New Railcar Refurbishing Plant, 263 Jobs Coming To Shell Rock

A Texas company specializing in railcar renovation and manufacturing plans to build a new $60 million dollar facility in Butler County.

According to a press release, Dallas-based TrinityRail has agree to purchase land near Shell Rock for its expansion project, which will create 263 new full-time jobs over the next three years. The 230-acre site is located west of the community in the Butler Logistics Park off Iowa Highway 3.

Construction is expected to begin in July. Company officials anticipate the plant will be operational by the end of 2020. Upon completion, the new facility will provide a full range of railcar services, including repairs and maintenance, coatings, cleaning, inspections, and testing.

The Shell Rock site was one of 10 originally considered for the new plant, company officials said. They narrowed the options to three, then chose Butler County over other locations in Illinois and Nebraska.

According to the press release, the site’s co-location with the Iowa Northern Railroad and optimal access to the Class-1 railroad network, including strategic access to the upper Midwest, were significant factors in Trinity’s decision to build the new railcar maintenance plant in Shell Rock.

“This full service facility will expand our internal network and operational flexibility in a key geographic location,” said Eric Marchetto, Senior Vice President and Group President of TrinityRail®. “This expansion will enhance our customers’ experience by delivering best-in-class turn times for maintenance events within the railcar industry, as well as consistent quality and compliance standards within our maintenance network.”

The Iowa Economic Development Authority board recently approved TrinityRail's plans to expand to Butler County. The IEDA awarded $3.45 million in tax credits and tax refunds to the company.