Now that an unsolicited $10 million offer for Luzerne County’s rail line has been made, a key question is, which entity will receive the funds if it is sold?

The independent county Redevelopment Authority owns the rail line.

However, county government has involvement because county council appoints the five-citizen authority board, and the authority owes the county $3.28 million from a 2001 loan provided to prevent the authority from defaulting on its mortgage and losing freight service to businesses.

A $10 million sale could leave $6.7 million in proceeds after that loan is satisfied.

County Manager Romilda Crocamo emailed county council on Tuesday about the $10 million purchase offer from Reading & Northern Railroad, stating that all rail line sale proceeds must come to the county.

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