Peoria EDC and the Iowa Interstate

Chris Setti, director for the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, posted this on Friday.

"There are six Class 1 railroads in the United States (defined as having more than a billion dollars in annual revenue). These are the “big guys” that crisscross America, hauling millions of pounds of goods. All six have tracks in Illinois and four are present in greater Peoria (Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF, and Canadian Pacific). Did you know that only one “shortline” railroad connects all six of them? That shortline is Iowa Interstate Railroad, and we are fortunate to have them helping out farmers and industries right here in our region. In Greater Peoria the Iowa Interstate starts on the northside of the City of Peoria, heads north to Henry, and joins up with their main track that runs all the way to Omaha. I recently had the opportunity to meet with Jim Bowman, their Economic Development Director, to begin exploring how we could develop industrial properties along their system. We often talk about our utility partners as the “shadow economic developers” in a community, but just as important are our friends in the railroad industry. We are happy to have Iowa Interstate in our region."

While such discussions are encouraging, why can't local leaders get their facts correct? There are two glaring errors here:

(1) The Iowa Interstate Railroad is classified as a "Regional" railroad, not a "shortline."

(2) Canadian National, not Canadian Pacific, is one of four Class 1s serving greater Peoria. 

- David P. Jordan

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