BNSF Adds Three Certified Sites
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Three locations on the BNSF network—two in Iowa and one in Kansas—have been designated as Certified Sites, part of the Class I railroad’s Premier Parks, Sites and Transload Program, bringing the total to 35. The program’s goal is to “provide an inventory of rail-served sites that are available for immediate development.”
BNSF described the Premier Parks, Sites and Transload Program as “a strategic approach to addressing the increasing demand for customer site locations by developing various types of facilities across BNSF’s network.” To be considered, BNSF said sites must undergo “a thorough analysis, which includes an evaluation of environmental and geotechnical standards, available utilities, site availability and existing and proposed infrastructure. An industry expert reviews BNSF Certified Sites to ensure accurate, reliable data.”
The newly designated Certified Sites are:
- Fort Madison Industrial Site, Fort Madison, Iowa: This 128-acre site has 116 contiguous acres available for development. It is located off four-lane US Highway 61 and identified as a future economic development growth area for industry in the Fort Madison, Iowa, strategic plan, according to BNSF. This site is certified by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
- Mills Crossing Mega Site, Glenwood, Iowa: This is a 1,600-plus acre mega site, near I-29 and I-80 via four-lane Highway 34. Within the Omaha Metropolitan Statistical Area, it has earned its certification by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
- Astra Enterprise Park, De Soto, Kans.: Zoned Light Industrial, this 205-acre site is located near the BNSF main line with access to both Lawrence and Kansas City. De Soto is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Statistical Area. While only 205 acres have been certified, BNSF said, additional acreage will be available.
The three new sites will bring their respective state’s total count to three each in Iowa and Kansas.
“We are pleased to add these three new locations to our list of growing certified sites across BNSF’s network,” BNSF Assistant Vice President of Economic Development Chris Danos said. “It’s a win-win for our customers who are ready to develop their business offerings through rail, saving them several months of construction time.”
In a related development, BNSF’s Economic Development team in May made it easier for businesses to locate along the railroad’s network with a new site selection tool.
