BUSINESS LEADERS ECHO GOVERNORS' MESSAGE TO MOVE CRC PROJECT FORWARD - 02/22/10 >VANCOUVER, Wash. –Southwest Washington business leadership supports the clear and direct message of Governors Gregoire and Kulongoski regarding recent developments which could impact the construction of an improved Interstate 5 crossing of the Columbia River and related improvements in the Bridge Influence Area.

In light of the January 19, 2010 letter signed by City of Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt, Portland Mayor Sam Adams, Clark County Commission Chair Steve Stuart and Metro Council President David Bragdon requesting additional review of the Columbia Crossing Project after years of community-based planning, Clark County business leaders stand united in voicing their concern that project delays will further stall regional economic development and jobs creation.

Scott Horenstein, Identity Clark County (ICC) Board of Directors chair said, "The fact is, the Columbia Crossing effort is the number one priority in our community and, likely the most important infrastructure project many of us will witness in our lifetimes. The proposal by municipal leaders to call a halt to forward progress in order to undertake further review and study of the fifteen (15) years of development to date will simply bog down the process, drive the cost of the Columbia Crossing up, and goes against the spirit of community planning."

Business leaders from the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Identity Clark County, the Columbia River Economic Development Council, Vancouver's Downtown Association, and East Vancouver Business Association agree that additional study and the establishment of arbitrary "work elements" will only delay our region's ability to succeed, not only in the Vancouver/Portland metropolitan area, but in the increasingly vital global marketplace. Jobs, freight mobility, economic development, and quality of life issues are at stake.

"There is no greater economic stimulus for our region than the jobs that will be created to build the bridge combined with the instant increase in freight mobility that the new bridge will offer to our entire region, not to mention the world," said Don Russo, GVCC Board of Directors chair. "Improving this bottlenecked corridor will increase economic opportunities between Canada and Mexico and improve access to our region's critical rail and shipping channels."

In the January 19th letter, Mayor Leavitt, Mayor Adams, Commissioner Stuart and Council President Bragdon stated that they "believe that cost, physical and environmental elements of the project as currently proposed impose unacceptable impacts on our communities."
The reality is that after fifteen (15) years of community involved planning and study, delay of this critical project imposes unacceptable impacts on our communities and could make or break the region's ability to compete, both in the Pacific Northwest and in the global economy.

About the Southwest Washington Business Partners

Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce (GVCC):
The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce has served the Southwest Washington business community since 1890. The Chamber is an alliance of member businesses, individuals and organizations who join together to support business. The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce is the heart of the Clark County business community. For more information about our organization, visit www.vancouverusa.com.

Identity Clark County (ICC):
Identity Clark County is a politically connected, focused organization with resources that enable it to be strategic, to leverage, to create and facilitate partnerships, and to influence those issues that make a significant difference in the development and economy of the region. ICC's goal is to build a community with strong character, identity and a balanced economy through focused leadership by creating, facilitating and leveraging partnerships with a strategic vision and unified action plan. More info: www.identityclarkcounty.org.

Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC):
A public/private partnership with more than 180 investors, CREDC has been serving Clark County, Washington since 1982. Its mission is to stimulate job creation and investment in the region. This is accomplished while ensuring the county's exceptional environment and high quality of life are maintained. More info: www.credc.org.

Vancouver's Downtown Association (VDA):
For the past 20 years Vancouver's Downtown Association has been a leader in the effort to weave together business, residential, cultural and historical perspectives to build a vibrant city center. We make good things happen in the heart of our city. Please visit www.vdausa.org for more information about our the organization.

East Vancouver Business Association (EVBA): East Vancouver Business Association was founded in 1991 as a means for East Clark County businesses to express their interests in both civic and economic development. Our mission is to promote and support business, education and community growth and to instill cooperation and mutual support of our professional and civics goals.We are a group of business and community leaders with a vision of building a stronger community. Please visit www.evba.net to learn more about our organization.

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