HomeTop StoriesRailroad designer hired for North Branch project

Railroad designer hired for North Branch project

Jan. 10—CUMBERLAND — A company has been selected to begin work on a rail line that will connect a new local manufacturing facility to CSX tracks.

Allegany County commissioners on Thursday approved a $146,845 bid from Texas-based RailPros to perform rail design at the North Branch Industrial Park for Kingspan Roofing + Waterproofing.

Kingspan has numerous businesses in the US and is headquartered in Ireland.

Locally, the new production facility will handle large-scale production and distribution of roofing and waterproofing components.

“We’re very happy to have them here,” said Dave Caporale, chairman of the county board of commissioners.

Kingspan purchased the 348,000-square-foot, approximately 35-acre former Hunter Douglas building for $13 million in September, according to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

“This is a big deal for us,” said Jeff Barclay, director of the county’s Department of Economic and Community Development. “It will be a good project.”

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The proposed new rail lines will connect to the CSX Cumberland Subdivision.

The county solicited multiple companies, suggested by CSX, and RailPros provided the lowest of three quotes for the track design services.

The scope of work for the project includes a design plan for storm water pollution prevention, and hydrological, hydraulic and environmental engineering.

“We are available to begin work immediately and anticipate engaging and coordinating with CSX personnel within five business days of receiving notice from Allegany County to proceed with our scope of work,” the proposal said RailPros.

According to a Maryland Department of Commerce document outlining proposed financial support for the project, grants, investments and land share support include $1 million from the state, the same amount from the George C. Edwards Fund and $500,000 from the county .

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State tax credits are estimated at $7,541,488.

Costs associated with the project are estimated at $50 million and include land purchases, site improvements and production equipment.

Kingspan plans to employ 95 full-time employees by December 31, 2029.

The company is expected to use contractors and construction workers from Maryland for the project.

Additionally, the state encourages companies to hire veterans.

Kingspan will likely use the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Hagerstown Regional Airport and the Port of Baltimore for its shipping and transportation.

In October, Governor Wes Moore said via press release that Kingspan’s new operations in Allegany County “will put Maryland on the cutting edge of manufacturing, create good-paying jobs, advance our climate goals and grow our economy.”

Teresa McMinn is a reporter for the Cumberland Times-News. She can be reached at 304-639-2371 or tmcminn@times-news.com.

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