By Guest Columnist Andy McDonald
A property in the Berea Industrial Park was recently chosen for the CSX Select Site Program, boosting the city’s prospects to attract a new industrial employer in need of rail service.
In a statement from MWM Consulting, which is contracted with the City of Berea, the CSX Railroad program identifies desirable locations for site development and potential job creation, then conveys that information to site selectors and prospective employers. A 21-acre site in the Berea Industrial Park, located on Mayde Road near Novelis, was one of 14 sites selected nationally by CSX in this latest round. Berea was the only city selected in Kentucky.
“The inclusion of the Mayde Road rail site in the CSX Select Site Program is a significant milestone for Berea, Kentucky,” said the statement from MWM. “With its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and the support of CSX, the site is poised to attract industrial investment and drive economic growth in the region.”
CSX Senior Director of Industrial Development Kellen Riley stated, “…the information collected for these properties will allow site consultants and manufacturers a quick and convenient way to identify premium, rail-served industrial properties where they can locate new manufacturing facilities, generating new jobs and capital investment,” according to the press release. The link below connects prospective employers with data about the site:
BEREA KY Property Report | Vacant Land for Sale Mayde Road, Berea, KY, 21 acres (zoomprospector.com)
Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley said offering companies rail access puts the city at an advantage when it comes to attracting new jobs.
“It’s rare for any city to have an industrial site that is also served by rail,” Fraley said. “Having the type of potential where you can bring customers in that require rail service opens up the City of Berea for consideration by a larger pool of potential employers.”
There are two sites in the Berea Industrial Park that have rail spurs, including the Kentucky Steel Center and Novelis, Fraley said.
“Having a rail spur has allowed both of them to thrive and we’re hopeful that the industry that eventually buys this 21-acre site will be successful. This is a good fit for a city the size of Berea, especially when you have I-75 on one side of the industrial park and CSX Railroad on the other side. It makes it an ideal site for anyone needing rail,” Fraley said.
Fraley cited the city’s industrial development consultant, Lucas Witt and MWM Consulting as a key factor in helping the city seize available opportunities.
“Having a consultant to work with us on economic development has led to the expansions of Hyster-Yale, landing AppHarvest, which is now Mastronardi, and landing Hitachi Astemo Electric Systems,” Fraley said. “Having a consultant that knows the process, incentives, and can work with the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet is critical.”
Fraley said one of MWM’s most important contributions has been its ability to sell Berea.
“Our consultant does an outstanding job in communicating how wonderful the city of Berea is; how we are welcoming, business friendly, with a low crime rate, affordable housing compared to the rest of the country, great recreational opportunities, our parks, our educational system, vocational schools and two universities. Those are all quality-of-life attributes that we often take for granted. A consultant like MWM helps us convey the benefits of living and working in Berea, Kentucky,” Fraley said.
Fraley said the Berea Industrial Development Authority is open to a number of options when it comes to a new employer, whether they are in research and development, Ag tech, suppliers for surrounding industries, or other options. Highest on his list, however, is ensuring they will contribute to Berea.
“What I’m really looking for to fill this site is a quality employer that pays high wages, has a good reputation for taking care of their employees, and who will be a good long-term partner with the City of Berea. Someone with a history of being involved in the community, supporting local events and our educational institutions,” Fraley said.
A robust educational system that promotes industrial education through its vocational schools, and a ready, tech-able workforce from a concluding project at the Blue Grass Army Depot may also prove to be strong advantages in drawing a new employer, Fraley said. Those and other factors bolster prospects to attract quality jobs for those who want to live and work in Berea and Madison County, Fraley said.
“It’s very important to me that the young people and college students in Madison County can look forward to making a good living and remaining here if they choose,” Fraley said. “That’s how our city and county will continue to grow and that is how the quality of life for the citizens who live here will continue to improve for the foreseeable future – by bringing in these kinds of economic opportunities,” Fraley said.
