The I-69 Thumb Region is in the midst of ‘rapid growth’ in logistics and distribution and a new study commissioned by the chamber of commerce says that growth could continue through 2030.
A study by The Corradino Group, released on Wednesday, says a 35 percent increase in tonnage and 63 percent increase in value is expected along the corridor by 2030. That could mean an increase in business transportation traffic valued at $48.2 billion, it says.
“Trucks carry 89.9 percent of commodity value ($26.6 billion),” the report states. “The region is well-served by I-69 and I-75 interstate highways and the Blue Water Bridge border crossing at Port Huron.”
The report was commissioned by the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce and data was used from statewide trends as well as information from the Michigan Department of Transportation.
The thumb region includes Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac, Shiawassee and Tuscola counties.
“The region’s transportation network and the I-69 International Trade Corridor logistics strategy give the I-69 Thumb Region a competitive advantage,” said Joe Corradino, CEO of The Corradino Group, in a release. “We now know where the growth is forecasted so we can use this data to help the region respond and grow their share of the market.”
Two-thirds off the total regional freight market is made of transportation equipment, food, farm products, consumer items for retail distribution and electrical equipment.
Janice Karcher, vice president of Economic Development at the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce called the report “great news” for the region.
“Increased freight tonnage coming through the region will prompt more growth in investment, square footage and most importantly, jobs,” Karcher said in a release.
Karcher told The Flint Journal that while the forecast could change, this shows positives for job growth and site creation in the area.
The I-69 Thumb Region’s infrastructure has the capacity to support the continued growth of distribution. It is home to major multi-modal sites and industrial parks, offering high quality and high value acreage and buildings.
Besides interstates and highways, the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce highlighted Flint’s Bishop International Airport, the Blue Water Bridge and multiple rail providers as options for distribution in the area.
“The majority of the region’s freight flows are inbound or outbound from areas within a 250-mile redius: Michigan; Ohio; Indiana; Illinois; Ontario; and U.S. Midwestern states,” the report states.
Source: Mlive.com