CSX
The city of Winter Haven, Fla., on March 10 reported receiving a $1.5 million through the state’s Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for its project to extend rail access within the Central Florida Integrated Logistics Park (see map, top). The rail extension is slated to help businesses grow their area operations, creating 200 jobs.
The Central Florida Integrated Logistics Park (download fact sheet below) is on 930 acres of developable land and can accommodate more than 8 million square feet of development. Along the I-4 corridor, it is near a dedicated CSX Intermodal terminal. The center’s utilities are said to suit users from food and cold storage to manufacturers and statewide logistics companies. According to the city, current businesses include a “well-known fast-food company, which announced it will establish a cold storage facility at the logistics center.”
“I’m grateful for Governor [Ron] DeSantis’ leadership in recognizing both the crucial role that Florida’s railways play in the state’s economic success and the positive effect further expanding them can have,” Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly said. “Extending this rail line will help retain current businesses who use the line and attract new job creators and job seekers.”
NS
The Anderson-DuBose Company recently celebrated the groundbreaking of its new distribution facility in Jefferson City, Tenn., to be served by NS and R.J. Corman Railroad Company. Last October, the international food distributor announced a $40 million investment to establish its first Tennessee operations, according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. As a major supplier for McDonald’s, it said, the facility will support up to 450 restaurant locations across the region.
The Anderson-DuBose Company is a full-service distribution company for quick service restaurants in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New York. It currently has two distribution center locations: Lordstown, Ohio (headquarters) and Rochester, N.Y. Its Tennessee center is expected to create 80 new jobs upon completion.
“Another win for Norfolk Southern and the State of Tennessee!” NS Director of Industrial Development Mike Grim reported via LinkedIn on March 10. “Thanks to [R.J. Corman Senior Director Industrial Development] Jake Weir for his tireless work on this project and support in identifying this property and working with our internal partners throughout the site selection process. Cathleen Flournoy our newest Industrial Development team member, and I had the opportunity to attend this groundbreaking last week. We look forward to continuing to work with The Anderson-DuBose Company team and the State of Tennessee. This is a great project that will support … McDonald’s individual stores. Fun fry fact; one railcar of fries equates to 4 million small orders of french [sic] fries. There is nothing like a McDonald french [sic] fry! Thank you VanTrust Real Estate for the partnership!”
BNSF
ALCIVIA, a member-owned agricultural and energy cooperative, recently complete major construction milestones at its new train shuttle loading facility in Hager City, Wis., BNSF reported via LinkedIn on March 13.
Construction began on the 40-acre, BNSF-served site in April 2024. It now boasts eight newly completed grain bins capable of storing 3.9 million bushels; they are alongside two 4,700-bushel-per-hour grain dryers and three 1,500-bushel-capacity dump pits, according to ALCIVIA. These features, it noted, will enable a combined grain-handling speed of 60,000 bushels per hour, significantly reducing long lines and wait times.
“With access to year-round rail shipping, ALCIVIA will have the flexibility to sell and move grain during the winter months when other terminals are closed,” BNSF said.
The facility is expected to accept the first grain deliveries this spring.
Earlier this year, ALCIVIA reported that it will be able to load shuttles at other locations on Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific Kansas City, “which provides significant advantages to both domestic and export markets”; it also has access to the Mississippi and Illinois rivers.
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