Rep. Adam Kinzinger tours new Colo Railroad Builders facility

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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From left to right: Mayor Brennan, Jessica Barr, Rep. Kinzinger, Mike Stolzman, O.J. Stoutner, and Rachel Burns
NRC

On Dec. 4, 2015, U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16) joined National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) member Colo Railroad Builders for a tour of its new facility in Minooka, Ill.

 

Mike Stolzman, chief executive officer of Colo Railroad Builders gave an overview of the company and its current operations. Since 1979, Colo has been involved in new track construction rehabilitation and maintenance for railroads and private industry.

Colo’s capabilities and services include: production of rail and tie gangs; production surfacing; new construction; track rehabilitation; panel turnout construction and installation; track inspection and reporting; tailored maintenance programs and track pick-up and removal. Colo also maintains a fleet of more than 200 pieces of specialized equipment from spikers to tampers to cranes. Colo primarily serves the greater Midwest, but operations extend across the United States and corporate offices are housed in Houston, Texas.

Stolzman led a tour of Colo’s new facility, which was recently relocated from Romeoville, Ill. The facility, which opened in August of this year, has a 2,000-square-foot office and a 4,000-square-foot shop and employs 35 people. It is estimated to bring in $12 million of the company’s $30 million in revenue this year.

Attendees discussed the importance of extending the 45G tax credit. The Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act of 2015 was introduced in February and has more than 50 percent co-sponsorship in the House with 247 co-sponsors, including Congressman Kinzinger. The bill would extend section 45G of the tax code, which expired at the end of last year.

“Thank you to the team at Colo Railroad Builders for a fantastic tour of its new facility in Minooka. Rail transportation is important to the entire state of Illinois and Colo’s operations will benefit not only the immediate region, but the entire 16th district,” said Rep Kinzinger. “I was glad to speak with them about this week’s passage of the first long-term surface transportation bill in 10 years and how it will improve our nation’s rail infrastructure, enhance rail safety, accelerate rail project delivery and leverage innovative financing.”

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