By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
ASHTABULA — City Manager Anthony Cantagallo asks Ashtabula County residents to rally behind a proposal that could bring Amtrak rail service to town.
Last month, Gov. Ted Strickland asked Amtrak to investigate the potential ridership and start-up costs to restore service to Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. Ashtabula was not on the governor’s list of cities to study, but that didn’t dissuade Cantagallo.
“We are asking local businesses and commuters from our county to show their interest by submitting a letter of request to our office,” Cantagallo said. “This could be a significant impact on our local economy in many ways, from increased retail and restaurant sales to higher occupancy levels in our lodge, hotels, and bed and breakfasts. The economic gains could be astronomical.”
A passenger rail line would save area residents and organizations considerable money, especially since the cost of fuel continues to increase, Cantagallo said.
The city’s economic development director, Alicia McFarland, sent letters to Ashtabula County municipalities, townships and chambers of commerce, asking for support. She hopes representatives of those organizations will write letters to the Ohio Rail Development Commission, asking for an Amtrak stop in Ashtabula.
“I’ve had some comments, people calling me, thanking me that we’re working on this,” McFarland said.
Two daily Amtrak trains now run through Cleveland: the Lake Shore Limited and the Capitol Limited, which link Chicago with the East Coast. Cincinnati is served three days a week in each direction by the Cardinal line, which runs between Chicago and New York City.
Strickland has said he is committed to providing Ohio’s urban areas with the tools they need to create jobs and attract investments to make the communities vibrant centers of commerce.
Ashtabula County generates about $300 million in tourism every year and an additional mode of transportation, like passenger rail service, could attract new businesses and increase the business of existing retailers, wineries, hotels and restaurants.
“We also believe Amtrak service will attract tourism from our neighbors to the east, in Erie, Pittsburgh and Buffalo,” Cantagallo said. “These are tourism dollars that may not otherwise come to Ohio.”
For more information, contact McFarland by telephone (440 992-7154) or e-mail (amcfarland@cityofashtabula.com).
The address of the Ohio Rail Development Commission is 50 W. Broad St., Suite 1510, Columbus 43215. The commission’s number is (614) 644-0306.
