Business Facilities - December 2008 - (Page D8)

service to markets throughout the world. Two Class 1 and one local railroad are important parts of the transportation system. Both UPS and FedEx offer daily early morning deliveries in Joplin and Neosho through their regional hub in Springfield, MO. There is an available workforce of 93,668 in the Joplin labor pool. Of those workers, more than half have at least some college education, while 94% have at least a high school diploma. The Joplin area already has several back office operations that have prepared a large pool of full- and parttime workers in this industry. Companies such as La-Z-Boy, General Mills and Owens-Corning transport their finished products from the area. In addition, there are numerous large freight companies located in the area that provide logistics services. The fast-growing City of Hesperia is conveniently situated within easy access to the logistics network that serves the combined ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the largest international cargo trade area in the U.S. Agency, the city is ready to build the G Avenue Industrial Rail Lead Track Project, consisting of approximately one mile of new railroad lead track and a parallel runaround track. Construction is slated to begin in January 2010 and take approximately one year to complete. Hesperia’s proactive Economic Development Department, and its Redevelopment Agency (RDA), the wealthiest municipal RDA in the High Desert, are two powerhouses fueling Hesperia’s current growth. The addition of the rail track, one of the city’s far-reaching industrial development goals, will facilitate operations for a greater number of warehousing and distribution centers near Interstate 15. The new City of Hesperia, CA: New Rail Spurs New Opportunities in Logistics The business-friendly City of Hesperia in California’s Inland Empire North is a leader in supporting the long-term development of the regional economy. Having secured $2 million in federal grant funding from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Hesperia’s Industrial Rail Lead Track will serve in excess of 200 acres. track will offer many opportunities for industrial users to purchase railaccessible properties. The thriving City of Hesperia exemplifies smart growth, maintaining a healthy balance between population and development. The rail project is guided by Hesperia’s efforts to create sustainable development that includes locally created partnerships and focuses on regional solutions for economic development. It is tied closely to Hesperia’s strong commitment to grow its economy, attract new businesses and development, and provide jobs for its residents. The completion of this project will stimulate the development of 210 acres, and will indirectly impact the attraction and expansion of other businesses into the 1,300-acre I Avenue Industrial area. In addition, the project fosters entrepreneurship by making rail accessible throughout the region to smaller businesses without rail access to ship and receive goods with the use of a team trans-load facility. The city has found it is in its best interest to collaborate with local businesses to make sure they continue to be viable and successful entities. The planned track is expected to bring economic results that will match or exceed the advantages of the neighboring, soon-to-be buildout, Foxborough rail industrial park, which has helped create many longterm jobs by attracting national and international companies. Strategically positioned for logistics and distribution, the fast-growing City of Hesperia is conveniently situated within easy access to the logistics network that serves the combined ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (LA/LGB), the nation’s largest international cargo trade area. Hesperia is sited on Interstate Highway 15, and Highway 395, a major corridor linking Southern D-8 A S P E C I A L A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N O F B U S I N E S S FA C I L I T I E S A N D S U P P LY C H A I N M A N A G E M E N T PHOTO CREDIT: CITY OF HESPERIA

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Business Facilities - December 2008

Business Facilities - December 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: North Carolina Gold Award: New Engine for Growth in Virginia Silver Award: Tennessee Gets the Big Prize Bronze Award: Enrichment in Idaho Falls Honorable Mentions International Reach From America's Heartland Supply Chain Priorities Metro Spotlight: Greenville/ Spartanburg, SC The Magnolia State Has It All A Real Estate Mega-Merger State of the Year Ask the Expert Advertiser Index

Business Facilities - December 2008

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