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Rail vs. Over the Road
March 2, 2007: The Lewis County Industrial Authority meeting Friday morning evolved into a
listening roundtable session that left participants hopeful for the future.
The meeting was to determine needs of area expansion and growth not just for industry but for
all businesses
One of the major points brought up was transport of product via rail vs. trucking, especially in
light over road fuel costs. Transportation costs are overwhelming all local businesses, from
loggers to manufacturers to suppliers, and as all expenses of production continue to rise, this
is just one concern among many but one that the group agreed for a follow-up.
CSX Railroad will be contacted to discuss the viability of an enhanced railroad spur that will
include a loading dock, which would be open to an6y interested Lewis County business, from
loggers, timber dealers and pallet companies to any other businesses that now relies
exclusively on trucking for transport.
Among the discussions was the realization that two major Lewis County industries had a
secondary manufacturing problem that could negate each other.
Northern Contours has a problem with pallets on out-going products and having to pay extra to
have the pallets returned.
Coroplast has the opposite problem with raw materials being delivered on pallets, but
outgoing products do not need pallets, so Coroplast always has a surplus of pallets.
The two manufacturers are now talking about a way to address their assets and deficits to the
best advantage for each.
The Industrial authority will be contacting CSX regarding the possibility of an enhanced rail
spur and the Authority plans to meet again in April (date and time to be determined).
[Correspondent Patty Kennard contributed to this report.]
March 2, 2007: The Lewis County Industrial Authority meeting Friday morning evolved into a
listening roundtable session that left participants hopeful for the future.
The meeting was to determine needs of area expansion and growth not just for industry but for
all businesses
One of the major points brought up was transport of product via rail vs. trucking, especially in
light over road fuel costs. Transportation costs are overwhelming all local businesses, from
loggers to manufacturers to suppliers, and as all expenses of production continue to rise, this
is just one concern among many but one that the group agreed for a follow-up.
CSX Railroad will be contacted to discuss the viability of an enhanced railroad spur that will
include a loading dock, which would be open to an6y interested Lewis County business, from
loggers, timber dealers and pallet companies to any other businesses that now relies
exclusively on trucking for transport.
Among the discussions was the realization that two major Lewis County industries had a
secondary manufacturing problem that could negate each other.
Northern Contours has a problem with pallets on out-going products and having to pay extra to
have the pallets returned.
Coroplast has the opposite problem with raw materials being delivered on pallets, but
outgoing products do not need pallets, so Coroplast always has a surplus of pallets.
The two manufacturers are now talking about a way to address their assets and deficits to the
best advantage for each.
The Industrial authority will be contacting CSX regarding the possibility of an enhanced rail
spur and the Authority plans to meet again in April (date and time to be determined).
[Correspondent Patty Kennard contributed to this report.]