Session: State Capitol, Room 214 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Toll Free: (800) 565-3742 Phone: (907) 465-3743 Fax: (907) 465-2381 Personal Web Site: www.repjames.org Interim: post office: PO Box 56622 North Pole, AK 99705 Phone: (907) 488-9339 Fax: (907) 488-4271 location: 3340 Badger Road Beaver Brook Mall, Suite 290 North Pole, AK 99705 Phone: (907) 488-1546

Alaska Rail Link Conference to be Held in October

(NORTH POLE) - A second major conference exploring the topic of connecting Alaska with the rest of North America by rail will be held in Fairbanks, October 10-11. The conference will follow up on a well-attended meeting on the same topic held in Vancouver, B.C. in January 2000.

The Fairbanks Industrial Development Corporation and the Transportation Committee of the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce will help organize.

An agenda and venue will be finalized over the next few weeks. The conference will cover topics such as identifying potential users, land status, legislation, and the bilateral commission authorized Senator Frank Murkowski's Rails to Resources Act. The format will vary from round-table discussions to formal presentations.

"There is a lot of interest already," said Rep. James. "Folks in Alberta, Yukon and British Columbia are very interested in this project, and I believe it is particularly important to give our Canadian neighbors an opportunity to meet with folks here in Alaska. Fairbanks and North Pole are the natural staging area for building an improved connection to Canada and the Lower 48, so I feel it is important to meet here in Fairbanks."

Rep. James said it is important to gather officials from the natural gas, mining, tourism, transportation, First Nations and government sectors in one location to discuss and explore improved infrastructure.

"I'm seeking input," said Rep. James. Anyone interested in the conference should contact Rep. James at (907) 488 1546 or (907) 465 3743 or by email at: Connection_Conference@email.com. Information can also be found at: www.repjames.org.

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