COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio transportation officials have agreed to support a private company's bid to make passenger trains that would run on President Barack Obama's proposed high-speed rail network.
U.S. Railcar LLC intends to build a $14 million factory in suburban Columbus that would make diesel-fueled passenger cars and employ about 160 people.
The company would apply for $8.7 million in federal stimulus money to build the plant. The state is offering $3.6 million in economic assistance, and the company says it has secured an additional $2.1 million in private investments.
The Ohio Rail Development Commission agreed Thursday to sponsor the company's stimulus application, which is due Tuesday.
The U.S. Department of Transportation expects to make a decision in January.
