Key Takeaways
- FS GRAIN plans to upgrade its grain elevator in St. Anne, Illinois, with a state-of-the-art shuttle loader.
- The new facility will feature Class I rail services from Union Pacific and CSX railroads.
- The expansion will transform St. Anne into a multimodal grain hub, providing access to markets in the Southern U.S. and Mexico.
- The facility will include advanced automation and technology to improve efficiency and throughput.
- Construction, managed by GROWMARK Construction, is expected to begin in late 2024 and take 18 months to complete.
Transforming St. Anne into a Multimodal Grain Hub
FS GRAIN has announced plans to expand and upgrade its existing grain elevator in St. Anne, Illinois, by adding a modern shuttle loader with Class I rail services provided by Union Pacific and CSX railroads. This investment aims to transform the facility into a multimodal grain hub, offering area farmers new access to markets in the Southern United States and Mexico.
Enhanced Market Access for Farmers
The new shuttle loader is expected to enhance market opportunities for local farmers. FS GRAIN General Manager Cory Winstead expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are excited to partner with Union Pacific and CSX to open these new market opportunities to our farmer customers. At FS GRAIN, we’re always looking for ways to grow and innovate that give our farmer customers a competitive edge in the global grain market.”
Union Pacific Director – Marketing and Sales JJ Sullivan added: “This facility strengthens our grain origination base in Northeast Illinois and provides additional supply options for Union Pacific grain customers.”
Arthur Adams, CSX Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, noted: “Our collaboration on the new facility reinforces our commitment to delivering superior service for all our customers. Together, we are driving growth and strengthening the foundation for future success.”
Advanced Technology and Increased Efficiency
The upgraded facility will feature state-of-the-art automation and technology, designed to move grain with unmatched speed. Benefits include:
- Reduced load and unload times for trucks and rail cars.
- A minimum throughput capacity of 40 million bushels.
- Faster, more accurate grain handling to improve efficiency for customers.
Winstead emphasized the importance of these improvements: “We have a great opportunity to install the latest technology available to give our customers a fast, accurate experience when they visit the St. Anne site.”
Construction Timeline
The facility will be constructed by GROWMARK Construction, with groundbreaking planned for late 2024. The project is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.
