PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator

Trains don't stop at state borders, and neither should partnerships. Yesterday afternoon, we wrapped up a successful Greater Northwest Rail Summit with a multi-state elected official panel that explored how leaders can work together across state lines to advance High Performance Rail. Thank you to Rep. Jake Fey and Rep. Andrew Barkis of Washington; Sen. Chris Gorsek, Rep. Khanh Pham, Rep. Nancy Nathanson and Rep. Kevin L. Mannix of Oregon; and Rep. Denise Baum of Montana for joining this collaborative conversation. Shoutout to Luis Moscoso for moderating! We also want to thank our stellar sponsors who helped make this event a success: Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority David Evans and Associates, Inc. KLJ Quandel Construction Group, LLC ALL ABOARD WASHINGTON Savage CHCS Internet Technologies COLUMBIA Strategic Consulting Group LLC Washington Public Ports Association City of Yakima All Aboard Northwest Breck Lebegue and Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates.

I appreciate the opportunity to share the success of Tri-Cities Intermodal and how we are contributing to the supply chain. Thank you fellow contributors and PNWER for a fantastic experience. Tri-Cities Intermodal

I had a great time participating in the Greater Northwest Rail Summit in Spokane, WA, discussing our Savage Transload Network and Pocatello Intermodal Facility, together with my colleague Brig Skoy, and learning from the other speakers about how we can advance #HighPerformanceRail initiatives to improve both freight rail transport and passenger rail service in the Northwest. Thanks to PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator and the other summit hosts for making this happen! #GNWrailsummit

Congrats to PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator for a well run and informative Greater NW Rail Summit in Spokane, WA! Glad to be part of the Tourism Panel and offering perspectives from my 20 years of promoting NYS passenger rail service. #railsummit #passengerrail #pacificnwrail

This afternoon -- a powerful conversation addressing the barriers faced by nondrivers, rural communities and Tribal nations as they seek routine, specialty medical care in metropolitan areas. Expanded passenger rail can bring enhanced air quality, promote healthy communities and foster intercity mobility for underserved areas like Yakima, Washington. We appreciate the thoughtful stories shared by HollyAnna DeCoteau LittleBull, Martin Charlo, Anna Zivarts and Gleb Sych that illustrate the role of passenger rail as a vital healthcare lifeline for communities across our region. Special thanks to Breck Lebegue for moderating this impactful session.

At the Greater Northwest Rail Summit, Dan Bucks of Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority speaks about "Knitting Communities Together". FYI PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator All Aboard Northwest ALL ABOARD WASHINGTON Matt Krabacher Mike Christensen Senator Chris Gorsek.

Passenger rail provides tremendous opportunities for rural communities to strengthen local economies and showcase their natural, cultural and historic attractions. We were joined by Tom Martinelli, Court Edeburn, Nancy Randall, Jacob Snodgrass and Bill Jenkin for an insightful discussion about rural economic growth opportunities, national train tourism journeys and the unique solution passenger rail offers in reducing congestion at our region's national parks. #TrainTourism #PassengerRail #GNWrailsummit

Thanks to PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator for hosting an important discussion on the significance of public, private partnerships, railroads, ports, and the supply chain.

Did you know there's a good chance your next delivery will take a train to reach your doorstep? Today's first session explored strategies and partnerships between Northwest rail networks and port terminals. Here are some session highlights: 💡 Don Esterbrook from The Northwest Seaport Alliance underscored the the criticality of the intermodal rail business in our region's gateways. 💡Aaron Hunt highlighted Union Pacific Railroad's efforts to keep railroads healthy through increased investment and partnerships with Tribal nations, regional jurisdictions and passenger rail champions. 💡Ross Lane discussed the benefits of state short line tax credit programs, which enable short lines, port districts and economic development agencies to kickstart projects. 💡Christopher Herman shared that ports originate or are the destination for 60% of tonnage moving on Washington's rail network, emphasizing that rail investment is critical to remaining competitive. 💡Johan Hellman from BNSF Railway emphasized how innovation and investment can create new opportunities for robust freight rail networks. Thank you to Andrew Johnsen for moderating this engaging panel! #freightrail #GNWrailsummit

Wonderful first day of conversation and community at the PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator in beautiful Spokane, Washington! Thanks to the amazing PNWER RIA team for pulling together diverse Federal, State, and local rail innovators — and all the corporate leaders who are working hard to expand passenger rail service and enhance freight commodities rural communities across the Greater Northwest region. It is an exciting time to reimagine rail innovation in North America — all aboard!