EAST PALESTINE — With the one-year anniversary of the East Palestine train derailment approaching next month, Norfolk Southern gave an update on remediation and recovery efforts via an emailed statement on Friday.

“Norfolk Southern has made significant progress on its commitment to help East Palestine and the surrounding area recover and thrive,” the statement read. “Since Feb. 3, $103.2 million has been directly invested in the community and major site remediation work has been completed. The company is keeping the promises it made to East Palestine and the surrounding area.”

The funds distributed include direct relief during more than 11,550 family visits totaling $20.7 million through the end of the year; $25 million for upgrades and renovations to East Palestine City Park; $4.2 million to Pennsylvania communities to support local agencies and grants for nonprofits; $1 million to the East Palestine School District for academics, interscholastic athletics and long-term development; $1 million for community priorities distributed through East Palestine-based Norfolk Southern Community Liaison Jeremy Vranesevich; a $750,000 grant to the East Palestine City School District to support development initiatives; $300,000 to support the East Palestine Community Foundation; and the donation of a historic train depot back to the village while providing a $100,000 grant for restoration of the structure.

Norfolk Southern also said it has made progress on three long-term commitments to East Palestine – protecting the drinking water, compensation for loss of property value and addressing long-term health. The railroad reported it “developed a $4.3 million fund to protect area drinking water” which included “funds for upgrades to the municipal system (that) will include new engineering and carbon filtration systems meant to improve the village system with state-of-the-art technology, new carbon filters and infrastructure.” The carbon filters will be installed in the coming weeks.

The Home Value Assurance Program (VAP) was launched in September. Through the VAP, residents who have sold their homes since Feb. 3, have their homes on the market or will put their homes on the market are eligible to be compensated for any difference between their home’s market value and its sale price.

Though no official program has been rolled out regarding long-term health concerns, Norfolk Southern maintains it has addressed those issues while reiterating that the data collected by both the federal and state Environmental Protection Agencies reflects no environmental hazards in the village and surrounding communities.

“Immediately following the derailment and through today, Norfolk Southern has conducted environmental testing in coordination with and alongside U.S. and Ohio EPA,” the statement said. “This testing has shown that the air and drinking water in the community are safe. We continue working with various stakeholders to develop a plan to address long-term health concerns. We’ve worked to address immediate health concerns including paying for medical testing, paying to establish a state of Ohio medical facility in East Palestine and funding to an Ohio-run Community Resiliency Center and a private facility to address mental health issues.”

Norfolk Southern also highlighted the efforts made to protect and promote East Palestine’s economic vitality in the wake of the rail disaster.

“We are committed to the long-term economic development of the community,” Norfolk Southern said in the email. “In September, Norfolk Southern broke ground on a new First Responder Training Center and will invest $25 million in the new center over the next 10 years.”

Norfolk Southern also came through on its promise to put down roots in the village by acquiring the former Brittain Motors building at 428 N. Market St. to establish a Norfolk Southern Field Office. Renovations on that building are underway.

“The office will bolster Norfolk Southern functions in the region and create a central location to support residents on an ongoing basis, including housing the Family Assistance Center,” the company said in the email. “The office space will also feature a community meeting room to facilitate continuous dialogue with the village for long-term support efforts.”

In addition, Norfolk Southern established a $500,000 grant for an economic development consultant for East Palestine. The railroad also held an economic development roundtable in the village with local and state officials and has held several business open houses to connect local business with available resources.