The department shall establish a program under this chapter whereby the department will determine if a shortline railroad has a need for the rehabilitation of any railroad bed, bridge, track, building, other railroad facility, or other infrastructure improvement of any description on any shortline railroad in Alabama. The department will determine which shortline railroads have needs, the amount of the needs, and the priority of the needs when compared to the needs of other shortline railroads in the state. Upon determination by the department of a need as provided herein, the department is authorized to provide financial assistance to the grantee in the form of grants and or no-cost loans. The department may contract with the grantee, any local government for the grantee, or shortline railroad to participate in the grant as may be appropriate under the circumstances, based upon the need and the ability of the grantee, the shortline railroad, or the local government to participate. Local participation may be in the form of in-kind work within the scope of the program. Any loan provided herein will be at no interest if repaid as provided by the agreement when the loan is made. If the loan or any part thereof is in default, then the agreement may provide for the payment of interest on any amounts in default. Any repayment of loans made hereunder shall go back into the fund provided for herein for future financial assistance to shortline railroads. Any loans or grants made hereunder shall be made only to a qualified grantee as provided herein.