Economically Speaking: Economic prosperity tied to transportation policy

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Recently, the Capitol City hosted the Governor's Third Annual Transportation Conference, which focused on planning for Missouri's future transportation needs. I was honored to be part of a distinguished panel to share my views on the development of a sound transportation policy as it relates to the state's future economic prosperity.|ret||ret||tab|

At previous conferences, I have attempted to underscore the vital connection that exists between the quality of our transportation system and the economic future of Missouri's workers and businesses, and the quality of life in our communities. |ret||ret||tab|

Unfortunately, now two years later, we still seem to be having difficulty moving forward to make substantial commitments to maintain and develop a world-class transportation system. That world class system will undoubtedly be needed in the years to come if we are to uphold our quality of life by ensuring the future economic prosperity of Missouri.|ret||ret||tab|

Economic prosperity and modern transportation have been critically linked since our beginning as a state. Transportation has always been a central part of economic prosperity and the vitality of our communities.|ret||ret||tab|

The Missouri economy depends on transportation for freight and employee movement for attracting and retaining businesses, and for tourism.|ret||ret||tab|

Indeed, without world-class transportation access, a region's economy eventually will decline as businesses, the jobs they produce and people make decisions to locate elsewhere. |ret||ret||tab|

Most manufacturing businesses, as an example, rely heavily on road, rail, air and port access for the movement of raw materials and finished goods. With the development of just-in-time manufacturing and other cost-saving procedures, reliable transportation routes and travel times are critical. |ret||ret||tab|

In terms of the attraction of new businesses to Missouri, transportation access is always one of the top factors in location decisions. Companies want to locate where they have improved access to raw materials and markets for their goods and services. |ret||ret||tab|

Transportation alone may not be the deciding factor, but it is important enough that it will almost always eliminate communities with poor access. |ret||ret||tab|

Relocating and expanding businesses also want to know that they will have access to a qualified labor market at a site in which they can attract desirable employees who can easily travel to and from work.|ret||ret||tab|

Unfortunately, transportation needs can go largely unnoticed if the modes are easy to use, efficient and uneventful during travel. Transportation is usually not thought of as a separate entity, but as a connection between places. It is only noticed when the roads are rough, the bridges are closed, the traffic is congested, the airports have frequent delays, and the ports are back-logged. |ret||ret||tab|

For their part, decision-makers in businesses expect transportation modes to be dependable, efficient and well-maintained. With the speed of business, change and competition in the marketplace, companies cannot afford to spend their time worrying about problematic transportation. With all other factors being equal, they will simply and eventually move where there is not a concern.|ret||ret||tab|

Unfortunately, the long lead times needed for improving our system are such that by the time shortcomings are apparent, our economic prosperity will undoubtedly be constrained.|ret||ret||tab|

The quality of life people experience in their communities is also affected by the opportunities that transportation brings. Through the improved mobility that good roads and public transit offer people, the employment opportunities for individuals have greatly increased and will increase in the future. This fact, however, has presented new problems such as traffic congestion, scattered land uses, decreased safety, air pollution and the inefficient use of other public resources. |ret||ret||tab|

Communities, especially in suburban areas, want to take advantage of transportation improvements, while, at the same time, minimizing the detrimental side effects of sprawl that usually follow. Coordinated transportation and land use planning could help preserve community character, connect transportation modes and improve long-term economic development.|ret||ret||tab|

I believe that the long-term economic health of Missouri and the quality of life in our communities will be greatly impacted by how the state chooses to address the need to preserve and improve our transportation system. |ret||ret||tab|

Transportation improvements do not guarantee economic prosperity, but the absence of those improvements over the long term will mean fewer economic opportunities for our citizens.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|(Joseph L. Driskill is director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.)|ret||ret||tab|

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