Agracel Unveils Rail Affiliate, Partnership

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Effingham, Ill.-based Agracel Rail has formed South Point & Ohio Railroad to lease, operate and manage The Point Industrial Park’s (pictured) rail services.

Effingham, Ill.-based Agracel Rail has formed South Point & Ohio Railroad to lease, operate and manage The Point Industrial Park’s (pictured) rail services.

Agracel Rail Holdings, a new affiliate of industrial development services provider Agracel, Inc., has teamed with Lawrence Economic Development Corp. (LEDC) to revamp The Point Industrial Park in South Point, Ohio.

Effingham, Ill.-based Agracel Rail formed South Point & Ohio Railroad (SPOR) to lease, operate and manage The Point’s rail services and invest in safety improvements and track upgrades. It will market several hundred acres of industrial park sites, and work with LEDC, OhioSE and JobsOhio to attract and retain manufacturing jobs in the region.

Agracel Ohio Valley Regional Director Jason Kester will oversee industrial development efforts.

The Point serves customers in the plastics, metals, lumber, petroleum and chemicals industries, as well as the Foreign Trade Zone transload terminal. It offers direct connections with Norfolk Southern (NS) and direct access to the Ohio River. Additionally, there is storage for more than 500 railcars and a loop track to handle unit train loading and unloading.

Agracel Rail’s partnership agreement with LEDC builds on a portfolio that includes Effingham Railroad and Illinois Western Railroad, both in Illinois.

Dean Bingham, President and CEO, Agracel

“What sets us apart from other short line companies is our focus on rural community development and the expertise we’ve brought together,” said Dean Bingham, President and CEO of Agracel, which has invested more than $61 million in Ohio and has developed more than 1.7 million square feet of industrial space overall in the state.

“The Agracel Rail team has broad experience with rail startups and industrial railroad expansion.”

Scott Lurkins, Co-Founder and President, Agracel Rail

“Our goal in becoming a leading industrial and short line development firm is to enhance our customers’ overall safety, efficiency and competitiveness in the marketplace,” Agracel Rail Co-Founder and President Scott Lurkins said.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,