The Salt Lake Chamber, Utah Transportation Coalition launched a new statewide information campaign regarding the benefit of transportation investment on November 17, 2014.
The Coalition’s education campaign will use traditional advertising and social media to educate the value of transportation. Business leaders, Utah legislators and other local elected officials joined the coalition’s chair, Dave Golden, who made the announcement at Farmington FrontRunner station. Another press launch will take place on Friday, November 21, at the Vernal City Hall.
“This important communications initiative will remind all of us, whether we use transportation or not, that we all depend on it,” said Dave Golden, Wells Fargo Bank and Chair Utah Transportation Coalition. “From the goods and services delivered from our favorite online retailer to our doorstep or those who travel miles a day by train, bus, or car—we all benefit from a well maintained, functional transportation system.”
Through smart, sustainable transportation projects, this business-led Coalition is working with the Utah League of Cities and Towns and the Association of Counties to address Utah’s growing population, estimated to double by 2050. Adequate funding for transportation systems will stimulate economic development in the area by conducting critical road maintenance to improve connectivity and accessibility throughout the region, and develop sustainable transportation options to improve air quality.
Utah Senator Stuart Adams, Representative Johnny Anderson, Provo Mayor John Curtis and Davis County Commissioner Bret Millburn kicked off the campaign to support the Coalition to elevate transportation investment as a key issue that businesses and communities need to address now and into the next legislative session.
“As co-chair of the Legislative Interim Transportation Task Force, we have reviewed the Unified Transportation Plan and are looking for ways to meet the needs outlined in the plan,” said Johnny Anderson, Utah House of Representatives, District 34. “In Utah, we believe that a robust transportation system provides employees, products and services more options and means to get to where they need to go, including upgraded and maintained roads, public transit and bike/pedestrian access in and around our cities.”
As Chair of the Utah Association of County’s, Bret Milburn, Commissioner, Davis County said, “Funding the Unified Transportation Plan will result in dramatic, positive economic impact over the next three decades by generating 183,618 new jobs and contributing $183.6 billion to Utah’s gross domestic product.”
“Utah’s Unified Transportation Plan is something I’ve bragged about to my colleagues in states across the U.S.,” said John Curtis, Mayor, Provo City. “Funding the gap outlined in this plan is an important need for our State’s economy.”
This event launched the coalition’s new website at http://utahtransportation.org/ as well as the hashtag, “#dontdelayUT.” Additional information and a communications toolkit for businesses, local communities and others is available for use by coalition members.
