Re: Why the C&TS even exists . . . Economic Development!!

RCW Wrote:
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> Some time ago, I saw an astounding figure for
> what the C&TS brought into their "neighborhood"
> (both sides of the border between CO & NM).  It
> made the states' contributions look puny by com-
> parison.  Most private companies would be de-
> lighted with such a return-on-investment!  Any-
> one have a current figure for what the railroad
> brings into the region these days?

Steve Forney Wrote:
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> On the Commission's website page [commission.ctsrr.com]
> under "Other Resources" is the link to the Econ-
> omic Impact study done in 2012.   Other inter-
> esting things can be found there also.


Hi, all -

Don't forget that back in 1969-70 when Terry Ross, John Pritchard, Ernie Robart and many others were working so hard to save the Narrow Gauge over Cumbres the gummint wasn't buying the "Historic Preservation" angle.  It was only after Clarence Quinlan, a Colorado legislator from Antonito, convinced them that 'Economic Development' in two of the poorest counties in the entire United States was The Horn to Toot that 'The Powers That Be' were convinced that the C&TS was a good idea.  IIRC, "Economic Development" in the area is listed FIRST among the purposes listed in the charter establishing the bi-state agreement for preservation & operation of the railroad . . .

IMHO, investing $750,000 of N.M.'s tax money on 'Economic Development' beats spending $1,500,000 on welfare & food stamps any day!

- Roosso



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/15/2018 06:20PM by Russo Loco.