Transportation Infrastructure: Crucial for NC Businesses
North Carolina is on course to become the 7th most populous state in the country by 2030 with 12 million people. Our state’s continuous growth has had corresponding implications for our transportation infrastructure, creating challenges around issues such as congestion, quality of roads and bridges, ports access and economic development – to name a few.
Rapid growth in our state presents opportunities as well as challenges, Our state leaders, lawmakers and business leaders need to come together now to develop a transportation infrastructure plan that is comprehensive, balanced and forward-looking. If we work together to lay a strong foundation now, North Carolina will be an even better place to live and work in 20 years from now. Future economic success in North Carolina depends on more than just funding transportation infrastructure needs; we also have to get our policies and processes right as we prepare for the next round of growth.
Policy Makers Appoint Transportation Study Committee:
Business Interests at the Table as Conversation Begins
As state policy makers begin work to identify potential solutions to our transportation infrastructure challenges, our Chamber and its members have been active in the discussions. The 21st Century Transportation Committee held its first meeting this month; its members were appointed by Governor Mike Easley, Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight and House Speaker Joe Hackney.
A significant number of members appointed represent the business community and are members of our Chamber:
Mr. Charles Bowman, Principal Compliance Executive for Bank of America, Chamber Board member Mr. Stephen Zelnak, Jr., CEO of Marin Marietta, Chamber Board member Mr. Billy Sewell, President of Platinum Corral, Chamber member Mr. Brad Wilson, COO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Chamber Cornerstone member
The new transportation committee will provide a comprehensive report on the current condition of transportation infrastructure in our state and what new investments will be needed. The committee will study innovative methods to fund transportation needs and improve the system to promote economic growth. There is little doubt the following facts will factor into the committee’s important work.
A national study published in June of 2007 found North Carolina’s transportation rankings include:
4th worst congestion on urban interstates Top 10 in rural interstates and primary roads in poor condition 12th highest percent of deficient bridges
When it comes to solutions, every option must be considered to address the problems facing our state relative to our aging transportation infrastructure. Over the next year the committee will evaluate the transportation policies and funding needs, as well as a number of potential solutions proposed by a various groups and individuals interested in outcomes of the committee’s work.
Among the options introduced thus far to fund transportation needs are the following:
Increase the gas tax Increase the sales tax on automobiles Increase vehicle registration fees Development and use of toll roads Stop the transfer of money from the Highway Trust Fund to the General Fund
In addition to looking at funding sources our Chamber hopes the study committee will take this opportunity to make the overall process of building and maintaining roads more efficient and effective. Our goal on behalf of our members is to ensure a comprehensive, balanced set of solutions that addresses not only revenue, but also how best to invest transportation dollars and carry out the work to secure a strong economy and competitive business climate far into the future.
Transportation is Everybody’s Business
Why is transportation such a critical issue for our Chamber? The short answer is competition – to ensure our state’s competitiveness and help North Carolina businesses compete. North Carolina’s transportation infrastructure is critical to its business community as businesses of all types and sizes must be able to move goods and people quickly and efficiently through a system that is cost-effective and reliable. If we fail to address our transportation infrastructure challenges in a proactive way with pro-growth policies and state-of-the-art processes, we will lose jobs and industries to other states and countries.
As U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said: “Transportation is a business. If we treat it as a business maybe it can become a source of growth in America, rather than a source of irritation. The free market can deliver to transportation the innovation and quality that it has long delivered in U.S. business. It’s an idea whose time has come.”
Chamber Members Recognize
Transportation as Important Business-Climate Issue
There are no simple answers to the complex questions surrounding transportation infrastructure. Solutions will require innovative ideas and open, honest debate. Business leaders who are also leaders in our Chamber are engaged to tackle North Carolina’s transportation challenges, and continue to speak out about the importance of this issue to North Carolina’s future:
“Strong, effective transportation systems are crucial for North Carolina’s manufacturers and all other types of businesses. Moving goods and people effectively is key to our economic development success and important to our quality of life in North Carolina. It is past time for business and government to come together to identify solutions to our transportation challenges to keep our economy strong and growing well into the future.” – Dyke Messinger, President, Power Curbers, Salisbury (and Chair of our Chamber’s Manufacturing Council)
“Studies have shown that there is no higher return on public expenditures than investment in our transportation infrastructure – it literally drives our economy. Ports, rail and highways are all part of the mix to get goods to the market place and people to jobs. As a state we must remain competitive. Continuing to ignore our statewide transportation needs only ensures a slowing of our state’s economy and job losses. It truly affects all citizens of the state.” – Tom Carroll, Manager of Business Development and Government Affairs, Vulcan Materials Co., Winston-Salem
“Transportation infrastructure is an extremely important business climate issue for North Carolina. It’s important for businesses already here that are looking to grow, as well as those looking to come to North Carolina. State leaders and lawmakers have to find a way to not only fund our transportation infrastructure needs, but also deliver on transportation with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.” – Elyse Hillegass, CEE, President and CEO, Gaston Chamber of Commerce, Gastonia
“Transportation is the most important growth issue our state will deal with this decade. This is about economic development and keeping North Carolina on top when it comes to business climate and investment.” – Steve Zelnak, Chairman and CEO, Martin Marietta Materials, Raleigh
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