National association recognizes Missoula County for southern passenger rail push
Missoula Current MAY 25, 2021 - By Martin Kidston
While the train hasn’t yet left the station, the National Association of Counties has recognized Missoula County for its innovation and leadership in getting the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority up and running in a push to restore service to the state’s southern tier.
The association on Tuesday awarded Missoula County its 2021 Achievement Award, recognizing its effort to unify other counties along the old southern route in a collective push to restore the North Coast Hiawatha.
Missoula County was among 12 founding counties to establish the rail authority, which has since gained a new member with others poised to join.
The push has gained the support of Amtrak and has drawn media attention around the world.
Among it, the New York Times ran an article titled, “In Rural Montana, a Hope That Biden Will Reopen the Rails.” It was followed a week later by an article in Publico, a Portuguese newspaper, under the heading “The train in rural America is waiting for the ‘Amtrak Joe’ push.”