Grand opening of Norfolk Southern-served Gainesville Inland Port reinforces growth opportunity

Norfolk Southern joined Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, leaders of the Georgia Ports Authority, customers, and state and local partners on Oct. 29 to celebrate the new Gainesville Inland Port, expanding rail access for Northeast Georgia businesses and strengthening the region's connection to global markets.

Located on 104 acres, the facility provides direct Norfolk Southern rail service five days a week between Gainesville and the Port of Savannah, offering manufacturers a more efficient way to move freight while reducing congestion on Georgia highways. At full ramp up, the facility can accommodate up to 200,000 annual lifts.

Key Takeaways

• The new Gainesville Inland Port connects approximately 300 Northeast Georgia manufacturers to global markets through the Port of Savannah.
• Since 2020, 78 new and expanding firms have added more than 4,800 jobs and $2 billion in capital investment to Gainesville-Hall County.
• It has the potential to shift 26,000 containers from truck to rail that move on Atlanta-area and Hall County roads during its first year of operations.

What they're saying

"With our partners at Norfolk Southern, the Gainesville Inland Port will provide a direct link to the Port of Savannah, serving the needs of both businesses and travelers by increasing efficiency across our transportation network." - Georgia Governor Brian Kemp

What we're saying

“The Gainesville Inland Port is about creating new opportunities for businesses across Northeast Georgia. By bringing the Port of Savannah closer to the manufacturers and distributors in this region, we’re giving customers another efficient, scalable way to reach global markets while helping reduce truck traffic on Georgia’s highways. This is a great example of how strong partnerships and strategic rail investments can drive economic growth and deliver lasting value for the communities we serve.” –– Norfolk Southern Chief Commercial Officer Ed Elkins

Supporting the local community

Beyond expanding freight capacity, the project also included investments to improve local mobility and safety.

Georgia Ports Authority invested $4.8 million in Hall County Road improvements, including rerouting White Sulphur Road to eliminate an at-grade rail crossing and provide uninterrupted emergency vehicle access. Improvements to Cagle Road also helped support smoother travel for local residents.

The big picture

The Gainesville Inland Port represents another step in strengthening Georgia's freight network and connecting businesses to new opportunities.

By expanding access to rail transportation, Norfolk Southern and Georgia Ports Authority are helping Northeast Georgia manufacturers reach global markets while supporting economic growth, supply chain efficiency, and reduced highway congestion.

Learn more about Norfolk Southern's intermodal network here and watch the full ceremony courtesy of WSB-TV here.