BROWNSVILLE, TX – The OmniTRAX Inc.-operated Brownsville Rio Grande International Railway (BRG), completed the first rail grain shipment to a newly renovated silo at the Port of Brownsville today. The 109-car train of corn was transported from locations around Texas and will be distributed to processors in Mexico and elsewhere.
OmniTRAX, one of the largest privately held transportation service companies in North America and an affiliate of The Broe Group, was instrumental in leasing the grain-handling facility, located in the GEOTRAC Industrial Hub at the Port of Brownsville, to West Plains LLC. West Plains is operating the 3,000,000-bushel capacity grain elevator, which had been idle for several years.
“This is another great step forward for the BRG, the Port of Brownsville and the GEOTRAC Industrial Hub, which is attracting a very diverse group of companies. The economic synergies being created should result in a vibrant community of businesses that will benefit the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond,” said Kevin Shuba, CEO of OmniTRAX.
The GEOTRAC Industrial Hub is the result of a strategic relationship between the Port of Brownsville and OmniTRAX that is developing thousands of acres for a world-class industrial site. The land, with its infrastructure that connects to the port and the Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway, is well-suited for light and heavy manufacturing, logistics, energy services and export/import warehousing.
About OmniTRAX, Inc.
As one of North America’s largest private railroad and transportation management companies, OmniTRAX’s core capabilities range from providing management services to railroad and port services and to intermodal and industrial switching operations. Through its affiliation with The Broe Group and its portfolio of managed companies, OmniTRAX also has the unique capability of offering specialized industrial development and real estate solutions, both on and off the rail network managed by OmniTRAX. More information is available at www.omnitrax.com.
About The Broe Group
The Broe Group, based in Denver, Colorado, is a diversified privately-owned enterprise with a multi-billion dollar asset base. The Broe Group and its affiliates employ more than 1,000 people directly and provide employment for countless others through its Great Western Industrial Park in Northern Colorado. The Broe Group and its affiliates own and/or manage commercial real estate and other businesses across North America. Its transportation affiliate, OmniTRAX, Inc., is a leading transportation services firm with railroad, port and terminal operations, and is the 2nd largest operator of short-line railroads in the U.S. Its energy affiliate, Great Western Oil & Gas Company, is a top 10 driller in Colorado and among the top 100 drillers in the U.S. The Broe Group has multiple other investment affiliates, including Three Leaf Ventures, which is focused on innovative healthcare technology start-ups. For more information, see www.broe.com.
About the Port of Brownsville
The Port of Brownsville, the only deepwater port located on the U.S. and Mexico border, provides a full range of services to ensure efficient and timely cargo delivery worldwide. With abundant land for development and seventeen miles of waterfront access, the Port of Brownsville offers easy access to non-congested international bridge crossings and rail connections to your ultimate destination. The Port of Brownsville is governed by the Brownsville Navigation District, a political subdivision of the State of Texas.