Throughout our history, economic development has always followed infrastructure improvements. Towns sprung up along the railroad. Freeways became the links between economic centers. From Thomas Edison and his lightbulb to the information superhighway, infrastructure investment has always mattered.

Much of the infrastructure conversation in Michigan recently has centered around the roads. There is no doubt that our roads need attention. We fervently hope that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and our State Legislature can reach agreement on a plan to upgrade our road systems. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel recently estimated that my home county alone needs $2.3 billion to bring all of our roads up to the quality we expect.