International business leaders and representatives come to Decatur to experience what we have to offer them first hand!
Author: Andrew Taylor
CN, ADM and Midwest Inland Port drive increased container shipments over Decatur, Ill., intermodal ramp
CHICAGO, Aug. 23, 2016 — CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI), Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) and the Midwest Inland Port (MIP) said today their collaborative logistics and marketing efforts are driving increased container shipments over ADM’s privately owned intermodal ramp located in Decatur, Ill.
OmniTRAX Affiliate Partners with Topflight Grain Cooperative to Operate Decatur Central Railroad!
The Midwest Inland Port and the EDC are proud to announce a new joint venture that will bring greater utilization of Decatur & Macon Counties rail services!
A managed affiliate of OmniTRAX, Inc., one of the largest privately held transportation service companies in North America and an affiliate of The Broe Group, and Topflight Grain Cooperative, Inc. are entering into a joint venture to operate, drive business to and rehabilitate the line currently owned by Topflight Grain. OmniTRAX will manage the newly renamed Decatur Central Railroad, LLC, which links Cisco and Decatur, IL, commencing in late 2016.
CN Joins Midwest Inland Port Strategic Development Coalition!
The Midwest Inland Port Strategic Development Coalition (“MIPSDC”) announced Monday that CN, one of the nation’s largest railroads and one of three providing rail service to Decatur businesses, has joined the group to provide strategic and marketing support to the development of the Midwest Inland Port.
The Midwest Inland Port is one to watch.
The Midwest Inland Port was recently named one of the top 10 intermodal sites to watch by AreaDevelopment.com
The MIP Marketing Launch was a huge success!
On Friday, September 25th, the Midwest Inland Port and the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County were proud to host over 300 local business and community leaders at Richland Community College for the much anticipated marketing launch of the Midwest Inland Port.
The keynote speakers included Governor Bruce Rauner who spoke of his vision for continued economic development in Central Illinois and Decatur in particular; and Mr. Juan Luciano, President/CEO of ADM who reiterated his commitment to Decatur’s future prosperity with the announcement of a $2 million local investment into National Foodworks Services and their new state-of-the-art food product incubator.
Additional speakers included representatives of the Midwest Inland Port Strategic Development Coalition on their commitment and contribution to the future of Decatur’s economic development:
- Scott Fredericksen, President of Transportation – Archer Daniels Midland
- Ron Pate, Senior Vice President, Operations and Technical Services – Ameren Illinois Company,
- Kevin McKenna, Executive Vice President – Clayco
- Ken Smithmier, President and Chief Executive Officer – Illinois Health and Science (Parent of Decatur Memorial Hospital)
- Jim Schultz, Director – State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- Kevin Shuba, CEO – OmniTRAX, Inc.
For additional coverage of the event, visit Now Decatur, The Herald & Review and WAND TV.
MIP Marketing Launch Press Release.
September 25, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contacts:
Ryan McCrady, President
Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County
PH: 217-422-9520
Larry Altenbaumer, Executive Director
Midwest Inland Port
PH: 217-422-9520
Midwest Inland Port Strategic Development Coalition Introduced
Decatur, Illinois – The Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County (“EDC”) and the Midwest Inland Port are introducing today key representatives from organizations that are providing strategic and financial support to the comprehensive development of the Midwest Inland Port.
The introductions being made today are part of the Midwest Inland Port Market Launch Program that also features keynote addresses by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and ADM Chief Executive Officer and President Juan Luciano. As part of today’s program the EDC and the Midwest Inland Port are introducing a comprehensive set of marketing materials based on the results of a detailed study completed earlier this year.
Ryan McCrady, President of the EDC stated: “Today marks another exciting and significant step forward for the Midwest Inland Port and for all of Central Illinois. The organizations that comprise the Strategic Development Coalition represent a combination of global, national, regional and local perspectives that are all important as we work to achieve the potential of the Midwest Inland Port development.”
Larry Altenbaumer, Executive Director of the Midwest Inland Port, added: “Locally, we are familiar with the quality of organizations like ADM, Ameren Illinois and Decatur Memorial Hospital. Their support reflects not only a shared vision for what the Midwest Inland Port can become, but also represents their continued support for our community. The involvement of Clayco and OmniTRAX provides a significant level of additional credibility to what we are working to achieve. Both of these organizations have exceptional experience and expertise in the type of development opportunities we expect to occur as part of the Midwest Inland Port.”
Each of these coalition members will provide remarks at today’s Market Launch Program. In addition to these organizations, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is a member of the Strategic Development Coalition. Its director, Jim Schultz will share his views of the strategic significance of this development opportunity for the region and for the State of Illinois.
Altenbaumer also noted: “In addition to this outstanding group of organizations that will be part of today’s event, we are honored to have presentations being provided by Jim Kvedaras of the CN, one of the three Class I railroads serving Decatur. The CN is working with those of us here in Decatur to greatly enhance the service offerings that are critical to the full development of the Midwest Inland Port. They are a true strategic partner in our efforts.”
Ryan McCrady said, “While there is a great deal of focus on the Midwest Inland Port from those of us within our community, the full benefit of its development extends well beyond the borders of Decatur and Macon County. Kathie Cravens, the International Trade Specialist with the Illinois Small Business Development Center at the Champaign County EDC, will speak to the important regional considerations of the Midwest Inland Port opportunity. Today’s launch marks the first in what I believe will be a series of exciting developments that will occur over the next several months. These are exciting times for all of us.”
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About the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County
The Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County is a nonprofit public-private partnership responsible for non-retail business attraction, expansion and retention efforts in Decatur & Macon County. Composed of a combination of leading private sector employers, labor, educational institutions and a variety of governmental bodies, the EDC is uniquely positioned to address the needs of Macon County’s existing business and employer base along with prospective businesses looking to locate in and around the Decatur, Illinois area. The EDC works with local, state and federal partners to provide economic, technical and training assistance to businesses in the Macon County area.
