NS Delivering $500K for East Palestine Economic Development

NS funds will pay for an independent, private-sector economic development consultant, who will be hired by and work for the village of East Palestine, Ohio. (NS Photograph)

Norfolk Southern (NS) has committed $500,000 to the village of East Palestine, Ohio, for the hiring of an independent, private-sector economic development consultant.

The Class I on Aug. 4 reported that the consultant, to be hired by and work for the village and its leaders, will help develop and implement an economic development strategy.

Among the initiatives to be undertaken:

• Engaging with community and business leaders.
• Assessing the current state of the village’s economy.
• Setting achievable economic development goals.
• Helping the village implement a plan to foster and support economic growth.

Over the six months following NS’s train derailment in East Palestine, many village members “have expressed interest in a long-term economic development strategy,” according to Alan H. Shaw, the railroad’s President and CEO. He noted that NS continues “to take their direction on how we can help the community thrive. These funds will allow the village to hire a professional economic development consultant and create a plan to support long-term prosperity.” 

The village will provide further information about the economic development role in the coming weeks, according to NS.

In related developments, NS on July 24 reported that it will contribute to The Pittsburgh (Pa.) Foundation $250,000 for Lawrence and Beaver county nonprofits and first responders and a $750,000 endowment fund that will benefit local nonprofits in perpetuity.