100 W. Washington St., Room 103
Hagerstown, MD 21740
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Norfolk-Southern recently announced that construction could begin as early as September on a new rail-truck intermodal terminal that will cost at least $100 million. The terminal will likely create over 100 new jobs and be part of Norfolk Southern’s improvements in the Southeast to Northeast corridor. The Franklin County, Pennsylvania location of the terminal—just over the state line from nearby Hagerstown, Maryland and surrounding Washington County—is the latest in a series of developments highlighting the importance of this Mid-Atlantic crossroads for logistics and distribution.
Norfolk Southern operates 21,000 miles of routes across 22 states, and is also building intermodal terminals in Memphis, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama. Norfolk Southern officials chose the site for this latest terminal to better accommodate the Washington, DC and Baltimore markets. The new terminal will be 4 miles long, with the main pad and parking covering 170 acres.
Mid-Atlantic Crossroads is a Strategic Center for Logistics and Distribution
Located at the intersection of two of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest interstates, just minutes from four states, and only an hour from the Baltimore and Washington, DC metro areas, Hagerstown, Maryland and surrounding Washington County have become a major Logistics and Distribution center for companies like Fedex, UPS, Lenox, Tractor Supply Company, Staples, Radio Shack, Home Depot, and Lowe’s.
The area is a logistical hot spot because there is no better—and more affordable—place for Logistics and Distribution businesses to be. With strategic access to one of the country’s largest and most rapidly growing consumer bases, the area is a goldmine of multimodal connections. An outstanding quality of life, the nation’s best schools, and low traffic coupled with economic advantages like reasonable labor and real estate costs make Hagerstown and Washington County an obvious choice.
One of the Nation’s Oldest and Most Strategic Transportation Hubs
Hagerstown and Washington County, Maryland are enviably situated at one of the nation’s oldest and most strategic transportation hubs. Located at the northern end of the Great Valley, the region was a major crossroads of commerce in the 18th and 19th centuries, and today lies at the intersection of 848-mile Interstate 81 (spanning the nation from Canada to Tennessee) and 2,153-mile Interstate 70 (spanning the nation from Maryland to Utah).
Close Connections to Rail Lines Spanning the Eastern US and Beyond
The mainlines of CSX and Norfolk Southern railways provide economical rail transport to anywhere on the Atlantic seaboard. CSX, with a public siding, operates daily trains and connects with other major carriers for long-distance shipping. The Norfolk Southern mainline is just outside the city limits of Hagerstown. A CSX interchange with Norfolk Southern is available for nationwide access. Daily Amtrak service and weekday MARC commuter service to Washington, DC are offered nearby in Martinsburg, West Virginia (23 miles south of Hagerstown).
A Modern Regional Airport With Easy Access to 3 Major Airports
Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) has the second-longest public runway in the State of Maryland. With state-of-the-art navigational aids and unencumbered airspace allowing for flexible test flights, Hagerstown Regional Airport has become the home of 40 defense and aviation firms with over 650 total employees, including Sierra Nevada Corporation, Northrop Grumman, and Fugro EarthData, Inc. Washington County is less than 90 minutes from 3 major airports: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI), Dulles International (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
Rapid Interstate Access to the Port of Baltimore and Global Shipping
The Port of Baltimore—less than 90 minutes from Hagerstown and Washington County via Interstate 70— is closer to the Midwest than any other Atlantic seaport and is a leading U.S. automobile port and one of the nation’s top RO-RO (roll-on,roll-off) ports. Its state-of-the-art Seagirt Marine Terminal and Intermodal Container Transfer Facility provide convenient, economical access to national and international markets. The Port of Baltimore offers outstanding intermodal connections with two Class 1 railroads and immediate access to several major interstate highways. Facilities are available to handle general cargo, automobiles, containers, steel, paper and much more. In addition, the Virginia Inland Port is located just over 50 miles south of Hagerstown in Front Royal, Virginia.
A Variety of Logistics and Distribution Space in Excellent Locations—Available Now
Hagerstown and Washington County, Maryland currently have over 500,000 square feet of office space available, and Washington County has over 1.8 million square feet of industrial/commercial space available. Existing spaces are wired for data and are suitable for a variety of industries. Following are some example locations ideal for Logistics and Distribution:
Bowman Air Park Building - http://www.hagerstownedc.org/propDetail.aspx?id=137 - 350,000 square feet, adjacent to Interstate 81 and with direct access to Hagerstown Regional Airport.
Baer Building I - http://www.hagerstownedc.org/propDetail.aspx?id=198 – 60,000 square feet with 10 acres for outside storage and truck parking and just a half-mile from Interstate 70.
Newgate II - http://www.hagerstownedc.org/propDetail.aspx?id=246 - Pad-ready site with all utilities and storm water control in place for 32-foot clear concrete tilt building up to 576,000 square feet.
Highly-Educated and Skilled Workforce
A productive, dedicated, and well-rounded regional workforce of 400,000 has made Washington County a choice location for manufacturers, financial services, and distribution companies. Government, business, and community organizations collaborate to help diversify the local economy. As a result higher paying jobs are being created in advanced manufacturing, aero defense, and biotechnology sectors.
The existing highly-educated and skilled workforce provides an incredible opportunity to new businesses and those looking to expand. Companies see value in doing business in Washington County as capital investment in 2009 peaked at over $150 million.
Pro-Business Climate
Washington County is known for a healthy, pro-business climate. With incentives and financing programs from a variety of sources, businesses get significant assistance to open, expand or relocate in the area. Company goals are achieved by working with partners and developing custom programs to maximize benefits for each business.
Beyond financial assistance, expert liaisons are employed to help ensure a smooth expansion and logistical process through the County’s "Fast Track Program."
5/12/2010
