Greg Bruhn: Better sites for CSX available

Regarding the Jan. 28 news article “CSX signals opposition won’t stop hub plans”: The recent disclosure of plans to obtain 450 acres of land from 35 landowners near Selma for an intermodal hub by eminent domain (if necessary) by CSX is questionable after considering the fact that CSX controls more than 170 miles of north-south rail corridor from Virginia to South Carolina.

I’m aware of no evidence that vacant industrial sites, old land fills or the 2,400-acre TransGlobal Park in Lenior County were even in the running. Eastern North Carolina does need the economic boost the hub would provide, and Lenoir County’s median income of $31,191 is well below the $40,872 figure for Johnston. The underused TransGlobal Park location was originally touted as an economic engine designed to attract businesses reliant upon ports in Morehead City and Wilmington.

Another perennial issue is that of economic incentives for a successful company that realized $166 million in net profit for the fourth quarter of 2015.

I’m not in a financial position to invest in CSX shares. Therefore, I’m suggesting North Carolina should take my portion of the $100 million that CSX has requested and use it toward funding public education. I don’t think that would derail the gravy train.

This story was originally published February 1, 2016 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Greg Bruhn: Better sites for CSX available."