Commerce in Motion: The American South’s Unparalleled Transportation Advantage

Commerce in Motion: The American South’s Unparalleled Transportation Advantage

By Matt Tackett

The American South is not just a region on the rise—it is the third largest economy in the world, powered by more than $600 billion in new capital investment in just the last three years. At the heart of this momentum is something fundamental yet transformational: our unmatched ability to move commerce. From river to rail, from ports to short lines, the South is proving that goods can move anywhere on the planet—sometimes overnight—through a logistics system that is second to none.

Today, supply chains demand speed, resilience, and scale. The South delivers all three. Our railroads, ports, and river systems form a network that fuels advanced manufacturing, supports reshoring, and positions our communities as global leaders. The truth is simple: commerce is moving in unparalleled ways across our region, and the world is taking notice.

This issue of our newsletter celebrates that story. You’ll read how Louisiana’s ports, at the mouth of the Mississippi, anchor one of the nation’s most influential trade systems. You’ll learn how Norfolk Southern’s REDI sites are preparing communities for rail-driven growth and future investment. You’ll see the vital role short line railroads like R.J. Corman play in extending Class I access and delivering tailored logistics solutions.

We highlight insights from Dr. Robert Martinez, who spoke at the 2025 SEDC Annual Conference, reminding us how intermodal and transload strategies reshape competitiveness. We also showcase the Port of Virginia’s forward-looking leadership, balancing economic growth with sustainability, and explore CSX’s synergy between rail and ports, a critical link in America’s manufacturing renaissance. Finally, we look to Kentucky, where the Eddyville Riverport is building a multimodal future for manufacturers and global trade.

Together, these stories show more than infrastructure—they reveal the South’s destiny as the logistics hub of the nation. Commerce here does not just move. It accelerates. It inspires. It builds a stronger future for our communities and for America.