Outside lighting, foundation repair work and a new parking lot are a sampling of the projects that can now be undertaken at the Canada Southern Railway station, thanks to $250,000 in federal funding.

Joe Preston, Conservative MP for Elgin-Middlesex- London announced Friday the station would receive the cash infusion as part of the Sand Plains Community Development Fund.

An "oooh" could be heard from the audience gathered at the historic station to hear the announcement.
"It's a true representation when a small group of people work really hard, they can accomplish anything. That truly represents what we have here at the station," said Preston.

"The rural economy has changed even more dramatically in the last few years from an economic point of view and that's truly still the case. The Sand Plains program can help a lot with places like the CASO station, bringing reasons for tourists to visit our area."
The $15-million fund is earmarked for projects in southwestern Ontario to promote community undertakings that create jobs, boost business development and attract investment.

The latest investment in the CASO station is expected to generate up to 20 jobs.

Paul Corriveau, president of the North America Railway Hall of Fame, noted all of the money will go straight to improvement projects at the station.
"There's plenty of exciting things to come," he noted. "It's fantastic to consistently receive federal support, provincial support as well as support from our local organizations."

He e money will help the station construct a new paved parking lot, curbs, sidewalks, exterior lighting, foundation repair work, waterproofing, painting of the dining room and more.

"The thing about all of our funding, whether it's donations from the public, any provincial or federal funding that we've secured, or any loans we've secured, it goes directly into the building to make it a true tourist attraction for the area."

John Wilson, steering committee member for the Sands Plains fund, noted, in total, $6 million has been invested in local business, creating 121 jobs in total.