Ohio’s World Class Logistics Industry Gets Major Boost with Opening of International Shipping Hub
State expands logistics industry to meet increased business growth, allow existing and future companies to better reach global market
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 11 /PRNewswire/ — Ohio is expanding its global reach in the logistics industry with the dedication of Norfolk Southern Corp.’s new intermodal cargo terminal near Rickenbacker International Airport on March 10, 2008. The terminal is the next big step forward in dramatically increasing capacity of the international shipping business in Ohio, according to the Ohio Business Development Coalition (OBDC), the nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment….Norfolk Southern’s $68.5 million investment in the new international shipping facility will open with capacity for 250,000 cargo container transfers from train to truck a year and can be expanded to move 400,000 cargo transfers annually. According to an independent study, within 10 years the new intermodal facility will generate $660 million in transportation cost savings to shippers, and over the next 30 years, will generate 9,500 direct jobs and 10,900 indirect jobs.
“Growth in rail capacity is a key driver of enhanced distribution solutions, and Rickenbacker is about to increase truck to train lift capacity by almost 400 percent,” said Jolene Molitoris, chairwoman of the Ohio Rail Development Commission. “The synergy of Ohio’s location advantage to 60 percent of Americans and 50 percent of Canadians within 600 miles in conjunction with improved rail and international shipping access in the center of the state is definitely a boon for our logistics industry. In conjunction with the additional air cargo capabilities, the sky is the limit for increased distribution of goods in Central Ohio and throughout the rest of the state.”
Related Circleville Herald coverage:
Intermodal opens with big dreams
Ohio Christian University to launch logistics program
Where was the Columbus Dispatch and Business First on this story? I saw zero coverage of this major event in either publication. Do they have any clue as to what a big deal this is?
What, you don’t read the Circleville Herald? I don’t either, but I set up a Google news alert for “Columbus+Ohio+transportation.”
Seriously though, you’re right. This will drive a lot of job growth and development patterns. The south suburbs will no longer be considered one large “Grovetucky” with all the new jobs and houses they’ll be getting.
More macro-economically, this could also be perceived as a vote by a railroad against the delays that are common in the Chicago region’s rail yards. If they’re looking for alternatives, Ohio should try to capitalize. We need to make sure to keep up with infrastructure though. And please, please give people a place to live and work that isn’t 100% automobile-dependent. Let’s see that Southeast TND ordinance put to use.
I found this Dispatch article on RetroMetro:
http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/03/02/Rickenbacker.ART_ART_03-02-08_B1_239GTKH.html?sid=101&rfr=nwsl