City of Belvidere to form resolution against Great Lakes Basin Railroad plan

BELVIDERE (WIFR) -- The city of Belvidere is standing with Boone county in their position against the Great Lakes Basin railroad going through the area.

Aldermen plan to form a resolution against the railroad coming through Boone county. They say the railroad coming through the city, will negatively impact families and the farming community. Mayor mike Chamberlain says the farmers in the area bring in 386 million dollars in revenue, and the freight train would cause them to suffer economically. He also says the plan would negatively affect local businesses and the Chrysler plant.

"They need to go back and find a better plan. They will get nothing but extreme displeasure and resistance from the farming community, and some of the residential community that have opted to build beautiful homes along the route of that and don't really want to look at a train," says Mayor Mike Chamberlain.

The city's resolution will go before council members for a vote next week.

Mayor Chamberlain expects the resolution to pass with no opposition.