Happy New Year! As we go press with this issue, we’ve just received the long-awaited news that the federal government awarded $1.6 billion in grants for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project. Make no mistake: This is a crowning accomplishment for Ohio and Kentucky and an example of how bipartisan business-political partnerships can accomplish the seemingly impossible.
Indeed, the announcement in Covington saw President Joe Biden (D), Governors Andy Beshear (D) and Mike DeWine (R), and Senators Mitch McConnell (R), Sherrod Brown (D), and Rob Portman (R) declare that the project would finally move forward. It was a tremendous day for our region, and one that resulted from the hard work from so many people across the region and across the political spectrum.
The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber has led the Build Our New Bridge Now effort for more than a decade, working to ensure this critical infrastructure upgrade comes to fruition. We’re so grateful to the dozens of business leaders who have invested time and energy to make this project happen.
The bridge that carries 3 percent of our nation’s GDP and so many of our local residents is about to get a companion to open the economic logjam. In the process, our community will benefit from a $3 billion project creating jobs and economic ripples. And in addition to the growth it will foster, the new bridge will stand as a symbol of what we can do when we work together.
I can’t think of better way to start 2023.
Jill P. Meyer
CEO, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
