AEM unveils US infrastructure policy approach

Currently ranked 11th in the world in infrastructure competitiveness, it is essential to modernize and rebuild America’s core infrastructure network in order to retain the United States’ position as the world’s strongest economy, according to a new policy report released June 12 by the Associated Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Milwaukee, called The U.S. Infrastructure Advantage.

The report makes the case for a U.S. infrastructure system that supports the safe and efficient movement of people and goods; provides connectivity between and within rural and urban America; and fosters strong economic growth and robust job creation.

“The United States once had an infrastructure system that was the envy of the world,” says AEM President Dennis Slater. “Our infrastructure competitiveness and our economic competitiveness are linked. This set of policy recommendations to reclaim our Infrastructure Advantage speak to that connection and outline what government officials should be thinking about as they consider future legislation.”

The U.S. Infrastructure Advantage offers five key steps that policymakers and infrastructure stakeholders can use to ensure that policy proposals help reclaim the U.S. Infrastructure Advantage:

• focus on networks and systems;
• maximize use of smart technology;
• ensure rural-urban connectivity;
• expedite project delivery; and
  
• provide adequate and reliable resources.

The report also provides firsthand perspectives from equipment manufacturers about the importance of infrastructure to the United States' economy and was developed by a task force of executives from the equipment manufacturing industry following a two-year process of discussion and engagement with a wide range of infrastructure stakeholders through AEM’s Infrastructure Vision 2050 thought-leadership initiative.

Click here to access the full report.

Listen to a podcast with Dennis Slater here.