In addition to facilities, the availability of low cost land and large parcels impacts location decisions, particularly for large intermodal facilities such as the Rickenbacker facility (mentioned earlier) and Alliance Global Logistics, an 11,600 acre integrated logistics center in north Fort Worth, Texas. The logistic center features an industrial airport, an intermodal terminal, access to two Class I railroads, highway access, a foreign trade zone, and logistics and industrial companies.

In the case of Alliance, much of the area surrounding Fort Worth had been developed and the tract of land purchased for the logistics center was relatively inexpensive and not yet developed because the area was prone to unpleasant odors from prevailing winds and a long-defunct nearby livestock market. While the stockyards had long been gone, the stigma remained. This allowed for large parcels of inexpensive land to be purchased and utilized for industrial development.

Please click HERE for the detailed case study excerpt from the report.