GALESBURG, Illinois – City leaders are celebrating a $25 million U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) grant to install rail track and switching in the Galesburg Business Park that will serve DeLong Co. large containerized agricultural terminal project here.
The recent federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) award will help finance a $54 million investment in the business park. The federal government will fund 46% of the project, while DeLong Co. will pay the remaining costs for construction of the intermodal agriculture export facility, the city said in a news release.
The project is expected to move forward with design work in 2025 and construction is expected within two years, the city said.
“The DeLong Co. is excited to work hand-in-hand with the family farms and the Galesburg community on this important project,” DeLong Co. President Chris DeLong said in the city-issued release. “We are committed to being good neighbors, fostering strong relationships, and contributing to the growth and success of the region. This new facility represents an opportunity to build lasting partnerships and support the area’s agricultural producers in reaching global markets.”
DeLong Co. is a sixth-generation, family-owned business headquartered in Clinton, Wisconsin. It operates 37 locations around the U.S. across these six divisions: agricultural and logistical sales and services, exports, agronomy, seed, transportation, and wholesale feed.
When the Galesburg terminal project is completed, regionally produced agricultural commodities will be loaded into rail containers onsite and then shipped overland via BNSF Railway to west coast ports for export.
In addition to making creation of the new facility possible, the installation of rail and track switching will enhance the chances for city and economic development officials to bring additional companies into Galesburg Business Park in the future, the release said.
Region’s leaders lauded
Galesburg also credited DeLong, local, regional, state and federal leaders for supporting the RAISE grant application. They included, on the federal level: Illinois Democratic U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth; U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline; and U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria.
Leaders also thanked BNSF, which certified the site; the Illinois DOT; Illinois state Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, and state Rep. Dan Swanson, R-Alpha; the Knox County Farm Bureau; and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. They city credited them with providing assistance and advice throughout the project.
“The City of Galesburg is thankful for the support of Congressman Sorensen, which made this substantial grant possible,” Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson said in a news release from the congressman’s office. “Thanks to the support of the U.S. Department of Transportation and our legislators, our rural community can finally realize the long-term goal of developing our business park with the infrastructure necessary to spur development and opportunity for our community,” he added.
Mr. Sorensen’s efforts included sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Peter Buttigieg in support of what he described as a “15,000-foot loop track and related infrastructure in the Galesburg Business Park as well as funding the removal of 650 E. Knox Road and a bridge over Interstate 74.”
Mr. Sorensen called the project “more than an infrastructure win for Galesburg — it’s about creating good jobs, opening markets for farmers, and boosting opportunities for local businesses and families.”
He added “By bringing tax dollars home to upgrade transportation and give businesses the tools to grow, we’re building a stronger, brighter future for Galesburg.”
Opening new markets
City leaders also said the DeLong Co. project will have a significant positive impact on the region’s agricultural community by opening a new export market for commodities to Asia. This new overland rail shipping route also will reduce cargo transit by approximately 4,000 miles when compared to using the Mississippi River and Port of New Orleans to ship commodities westward, they said.
In addition to lawmakers, Mr. Hanson also thanked the DeLong Co. and Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development’s Ken Springer and the KCAP staff for making this “tremendous opportunity for Galesburg” possible.
“KCAP is proud to bring forward the first significant project for the city’s Galesburg Business Park property,” Mr. Springer said. “I want to publicly thank our legislators, the city team, and the many other folks who helped move this project forward.”
He added: “We are extremely grateful for the support of our legislators in making this project possible and are excited to finally see opportunities in the Galesburg Business Park expand through additional investment in strong rail infrastructure.”
The current project comes on the heels of a successful 2024 for Galesburg. The city saw increased economic growth, including three development agreements for new projects and expansions within the city, the release said.
