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U.S.Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm
News |
Federal Railroad Administrator Visits Livingston County, NY to Highlight Role of Transportation in Regional Job Creation On Day Government Announces 51,000 New Jobs Created in September
Contact: Steve Kulm or Warren Flatau
Telephone: 202-493-6024
Friday, October 06, 2006 () Avon, New York – On the day the government announced that more than 51,000 new jobs were created in the U.S. during September, the nation’s top rail official toured a short line railroad here that is creating new jobs and attracting new businesses—including the world’s largest pasta maker – along its tracks.
Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman today rode the Livonia, Avon and Lakeville Railroad (LAL), to see first-hand new facilities under construction, and existing area businesses served by the railroad. The tour included a look at the construction site of a new facility by pasta maker Barilla America, which is slated to bring 120 additional jobs to the region.
Boardman said what is happening in Livingston County also is happening around the country, noting that “everywhere we look the U.S. economy is creating jobs by the thousands.” He said September job growth marked the 37th straight month that the economy has added jobs, noting that since August 2003, the economy has added more than 6.6 million jobs. The FRA Administrator said that unemployment declined in September from 4.7 to 4.6 percent, while hourly wages were at their highest level since June of 2001.
Boardman explained that safe, reliable and efficient transportation is crucial to economic growth and development. He said Barilla selected the location to expand its production capabilities largely because of a rail connection to receive large quantities of bulk products, like flour and wheat, and highway access to distribute finished products by truck.
Boardman added industrial development projects like that of Barilla open the eyes of other industries looking to expand or relocate. “The fruits of this ‘food corridor,’ show up on dinner tables, in lunch boxes and coffee cups all around the country.” He cited the example of Kraft foods, which has been in the area for many years, and is the only plant in the world that manufactures ‘Cool Whip.’ Boardman says this type of transportation-oriented regional development provides America with many of the simple products we take for granted every day.
“All across this great nation, our economy is growing at a record pace,” said Boardman. “One way to sustain and strengthen this momentum is to invest in transportation.”
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