Lawmakers in both Rockingham and Augusta counties approved resolutions Wednesday night to help get more funding for railroads.

Shenandoah Valley Railroad Company received about $288,000 in grant money last year, and with this making up about a quarter of their funds, this money is imperative for railroad improvements in the area.

Neil Houff uses rail transportation for his feed and fertilizer company.

In the mid-90s, he only had about 10 to 15 car loads a year.

Now, he's at about 900.

"Rail is the future of transportation for Virginia and for this country," says Houff.

Houff says the Shenandoah Valley Railroad is just getting up to a sustainable volume, and it's an investment in the future.

"But prior to that, without these grants and without the investments of the state and local government, the tracks may be gone and the business will not be here," says Houff.

Shenandoah Valley Railroad committee member Frank Nolen says rail transportation is important for the poultry industry, with feed coming from the Midwest.

"Seen it be fairly steady, we're trying to grow it, we're looking for customers all the time," says Nolen.

And for those using the track, if the main line isn't in shape, the side lines aren't of any value.

"Improvements will help us make sure that the track is there, we can get reliable service, because when people need their product they need it, and we can't be repairing track when they need products," says Nolen.

Rail supporters say even though tractor trailers move more quickly, rail is cheaper and better for the environment.

"Energy efficiency. Two of three engines can pull thousand of tons of cars," says Houff.

Both Houff and Nolen say a great example of the importance of rail was this winter.

So far this year, trains brought 53 car loads of road salt for the Virginia Department of Transportation in the midst of winter storms.

Officials for the Shenandoah Valley Railroad say they're expecting about $270,000 in funding from this grant.