Flint, MI – It’s true—the auto industry in Michigan is back. As the industry grows and invests in its future, private investments from freight railroads are helping to make recovery possible.
In 2014, Michigan railroads invested more than $100 million in the “Great Lakes State,” creating jobs and helping the auto industry move new cars to market. Nearly 70 percent of new vehicles, in fact, are moved by rail. Rail service helps to keep prices down, reduces the number of trucks on our highways and reduces the environmental footprint of transporting cars to market.
“Our agriculture and auto manufacturing sectors are a significant part of our state and Genesee County’s economy, and if they are going to grow, we will need continued investment in rail to increase capacity,” said Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint). “As we continue to try to leverage public dollars as much as possible, I appreciate the railroad companies’ willingness to improve our transportation infrastructure and create jobs.”
A healthy and efficient rail network is critical to the auto industry and continued investment by freight railroads is keeping Michigan’s economy cruising.
