Erin Blasko, LaPorte Herald-Argus eblasko@heraldargus.com
SOUTH BEND -- Aware of the potential economic impact to the entire region, economic development officials in St. Joseph County are eager to see an intermodal facility locate in La Porte County.
According to the South Bend Tribune, at a South Bend Common Council meeting Thursday, Patrick McMahon, executive director of Project Future, told the council that the organization supports some La Porte County officials' efforts to create an intermodal facility in the county.
Project Future works to facilitate economic development in St. Joseph County by acting as a catalyst between the community and prospective businesses.
"When the time is right, we'll be more than happy to provide any support that is appropriate," McMahon told The La Porte County Herald-Argus Friday.
"We understand the benefits to the entire area," he said.
Possibilities, he said, would include assisting La Porte County officials in negotiations with railroads and state and federal agencies.
McMahon said his enthusiasm for the proposed intermodal in La Porte County stems from the fact that, from what he has heard, the facility is likely to service several railroads.
"It's very unique," he said. "I'm not sure there's another facility like it in the United States. I know there's no facility like it in the Midwest."
To transport goods from one rail carrier to another at intermodal facilities that serve only single railroads -- like those in the Chicagoland area -- goods must first be unloaded onto semi trucks and then transported to another intermodal, said McMahon. Due to Chicagoland's congested roadways, the entire process can take up to three days.
An intermodal serving multiple railroads, he said, would be attractive to manufacturers because it "would allow for more efficient movement of goods between (rail) carriers."
"The ability to have a transportation facility where you're reducing time and cost is a very big issue," McMahon said.
In a Wednesday meeting with The Herald-Argus Editorial Board, La Porte County redevelopment consultant Matt Reardon mentioned that businesses would likely want to take advantage of an intermodal in La Porte County by locating near it, possibly in surrounding counties.
Likewise, McMahon said the economic benefits of an intermodal would likely "ripple through" La Porte County and into the surrounding region.
"Not only will La Porte County benefit economically (from an intermodal)," he said, "but there will be a benefit to business and industry in the entire region. We're excited to be next door."