By Representative Glen Kolkmeyer, Chairman, House Transportation Committee
We are at a time when freight traffic is growing dramatically. Missouri is in a position to capitalize on the economic opportunities to expand current businesses, attract new businesses and expand job openings for our workforce. This requires an efficient and dependable transportation system. Similar to Missouri, other states and the federal government are struggling to ascertain funding for the transportation infrastructure that is so critical to our economy.
Many people are unaware that the American freight railroads play a large role in funding the transportation system. Therefore, when I traveled to Washington, D.C. last month I was able to highlight the role of the rail industry in building a better economic future for Missourians; and to support policies that keep that private investment flowing.
I was able to meet with many of the congressional offices for our state, including both of our U.S. Senators. I am pleased to say that when it comes to the key role of freight rail transportation in Missouri, our federal elected officials “get it.”
Frustration is understandably increasing over the fact that even the most basic needs of our publicly funded infrastructure are going unmet given budgetary constraints at every level of government. Freight rail is only one part of this infrastructure equation, but as a privately owned business that pays its own way, U.S. freight railroads continue to invest record amounts in America’s future.
Freight railroads are spending $29 billion this year alone to maintain and expand the nation’s rail network. These are private dollars, not taxpayer money, going into infrastructure investments that benefit all of us.
In our state, this means an ever-more-efficient way of delivering the products we use every day. It also is the safest, cleanest, most economical rail system in the world to export everything grown, manufactured and mined in Missouri to the national and world marketplace.
More than 7,000 Missourians make a living working for one of the 19 freight railroads operating in our state. These are well paying jobs with great benefits. But the story does not end there. According to U.S. Department of Commerce data, every railroad job supports 4.5 additional jobs – in the rail supply industry, on farms, in factories and mines, and throughout the economy.
That equates to more than 31,000 jobs in our state.
Missouri is geographically located at the center of the United States, which sanctions a valuable transportation hub and a reliable infrastructure system that provides many economic benefits. Policies that encourage railroads to continue to spend more each year to maintain and upgrade the rail network bodes well for all of us. I applaud the efforts of Missouri’s leaders to ensure policies continue to strengthen this private sector industry.
