Strategic Freight Analysis Program for North Dakota

North Dakota can be proactive and make decisions regarding the nature of the evolving transportation environment, or the state can let decisions be made for them. North Dakota needs to be the master of its own destiny, to the extent possible, in the evolution of the transportation system that serves manufacturing, agricultural production and processing.

The Biennial North Dakota Strategic Freight Analysis Program focuses on important areas in transportation for the state. This goal of the project is to gather information and data for the decision makers in the state. For this biennium there are six topic areas and are concentrated on manufacturers, processors and specialty agriculture producers.

The aim of this project is threefold:

1. Strengthen the North Dakota manufacturing sector by advancing a competitive advantage through the application of supply chain management and business logistics.
2. Provide the information and analysis necessary to establish a viable intermodal container freight facility to serve all North Dakota businesses.
3. Improve public policy by providing industry leaders and public policy makers with a better understanding of industry transportation and logistical needs.

Below is the keys to developing an intermodal facility in North Dakota, based on research findings of sections 1 and 5 of the project. As of the time of this report the other 3 sections have yet to be completed.

Keys to Developing an Intermodal Facility In North Dakota

Many parties have expressed a strong interest in developing a highway/rail intermodal container transportation facility. The development of a successful facility will require someone or an entity to take a strong leadership role. It will also require a cooperative effort among federal, state, and local government, economic develop ment groups, railroads and other transportation companies, manufacturers and specialty agricultural producers. This effort may include such actions as:

1. Pursuing state enabling legislation allowing for creation of a port authority for communities and regions
   • Bonding authority
   • Power to tax
2. State legislation allowing joint state/local funding cooperation for non-highway components
   • Start-up grant from state or federal sources
   • Low-interest loans
3. Local community support for the creation of a diversified shipping/business model
4. Commitments and Cooperative Effort
   • Commitment of rail carriers for rates and service
   • Commitment of a jurisdiction (city, state, county and rail)
   • Cooperation among states and provinces
   • Commitments from shippers and third party transportation providers
5. Specific site analysis
   • Business plan
   • Engineering plan
6. Creation of an outreach program educating shippers about intermodal transportation using an internship program and other educational methods