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Last year, Norfolk Southern Corp. helped attract 73 new industrial facilities and the expansion of 27 existing plants along its lines. Shippers will spend a total of $9.5 billion on the projects, which are expected to create 6,800 jobs in the Class I’s territory and generate more than 152,000 carloads of new traffic annually, NS officials said in a prepared statement.
 
NS officials worked with state and local government and economic development representatives in 18 states to help shippers identify ideal locations for new and expanded facilities, they said. The Class I also provides shippers free plant location services, including industrial park planning, site layout, track design and logistics assistance.
 
“The energy sector was once again a major contributor to these new plants and expansions. Norfolk Southern assisted in the location or expansion of 27 energy-related facilities in 15 states across our service area,” said Newell Baker, NS assistant vice president of industrial development. “Coal projects led the way, contributing 41 percent of the potential new rail traffic in future years.”

In addition, Marcellus Shale gas exploration projects increased last year, a trend expected to continue, and industrial investment efforts were bolstered by strong rebounds in the metals and automotive sectors, he said.
 
During the past 10 years, NS’ industrial development department has played a role in the location or expansion of 1,053 facilities costing a total of about $30 billion.