by TRACY HEATH

I-75's trek through the U.S. heartland
provides industries superior access to markets,
especially for those just-in-time operations.

If you've ever been stuck in rush-hour traffic on Interstate 75, then you already know how busy it is -- at least in terms of traffic. But the next time you're stopped waiting for the car in front of you to roll an inch forward, take a look around. You'll probably see 18-wheelers lining the road as far as the eye can see, and off to the side, there will probably be a wide array of business facilities.

Why is this interstate such a hot bed of activity? Because it's the "Industrial Corridor of the Nation," according to Joe Hollingsworth, CEO of the Hollingsworth Cos., a Clinton, Tenn.-based commercial and industrial development company. "Our research shows that 23 percent more truck traffic exists on I-75 than on any other interstate running north-south. And as far as industrial traffic, we find that 30 percent more industrial traffic moves north-south than it does east-west."

There are several reasons for the north-south corridor's success, but primarily it's the fact that it geographically runs through the heartland of the country, putting it in close proximity to major markets. The interstate, in fact, hits several U.S. metropolitan areas before it heads off to the Canadian border. "So locating on that corridor allows companies to service a large portion of the U.S. population," says Bill Boyd, a principal with Lockwood Greene Consulting (www.lg.com). "It's also a NAFTA corridor that runs from Canada down through the heartland, where you can connect on into Mexico."

The only thing that could slow development along the corridor, says Boyd, "is possibly the labor issue." But, he adds, that's not a unique problem for any U.S. location in today's market. The fast-paced growth along the corridor, however, may set it apart from other locations. Here's a look at what's hot up and down the U.S. industrial corridor.