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Logistics

Buffalo County Delivers for Logistics Operators: Central Location, Built-In Infrastructure, Proven Workforce

Buffalo County offers a logistics environment engineered for speed, scale, and staying power.

Anchored by direct access to one of the country’s most critical east-west freight routes, Interstate 80, strengthened by a multimodal transportation network, the county gives logistics firms reliable access to national markets without the congestion or delays of urban metros. From national fulfillment centers to specialized freight carriers, logistics firms are leveraging the county’s built-in advantages to move goods faster, more efficiently, and at a lower cost.
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Buffalo County, Nebraska, is a logistics-ready hub offering fast, cost-effective, and scalable freight movement. Its central U.S. location—anchored by Interstate 80 and supported by U.S. Highways 30 and 183, rail (Union Pacific and BNSF), and air (Kearney Regional Airport)—gives logistics firms direct, uncongested access to key markets like Denver, Chicago, Kansas City, and Minneapolis.

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Interstate 80 runs along the southern edge of Buffalo County, offering nonstop access to major freight corridors. U.S. Highway 183 and U.S. Highway 30 provide additional north-south and east-west connectivity. 

These routes deliver seamless access to Denver, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Chicago. Buffalo County offers coast-to-coast reach with fewer urban slowdowns and reduced last-mile delivery costs for businesses operating fulfillment centers, courier networks, or freight terminals.

Buffalo County’s infrastructure connects directly to high-value freight corridors:

Interstate 80 is the country’s main thoroughfare and the county’s logistics advantage, offering uninterrupted east-west travel from New York to California.

U.S. Highway 30 and U.S. Highway 183 provide complementary north-south and regional access, enabling direct shipment into and out of Midwest markets.

Kearney Regional Airport connects local businesses to global destinations via daily flights to Denver International Airport and two runways supporting freight and private aviation.

Union Pacific and BNSF Rail provide Class I rail service with access to intermodal hubs and national freight lines.

This combination supports intermodal shipping, high-speed parcel movement, regional distribution, and national fulfillment, all from a centrally located, logistics-ready region.

Major logistics players such as GXO Logistics and Buckle already operate here, leveraging the region’s infrastructure, workforce, and affordability. The county supports a broad range of logistics sub-sectors including fulfillment centers, specialized freight, courier services, 3PL providers, and cold storage.

With a strong labor pool of over 4,100 logistics workers and competitive wages, Buffalo County offers a lower-risk, high-efficiency alternative to urban metros—ideal for companies seeking to build, expand, or relocate logistics operations.

Targeted Growth Across Logistics Sub-Sectors

Buffalo County is not a one-size-fits-all location. It offers tailored advantages to logistics sub-industries with specialized needs.

Companies needing central hubs to ship regionally or nationally benefit from Buffalo County’s connectivity and land availability. High-growth e-commerce firms and omnichannel retailers can optimize delivery times, control shipping costs, and scale without metro-level overhead.

Example: The Buckle’s national distribution and fulfillment center in Kearney supports over 440 retail stores and an expanding e-commerce division, all from a central Nebraska location.

Buffalo County supports firms hauling refrigerated goods, agricultural inputs, construction materials, and oversized freight. With proximity to rural producers and manufacturing bases, carriers cut deadhead miles and improve route planning.

  • Access to Interstate 80 ensures freight reaches Denver, Omaha, Kansas City, and Chicago with predictable transit times.
  • Rail support from UP and BNSF offers an alternative for bulk or intermodal transport needs.

Regional courier and last-mile operators benefit from Buffalo County’s geographic efficiency as parcel volumes rise. The central location enables one-day and two-day shipping windows across a multi-state region. Reduced congestion improves delivery accuracy and fuel efficiency.

  • Kearney Regional Airport allows for time-sensitive air shipments.
  • Local access to major highways ensures dependable scheduling for ground-based fleets.

Buffalo County offers a cost-efficient environment for third-party logistics firms supporting warehousing, transportation, and inventory services. With access to national clients, regional manufacturers, and retailers, 3PLs can serve multiple accounts from a single operational base.

Nebraska’s ag production creates a growing demand for cold chain infrastructure. Buffalo County, with agricultural producers and processors in the region, is well-positioned for temperature-controlled storage and distribution.

  • Direct routes from farm to facility to retailer streamline the cold chain.
  • Utilities and site selectors can work with local officials to tailor infrastructure needs.

 

Move Freight Faster from Buffalo County

Logistics investments in Buffalo County are backed by infrastructure, workforce, and location. Companies expanding freight operations, building distribution centers, or launching fulfillment platforms can confidently access what they need to grow.

Contact us to evaluate available sites, workforce data, and infrastructure fit for your logistics operation.

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