ROCHELLE — The City of Rochelle has been awarded a grant for the city’s railroad expansion to the tune of $2.58 million.

The news was announced at Monday evening’s Rochelle City Council meeting. Project Co-Op is the $7 million expansion to the City of Rochelle Railroad, which will add another 15,000 linear feet of track and involves building a railroad bridge over John’s Creek.

Late 2016, the city was awarded a $3.4 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for the project. Since then the city has been actively pursuing additional funding to offset the local match of $3.6 million.

“After an extensive period of research and numerous meetings with IDOT and the Governor’s office, the city was notified of a funding opportunity through the Bureau of Railroads in the amount of $2.58 million,” said city manager Jeff Fiegenschuh. “The funding opportunity was unique in that the City of Rochelle was the only eligible applicant.”

Subsequently the city council approved the “Notice of State Award.”

Fiegenschuh also noted he and Mayor Chet Olson received a letter from the EDA authorizing the advertising of the project. The remaining $1 million, after applying the grant funding to the project’s total cost of $7 million, will be paid out of the railroad’s revenue funds already in savings from over the past several years.

The City of Rochelle was one of only 85 agencies in the U.S. and Canada to receive an award for safe and sustainable snow fighting. Fiegenschuh indicated the award is given for excellence in environmental consciousness and effective management and storage of winter road salt. Those awarded have met high standards, including the minimization of salt runoff and displaying proper maintenance and good housekeeping practices. Fiegenschuh presented the Good News award to Tim Isley, Supt. of Streets/Cemetery.

Fiegenschuh also presented a Good News award to Adam Lanning, Supt. of Water/Water Reclamation for maintaining perfect compliance in 2017.

Mayor Olson proclaimed Thursday, March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. On hand to accept the proclamation was Lydia Roberts with the Rochelle Chapter of the National Society Daughter’s of the American Revolution, NSDAR.

The agenda item regarding the first amendment to the power purchase agreement between the city and Rochelle Energy LLC has been tabled until the next city council meeting.

Council member Kate Shaw-Dickey was absent from Monday’s meeting.