Port of Virginia helps Chicago economy thrive
Every day, freight trains loaded with American-made exports and imports from countries around the world crisscross this nation through Chicago: nearly 25 percent of all of the nation's cargo transits through the rail yards here and gets shipped to various points across the nation - including The Port of Virginia.
From October 2017 to October 2018, nearly $1 billion dollars' worth of cargo flowed along the roughly 900 miles of railroad track connecting The Port of Virginia and the Windy City. In that period, the total value of exports (American-made goods for sale overseas) moving from Chicago to Virginia was valued at $505 million; imports were valued at $494 million.
In all, 900 local companies use The Port of Virginia. The freight includes agricultural products, food ingredients, auto parts, medical equipment and supplies, machinery, animal feed, electronics, fortified spirits, steel, furniture, plumbing supplies and more. The cargo flows to and from companies including Caterpillar, ADM, John Deere, Continental Tire, WM Recycle America, Dyson, Telefonika Cable America, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits and Weber Stephen Products to name just a few.
Virginia and Chicago have always been connected by reliable rail service: everyday, trains leave the port's terminals in the Norfolk Harbor and reach this city's rail yards in less than 50 hours. The cargo on these trains creates jobs, spurs economic investment, drives spending and helps fuel the economy.
The Port of Virginia understands the importance of this critical transit hub and as a result, through 2024 we are investing $1.5 billion to ensure the unimpeded flow of cargo to and from Chicago and its peer cities throughout the Midwest.
Chicago's logistics, manufacturing, warehousing and cargo community is connected to a world-class port that is generating best-in-class results for those users. The Port of Virginia's goal is to treat the cargo well, listen, collaborate and continue to make purposeful investments that will benefit the economy of Chicago and the nation.
Jeanne Heilman
Midwest Area Manager
The Port of Virginia