OREANDA-NEWS. BNSF Railway has opened a new Economic Development office in Billings, Mont. The expanded presence in Montana will help the railroad better serve existing and new customers in the region.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony today with representatives from Big Sky Economic Development Association, the Chamber of Commerce and others, officials said the railroad was instrumental to the state's continued growth.

“The railroad enables Montana's abundant natural resources to reach world markets. BNSF transported 340,000 carloads of Montana's wheat, barley, lumber, oil and coal last year,” said Vann Cunningham, Assistant Vice President Economic Development, BNSF Railway. “We value the strong relationships with our state and local economic development partners in Montana. Adding an economic development office here significantly increases our capacity to support these outstanding state and local programs and to more fully realize the substantial economic growth potential in Montana.”

BNSF handles nearly 2 million carloads in the state each year. Since 2010 BNSF has been instrumental in locating 41 new or expanding facilities in the state, creating more than 320 jobs and more than USD 80 million in investments.

The railroad employs more than 2,200 people in Montana, and is hiring 250 this year to fill existing and new positions. Billings is the headquarters for the Montana Division of BNSF.

The new Economic Development office will be located with the BNSF Montana Division office at 1555 Campus Way. Mechanical, transportation, and engineering employees report to the division office in Billings.