BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) has announced six new BNSF Certified Sites along its rail network. The new certified sites include AgriTech Park in Great Falls, Mont.; Ameripointe Logistics Park in Ardmore, Okla.; Central New Mexico Rail Park in Los Lunas, N.M.; Commerce Center of Southeast Iowa in Middletown, Iowa; Gallup Energy Logistics Park in Gallup, N.M.; and John W. Kelsey Business and Technology Park in Greenville, Ill.
The BNSF Site Certification Program is an evaluation of environmental and geotechnical standards, rail access, proximity to highways, and site availability for industrial site development. To be considered a certified site, BNSF must see tangible evidence of a commitment by the owner and the community to develop an industrial park or site that is supported by a public-private collaboration and existing investments. Customers building a new rail-served facility on a certified site are expected to save between six to nine months of construction time.
“One of the ways BNSF works to ensure the right solution is offered to each customer is by scouting potential sites for development in advance of customer inquiries,” said Colby Tanner, BNSF assistant vice president economic development. “By doing the upfront leg work to confirm a site is rail-served and shovel-ready, BNSF’s Site Certification Program creates significant value for customers by accelerating the process needed to support customer growth and development.”
BNSF launched its Site Certification Program in March 2016. With this program, BNSF researches property size and boundaries, the confirmed availability of utilities, public services, highway access, proper zoning for industrial usage and transparency of current land ownership. BNSF also vets assessments on environmental issues, geotechnical reviews, and endangered species considerations or cultural matters.
The BNSF program allows the certified sites to use the “BNSF Certified Sites” in marketing materials. The railway also actively markets the sites on its website and promotes the sites to the economic development industry.