(The Associated Press circulated the following on May 6.)
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Backers of a plan to create an “Inland Pacific Hub” for global commerce in northern Idaho and eastern Washington are still optimistic.
That’s despite Idaho lawmakers failing to come through with their share of the money to get it going.
Washington lawmakers set aside $250,000.
That’s the same amount backers of the plan wanted Idaho to contribute.
Backers of the regional hub say the area has natural advantages that will help it become a center for global commerce.
Those advantages include a 24-hour border crossing with Canada at Eastport that includes the only place where Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific railroad tracks meet.
It also includes an inland seaport at Lewiston, and many rail and fiber optic lines.
But transforming the area into a regional hub could mean building new roadways.
It also means bringing together businesses and government officials from two states.