September 25, 2022 - TRA Newswire -

An industrial rail park in El Campo, along the U.S. 59 /I-69 corridor in the Texas Gulf Coast region, has been named a Kansas City Southern (KCS) Certified Premier Site, one of 6 U.S. and 5 Mexican sites open for developing freight markets.

KCS made the announcement this month for the shovel-ready sites that are certified and pre-approved for rail service.

A Texas Rail Advocates news article from February 2020, indicated that the Southwest International Gateway Business Park was in process of development in El Campo by Stonemont FInancial Group. When it's fully built out the 540 acre rail-served freight park would offer up to 10 million square feet of space and access to Kansas City Southern and Kansas CIty Southern de Mexico.

"Prospective shippers often need a quick turnaround from site selection to shovel ready", according to KCS Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Mike Naatz. "KCS is customer-focused and we strive to be top of mind when shippers need a transportation partner in the industrial development process. "

In order to be considered, a location must go through a certification process that includes verifying access to rail services, proximity to highways, workforce availability, access to industrial-grade utilities, proper zoning and strong public-private support.

KCS indicated that the ready-to-go sites can cut development timelines by six to nine months. 

Naatz said "as part of out focus on growth, additional KCS Certified Premier Sites will be added as they become available in the near future."

Shippers interested in locating at KCS approved business rail park can get additional information at kcsouthern.com/raildevelopment

Photo credit: El Campo Economic Development