NS assisted state and local government and economic development officials throughout 14 states in helping customers identify ideal locations for new and expanded facilities. “The energy sector has been a significant story for several years and 2013 was no different,” said Assistant Vice President Industrial Development Jason Reiner. “We assisted in the location or expansion of 11 energy-related facilities across our service area. Crude oil transportation and support for natural gas exploration and production accounted for the lion’s share of energy projects, providing 65% of the new rail traffic reported. The energy sector will continue to provide significant growth opportunities in 2014.”
The balance of other projects secured during 2013 was distributed among several of the broad product areas NS serves, with major representation in the metals, agriculture, and automotive sectors.
NS works with state and local economic development authorities on projects involving site location and development of infrastructure to connect customers to its rail system, notes that it provides “free and confidential” plant location services, including industrial park planning, site layout, track design, and supply chain management. During the past 10 years, the railroad’s Industrial Development Department has participated in the location or expansion of 1,024 facilities, representing an investment of $29 billion and creation of more than 44,000 customer jobs in the territory served by the railroad.