Economic Impact of the Garden Parkway

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Citizens Speak

"The City Council of the City of Belmont, NC, also affirms its support of another bridge crossing of the Catawba River on the South Point peninsula to alleviate future traffic in this area."
- CITY OF BELMONT

"This project would open up new areas in Gaston County to economic development by providing quick and convenient access to the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport."
- RUSTY HARRIS
2011 BOARD CHAIR, GASTON REGIONAL CHAMBER

"Our organization is sensitive to the adverse affect(s) this project has on some property owners, our pledge of support is intended for the greater good of all citizens in gaston county."
- MONTCROSS AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

"The Parkway would move people, goods and services efficiently creating much-needed jobs for Gaston County and the State of North Carolina."
- ANDY WARLICK
PRESIDENT & CEO, PARKDALE

“The Garden Parkway has been talked about, discussed and planned for over 20 years. As Chairman of the Regional Roads Committee, made up of representatives from 13 counties, it has been a top priority for the past five years. It is extremely important to the region, and massively important to the future growth of the Charlotte –Douglas International Airport; and its intermodal facilities, which will produce thousands of jobs in this region.”
- ALLEN TATE
CHAIRMAN, REGIONAL ROADS COMMITTEE

"Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is one of this region's leading tourist destination, attracting nearly 120,000 guests each year. Construction of the Parkway will improve mobility, access and connectivity in southern Gaston and Mecklenburg counties, making the Garden a more accessible destination for travelers and residents of southern Mecklenburg and beyond."
- KARA L. NEWPORT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DANIEL STOWE BOTANICAL GARDEN

"In light of recent news articles regarding the East-West Connector, I would like to express my support for this project as a citizen of Gaston County and as a small business person who employs 10 plus people in skilled trade work for more that 20 years. The statements regarding loss of jobs are without logical merit. Development of any kind always brings new jobs."
- STEPHEN WHITESELL
PRESIDENT, CUTTING EDGE FABRICATION

"Since the conceptual alignment was created, the Garden Parkway project has consistently been rated as a top priority project by the Gaston Urban Area Technical Advisory Committee. It will provide a crucial link to two significant multi-modal facilities in the region: Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and the planned relocation of Norfolk Southern rail yard."
- COMMISSIONER JOE
CARPENTER, CHAIRMAN, GASTON URBAN AREA TAC

"The Garden Parkway is vital to our economic future in that it will open up residential and commercial development, attract new businesses, facilitate existing business expansion, create jobs for our citizens and greatly help us in meeting the needs of our schools."
- DONNIE LOFTIS, CHAIRMAN
GASTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

"For a nine mile stretch from Wilkinson Boulevard to Highway 49 there is no bridge across the Catawba River. The Garden Parkway will provide relief for commuters in the southern portion of Gaston County. With the Garden Parkway, Gaston County will be in a strong position to compete for jobs that will otherwise go elsewhere in the region."
- BOB MORGAN
PRESIDENT, CHARLOTTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

"As our region grows so will congestion on our two river crossings on I-85 and Highway 29/74. The Parkway will create badly needed jobs in our region."
- FRED JACKSON
PRESIDENT, AMERICAN & EFIRD, INC.

"When Companies look to locate here or expand their operation, they consider the transportation system. The East/West Connector will attract new jobs - allowing existing industry to move goods and services efficiently - keeping us competitive."
- TIM GAUSE
VICE CHAIR PUBLIC POLICY, GASTON REGIONAL CHAMBER

Economic Impact of the Garden Parkway

That there will be an economic impact of the Garden Parkway and the Monroe Connector is not debatable.

We can debate exactly how many jobs might be created. We can debate where those jobs might land. We can
debate whether there might be environmental impacts.

The fact that road and transportation infrastructure spurs economic development is evident throughout history. You don¹t need an economic study to tell you that transportation infrastructure projects are critical pieces of economic stimulus.

Consider the communities that rejected rail 100 years ago. They suffer to attract jobs and investment more than those communities that embraced rail. Similarly, those communities located on or near interstate highways are able to attract companies more readily. The common denominator is access to transportation. Businesses need that access to deliver their products to their customers.

History could repeat itself for Gaston County if we don¹t embrace this opportunity for greater connectivity. There is no connection between Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties from Wilkinson Boulevard to the Buster Boyd Bridge. That¹s 10 miles of river that serve as a barrier to commerce.

Ground was broken just this week on property at Charlotte Douglas International Airport to begin construction of a rail yard for Norfolk Southern.

Businesses will ship goods by air, rail and road to the airport and them ship them back out again by one of those modes. Another connection between Gaston and Mecklenburg County will create additional avenues for moving products in and out of the region.

We ask you to contemplate the growth patterns of our region. Mecklenburg County and all contiguous counties, except for Gaston, are experiencing growth. We contend the limited growth in Gaston County is primarily due to the limited transportation connections between Mecklenburg and Gaston County.

That growth is evident in Union County and the Monroe Connector is a critical component of infrastructure to affect the movement of goods through that part of our region. We certainly must weigh environmental impacts of transportation projects. However, the impact must be related to the economic benefit of the project.

There are people in our region opposed to toll roads. With dwindling revenue from the gas tax, the primary source of transportation funding, we must find other ways to fund projects. There are people in our region opposed to this particular toll road. With the sluggish growth in Gaston County, even before the recession, as compared with other counties in our region, we must increase connectivity to encourage opportunity in Gaston County.

We support the Garden Parkway and the Monroe Connector and encourage the completion of both projects.

Frank Emory, Chairman
Bob Morgan, President
Charlotte Chamber