REMSA Member Park Construction Company Hosts Congressman Tom Emmer

Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
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On August 22, 2019, Congressman Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota) joined the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) and its member Park Construction Company at their headquarters and equipment shop in Minneapolis, MN.  Congressman Emmer spoke with company leaders, local business and community officials, and rail industry representatives about transportation infrastructure and the short line tax credit. REMSA coordinated the event.

 

Congressman Tom Emmer was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 and serves as Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).  As Chairman of the NRCC, Emmer is a member of the House Republican Leadership team and is spearheading their efforts to elect House Republicans in 2020.  Congressman Emmer also serves in senior leadership roles as a member of the House Republican Deputy Whip Team and the House Republican Steering Committee.

 

Park Construction provides a wide range of construction services including heavy earth moving, structural work, demolition and paving.  The company has a rich history of working with the nation’s largest railway companies on a comprehensive range of projects, including planning, designing and constructing new lines; furnishing and installing new drainage structures; repairing existing bridges; constructing new bridges and repairing and rehabilitating existing tracks.  Their ability to execute on complex railroad jobs while staying within budget, scope and timeline has earned them an exceptional reputation within the railroad industry.  Park Construction is a trusted contractor for commercial, municipal, industrial, railroad and federal agencies across the United States.

 

“I was honored to join employees and community members at Park Construction today,” said Congressman Emmer.  “They are a great example of a Minnesota job creator for generations.  Companies like Park Construction demonstrate that infrastructure investments advance our economy and generate substantial growth.  Congress can work together by passing bills like the BRACE Act, which would make the current short line tax credit permanent.  This legislation is co-sponsored by every member of the Minnesota delegation, and showcases the importance of the rail industry for Minnesotans.”

 

Congressman Emmer also sits on the influential House Financial Services Committee, which oversees the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries.  Before being elected to Congress, Emmer served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2004 to 2008.

 

Attendees thanked Congressman Emmer for being a cosponsor and champion 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.

 

“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). “ASLRRA thanks Congressman Emmer for his strong support on this important issue.”

 

In Minnesota, 18 freight railroads operate and maintain over 4,258 miles of track, employing more than 4,270 people.

 

In attendance: Congressman Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota); Eric Beazley, Civil Engineering Practice Leader, Quetica Engineering;Robert Benson, District Outreach Coordinator, Congressman Tom Emmer; Bruce Carlson, Vice President, Park Construction;Jeff Carlson, President & CEO, Park Construction; Jacob Carter, Government Affairs Manager, REMSA; Mike Couse, Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company;Tom DePauw, Chief Financial Officer, Park Construction;Jake Droessler, Commercial Division Manager, Park Construction Company;Luke Fellows, National Director of Business Development and Sales, Park Construction;Pat Gartner, Senior Estimator & Project Manager, Marcy Construction;Troy Gamble, CEO, Anderson Engineering;Jason George, Business Manager, Local #49 of International Union of Operating Engineers;Mark Gjevre, Project Engineer, BNSF Railway;Becky Hegerle, Controller, Marcy Construction;Jim Holland, President & CEO, Pinnacle Engineering;Joseph Palo, Senior Engineer, Golder Associates;Jim Robinson, Key Accounts Manager, Holland Engineering;Mike Schechter, General Counsel & Director of Labor Relations, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota;Jeff Slussler, Director of Safety & Health, Park Construction;Rachel Stein, Contract Administrator, Marcy Construction;Jim Wutzke, Estimator & Project Manager for Special Projects, Park Construction Company;and Tim Worke, CEO, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota.

From a REMSA press release.

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