Home » Norfolk Southern establishes $1 million fund to support East Palestine community

Norfolk Southern establishes $1 million fund to support East Palestine community

Last Updated on February 27, 2023 at 10:05am

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today announced it is creating a $1 million charitable fund to be available immediately as one component of its planned support for the community of East Palestine, Ohio. The company will work with state and local leaders to identify where the donations can do the most good.

“We are committed to East Palestine today and in the future,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw. “We will be judged by our actions. We are cleaning up the site in an environmentally responsible way, reimbursing residents affected by the derailment, and working with members of the community to identify what is needed to help East Palestine recover and thrive.”

Shaw continued, “This fund allows Norfolk Southern to move quickly to meet their immediate needs. We anticipate making further charitable contributions in East Palestine as conversations continue with local leaders and members of the community.”

The contribution will supplement other efforts to support residents, businesses, and first responders, which include:

  • Distributing more than $1.2 million in financial assistance to nearly 900 families and a number of businesses to cover costs related to the evacuation. Those include reimbursements and cash advancements for lodging, travel, food, clothes, and other related items.
  • Reimbursed the East Palestine Fire Department $220,000 to replace Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) air packs, which allow firefighters to breathe compressed air when responding to fires.
  • Providing more than 100 air purifiers for residents to use in their homes. Air purifiers are also being purchased for the East Palestine municipal building in coordination with the City Manager.
  • Coordinating and funded cleaning and air monitoring services for the East Palestine Elementary and High Schools.
  • Completing more than 400 in-home air tests in conjunction with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In-home air monitoring has not detected substances related to the incident and does not indicate a health risk.

Latest News Updates


We’re Here to Help

All Latest News Updates

See below for recent updates from East Palestine.

  • Norfolk Southern announces next phase of East Palestine assistance program

    Last Updated on December 5, 2023 at 4:24pm With the most intensive remediation work complete, focus turns to long-term initiatives. ATLANTA, December 5, 2023 – Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) announced Tuesday the next phase of community assistance in East Palestine and the surrounding areas in Ohio and Pennsylvania. In October, the company completed the…

    Read More »

  • East Palestine Economic Roundtable Looks to Spark Economic Recovery in Village

    Last Updated on December 2, 2023 at 1:14pm Norfolk Southern helped to convene an economic development roundtable at the American Legion Hall in East Palestine on Thursday, bringing together village leaders and local and state officials, as well as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Recovery Coordinator Jim McPherson and Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw for…

    Read More »

  • A Norfolk Southern employee’s commitment to home

    Last Updated on December 2, 2023 at 11:19am Jeremy Vranesevich, a Norfolk Southern craft employee who lives in East Palestine, took on a special role as a community liaison in February 2023. Over the following months, Jeremy found ways both small and big to help support his community. Now, he’s transitioning to a new role…

    Read More »