Freight Mobility Plan – Update Planning for Fast, Efficient Freight Transport in the Greater Charlotte Bi-State Region Sushil Nepal. Bill Thunberg. Mike Manis

The Purpose Assess our current freight systems against future growth needs, Identify and address opportunities, gaps and barriers to growth and efficiency such as congestion and bottlenecks, workforce preparedness, safety issues or land use issues. Recommend solutions for each part of the system individually and for coordinating among the parts.

Recommended Solution….Example(s) It will include model ordinance language concerning freight-oriented land use that local governments may use in their land development review and permitting processes. It will also recommend effective economic development incentives and strategies to recruit and retain freight-oriented businesses consistent with a community’s vision.

Project Area and Funding estimated to cost $600,000 $315,000 TIGER Planning Grant region’s MPOs and RPO have pledged $150,000 cost-match of $60,000+ from local municipalities and counties, $50,000+ from local businesses and trade groups. CCOG has committed $25,000 in staff time for project management.

Steering Committee Structure Steering Committee Nominations 13 MPO/Regional 4 Freight/Private 5 ED/Workforce 5 Local Govt

Why it matters? Infrastructure: The foundation for prosperity. Building the Global Charlotte Region Infrastructure: The foundation for prosperity. Building the Global Charlotte Region Freight Mobility: Logistics A goal of the Centralina Economic Development District Strategic Plan CEDS “PROSPERITY FOR GREATER CHARLOTTE PROJECT”

The Centralina Economic Development District Region’s CEDS Priorities: #5 – The region’s industries must increase integration of new technologies to remain competitive and leverage new logistics assets and infrastructure to access global markets.

21 st Century Greater Charlotte Global Region  Covers area in 2 states, 17 counties  Includes 2 separate Councils of Government and incorporates border counties of 3 more  Represents 7 workforce development boards that comprise an existing alliance organization  Embraces over 58 local K-12 districts, community colleges, and higher education institutions Project Geographic Area of Focus This collaborative community network exists within a fifty-mile radius economic zone

Cross Sector Quality Rankings 2New York, New York 4Chicago, Illinois 8San Francisco, California 12Atlanta, Georgia 15Dallas, Texas 18Washington, DC 21Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 24Los Angeles, California 28Houston, Texas 32Miami, Florida 33Charlotte, North Carolina 38Detroit, Michigan Ranked #33 of World 100; One of only 12 in US The World's Most Competitive Cities: A Global Investor's Perspective on True City Competitiveness December 20, 2013

Asset Inventory, SWOT & Target Industries, & Competencies

A key regional economic strength has emerged as the manufacturing Super-Cluster of firms that develop and or apply new technologies, processes and solutions, increasingly classified as “Advanced Industries”. Region’s “CEDS” identified our core competencies as Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, and Information Technology that are embedded in five of our six Targeted Industry Clusters (Aerospace, Automotive, Biopharmaceuticals, Logistics, and Energy). Together, these competencies and Industry Clusters form the Charlotte Manufacturing Super-Cluster promoted through the Global Vision Leaders Group regional slogan, “Create It, Make It, Move It.” The Region harnesses it’s; Engineering & IT competencies to design innovative technologies, Advanced Industries Manufacturing competencies to competitively produce a very wide range of goods, and Logistics and Exports cluster to provide competitive advantage in delivering product worldwide. Global Charlotte Manufacturing Ecosystem; Diversified/Resilient

Improving the mobility and efficiency of freight operations, developing new linkages and promoting the intermodal transfer of goods will further develop and strengthen the Greater Charlotte Region’s economic base and increase its global competitiveness. Logistics and Exports are Key Strategic foundation of Charlotte IMCP Initiative (Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership)

What industry in the Greater Charlotte Global Region employs over 5% of the total workforce at 44,200 people? Logistics! Charlotte remains the only major distribution center midway between the Northeast, Midwest and Florida markets, and is the 16th largest logistics hub in the US.

Houston led all U.S. metropolitan areas in exporting last year, followed by New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Detroit; HOWEVER; Charlotte MSA saw the fastest percentage growth in exports among the nation’s top 50 metro areas - goods exports jumped 69 percent from 2012 to 2013 According to Site Selection, Charlotte ranks 5 th in the nation for new and expanded distribution operations, with 192 facilities and serving as home base for distribution operations at such diverse companies as Family Dollar, Black & Decker, General Motors, Lucent Technologies and TJ Maxx. 62% of U.S. national industrial base and over 60% of the U.S. population is accessible within 24 hour drive (650 miles) of Charlotte, giving the Region a unique US Logistical and Global competitive advantage. When Opportunity knocks - WHY FREIGHT MATTERS !!! Charlotte is the nation’s 12 th largest trucking center with over 339 firms operating here that employ over 8,000 workers. Additionally, 817 transportation and warehousing companies call “Charlotte USA” home.

Economic Development Freight Mobility Goal Objective 4.1 – Freight-Oriented Property Development: Identify and market current and future freight-oriented property located near appropriate transportation infrastructure. Benefit: Reduced demand for transportation improvements in undeveloped areas Objective 4.2 – Intermodal Efficiency: Regularly communicate with vested industries and organizations to improve the efficient transfer of goods between modes at intermodal terminals, ports, and distribution hubs. Benefit: Reduced costs and congestion, and increased capacity, at existing locations Objective 4.3 – Technology & Trends: Incorporate current freight analysis and intermodal coordination and technology trends into transportation planning processes. Benefit: Transportation planning agencies are kept abreast of trends in economic development and private sector data, operations, and technology. A successful freight mobility plan will strengthen the economic prosperity of the region and support its position as a major distribution center. Areas of emphasis for economic development agencies will focus on meeting the needs of businesses throughout the supply chain in the transportation system.

We Need Your Help… To recruit matching funds from local governments and private sector To recruit Steering Committee member(s) To identify stakeholders to participate in the planning process **Freight Mobility Plan is key component of Map 21 – current transportation bill that governs transportation planning **Freight mobility identified as key focus area during recent FHWA sponsored multi- jurisdiction workshop in Charlotte