Title
A resolution supporting the “Aerotropolis Act of 2011.”
Body
by recommending adoption of the following:
A RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, as the world shifts towards a globalized economy, market opportunities are expanding and the demand for businesses to ship and receive goods more frequently and rapidly over long distances is increasing; and
WHEREAS, in order to serve today’s economic demands of connectivity, speed and flexibility, a new system comprising multimodal transportation networks and aviation-intensive businesses dubbed “aerotropolises’” are developing around the world; and
WHEREAS, development of aerotropolis transportation systems is crucial to U.S. economic competitiveness to attract corporate headquarters, warehouses, and logistics centers; and
WHEREAS, currently there is a bill before the United States Congress titled the Aerotropolis Act of 2011 with Representative Gwen Moore as a co-sponsor; and
WHEREAS, this act directs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to establish a grant program that would provide funding assistance to local entities for planning, design, environmental review, and land acquisition activities for aerotropolis transportation projects and development of intelligent transportation systems as well as highways, bridges, and public transportation systems that could benefit Milwaukee’s port, terminals, and multimodal terminal facilities and increase access to ports and airports; and
WHEREAS, this act also would amend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to ensure that projects that assist in the establishment of aerotropolis transportation systems are eligible to receive funds under the Projects of National and Regional Significance Program; and
WHEREAS, many aerotropolis transportation systems throughout the country are developing slowly because local entities lack the requisite funding for preconstruction activities; and
WHEREAS, without federal support and investment, aerotropolis development will not fully materialize in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Milwaukee County is a member of the Milwaukee Gateway Aerotropolis Corporation, a corporation formed to maximize General Mitchell International Airport (GMIA) area development, including strategies to draw national and international businesses to the area, as well as advocating for and maximizing intermodal connections in Milwaukee County; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors hereby expresses support of the federal “Aerotropolis Act of 2011”; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, upon passage of this resolution, the Milwaukee County Clerk is authorized and directed to send copies of this resolution to members of the United States Congress and the Unites States Secretary of Transportation.