BNSF customers invested $1.1 billion in rail-served projects in 2020

BNSF Railway Co. yesterday reported economic-development investments by its customers totaled $1.1 billion in 2020. 

As a result of the investments, BNSF projects the creation of more than 1,700 new jobs in local communities.

Last year marked the 10th consecutive year that the Class I's customers and local economic development organizations have invested more than $1 billion in a calendar year on new or expanded facilities, BNSF officials said in a press release.

The Class I's rail development program "offers unique supply-chain solutions that fit our customers' varied logistical needs," said Colby Tanner, assistant vice president of economic development, in a press release.

"The flexibility of our program provides our customers with the necessary tools to maximize their investments while saving them time and money in reaching their distinct markets," Colby said.

Last year, new economic-development projects supported a variety of commodities, including consumer, agricultural and industrial products. Highlights of supply-chain solutions that BNSF helped its customers achieve last year include:
• ColdPoint Logistics invested $25 million to open the fourth phase of its cold-storage solutions facility at BNSF Logistics Park Kansas City, adding 150,000 square feet of space;
• Delta Peanut LLC, with a $70 million investment, added two tracks to the company's peanut-shipping facility; and
• Ingredion Inc. invested $100 million in South Sioux City, Nebraska, creating about 50 new roles in the community.