The South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad in Elk County receives state funding to improve supply chains.

 Governor Kelly announced yesterday that the rail company would receive $1.9 million through the Kansas Department of Transportation's Rail Service Improvement Program to improve the state's agriculture supply chain. The funding is to help the rail line with expansion and capacity improvements.

The Elk County project is one of 17 projects across the state that will be enhanced by a 30% match from each recipient, resulting in a total rail infrastructure investment of more than $23.5 million.

State Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed says rail service reduces the number of trucks on local roads and highways, which reduces the overall costs to maintain those roads.