U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a temporary non-bonded Facilities Information and Resources Management System (FIRMS) code to CSX, for the Northwest Ohio Intermodal terminal facility, located at 17000 Deshler Road, North Baltimore, Ohio.

This action is in support of a boundary extension for the Port of Toledo that would include the rail yard, two miles west of North Baltimore, in Henry Township, also becoming known as: The SouthWood Intermodal Development Area.

In a letter to Tom Blaha, Director of the Wood County Economic Development Commission, who supported the boundary extension, the CBP said, “as the result of analysis by CBP on this matter, which includes the support of the trade community, CSX was issued,” the FIRMS code. “CBP continues to work with its trade partners to improve and expand services throughout the United State and to develop methods which maximize both CBP and trade resources to fulfill our mission of facilitating legitimate trade into and out of the United States.”

The FIRMS code will allow CSX to transit freight through their North Baltimore facility. The code will remain in effect until the boundary limits are extended.

Daniel Baldwin, Executive Director, Cargo and Conveyance Security, Office of Field Operations for CBP noted, “CBP appreciates the work being done by CSX Northwest Ohio Intermodal, and the cities of North Baltimore, and Toledo, Ohio to the economy of the state of Ohio and the United States.”

CBP is one of the Department of Homeland Security’s largest and most complex components, with a priority mission of keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. It also has a responsibility for securing and facilitating trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws.

Facility Information Resource Management System (FIRMS) is a program whereby U.S. Customs & Border Protection manages customs bonded facilities. A specific code is assigned to each bonded facility, the FIRMS code. This designation is required as part of entry by the importer to identify the location of the imported goods.

The FIRMS Code for CSX NWOhio Intermodal: H395; in Customs Region: 3; Customs Port: 4105

This designation, along with the soon to be under construction State Route 18 Truck Route around North Baltimore.... you have to think that the North Baltimore Area is on the cusp of something! In addition, with the construction of a new state-of-the-art Middle School – High School Complex due to open this fall; having Downtown NB nearing a 100% occupancy rate for business store fronts; D. S. Brown expanding; CSP hanging in there and a myriad of other local operations expanding or hiring…...we are experiencing positive growth.