Toccoa City Commission Moves Forward With Rail Viewing Platform

The Toccoa City Commission voted and approved the consideration of a resolution for the Georgia Department of Economic Development Grant for a Rail Viewing Platform, last night during its regular scheduled meeting.

The Economic Development Grant for a rail viewing platform was presented to the commission by City Manager Billy Morse, who reminded the commission of the recent visit by the State of Georgia Tourism Product Development Resource Team.

The team had recommended that the city integrate Amtrak and Railroad Culture into the downtown environment by creating experiences that invite rail fans to downtown for train watching and photography.

The state has $5,000 in grant funding that can be used for a rail viewing platform near the Historic Depot; however, the total cost for the project is $10,000.

Toccoa Mayor Jeanette Jamieson explained that no money would be spent until after the application is approved.

The Tourism Product Development grant program requires a cash match to be committed for the proposed project appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 grant fund budget.

In hopes of developing a true sense of place for a downtown worthy of recognition, it has been recommended that the city move forward with a rail viewing platform to attract rail fans to downtown for train watching and photography.

The commission approved for Morse to move forward with the TPD application for funding from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and certified that the required match would be made available upon approval of the application.