The Wisconsin Business Coalition for Passenger Rail invites businesses to show their support for expanding the availability of passenger train service in the state as a valuable economic development investment. Planning that is underway could lead to more trains like the successful Chicago-Milwaukee Amtrak Hiawathas providing new service to communities like Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, the Fox Cities, Green Bay, Pewaukee, Watertown, Madison, Eau Claire, Menomonie, Hudson, and Superior; and additional trains to Portage, Wisconsin Dells, Tomah, and La Crosse. By signing on to the statement below, your business name will be added to the list of those who support pursuing rail expansion planning efforts.

Sign-On Statement:

We support the expansion of passenger rail service in high-potential Wisconsin corridors as a needed and worthwhile investment for the economic future of our state. Frequent service to more cities will help attract and retain business and the talent critical to its success; provide a convenient, economical, and environmentally-friendly alternative to driving; accelerate economic growth opportunities; improve quality of life; increase tourism; and add resiliency to our transportation system.

You’re invited to join the list of businesses and organizations who have signed on to this statement. To see the current list of supporters and sign on, click this link.

What's next: Wisconsin DOT, Minnesota DOT, and the Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission have been awarded grants by the Federal Railroad Administration for corridors serving all of the cities noted above to undertake the first step under its Corridor Identification and Development Program. These studies are now getting underway.

Organizers

·       Laurie Radke, President & CEO, Greater Green Bay Chamber

·       Andrew Davis, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce

·       Jason Fields, President, Madison Region Economic Partnership

·       Becky Bartoszek, President - Government Affairs, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce

·       Scott Rogers, Vice President Governmental Affairs, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce