Next steps include beautification, job opportunities, and local philanthropic engagement

Today, Norfolk Southern announced the hiring of two minority-owned contractors, one of which is also woman-owned, for work south of Garfield Blvd. at its 47^th Street Intermodal Facility. The contractors, Syte Corporation and Twenty Eleven Construction, have begun work with Norfolk Southern to enhance the components of the project, such as stockpile management, landscaping, and sidewalk improvements in the surrounding area. Norfolk Southern has allocated $4 million to these two contractors, part of a total $10 million allocated to minority-owned and women-owned contractors across Chicago.

“Norfolk Southern made a commitment to the community to expand on opportunities for minority- and women-owned firms,” said Jackie Corletto, Assistant Vice President of Sourcing at Norfolk Southern. “These contractors join other minority-owned contractors and sub-contractors currently working with our team on projects across the Chicago region, and furthers Norfolk Southern’s dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion across our operations.”

“After 30 years of being in business, I can tell you that no one succeeds alone,” said Mario L. Short, CEO of SYTE Corporation. “Working with Norfolk Southern has allowed us to further our mission to build a healthy and robust ecosystem of effective M/WBE firms that will hire and train individuals from the surrounding Chicagoland communities.”

“Twenty Eleven Construction enthusiastically partnered with STYE Construction, which led forth exciting opportunities for growth, skills development, and a positive community impact,” said Vanessa Rhodes, President at Twenty Eleven Construction. “The community impact of this partnership is substantial. “It contributed to economic empowerment by generating jobs and income, fostering skill development, and nurturing a sense of community ownership among residents. Our team was proud to say they worked on a project right in their very own community.”

Norfolk Southern has also committed to additional recruiting opportunities for the community, and will participate in a hiring event at Kennedy-King College on Saturday, October 28 hosted by the City Colleges of Chicago from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT.

Additionally, on November 1, representatives from Norfolk Southern will attend the “CREATE Get on Board” networking event at Kennedy-King College to encourage additional business-to-business engagement opportunities in 2024 and beyond.

Norfolk Southern has hired 70 employees in 2023 to perform work at all of its Chicago-based facilities, to date. Additionally, Norfolk Southern announced several local investments and developments including:

• $2.75 million in cumulative contributions from Norfolk Southern toward the Neighborhood Investment Fund that will be used for community beautification and investment, including in Englewood.
• New landscaping and sidewalks along Garfield Blvd. and 59^th street began October 19^th, performed by Twenty Eleven Construction.
• Fencing of the perimeter of the expansion footprint occurred in early July 2023.
• Thus far in 2023, Norfolk Southern has contributed $383,000 to the Chicago nonprofit community in the form of grants, sponsorships, and memberships.

In the year ahead, Norfolk Southern will further engage the community on economic, social, and beautification projects. The expanded facility at 47th Street will contract an estimated $85 million in biddable work over the next decade and ultimately employ several dozen people.