WM hosts roundtable on improving connections

WM hosts roundtable on improving connections

Rail, port growth focus of conference

news@theeveningtimes.com

The West Memphis Office of Economic Development hosted a transportation conference in mid-May that drew private transportation consultants, an economist, state officials and developers.

The group heard presentations focused on a variety of logistics issues including the economic development opportunities that private developers are watching, options and costs for expanding rail service to the industrial area around the Port of West Memphis and the costs, benefits and opportunities that expanded container service along the Mississippi River might offer the port in the future. The conference was a big success, Wimbish said.

'We had an impressive amount of expertise and talent in the room,' he said. 'Each attendee provided great insight into the transportation issues critical to the success of the development of our industrial area.

What we learned will greatly advance our effort to promote the area and recruit top tier developers and investors.”

As a result of the meeting, Wimbish said, his office will be scheduling recruiting visits with target developers later this year.

By the Evening Times News Staff