Galesburg Awarded $25M Grant for Agricultural Export Facility

By - City of Galesburg

The City of Galesburg received a $25 million grant from the “Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity” (RAISE) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support the development of rail track and switching at the Galesburg Business Park. The project will accompany the construction of a containerized agricultural terminal, enabling regionally-produced agricultural commodities to be shipped via BNSF rail to west coast ports for export.

The terminal will be constructed by The DeLong Co., Inc., a family-owned agricultural business headquartered in Clinton, WI. The facility will occupy 100 acres of the city-owned, 329-acre site and represent a significant investment in the region’s agricultural economy. “The DeLong Co. is excited to work hand-in-hand with the family farms and the Galesburg community on this important project,” said Chris DeLong, President of The DeLong Co., Inc.

The project will involve a total investment of $54 million, with 46% funded by the federal grant and the remainder by The DeLong Co. Officials anticipate the new facility will reduce cargo transit by 4,000 miles compared to traditional shipping routes, opening new export markets for regional commodities.

City Manager Eric Hanson called the grant a “tremendous opportunity” for Galesburg, crediting the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development (KCAP) and local, state, and federal leaders for their support.

The project is expected to begin design work within 2025, with construction anticipated within two years. The investment is poised to enhance the city’s rail infrastructure and attract additional businesses to the Galesburg Business Park.