Richard Lazar: Don’t lose CSX opportunity

State Rep. Leo Daughtry (“CCX would benefit N.C.,” Jan. 31 letter) has it right about the CSX project.

Eleven years ago, I heard a presentation by Fluor for economic developers in Cumberland County. It said that we need East-West transportation alternatives to attract companies. As someone hell-bent on helping the United States be more competitive with China, I thought then it was vital to do exactly what CSX proposed.

It’s more important now, and people are stepping up to make it feasible and cost-effective. Why?

▪ A great amount of international capability for inexpensive cargo movement overseas exists by getting to the port of Wilmington.

▪ Today the U.S.’s major competitors for building new products include India, Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea and more coming online everyday.

▪ The possibility of jobs and community development along the CSX route is far greater than estimated.

Landowners are important to us in North Carolina, and invariably they clash with right-of-way for railroads and oppose eminent domain. No one loves eminent domain.

I hope and pray that wise heads will help CSX and landowners come to a win-win on prices for their land. There’s just too much to gain for everyone to allow CSX to get out of town.

This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Richard Lazar: Don’t lose CSX opportunity."