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Build it and they will come

As the years drag on and the battle between the State of Michigan and the current owner of the Ambassador Bridge shows no sign of ending, I can’t help thinking about how a key competitive edge for the logistics industry in the State of Michigan continues to be delayed into the next decade. 

Ask any business marketing specialist and they will tell you that you must identify your competitive edge and push that to the front of your marketing efforts.  Logistically speaking Michigan has needed a competitive edge to equal the playing field with states not located on a peninsula.  Our proximity to an international border crossing (currently the busiest North America border) should be at the front of the list for describing our advantages over non-border states. 

Over the last several years we have seen increased competition develop between Buffalo and Detroit when it comes to supply chain management solutions between Canada and the United States.  I believe that current efforts to expand our crossings will do nothing but enhance our ability to market ourselves as the border crossing of choice for goods moving to and from Canada. 

With predictions pointing to an increase in border traffic in the future it is imperative to Michigan’s economy that we remain in top position to secure this freight.  Additional bridge capacity will naturally attract trucks and companies who wish to cross the border with as little delay as possible.  State of the art technology for customs clearance and  border security will also be a huge benefit to 3rd party logistics companies, freight forwarders and trucking companies in Michigan. 

The current bridge situation reminds me of another major infrastructure project in Michigan that was put off for years.  Any frequent flier must remember what the old Detroit-Metro airport was like.  Do you really think Aerotropolis would be a household word in Michigan if we still had the old airport?  Once we upgraded to arguably one of the best facilities in the country suddenly we took something that was a competitive liability and turned it into a competitive advantage.  The same thing can happen with the border crossings as long as we have the will to see it through.