FS GRAIN has announced plans to significantly upgrade and expand its grain elevator in St. Anne, Illinois, by adding a new state-of-the-art shuttle loader. This expansion, coupled with mainline, Class I rail services provided by Union Pacific and CSX railroads, will transform St. Anne into a premier multimodal grain hub.
The new facility is expected to have a minimum throughput capacity of 40 million bushels and will feature cutting-edge technology and automation to expedite grain movement. This upgrade aims to reduce load and unload times for both trucks and rail cars, enhancing efficiency in the grain transportation process.
Cory Winstead, FS GRAIN General Manager, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, "We are excited to partner with Union Pacific and CSX to open these new market opportunities to our farmer customers. This facility strengthens our ability to give our farmer customers a competitive edge in the global grain market."
The collaboration has been well-received by the railroad partners. JJ Sullivan, Union Pacific Director of Marketing and Sales, noted that the facility would strengthen their grain origination base in Northeast Illinois. Similarly, Arthur Adams, CSX Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, emphasized their commitment to delivering superior service and driving growth.
Construction of the new shuttle loader, to be handled by GROWMARK Construction, is slated to begin in late 2024 and is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete. This significant investment underscores FS GRAIN's commitment to innovation and expanding market access for area farmers.
