SCHERERVILLE | Convenience, comfort, cost effectiveness, energy efficiency, environmental benefits and safety are reasons Indiana should welcome a high-speed rail system, said the guest speaker at Monday's QuadTown EDC meeting at Teibel's Restaurant.

Roger Sims, president of the Indiana High Speed Rail Association, spoke about the proposed Midwest Regional Rail System, which would encompass nine states with Chicago as its hub.

The cost of the system is $12.9 billion, but the benefits are "greatly in excess of that," Sims said.

"The system will turn back $23 billion," he said.

Permanent jobs in Indiana would increase by more than 4,500 and there would be an increase in annual household income by $86 million, Sims said.

Other benefits would include greater mobility.

"We face daily almost gridlock on the Borman and other places," Sims said. "Certainly when the weather changes and the economy picks up we're going to be challenged again. High-speed rail brings mobility."

Citing a recent study by the city of Dallas, Sims said it was also "profound" how home values would improve with the implementation of high-speed rail and that tax revenues would improve.

"There are more jobs, home values would increase and there are more businesses," he said.

The association is building its constituency and wants to have high-speed rail a priority on the next legislative session, Sims said.

"We're at that point where we're beginning to flex our muscle," he said. "We're here for the duration, we're going to see it implemented."

The Quadtown EDC consists of members from Dyer, Highland, St. John and Schererville. The group focuses on economic development.