>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

When the Oregon Transportation Commission holds a public hearing May 13 and convenes for a final decision June 19 to determine funding for Connect Oregon II funds, it will be hard-pressed to find a project that will have more regional economic impact than the Alicel grain storage expansion.

The proposed $2.7 million Alicel project would provide for the purchase of 4 1/2 acres of land, construction of a 755,000-bushel grain storage facility and extension of rail siding in order to make the Alicel terminal a top-notch, competitive grain shipping center. The proposal is a concept that would help move local products to a worldwide market. It deserves serious consideration.

PGG and Union County Economic Development Corp. are co-applicants for the funding. The project was proposed in the first round of Connect Oregon II. Somehow the committee that reviewed the applications missed the impact such a project could have on a rural area of the state. But PGG and UCEDC, knowing the project’s potential impact, came back for round two. The Northeast Oregon Area Commission on Transportation rated the project No. 1 among those in ODOT’s Region 5. Last week the Connect Oregon II Review Committee rated the Alicel project No. 12 of 70 it reviewed. The projects have a combined cost of $178 million. About $100 million is available is this round of Connect Oregon funding.

The Alicel project needs to be among those funded. It is a project that will have an impact, both locally and beyond.