REMSA Member Contech Engineered Solutions Hosts Congressman Andy Barr

WINCHESTER, KY - Today, Congressman Andy Barr (R-Kentucky) joined the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) and its member Contech Engineered Solutions at their manufacturing facility in Winchester, KY.  Congressman Barr spoke with company leaders and rail industry representatives about funding for transportation infrastructure and the short line tax credit.  The Congressman also addressed employees and learned about Contech's business operations and their impact on Kentucky's economy.  REMSA coordinated the event.
 

Congressman Andy Barr with Contech Engineered Solutions Winchester Plant Manager Chris Caldwell

 
Contech Engineered Solutions is a leading civil engineering site solutions, products and services company with 60 facilities strategically located across North America.  With a footprint that spans every major U.S. city and all 50 states, Contech is the only company that can provide solutions on a national scale for bridges, drainage, erosion control, retaining wall, sanitary, soil stabilization, and stormwater.  Their product offering includes corrugated metal and plastic pipe; steel truss, metal plate and concrete arch bridges and structures; hard armor and retaining wall systems; and stormwater detention/retention, filtration and treatment systems.  Through cost-effective engineered solutions, they help build, support, and sustain land development projects while protecting the environment.   
 
"On behalf of the Contech Winchester Plant, I would like to thank Congressman Andy Barr for visiting our facility today," commented Chris Caldwell, Contech's Winchester plant manager.  "It has been a great opportunity to show him how Kentucky helps to provide infrastructure solutions for the entire country.  Structures made at the Winchester Plant are in all 50 states, Panama, South America, Afghanistan, Mexico, Europe, Canada, Central America, Iraq, China and more.  Our employees are proud to help provide solutions used for railroads, airports, mines, wildlife crossings, residential developments and thousands of interstate, state highways, county and municipal roads across our country."

 

Congressman Barr speaks with Contech Engineered Solutions employees
 

First elected in 2012, Congressman Andy Barr serves on the influential House Financial Services Committee, which oversees the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries.  As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Barr has a wide range of legislative and oversight authority over laws and institutions that affect the growth and stability of the U.S. economy, the international financial system, and our national security.  Congressman Barr also serves as Chairman of the Republican Study Committee's American Worker Task Force.  Before being elected to Congress, Barr was the deputy general counsel for Governor Ernie Fletcher (R-KY) and taught constitutional law at the University of Kentucky.
 
"Local businesses are the heart of our communities, and Contech is a great example of the passion and economic contribution made to this community," said Congressman Andy Barr. "Our nation's short-line rail systems are vital to communities like Winchester, ensuring that their products can be shipped with efficiency and that local employment opportunities stay local. I was pleased to support the permanency of 45G by writing a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee Chair, asking that this measure be made a priority during this Congress."

 

Congressman Barr visits Contech Engineered Solutions in Winchester, Kentucky

 
Attendees thanked Congressman Barr for being a cosponsor and a strong advocate of H.R.510, the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act. The BRACE Act would make the short line tax credit permanent and allow the nation's small, local freight railroads to increase investment into their rail infrastructure and better serve their customers throughout rural and small-town America. The tax credit has helped small railroads invest more than $4 billion in capital infrastructure improvements since it was enacted in 2005.
 
"Congressman Barr is a champion of the short line tax credit, which is integral to railroad infrastructure investments all across the country," said William Downey of R.J. Corman.  "We thank him for his ongoing support on this key issue."
 
"The short line railroad tax credit allows short lines to invest more of their own capital in rail improvements and maintenance to provide ever-safer and more robust service capabilities for their customers," said Chuck Baker, President of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA). "Congressman Barr has been a long-term and vocal supporter of the 45G tax credit and ASLRRA thanks him for his steadfast advocacy for the short line industry."

 

Congressman Barr with employees and representatives from Contech Engineered Solutions, REMSA, 
R.J. Corman Railroad Group, ASLRRA, Clark County, and the City of Winchester

 
In Kentucky, 12 freight railroads operate and maintain over 2,625 miles of track, employing more than 3,210 people.
 
In attendance was: Congressman Andy Barr (R-Kentucky); State Senator Ralph Alvarado, Kentucky State Senate; Cindy Banks, Executive Director, Winchester Clark County Chamber of Commerce; Ed Burtner, Mayor, City of Winchester; Chris Caldwell, Plant Manager, Contech Engineered Solutions; Jacob Carter, Government Affairs Manager, REMSA; Tatum Dale, District Director, Congressman Andy Barr; Todd Denham, Executive Director, Winchester/Clark County Industrial Authority; William Downey, Government Affairs & Economic Development Manager, R.J. Corman Railroad Group; Greg Elkins, Clark County Fiscal Court Magistrate; William Elkins, Clark County Attorney; Joe Graham, Clark County Fiscal Court Magistrate; Don Herbert, Director of Rail Market, Contech Engineered Solutions; Daniel Konstantopoulos, Clark County Fiscal Court Magistrate; Will Resch, Associate, Chambers, Conlon & Hartwell, Associate; Tyler Staker, Field Representative, Congressman Andy Barr; Lance Terrell, Field Representative, Congressman Andy Barr; and State Representative Les Yates, Kentucky House of Representatives.