Dear Editor,

Marshalltown is home to a diverse economy rooted in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, and food processing. Global companies such as Emerson, Lennox, and JBS, along with countless small businesses and family farms across central Iowa, depend on efficient, reliable freight rail to move products to customers and markets across the nation and world. Freight rail is not just a cornerstone of Iowa’s economy, it is the backbone that connects our businesses, sustains jobs, and supports growth in our communities.

Union Pacific has long been an essential transportation partner for our state and businesses, providing efficient, reliable and cost-effective service. The American freight rail network is not only critical to our economic growth, but also one of the most sustainable modes of transportation available, helping reduce highway congestion and emissions.

For these reasons, there is strong support in communities like ours for the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. The merger offers a unique opportunity to strengthen this network and deliver tangible benefits for shippers, consumers and communities. More direct routes and greater operational flexibility will help prevent service disruptions and improve schedule dependability. Eliminating certain interchanges will reduce transit times, helping businesses reach customers faster and more competitively. A stronger transcontinental railroad will be better positioned to invest in modern infrastructure, advanced technology, and enhanced safety systems.

This merger is about more than just railroads, it’s about securing the future of our transportation network, supporting economic development and ensuring American freight rail remains globally competitive. For communities like Marshalltown, where employers depend on rail to connect with markets and where our workforce depends on those employers for stability and opportunity, the stakes are high, and the benefits are clear.