Regional commerce hub envisioned
Private business leaders and public agencies from throughout the region are going to the public for ideas and strategies in their effort to make the Inland Northwest a major hub for global commerce.
“The (Inland Pacific Hub) is a project to establish the region as a multi-modal global gateway in order to increase international commerce,” said Staci Lehman, spokesperson for the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization, among the agencies involved.
The concept was developed by private and public sector representatives from Idaho and Washington who envision a future for the region that takes advantage of the potential economic development opportunities related to regional, national and international trade.
Three public meetings are scheduled to introduce the public to the Inland Pacific Hub transportation study and gather input to drive economic growth, including:
n Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Event Center, 1825 Schweitzer Drive, Pullman, Wash.;
n Wednesday, 8 a.m. to noon, Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. First Ave., Sandpoint; and
n Thursday Dec. 3, 8 a.m. to noon, CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley.
The IPH region includes nine counties in Idaho (Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone) and 10 in eastern Washington.
Several agencies came forward to guide the study, including the KMPO, Spokane Regional Transportation Council and transportation departments in both states.
RSVPs to the meetings are appreciated and can be e-mailed to us@inlandpacifichub.org or by calling (800) 698-1927.
More information on the IPH study is available at www.inlandpacifichub.org.
Because the IPH region is large geographically, the Web site was developed as an informational tool to reach interested parties throughout the study area. The site has information on the impetus for conducting the study; information on boards, committees and agencies involved; and documents developed during Phase 1 of the project.
It also cites examples of why the Inland Northwest area would make a good hub for commerce such as the fact that the region’s central location enables companies to transport goods to multiple population centers in the western U.S. and the rest of the world. Also, the region already boasts potential economic development opportunities associated with international trade, such as affordable landing fees at Spokane International Airport, construction of a north/south freeway, a state-of-the-art port of entry at Eastport, Idaho with rail access, a major east-west interstate, two class 1 railroads, a seaport in Lewiston and the potential for an ultra high-speed fiber optic network tying the region together.