Harrison Township, MI - U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today commented on the U.S. Secretary of Transportation’s, Ray LaHood, statement that Michigan would be one of those states considered for funding to develop a high speed rail corridor.

Representative Miller said:

“High speed passenger rail will play an important role in developing the United States’ 21st century transportation network, and I am pleased that Michigan will be in the running for a share of the Department of Transportation’s $8 billion in grants which will be distributed around the country. High speed rail has the potential to usher in a new era of economic growth, allowing people to maximize their time in conducting personal and professional business.

“If awarded one of these grants, we need to make sure that the locomotives, rail cars and tracks are built here in Michigan when planning the constructing of this network. As the home of the domestic auto industry, we have the designers, engineers and labor force necessary to build the components that will make this system work. Unfortunately, many of our workers are looking for work. The high speed rail system will not completely offset the loss of jobs in the auto industry; however, it will certainly help mitigate the impact the tough times our auto industry has been having on the economy.

“Allowing the manufacturing of this rail infrastructure to be outsourced to foreign nations would be an insult to the millions of Americans looking for jobs in an economy with double-digit unemployment. In December, Secretary LaHood announced that 32 companies had agreed to establish or expand their manufacturing capabilities in the United States. If Michigan is awarded one of these grants, I call on these companies to honor those commitments and to look at Michigan as the home for these new operations.

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