BNSF Hauls >50 % Of Total Bakken Production In North Dakota; But Agriculture Is Still #1 For The Railroad

PrairieBusiness is reporting:

BNSF Railway Co. recently opened a new economic development office in Bismarck, N.D., expanding the company’s presence in the state and giving BNSF the ability to better serve existing and new customers across the region.

“Adding an economic development office in North Dakota helps us continue strong relationships with state and local economic development partners across the region, as well as create new opportunities to support economic growth,” says Amy McBeth, BNSF Railway spokesperson.

But this is the best story line:

BNSF handles nearly 2 million carloads in North Dakota each year and has experienced rapid growth in the transportation of crude oil by rail. Currently, the company hauls more than 50 percent of the total Bakken crude production in the state. However, agricultural transportation remained the company’s largest business in the state in 2012.