NAM releases blueprint for rebuilding infrastructure in the U.S.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has released an “ambitious” initiative focused on revitalizing the country’s failing infrastructure.

Titled “Building to Win,” a proposal that was originally published in 2016, has now been re-released on how to revitalize infrastructure such as roads, bridges, rails, airports, ports, and waterways.

“’Building to Win’ is our proposal to really supercharge investment in infrastructure,” NAM President & CEO Jay Timmons said. “We wanted to move this plan forward because we think now is the time to bring Republicans and Democrats together on something they can actually agree with.”  

According to the proposal, over the next ten years, the United States needs to invest $1.09 trillion towards infrastructure needs. Those needs include $713 billion for highways; $123 billion for bridges; $128 billion for airports; $15 billion for ports and inland waterways; $90 billion for public transit; and $29 billion for rails.

NAM reports that this total is due to the decades of underinvestment and years of stop-and-start efforts rather than long-term solutions.

“Every year, America is falling further behind on infrastructure. Today, infrastructure investment is only one-third of what it was in 1960 and without action…we will lose 5.8 million jobs by 2040,” Timmons said.

According to David Seaton, Fluor Corporation Chairman and CEO and NAM Board Chair, infrastructure is necessary for commerce and manufacturing, and public-private partnerships (PPP) are key in fixing infrastructure.

“PPPs have to be part of the solution,” Seaton said. “Federal government is not going to fund it; state governments can’t afford it. So, there’s got to be a different method and I believe that PPP is that vehicle.”

NAM made the announcement while visiting the South Mountain Freeway project in Chandler, Ariz. during its State of Manufacturing Tour 2019.

Seaton told CBN that making a tour stop at the largest freeway project in Arizona history was important because it was a perfect example of a PPP.

“If you think about the original plan of the 202 South Mountain, we’re three years ahead of that and $100 million cheaper than that,” he said.

Arizona was the last stop on the NAM tour because of Arizona’s pro-business climate and variety of manufacturing jobs. NAM visited multiple Arizona manufacturers including Karsten Manufacturing, Intel, Connect 202, and Four Peaks Brewing Company where they officially finished the tour and celebrated the success of the industry.

“It’s really great to see all types of manufacturing here in this state,” Timmons said. “You’ve got a great work ethic in this state, it’s obviously a beautiful place, and it’s a great environment. But there’s also a very pro-business policy here because the governor focuses on manufacturing…and that’s really what’s important.”

To view the “Building to Win” proposal, click here.

Emily Richardson

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