Page 31: of Marine News Magazine (October 2011)

www.marinelink.com MN31ciently completing 25 navigationprojects in 20 years, on time and on budget. Under the current system, just six would be completed in thatsame time period.Last November (2010), President Obama, in discussing the importance of exports to the nation?s economy said, ?The most important contest we face is not the contest between Democrats and Republicans. In this century, the most important competi- tion we face is between America and our economic competitors around the world.? In kicking off his jobs initia- tive last month in Iowa, the President added, "America is going to comeback from this recession stronger than before? .And I'm also convinced thatcomeback isn't going to be driven by Washington. It is going to be driven by folks here in Iowa. It's going to begin in the classrooms of communi- ty colleges like this one. It's going to start on the ranchlands and farms of the Midwest, the workshops of base- ment inventors, and storefronts of small business owners." Let?s connect the dots between com- petition, exports and jobs. The water- ways are the link to all three, and the proposed capital development plan should be part of our country?s solu- tion to a more vibrant economy and a path toward growth. While the navigation industry has significantly invested in the system?s reliability through a diesel fuel taxpaid into the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, far too few projects are being undertaken and completed on time and within budget. MN#10 (18-31):MN 2011 Layouts 10/5/2011 11:23 AM Page 31