GALESBURG, Ill. (KWQC) – A new agricultural railroad shipping facility is coming to Galesburg thanks to a federal grant.
The facility will take up 100 acres and will include a large loading terminal for grain and new train tracks.
This project will not only help farmers, but create jobs and set the city up for future development, county leaders said.
Jeff Grady is a farmer in Knox County Illinois. He and his father grow soybeans, corn and some hay.
Right now, the closest place Grady and other farmers have to haul their goods to is more than 50 miles away. But the new facility in Galesburg will cut his trip to 10 miles.
“Aside from cutting down on transportation, it will cut down on wear and tear in our equipment,” Grady said.
Grady said the new facility will encourage competition, which will help farmers. He said over half of soybeans grown in Illinois are exported.
“Vast majority of that goes down the Mississippi River from this region,” Grady said. “Now on this rail, it’ll head due West for export to Asian countries.”
Farmers like Grady wont be the only people benefiting from the project. County leaders say it will directly create 10 to 20 jobs and set Galesburg’s Business Park up for future development.
“By having the rail infrastructure installed in the park, it’s going to be much easier to land subsequent tenants.” Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development President Ken Springer said.
The project will cost more than $50 million dollars, about half of which is being covered by the federal grant. The rest is being paid for by the DeLong Company- who will be building and operating the facility.
“We’re very confident this is going to be a great project that’s going to be completed successfully.” Springer said.
Construction is expected to start on the project within the next two years.
Copyright 2025 KWQC. All rights reserved.
Credit: Source link
