Local officials celebrated federal planning funding and provided the next steps for a passenger rail corridor linking Cleveland, Toledo, and Detroit during a Whistle Stop Tour event in Toledo on Friday.
Local leaders, including Ohio Rep. Michele Grim and Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, highlighted the importance of pushing for progress on passenger rail development and emphasized its potential to boost the economy, tourism, and work force.
“This is the first step that Ohio has made in developing the passenger rail system,” Ms. Grim said in an interview after the event. “It is especially exciting for the Toledo area because this is something we wanted for a long time. I’m excited to keep advocating for this corridor to be seen through implementation.
“This is going to be huge for growth and economic development. It would give people more opportunities to get around the region. It would really connect the region — not just in Ohio, but throughout the Midwest,” she said.
The passenger rail corridor has the ability to be a driver for economic development, Mayor Kapszukiewicz said.