NS' 2013 industrial development scorecard: 67 new plants, 25 expansions

Norfolk Southern Corp. last year helped locate 67 new industrial facilities and attract 25 plant expansions along its lines.

The new and expanded plants — which represent customer investments totaling $2.3 billion — are expected to create more than 3,100 jobs in the railroad's territory and eventually generate more than 136,000 carloads annually, NS officials said in a press release.

The Class I helped government and economic development officials in 14 states work with customers to identify ideal locations for new and expanded industrial facilities.

"The energy sector has been a significant story for several years, and 2013 was no different. [We] assisted in the location or expansion of 11 energy-related facilities across our service area," said Jason Reiner, NS' assistant vice president of industrial development. "Crude oil transportation and support for natural gas exploration and production accounted for the lion's share of energy projects, providing 65 percent of the new rail traffic reported."

The balance of other projects secured in 2013 covered a broad range of traffic sectors, including a notable representation in the agriculture, automotive and metals segments, NS officials said.

During the past 10 years, the Class I's Industrial Development Department has participated in the location or expansion of 1,024 facilities, accounting for $29 billion in customer investments and creating more than 44,000 jobs in the railroad's territory.