Rail connectivity fuels economic growth for family-owned businesses in Pennsylvania

Rail connectivity fuels economic growth for family-owned businesses in Pennsylvania

A partnership between Norfolk Southern, the North Shore Railroad Company, and state and local economic development partners provided the vital rail connectivity needed to enable Pennsylvania’s Country View Family Farms to open a new feed mill. The project expands market reach for the family-owned business and creates 50 new jobs in the area.

Throughout the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 27, stakeholders recognized how rail infrastructure is helping stimulate regional economic growth and connect businesses to global markets.

“This project was 20 years in the making,” said Aaron Ott, president of County View Family Farms, “and the efforts of the North Shore Railroad with site selection and [Norfolk Southern] were instrumental in making this possible, as rail access was critical to the success of the project.”

Country View Family Farms, based in Middletown, Pennsylvania, manages over 100 family farms as a hog procurement and production company. The new $47 million feed mill spans 173 acres, featuring an 8,250-foot loop track to accommodate 105-car unit train deliveries by Norfolk Southern. The facility will handle approximately 450,000 bushels of corn weekly, supplying feed for around 975,000 hogs in a 50-mile radius. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Clemens Family Corporation, Country View is well-positioned to enhance operations and expand its market reach with its rail connectivity. Currently, we expect to move approximately 4,000 carloads annually for this operation.

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