The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) recently updated its 2016 initiative Building to Win that aims to revitalize the nation’s infrastructure.
“Every year, America is falling further behind on infrastructure,” NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said. “Today, infrastructure investment is only one-third of what it was in 1960, and without action on infrastructure, we will lose 5.8 million jobs by 2040. But with an injection of $1 trillion in American infrastructure over time, we will create 11 million jobs. There’s clearly bipartisan support to modernize and revitalize our infrastructure, so now we’re calling on Congress to act.”
The initiative makes several proposals. These initiatives include creating an independent, bipartisan transportation commission, streamlining regulations, streamlining the regulatory process across multiple agencies and levels of government to foster the use of next-generation communications infrastructure, and implementing strong accountability measures to ensure funds go to projects offering the greatest value for businesses, families and the economy.
Other infrastructure recommendations include deepening ports, upgrading aging locks and enhancing intermodal connections, upgrading runways and airports, accelerate the implementation of NextGen air traffic management technology, and repair crumbling highways and bridges.
NAM also recommends expanding public–private partnerships for drinking water and wastewater projects.