Business, Government Legal News from throughout WVRahall Transportation Institute awarded $3.5 million grant

The Rahall Transportation Institute at Marshall University will receive a $3.5 million grant from the U. S. Department of Transportation to launch a higher education consortium focused on research, training and jobs development throughout a multi-state region.

The grant was announced Jan. 12 by Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va.

The consortium at Marshall includes the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Hampton University in Hampton, Va.

At the heart of the consortium is the training of a transportation work force and the education of transportation professionals, Rahall's announcement said. The partnership will provide a range of work force and training opportunities, especially through partnership with a historically black college, and the expertise of its member institutions.  Members of the consortium will play a leading role in developing the next generation of highly trained transportation professionals.

"This federal funding opens a new chapter in RTI's growth and its contribution to jobs and transportation," said Rahall, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "The consortium RTI has put together meets the demands of a tighter national budget and of a multi-state region's transportation needs.  From its research capabilities landing patents for Marshall and in our state to meeting the needs of our state transportation department, to job development efforts like the Prichard intermodal facility, RTI has served southern West Virginia and our nation well. With our new partners in Kentucky and Virginia, this tri-state alliance will provide increased dividends."