It’s going to cost Athens and Limestone County an additional $200,000 to help bring rail service to a city industry, which is expected to start production sometime after the first of the year.

Tom Hill, executive director of the Limestone County Economic Development Association, told Limestone County commissioners Tuesday that an additional $315,000 will be needed for Quality Culvert because the state cut its funding for a rail grant by $240,000.

“The project costs have been scaled back to $715,000 and the state is offering $400,000,” Hill said. “We’re asking the city and county to each put in $100,000 and Quality Culvert $115,000 to make this happen.”

Quality Culvert, which will employ approximately 125 workers when in full production in two years, is locating in the old Martin Industries building on East Elm Street.

Commissioners did not vote on the proposal Tuesday, but did tell Hill they would address the measure in two weeks.

Quality Culvert will manufacture concrete pipe, plastic pipe and several different types of culverts. Some workers are now working on renovating the building, Hill said.

In other action Monday, commissioners voted to enter into an agreement with Information Management Services regarding their facilitation of processing credit, bankcard and electronic transfer payments, pending county approval. Commissioners also voted to enter into contract with Newtek Merchant Services, a registered provider for NCMIC Financial Corp. and VeriCheck Inc. for processing credit and debit card payments.

County Investigators Brad Curnutt and Josh McLaughlin were approved to travel to Little Rock, Ark., by county patrol vehicle Oct. 22-25 to attend a homicide conference.

Commissioners also promoted Shannon Thrasher to deputy and approved Antler Point Subdivision Phase III at East Limestone Road and Ed Ray Road in District 2.