providing cheaper transportation of their products.
The study is being conducted by Carter & Burgess, a nationwide firm that has experience in designing intermodal facilities in other states.