Travis Childers announces $1.1mln grant for railroad spur

DeSoto Appeal - Grant to build railroad spur will roll jobs into Horn Lake

A $1.1 million economic development grant will be used to build a railroad spur line that will service the expansion of Newly Weds Foods in Horn Lake.

The project will create 20 jobs and help save 300 other jobs throughout DeSoto County, officials said.

U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, D-Miss., announced Wednesday that the grant from the Economic Development Administration will pay for the rail spur and infrastructure improvements to handle the expansion of the Horn Lake plant.

"These funds will create and save an estimated 320 jobs throughout DeSoto County by improving critical infrastructure and expanding business," Childers said in a press release.

"During today's tough times, this is a prime example of the kind of project that will spur growth and put North Mississippians back to work."