Rail Industrial Access
Virginia’s rail network is a valuable asset, nurturing economic growth, alleviating roadway congestion, and enhancing air quality. The Rail Industrial Access Program (RIA) extends financial assistance to eligible businesses embarking on new or substantially expanded industrial and commercial projects that will have a positive impact on Virginia’s economic development.
RIA Grant ProgramOverview
Virginia’s rail network is a valuable asset that grows the economy, relieves roadway congestion, saves lives, improves air quality and saves taxpayer money.
Interested in learning more about the Rail Industrial Access Grant? Contact us!
Contact UsBenefits of Freight Rail
An Essential Role
New Jobs
Investing in Virginia Businesses
The Rail Industrial Access Program promotes truck diversion by providing grant assistance to connect new or expanding businesses to the freight railroad network. A grant of up to $750,000 may be requested. Funding requires a 30 percent match by the applicant.
Eligible Recipients
The following enterprises and organizations are eligible to apply for RIA grants:
- New or expanding business, commercial, or industrial enterprises
- Municipal and county governments acting on behalf of such enterprises
- Local economic development departments acting on behalf of such enterprises
- Railroads
Eligible Costs
- RIA grant money can be used to pay for the following:
- Engineering
- Site preparation, including grading and drainage
- Track construction
- Track rehabilitation
- Track improvement
- Environmental mitigation
- Mainline railroad switch
Check your eligibility today.
Eligibility ChecklistHow to Apply
DRPT’s WebGrants site is the portal that allows DRPT’s partners to apply for funding, submit reimbursement requests, manage grants, and report performance requirements.
For detailed information on the application timeline, goals, eligibility requirements, eligible expenses, and application process for all DRPT administered grants programs, view the resources available through our downloadable PDFs.
Economic Development Dashboard
This dashboard presents DRPT’s business development project activity across the state. Each project reflects a company commitment to locate their expansion or new business activity , with respective new job creation and capital investment levels.
Visit our Dashboard for the latest facts and figures on our Rail Industrial Access Grant programs.
Testimonials
“The Rail Industrial Access Program has provided critical assistance to new and expanding rail industries on the Buckingham Branch Railroad. Many of our customers have used the program to help overcome the significant capital investment obstacles required to build or expand their rail infrastructure. The program has successfully promoted truck diversions and has helped the Buckingham Branch Railroad and its customers grow and prosper.” Jim VanDerzee
Manager of Industrial Development Buckingham Branch Railroad
“The program has allowed and greatly accelerated our business to expand and specialize in rail-to-truck transloading. We grow our business by providing new clients with advantageous and unique logistics that fit their specific needs. Unfortunately, the high cost of track construction can put access to the rail network out of reach for many of our smaller clients. The Rail Industrial Access Program helps us to lower this barrier to entry and provide our clients with affordable transloading services, permanently shifting their supply chains to rail and removing trucks from our overburdened interstate highways.” David Patton
Project Manager Houff Corporation
“The program has been helpful in the expansion of our infrastructure for our plant in Salem, Virginia. Working with DRPT has been great, and the process was a good way to keep communications open with the local city and county officials. We look forward to other opportunities to work with DRPT and the Commonwealth. ” Christopher Cobbs
Purchasing Agent New Millennium Building Systems