Union Pacific Contributes $50,000 to "Embrace Iowa 2008 Iowa Disaster Fund"

Union Pacific Corporation’s Chairman and CEO Jim Young yesterday presented Iowa Governor Chet Culver $50,000 to help the residents of Iowa recover from damage caused to many communities following this year’s historic floods and severe weather.

“Iowa is a vital link to Union Pacific and the country’s rail transportation network, and is home to nearly 2,000 of our employees. We are pleased to be able to continue helping the communities we serve,” said Young.

Union Pacific has more than 1,400 miles of track crossing Iowa from east to west and north to south. In 2007, UP purchased $66.8 million in goods and services in Iowa and contributed nearly $250,000 to various non-profit organizations. Additionally, the railroad has invested nearly $590 million in capitol improvement projects in the Hawkeye State during the last five years.

The Embrace Iowa 2008 Iowa Disaster Fund

Established at the request of Governor Chet Culver, The Embrace Iowa 2008 Iowa Disaster Fund was created to receive financial contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations to benefit people who have experienced significant hardship as a result of the storms and flooding of 2008. The fund is held at the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation.