BNSF: $1.5B in 2021 Economic Development
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Investments from BNSF-served customers totaled approximately $1.5 billion in 2021, the Class I railroad reported on March 3; this reflects work on new or expanded facilities by companies such as The Gatorade Company Inc., Mark Anthony Brewing and Northern Metal Recycling.
It is the 11th consecutive year that customers and local economic development organizations have invested more than $1 billion in a calendar year, according to BNSF.
“The success of BNSF’s rail development program is a result of our employees working with our customers to build unique supply chain solutions that fit their distinctive needs,” Assistant Vice President, Economic Development Chris Danos said. “Flexibility is the key to helping our customers maximize their investments, saving them development costs and expediting their speed to market.”
BNSF projects the creation of more than 1,700 new jobs as a result of the investments, which support commodities such as consumer, agricultural and industrial products in communities across the Class I railroad’s network.
Among the 2021 developments:
• The Gatorade Company, Inc.: Co-located at BNSF’s Logistics Park Kansas City for warehouse and distribution center capabilities, creating 200 new jobs.
• Mark Anthony Brewing: Invested $450 million to build a new facility in Glendale, Ariz., that is capable of receiving tank car shipments of glucose and alcohol to produce White Claw Hard Seltzer, creating 300 jobs.
• Northern Metal Recycling: Invested $75 million to construct a new facility at the Becker Industrial Park in Becker, Minn., to handle manifest and unit train shipments of scrap metals, creating 90 new jobs.
