PINSLY RAILROAD COMPANY TO TAKE OVER RAIL OPERATIONS AT NORTH FLORIDA MEGA INDUSTRIAL PARK
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new Pinsly-owned short line railroad, the North Florida Industrial Railroad has entered into an agreement with Columbia County, Florida, to be the rail operator of the North Florida Mega Industrial Park. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.
The North Florida Mega Industrial Park has been in development by Columbia County and Weyerhaeuser for more than fifteen years. The Industrial Park recently announced its first tenant, AgroLiquid, a manufacturer of high-efficiency liquid fertilizer formulated to protect nutrients from loss to the environment. In addition to generating new job opportunities, the AgroLiquid facility will contribute millions of dollars in private capital investment to the local economy.
As the rail operator of the North Florida Mega Industrial Park, the North Florida Industrial Railroad will provide safe, customer-centric rail service to the tenants within the park. Jacksonville-based Pinsly is well-positioned to partner with Columbia County and Weyerhaeuser to further grow the park through industrial development. With nearly 8 million square feet of industrial development property available, there are a variety of options for development.
“We are excited to be the rail partner for AgroLiquid, providing transportation that will benefit the agricultural economy in Florida. We also look forward to working with Columbia County on future developments within the park, which will greatly benefit the surrounding communities. There is a lot of potential for growth in the northeast Florida region, and we’re only in the beginning phases,” said Cassie Dull, Chief Commercial Officer of Pinsly Railroad Company.
The North Florida Mega Industrial Park, strategically located in an approved U.S. Opportunity Zone within the North Central Florida – Greater Jacksonville Region, is a 2,622-acre shovel-ready supersite in northeast Florida. Situated in Lake City, Columbia County, the park boasts three miles of prime frontage on U.S. Highway 90 and proximity to Interstates 75 and 10, providing preferred accessibility to ports, airports, and rail lines. The Park includes a 500-acre CSX Select Site, a designation for premium certified rail-served sites for industrial development and expansion. Select Site certification criteria include size, access to rail services, proximity to highways, workforce availability, natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, and environmental and geotechnical standards.
About Pinsly Railroad Company
Pinsly Railroad Company stands as one of the oldest and most storied names in the short line industry. Its origins trace back to 1938, when Samuel M. Pinsly undertook the task of purchasing and rehabilitating the hurricane damaged Hoosac Tunnel and Wilmington Railroad in Massachusetts and Vermont. Over the subsequent decades, Pinsly blazed a trail in the industry during an era of heavy government regulation, by acquiring abandoned rail lines from struggling Class I railroads.
With the deregulation of the rail industry ushered in by the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, Class I railroads began to create opportunities for short lines. Pinsly seized upon this new landscape, notably acquiring the Pioneer Valley Railroad Company in 1982, a railroad that continues to operate under the Pinsly brand.
Under the leadership of Marjorie “Maggie” Pinsly Silver and John P. Levine, the company embarked on a six-decade journey of strategic acquisitions and divestitures, solidifying its position as a respected entity within the short line industry. Today, Pinsly Railroad Company proudly carries forward the legacy of its entrepreneurial founders, dedicated to serving communities’ transportation needs with a focus on safety, customer satisfaction, and community engagement.
Presently, Pinsly Railroad Company is comprised of several key entities: the Pioneer Valley Railroad in Massachusetts, Grenada Railroad in Central Mississippi, Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad in the northern panhandle of Florida, Hondo Railway in Texas, and in the Midwest, the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad, Vermilion Valley Railroad, and Camp Chase Railway. The company remains committed to expanding its reach, investing in both its workforce and infrastructure to generate economic value and employment opportunities within the communities it serves.
While no longer under family ownership, the spirit of the Pinsly legacy endures, ingrained within the values and mission upheld by Pinsly Railroad Company and its dedicated employees.