From staff reports
The Clarion County Economic Development Corporation has issued a statement in strong opposition to the proposed bridge toll on the Canoe Creek Bridges on Interstate 80.
“The proposed bridge toll will act as an immediate financial deterrent to do business in Northwestern Pennsylvania, steepening the grade of an already uphill battle for our local businesses to compete,” the statement read.
Jarred Heuer, Economic Development Specialist for the CCEDC said, “Revenue streams, such as the (state) gas tax, are already in place to fund repairs and rehabilitation of Pennsylvania’s transportation system. If those revenue streams have failed, taxpayers, local or otherwise, should not be prioritized to foot the bill.”
Heuer said Interstate-80 remains an economic lifeline for Clarion County and its neighbors.
The CCEDC statement noted trends in America’s workforce have shifted away from trucking and manufacturing and despite these shifts, the Clarion County business community fights to keep manufacturing workers employed and its factories up and running.
“More so, our county is a one-day truck drive of more than 153 million people, halfway between Chicago and New York City. Bridge tolls will severely undercut this advantage Northwestern Pennsylvania offers to businesses, leading prospecting companies to possibly look beyond Pennsylvania,” the CCEDC said.
“Pennsylvanians deserve better,” Heuer stated.” One of the lessons learned from 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic is America’s reliance on its transportation system and independent truckers.
CCEDC seeks input
If Pennsylvania wants to position itself as one of America’s best places to do business, the CCEDC urges local, state, and federal legislators to consider the seen and unforeseen consequences of such a toll.
To shed light on these potential consequences, the CCEDC has launched a short survey.
The survey is intended for business owners to add their voice and share their perspective on how the proposed bridge tolls will affect their business.
CCEDC President, Jason Hansford, said, “The CCEDC is opposed to the I-80 tolling. We would appreciate input from the local businesses as we continue to work through this significant concern for our region.”
The survey can be found at www.ClarionCountyEDC.com.
“We urge businesses of all sizes to respond,” said the CCEDC.