PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE FOR OCT. 24 EVENTS AT BURGAW STATION

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Presentation by Steve Unger & Gene Merritt – Eastern Carolina Rail (length approximately one hour)

1. Introduction – Unger/Merritt – brief outline of purpose for the meeting

2. Introduction of governmental officials – recognition of Pender County Board of Commissioners support (introduce those present)

   Recognition of officials from area municipalities: 
   Burgaw, Atkinson, Watha, St. Helena, Surf City, Topsail Beach, Wallace

   Recognition of state representatives (if present)
   Bill Rabon (Senator District 8) Carson Smith (Rep. District 16)

   Recognition congressional rep(s):
   David Rouzer

   Recognition of reps from US Senate:
   Thom Tillis, Ted Budd

   Recognition of rep from Gov. Cooper’s office

   Additional reps to be invited from from Wallace, Warsaw, and Goldsboro

3. Introduction of NCDOT official(s)                     
   Highway Division 3 rep –,Landon Zimmer, NCDOT-RAIL REP – TBD

4. Eastern Carolina Rail Explained                        
   Gene Merritt  - tell why formed and the importance of citizen and local input
   Steve Unger - PPTX:  comparison to I-40, concept of at least one possible station per county potential stops: 

   Wilmington, Airport, Burgaw,  Wallace,  Warsaw, Goldsboro, Selma, Clayton, Raleigh. 

   Passenger AND Freight Service (via CSX)   FAST rail (70 – 80 mph), travel time 2.5 – 3 hours. Upgrading infrastructure - new station locations, improved track, (new bridge at Castle Hayne), economic impact of train line  to towns along route, connection to Amtrak network, train replaces non-existent air service Wilmington to Raleigh, plans for up to 3x trains per day each way.  possible timetable from now to completion – NOVEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT   of $500,000 federal grant for route selection and beginning of planning process, importance of governmental support.                           

5. Remarks from Town of Burgaw and Pender Commissioners and Burgaw business interests

6. NCDOT Rail Presentation  - pptx.                        NC DOT Rail Rep

7. Questions from audience

8. Next stop Wallace!