During the National Regional Transportation Conference, Rebecca Bolen shared the work of the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission shared outcomes and next steps from the region's Transportation Logistics Study.
6. Findings:
Advantages for the Region
Competitiveness business
cost structure
Competitive proximity to
natural resources
Higher education
Underutilized
infrastructure
◦ Seaport
◦ Airport
◦ Rail
Low cost of living
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Sault Ste Marie Through Port Flows - 2015
Source: FHWA
7. Findings:
Disadvantages for the Region
Market accessibility
Slow business growth
Population decreasing
Mismatch of workforce
training and needs
Relatively small
Traditional border-related
challenges
Lack of available and suitable
modern industrial property
and vertical property product
ready for occupancy
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8. Identified Opportunities
Recommendation 1: Pursue the creation of a federally-recognized bi-national
investment zone that extends into both Canada and the U.S. (Bi-National
District)
Recommendation 2: Position the EUP’s forest products industry for growth
in three identified emerging opportunities
Recommendation 3: Position the EUP’s cold weather testing industry for
growth through the unique demand that vehicle advanced technology
applications is creating in the testing environment.
Recommendation 4: Pursue targeted business investment in the Specialty
Metals Manufacturing Sector
Recommendation 5: Develop a clear understanding of the disruptive impact
that e-commerce is having upon the warehouse and distribution sector.
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