WINNIPEG, Man. — The Manitoba government has transferred ownership of a 747-acre parcel of land over to CentrePort, so that it can be better developed as a major new rail facility and industrial park.

“This is a major step forward for CentrePort and brings us closer to the day when shipments of goods will be flowing into the province and from here to all corners of the world,” Transport Minister Steve Ashton said. “CentrePort will open new doors for Manitoba companies, be a huge boost for our trade and create countless new jobs.”

“Winnipeg is the only city on the Prairies served by three Class I rail carriers (CN, CP and BNSF) and developing a common-use rail facility at CentrePort will build on this tremendous advantage,” added Don Streuber, chair of CentrePort Canada’s board of directors, who signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU). “It will also provide rail-intensive businesses with the benefits of being able to invest and grow their operations right next to the rail facility and on prime industrial land.”

The land transfer covers 747 acres within CentrePort’s 20,000-acre footprint. The land will house a common-use rail facility and industrial park.

“The goal is for the facility to be accessible by all three Class I rail carriers and we have been working with the industry on our development plans,” said Diane Gray, president and CEO of CentrePort Canada. “There is a real opportunity for this facility to be a differentiator for CentrePort among North American inland ports, and this collaboration between government, CentrePort and industry will allow us to move forward with our plans.”