Ignoring the competition in business can spell disaster, a lesson Washington policy makers should remember.
As thousands of workers in the maritime sector wait for Olympia to complete critical freight corridors like State Route 167, competitors in other states are stepping up to the plate to attract cargo and jobs.
In a recent piece in The Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors newsletter, the state of Florida made sure to showcase their transportation investments in an effort to recruit businesses.
Recently, Gov. Rick Scott announced a budget of $10.1 billion in strategic transportation investments, including several hundred million in seaport infrastructure support activities. "Governor Scott knows that good transportation infrastructure is a key ingredient for a thriving economy,” they wrote.
Since 2011, over $688 million have been invested in Florida seaports, improving access to their ports and making it more efficient and attractive for private sector shippers to invest in Florida, grow the state’s imports and exports, and improve the state’s economy.
They went onto declare that, "In meeting state goals, FDOT and its partners are taking the correct steps to keep Florida moving forward in becoming America’s Gateway to the World, and with a governor who 'gets it' when it comes to the far reaching effects of transportation on everyday life, Florida will continue to grow as an international hub for trade and logistics, and as a great place to work, live—and play."
We're looking forward to the day—hopefully soon—when Washington freight interests can tell a similar story when they are overseas working to recruit businesses and jobs to our state.