The following article was posted by John J. Crawford, President & CEO
Wyoming-Kentwood
Area Chamber of Commerce.
WKACC Endorses Bus Rapid Transit Millage
- Vote YES on May 5, 2009
Published: March 26, 2009
WYOMING_KENTWOOD, MI - The Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce
has endorsed the Interurban Transit Partnership's (ITP) millage request
which will be voted on in the general election May 5.
The millage will provide operating funds for a new Bus Rapid Transit
system, dubbed "The Silver Line", which would begin operations
in 2012 upon the passage of the millage. It will be the first Rapid
Transit System in West Michigan.
"Our business members are more than a little concerned about the
level of taxation in Michigan and began studying this issue with a
very wary eye two months ago", said Chamber President John Crawford. "While
many Chamber efforts focus on trying to make Michigan a more attractive
and cost-competitive place to do business, we found that The Silver
Line is very likely to do just that."
Crawford noted that the Chamber's Government Matters Committee and
its Executive Committee both recommended the measure to the Board of
Directors, which unanimously approved the endorsement at its March
meeting Thursday afternoon, March 26.
"The millage to operate The Silver Line will release $40 Million
in Federal and State grants into the Community to build the system
for starters", Crawford said. "The added convenience of
adding a Rapid Transit System connecting our southern suburbs to Downtown
Grand Rapids could spawn as much $160 Million in private sector investment
and economic activity in the first 4 or 5 years that the BRT is running.
We have determined that this is one infrastructure investment that
will pay for itself within a short payback period."
"In short, this millage request is a good, sustainable jobs-creating
deal for taxpayers."
The Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber urges a YES vote on May 5.