Norfolk Southern rail fuels more than $7.7B in industrial development activity in 2025

More than 60 projects helped drive business and job growth for local economies

Feb. 2, 2026 at 10:07am

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Norfolk Southern Corporation customers advanced over 60 industrial development projects in 2025, representing $7.7 billion in industry investment for new or expanded rail–served facilities along Norfolk Southern and short line partner routes. This economic activity across states and industries was made possible by the reach of Norfolk Southern's strategic network footprint.

Why it matters

Norfolk Southern's pipeline continues to attract long–term private investment aligned to growth corridors and port gateways across the Southeast and Midwest, underscoring rail's foundational and strategic role in U.S. supply chains. The company's focus on creating turnkey sites and achieving higher service standards helps customers benefit from the advantages of choosing a Norfolk Southern-served property.

The details

Norfolk Southern 2025 industrial development activity was strong across many sectors, including metals, paper, aggregates, and automotive-related projects. 15 of Norfolk Southern's sites received the independent Readiness Evaluation for Development and Investment (REDI Sites) designation, reflecting rigorous assessments by members of the Site Selectors Guild. Norfolk Southern also advanced a disciplined real estate strategy in 2025 to unlock rail–backed customer growth across the network.

  • In 2025, Norfolk Southern customers advanced over 60 industrial development projects.
  • In 2026, Norfolk Southern will be adding even more sites on behalf of its more than 270 short line partners.

The players

Norfolk Southern Corporation

An American freight railroad company that operates a 22-state freight network and helps customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of annual carbon emissions by shipping via rail.

Ed Elkins

Norfolk Southern Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.

Craig Hudson

Norfolk Southern GVP of Industrial Development.

Cliff Garner

Norfolk Southern AVP Real Estate and Facility Services.

Union Pacific

An American freight transportation company that has proposed merging with Norfolk Southern to create a unified coast–to–coast freight rail network.

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What they’re saying

“Our customers' $7.7 billion pipeline underscores rail's foundational – and increasingly strategic – role in U.S. supply chains.”

— Ed Elkins, Norfolk Southern Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer

“These REDI designations make site selection faster and more predictable for companies that rely on rail. Our development-ready sites are engineered for rail connectivity and logistical efficiency, which helps customers compress timelines and communities capture high-quality jobs and investment.”

— Craig Hudson, Norfolk Southern GVP of Industrial Development

“These strategic sales, paired with targeted land acquisitions, reflect a deliberate "trade–up" approach: leveraging non–core assets to secure opportunities that strengthen network capacity, attract rail–served industries, and position Norfolk Southern for sustained economic and industrial development.”

— Cliff Garner, Norfolk Southern AVP Real Estate and Facility Services

“A transcontinental railroad stands to accelerate economic growth across our country, creating new, faster shipping options for a range of businesses across sizes and sectors. Together with Union Pacific, we would continue the long history of railroads growing America's economy, unlocking growth and greater connections to global freight gateways.”

— Ed Elkins

What’s next

The proposed merger between Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific is pending review by the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

The takeaway

Norfolk Southern's strategic investments in industrial development, real estate, and rail infrastructure are driving economic growth and job creation across the Southeast and Midwest, underscoring the critical role of freight rail in supporting American manufacturing and supply chain resilience.