The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute released a study that demonstrates Utah’s potential for becoming an inland port. According to the assessment, Salt Lake City meets the essential criteria. Salt Lake City is geographically ideal because it connects the intermountain west, central plains, northern plateaus and the west coast.
“We define an inland port as a site located away from traditional land, air, and coastal borders that contains a portfolio of multimodal transportation assets and the ability to allow global trade to be processed and altered by value-added services as goods move through the supply chain,” said director of the project, Natalie Gochnour.
According to the institute’s research brief, this new port could create job opportunities in the fields of distribution, manufacturing, warehousing and couriering.
The assessment also found that before Utah can achieve this status, it needs to improve transportation infrastructure.
The study lists five things that decision-makers need to do before creating the port: ”Form an exploratory economic development team,” ”Visit ports of interest to learn more about relevant issues,” “Involve Salt Lake City officials on the formation of an implementation plan,” “Determine potential sites for the port,” “Commission a comprehensive feasibility study.”
Since there is more research to be done and potential changes to be made, it has not yet been decided whether or not the port will be built.