LACASSINE, La. (AP) — Nearly 2,000 barrels of raw rice from farmer Glenden Marceaux is waiting in storage at a new $4 million high-speed rail facility nearing completion in rural Jefferson Davis Parish.

Marceaux's rice will be used to test the facility's operation.

Marceaux, who is the vice chairman of the South Louisiana Rail Facility, tells the American Press the owners hope to have the facility open by the end of the month, although construction continues on a grading room.

He said that without a vision in mind the facility would not be a reality today.

The state Bond Commission approved $2.3 million for the facility last month. Other funding sources including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state, area farmers and private sources have provided financial support.

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