News Release
Date: 6-17-04

Improving Freight Transportation is Subject for One-Day Forum

Raleigh – About 100 business executives, community leaders, federal and state transportation officials are expected to gather Monday, June 21 to discuss how North Carolina can improve connections among various modes of transportation and move freight faster and cheaper across the state.

The North Carolina Forum on Freight Mobility and Economic Prosperity will bring together government officials, transportation professionals, transportation companies, shippers and economic development agencies to identify global issues and needs concerning freight logistics. Representatives from North Carolina’s state ports, as well as trucking, aviation and railroad industries will discuss current developments, trends, success and challenges facing each of their areas.

“North Carolina’s businesses are increasingly connected to the global economy. It is vital that our transportation system be proficient in moving freight, as well as people,” said state Deputy Transportation Secretary David King. “This forum provides us the opportunity to learn from shippers and other customers about their transportation needs and work together to develop solutions that will help our state to compete effectively.”

King said the forum was designed to take a proactive look at the state’s transportation system as a whole to see where improvements can be made so that goods can move seamlessly from one transportation mode to another. Such a system would give North Carolina a significant economic advantage over our competitors, he said.

The one-day summit will be held on the campus of NC A&T University in Greensboro. It is the second of three such forums being held around the state; the first was held in Wilmington last spring, the next will be held this fall in Charlotte.

Participants also will hear what national experts recommend for safe and efficient freight movement.

“To keep jobs in our state and to attract new ones, it is imperative that we have connectivity and mobility throughout our transportation system,” said David King.