North Carolina Railroad to invest in Purina plant line

North Carolina Railroad Co. (NCRR) announced yesterday it's one of several partners participating in Nestle Purina PetCare Co.'s plan to establish manufacturing and distribution operations in Rockingham County, North Carolina. 

Purina will invest $450 million in a facility on a 1,300-acre site near Eden to manufacture and distribute Purina pet food. The site formerly housed a MillerCoors brewery. 

Purina will require freight-rail infrastructure to serve the plant. Through its economic development initiative, NCRR will invest $2.1 million to assist with the repair of an existing rail line to return it to service, railroad officials said in a press release. Terminating in Eden, the line is served by Norfolk Southern Railway.

"Not only will this investment assist in the location of a company that is bringing hundreds of jobs, but it is opening other sites and facilities up to rail service, increasing North Carolina's competitive advantage in the recruitment of rail-served business and industry," said NCRR President and Chief Executive Officer Carl Warren.