Candor's New Rail Hub: A Bet on Greener Logistics and Rural Growth

CANDOR, NC – August 28, 2026 – In a move poised to reshape the economic and logistical landscape of central North Carolina, the Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway (ACWR) today announced the opening of its new Candor Logistics Park. This is not just another industrial development; it's a strategically engineered hub designed to leverage the efficiency of rail, foster regional growth, and create a more sustainable supply chain for the entire Southeast.

The 30-acre facility in Montgomery County is a modern transload and distribution operation, built to handle over 100 rail cars simultaneously. Equipped with certified scales, automated gate access, and comprehensive security, the park is ready to manage a diverse array of commodities, from fuels and plastic resins to food-grade products and dry bulk goods like cement. But its true innovation lies in its potential to act as a powerful economic catalyst and an environmental game-changer, demonstrating how legacy infrastructure like rail can be reimagined to solve modern challenges.

A New Economic Engine for Central North Carolina

At the heart of the Candor Logistics Park initiative is a clear objective: to drive significant economic development in a rural part of the state. The project includes two adjacent industrial properties, ranging from 11 to 20 acres, that are graded and "pad-ready" for immediate construction. This feature is a critical accelerator for business, drastically reducing the time and upfront cost for companies looking to establish a presence.

Project leaders are targeting a combined $50 million in new investment for these sites, with the goal of creating between 50 and 100 skilled jobs for the region. For Montgomery County, this represents a major opportunity for revitalization and long-term prosperity.

"Candor Logistics Park represents a true public-private partnership and a long-term investment in Montgomery County's future," said Savannah Heath, the county's Economic Development Director. "This project has been a labor of love for many partners, and we are proud to see it come to fruition as our most development-ready industrial site." She noted that the park's combination of rail access, proximity to Interstate 74, and pad-ready sites "positions our community for ongoing growth, new industries, and continued economic momentum."

This development serves as a powerful model for how targeted infrastructure investments can unlock the potential of rural areas. By providing the essential logistical backbone, the park makes Montgomery County a highly attractive destination for manufacturers and distributors that might otherwise gravitate toward more congested urban centers.

The Green Shift: Rail's Environmental and Infrastructure Edge

Beyond the economic promise, the Candor Logistics Park is a significant step toward a more sustainable freight future. The facility is projected to remove over 10,000 long-haul truck journeys from the region's highways annually. This shift from road to rail carries profound environmental and infrastructural benefits.

According to industry data, freight trains are three to four times more fuel-efficient than trucks on average and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75% for the same volume of cargo. With the transportation sector accounting for nearly 30% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and freight rail contributing only about 2% of that total, expanding rail usage is one of the most effective strategies for decarbonizing the supply chain.

The impact extends to taxpayers' wallets as well. Fewer heavy trucks on the road means less wear and tear on highways, leading to reduced maintenance costs and a longer lifespan for public infrastructure. This dual benefit of lower emissions and decreased road strain underscores the strategic value of the project.

The state's support for this vision is evidenced by the grants ACWR secured from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Funding from the State Industrial Access Program (SIAP), which supports road improvements for new industry, and the Freight Rail and Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Program (FRDP) highlights a coordinated state-level strategy to bolster both economic development and sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Remapping the Supply Chain: A Strategic Node for the Southeast

The true genius of the Candor Logistics Park lies in its function as a "transload" facility—a critical hub where goods are efficiently transferred between transportation modes. This capability transforms it from a simple rail yard into a dynamic and flexible linchpin for regional and national supply chains.

For businesses without direct rail access, the park unlocks the economic advantages of long-haul rail. Companies can ship goods via cost-effective rail to Candor and then use trucks for shorter, last-mile delivery to markets across the Carolinas. Analysts estimate that such multimodal strategies can reduce transportation costs by 15-40% on long-haul routes.

"Having these two sites available for industrial development opportunities and a distribution operation of this size, situated in central NC, with easy highway access to I-73, is a major win for North Carolina," explained Paul Hoben, Director of Business Development for the ACWR.

The park's location is a key strategic asset. Centrally positioned between the major economic hubs of Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh, it offers unparalleled access to the state's primary markets. Furthermore, as the state's largest privately owned short-line railroad, ACWR provides crucial interchanges with Class I giants Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation, seamlessly connecting Candor to the entire national rail network. This connectivity enhances supply chain resilience, giving companies vital routing alternatives in an era of increasing global disruptions.

The Power of Partnership and a Forward-Looking Vision

The successful launch of the Candor Logistics Park is a testament to the power of collaboration. The project was born from a joint effort between the private-sector innovation of ACWR and the public-sector dedication of Montgomery County Economic Development, with crucial grant support from the North Carolina Southeast Partnership and the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR).

This public-private partnership (PPP) model allowed the project to leverage the strengths of each entity: ACWR's operational expertise, the county's local knowledge and support, and the financial backing from state and regional partners committed to economic growth. The NCRR, a private company with a mission to invest in the state's rail infrastructure, played a vital role, exemplifying its focus on enabling job creation and industrial development, particularly in rural communities.

This collaborative framework is increasingly seen as essential for delivering complex, large-scale infrastructure projects that serve the public good. With its deep understanding of shipper needs and its investment in modern, efficient facilities, the Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway is not just moving freight; it is actively building the infrastructure for North Carolina's next chapter of economic growth and environmental stewardship.