BNSF Certified Site

BNSF has a program, "BNSF Certified Site" that designates sites that are optimal for customer development along its rail network.  This program allows the certified sites to use the "BNSF Certified Sites" distinction in marketing materials to attract new businesses.  BNSF actively markets this site on its website and promotes the site to economic development industry across the country. 

A customer who builds a new rail-served facility on a BNSF Certified Site is expected to save between six and nine months of construction time as a result of the site's advanced level of preparedness for development.  To be considered a certified site, industrial sites agree to submit documentation that allows BNSF to look at tangible evidence of a commitment by the owner and the community to develop a high quality industrial park or site that is strongly supported by a public-private collaboration and existing investments.

Factors known to be critical for a commercial development project include a true picture of property size and boundaries, the confirmed availability of utilities, public services, high access, proper zoning for industrial usage and transparency of current land ownership.  Not only does BNSF complete an analysis of those factors to ensure the sites match the desired economic development readiness level, but BNSF also vets assessments on environmental issues, geotechnical reviews, and endangered species considerations or cultural matters such as land with known archeological value - all to be confident of a good fit with its rail expansion.