This report describes ways in which North Carolina's transportation infrastructure investments can help with economic development - and the creation of jobs. The ideas unify regional interests & in economic development and infrastructure investment - to create an overarching vision of how transportation investments can help expand the state's economy.
The overall goal of the study was investigating potential logistics villages throughout the state and identifying what infrastructure improvements are needed to support such a village at that location. The initial focus was proximity for air, rail, and highway connectivity at potential sites, but regional studies discovered other possibilities for successful villages. The study does not recommend specific sites above others.
There were 35 sites investigated as potential logistics villages, with strengths, weaknesses, and needs identified for each site. In two cases, a virtual logistics village emerged as appropriate for that region of the state. The report also describes statewide activities for rail and maritime shipping, and highway infrastructure needs across the state. Eventually seven business sectors emerged as common across many regions of the state. They are: Agriculture, Military, Tourism, Aerospace, Transportation, Manufacturing, and Health.
The main findings are that: The state has to partner with the private sector in this initiative. Its supply-push investments need to be linked to demand-pull initiatives undertaken by the business sector. The state needs to partner with organizations like the regional partnerships and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians to work locally with business to transform commerce ideas into reality. These organizations also need to partner with one another - and with their neighboring states where appropriate - assisted by state-level leadership - to achieve the greatest common good. Economic sectors around which the infrastructure investments can be focused include: agriculture, military support, aerospace, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, health and wellness (biomedical, pharmaceutical, and rehabilitation), and tourism. The inter-dependencies among these sectors need to be recognized and supported. A good example is the tight connection between agricultural activity and military support. Land conservation and zoning measures should complement business activity, such as preserving agriculture land near military bases and over fly zones and restricted zoning for both land use compatibility and height issues surrounding airports. High quality higher education and information outreach is critical for continued business prosperity and growth in many areas, e.g., biotechnology, gaming, and healthcare. International portals can help tie the state to the world. This includes ocean-side ports as well as inland ports - locations where goods can pass through US Customs. Via these portals, North Carolina can engage more directly in international commerce. A portal in every economic development region is a somewhat bold move; but it would tie every local North Carolina doorstep more closely to the world economy. It would be the 21st century equivalent of building the farm-to-market roads. To make this happen, partnering with US Customs, the US Department of Agriculture, and possibly other federal agencies would be critically important. Some portals might be large; some small; and they could have varied scopes and purposes that reflect regional identities. Connectivity is the key. Such portals already exist in some of the regions, like Wilmington (port and ILM), Morehead City (port), RTP (and RDU), Charlotte (and CLT), and Greensboro (and PTI). Other places that could be considered include GTP, Asheville (and AVL), the I-95/US-70 vicinity (e.g., Selma/Smithfield), and the I-95/US-74 vicinity (e.g., Lumberton/Maxton). This list is not exhaustive. The regional reports describe more than 30 sites. Two regions lack portals: North Carolina's Northeast and Advantage West. Increased support for domestic transportation and distribution is also important. The state is in a natural location to play a prominent role in logistics along the eastern seaboard. Future demands for highway, rail, and water commerce-intrastate and interstate-will identify gaps in existing infrastructure where investments now will facilitate goods movements later. Both transportation and land use need to be planned. After careful environmental analysis, rights-of-way need to be set-aside for future network growth. And those choices then need to have staying power, so the facilities can eventually be built. The state also needs to engage in strategic land use partnerships with the counties and local governments. The state needs to make investments that help businesses grow, without over investing. It needs to invest where its dollars can make the biggest difference; and where private sector dollars are relatively scarce and need to be attracted to help the local economy grow faster. For example, investments in the Andrews/Murphy area, made in partnership with the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, have the potential to be a game-changer for that part of the state. The state needs to take incremental steps by advancing supply-push initiatives to sensible milestones - while not expending scarce public funds to create underutilized facilities. At the same time, businesses must be engaged to use new infrastructure in support of their needs (demand-pull).North Carolina should become the ""best wired"" state in the nation. This would attract businesses that are IT-intensive (and typically high-valued products and jobs). The service should be ubiquitous, wired and wireless. Businesses could manage their day-to-day activities anytime, anywhere, seamlessly. The state should make more extensive use of the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR). NCRR could help build statewide rail service that provides greater accessibility, higher capacity, better competitive rates, shorter lengths of haul, and more frequent service. The state should grow the network of short lines, play a greater role in rail network planning and service provision, freight and passenger, and work with the Class 1 railroads to find win-win solutions. Rail improvements would support both intrastate and interstate commerce and passenger travel, and these demands should be known prior to new investments. The state should invest in its ports. The reason is more related to exports than imports. North Carolina can capitalize on its agricultural and other natural assets and help the US with its balance of trade challenges.
Additionally, what emerged from the regional studies, and from presentations at the Task Force meetings held across the state, were seven business sectors where logistics needs must be met for there to be economic success. These seven business sectors are graphically presented in Figure ES-1.
These sectors do not represent all business sectors affecting North Carolina's commerce activities. Rather, they depict a subset of important themes that resonated across many regions of the state and are clearly important sectors for the state in helping identify infrastructure needs that can make a difference in the future economic success of the state.
While not explicitly shown, the excellent university and community college systems in NC certainly support all economic sectors by providing degrees, trades, and information exchange important for business to remain strong throughout the state. High quality education and information exchange is vital for continued business prosperity.
