(CSX issued the following news release on January 14.)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Working to facilitate economic growth, CSX Corporation and local communities are developing industrial sites adjacent to rail as part of CSX Transportation Inc.’s (CSXT) innovative “Parks for Growth” program. This groundbreaking program is an effective way of encouraging joint public/private ventures to promote a community’s industrial development opportunities. The Parks for Growth program, initiated in 2003, celebrates its first success Jan. 29 in Southampton County, Va. when a new 400-acre industrial park opens for site improvements.
“When a community completes the program, it will be prepared to welcome a rail-served business with all required amenities,” said Jim Bradshaw, CSXT Industrial Development director. “CSXT will be there to provide exemplary rail service and to offer marketing support and rail connection to its mainline. The result will be mutually beneficial, where the community increases high-quality job opportunities and their tax base, and CSXT gains additional business.”
Criteria for participation in the Parks for Growth program include community endorsement, an environmental assessment and the availability and control of a new potential site, properly zoned with infrastructure that can attract industrial users immediately. Additionally, a community must have a full-time economic development staff, a local marketing plan and labor study.
CSXT selected Southampton County, Va. for the first site due to Southampton County’s ability to meet all the requirements for participation. The final hurdle was scaled December 2003 when a 400-acre parcel was rezoned and an option was secured on the property. Southampton County’s Parks for Growth site is located less than a mile from a major four-lane artery connecting to ports and interstates. The CSXT Portsmouth sub-rail line serves the park.
The first Parks for Growth Partnership celebration ceremony will be held at the Paul D. Camp Community College Work Force Training Center, Jan. 29, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Franklin, Va. Attending will be representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Department of Rail, CSXT, the Virginia Port Authority and national and state real estate consultants.
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., owns one of the largest rail networks in the United States. CSX Transportation Inc., and its 34,000 employees provide rail transportation services over a 23,000 route-mile network in 23 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces.