The St. Lawrence Industrial Development Agency received $1.3 million, with another $130,000 to a St. Lawrence County business, from $64 million in funding approved by the Empire State Development board.

The St. Lawrence County IDA used the funds to perform “preconstruction” items such as line clearing and engineering evaluation prior to rehabilitation of 46 miles of railroad track in Newton Falls, according to Empire State Development officials.

The $1.3 million grant funded a portion of the costs of the railroad track rehabilitation.

Phase one of the project is complete, and the 46 mile section of the Newton Falls railroad line has been cleared of overgrowth, debris, and obstructions.

The railroad has been inspected and evaluated for reopening, and engineering plans and specifications have been prepared for phase two of the project.

The Newton Falls rail line provides the North Country region with inbound and outbound rail service connections to the nationwide rail systems.

The project also provides the opportunity for expansion of North Country industry and manufacturing, which will lead to increased economic activity and job creation, according to the ESD press release.

North Country Pastured was selected for a $130,000 grant to defray business start up costs.

North Country Pastured provides mobile processing of USDA approved poultry for local producers. The $130,000 was used for mobile equipment and construction of an equipment storage building. The business also purchased a tuck to tow the unit.

North Country Pastured has received USDA certification as a mobile poultry processing service and created three of it’s promised four jobs, according to the press release.