Re: D&S Financing

USDA is a federal agency, created by Abraham Lincoln, not State of Colorado. And one of their major programs is rural economic development, and thus the source of the loan to the D&SNG. USDA places these loans in every state and for a multitude of purposes. The loan to the railroad is federal money. If I'm not mistaken, there is not a penny of money from the State of Colorado invloved, but a state agency acted on behalf of the railroad in securing this loan.
Today's ceremony went off quite nicely. A reception with the presentation of the checks started at 11 am in the museum, that was followed by a lunch served in the museum provided by the railroad, and then any of the attendees who wanted were invited for a train ride to Cascade Wye and return using 2 coaches, a concession car, open car, and the B-7 and B-2.
Some of those attending were US Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, the state senator and state representative from their respective districts that include the D&SNG, several state and federal officals, Jim Dyer who is a former state senator from Durango and recently retired commissioner from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, some county commissioners, numerous employees of the D&SNG including the Silverton station agents, Al Harper and all the executives of the railroad, and those who were reciepients of grants/loans and others who were involved in some manner with the proceedings, including several of the Citizens' Advisory Committee to the railroad from Silverton and Durango.