North Dakota State University

This Agreement Supports the Secretary’s Priority of Promoting Economic Development in Rural America and Usda’s Statutory Obligation of Representing the Interests of Agricultural Producers and Shippers in Improving Transportation Services and Facilities by Evaluating the Potential Impacts of a Rail Merger to U.s. Agriculture and Informing Usda’s Submission on Any Future Merger Proceedings With the Surface Transportation Board (STB). the Project Will Evaluate the Impacts From a Major Class I Rail Merger on the Agricultural Industry; Conduct an Alternate Scenario Analysis by Examining How Benefits and Costs Change If Additional Railroads Merge; Identify Agricultural Market Segments at Risk From a Potential Merger; and Develop Guidelines to Inform STB on Potential Mergers to Protect the Interests of Agricultural Shippers and Exporters During the Merger Process. Project Findings Will Be Documented in a Public Report That Will Be Used by Usda to Submit Evidence for the Record During STB’S Open Comment Period on the Merger, as Well as in STB’S Merger Proceeding.