The Southwest Minnesota Regional Freight Study region, comprising Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) District 7, includes 13 counties: Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Nobles, Rock, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan. The region stretches from southwest of the Twin Cities metro area to the Iowa and South Dakota borders. Mankato/North Mankato is the region's major developed area, with a population of approximately 50,000 people. Cities of moderate size include Fainnont, New Ulm, St. Peter, Waseca, New Prague, and Worthington. The region has a stable but aging population and is largely rural and agricultural in nature.
The vast majority of available land in the region is under cultivation, with high quality soil producing high crop yields. The 2000 census identified over 1,100 farmers in the region, and 4.3 million acres in production. Considered to be one of the most productive farm regions in the nation, together these thirteen counties produce one- third of Minnesota's corn and soybean crop, half of Minnesota's total hog production, and half of the state's ethanol. Other key commodities include: natural resource mining such as sand, clay, and aggregate; concrete and construction materials; and to a lesser extent manufactured goods.
Based upon tonnage carried, 96 percent of inbound freight movements and 89 percent of commodities leaving the area are transported by truck. Truck freight from this area primarily serves neighboring counties in Minnesota and adjacent states. Rail service also plays an important role by transporting large volumes of bulk commodities including grain, ethanol, and non-metallic minerals. While Southwest Minnesota is not directly contiguous with the Great Lakes or Mississippi River commercial waterway systems, road and rail connections from the region to Minnesota's ports provide key access to distant markets. Limited air freight service is provided in Mankato and from other regional airports. Pipelines transport a significant volume of liquid and gaseous products, including petroleum products, natural gas, and liquid fertilizer.
