Freight/Rails

The WAMPO region contains several industries that rely on the movement of commercial goods to, from, and through the region using a combination of truck, rail, air, and pipeline. Goods-dependent industries in the region have historically been a major source of employment, but these local industries have declined, leading to slower gross domestic product growth relative to the United States, compounded by slow population growth and an aging population in the region. Eight industry sectors were identified as important freight-related sectors in the WAMPO region: advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, aerospace, agriculture, data services and information technology, healthcare, oil and gas, and transportation and logistics. Of these sectors, two were identified as being particularly critical to the region: aerospace and agriculture.