High-speed rail would distinguish Augusta from other cities in the region, R.K. Sehgal, the commissioner of the Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism told chamber representatives, development authority members and Mayor Bob Young. Mr. Sehgal met with them Tuesday in Atlanta, confirming that the city's efforts to attract passenger rail service would bode well for industry and commerce.

Meanwhile, officials say they are making progress in getting regular Amtrak service in Augusta.

Mr. Young, who said he spoke with an Amtrak representative Wednesday afternoon, said the city may be one step closer to getting some type of passenger train service locally. He said Augusta, Amtrak and Greyhound are close to signing a deal that could start bus service to an existing Amtrak station as early as January.

"This is bigger than what we've talked about before," Mr. Young said. "Things are happening. You talk about it, you nurture it along, and then the phone rings and something big happens."

He declined to give specifics, saying nothing was final but that he hoped to have an agreement by next week.

It was just a day earlier that Mr. Sehgal said high-speed rail would allow industrial recruiters to more easily sell Augusta and would distinguish the area from other cities in the region: Workers would be close to Atlanta's academic, commercial and political activity while avoiding the metro region's traffic, taxes and crime.

Mr. Sehgal reasons that for 20 percent of what is being spent on a fifth runway for Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, Augusta could build a rail line. And much of that $1 billion investment would be contributed by the state and federal governments.

Augusta officials began efforts to lure both regular and future high-speed Amtrak service to the city in the spring with a trip to Washington, where commissioners, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce President Jim West and Mr. Young met with Amtrak representatives.

Reach Heidi Coryell Williams and Walter C. Jones at (706) 823-3215.