Business View Civil and Municipal | Volume 2, Issue 6

2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6 Planes, Trains and Automobiles… it was the title of a classic comedy film in the 1980s. To say we’ve come a long way since then is a drastic understatement. Today, the transportation sector – the moving of people and goods – is nothing to make light of. In all its facets – whether city streets, highways, ports, runways, railways, pathways – transportation is not only a multi-billion dollar industry, it’s the lifeblood of economic and community development throughout North America. Maintaining and upgrading our transportation infrastructure to ensure fast, efficient, and safe travel has never been so critical. But for towns and cities and counties that infrastructure conversation goes one step further – into the ‘quality of life’ realm for residents and visitors. As you’ll discover in this latest issue of Business View Civil & Municipal, the importance of embracing and promoting outdoor activity for physical and mental health is top of mind for community leaders. This includes repurposing of abandoned rail lines into extensive trail systems, and fitting out waterways for access to kayaks, canoes, sport and fishing boats. Accessibility for every age and ability is paramount. A great example – at the provincial park in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, they have installed a set of Mobi-Mats to allow people with mobility issues to get to the water’s edge. We showcase visionary communities of all sites and sizes in this edition of C & M – from Opelika, Alabama to Londonderry, New Hampshire to Pierre, South Dakota. Cass County, Indiana to Carroll County, Ohio. The quaint and surprising riverside Village of Westport, Ontario (pop. 600!) to the beautiful Haida Gwaii locale in the North Coast Regional District of British Columbia. And the character-filled New York State Towns of Massena, Oneonta, Niskayuna, Farmington, and Milton. In all, 21 outstanding locations are inviting you to come visit, live, and do business. When it comes to public transportation, riders of Valley Transit in Walla Walla, Washington will soon reap the benefits of eco-friendlier buses. The company is being intentional about putting energy and focus behind electric vehicle (EV) adoption. They’re in the process of going fully EV on their Fixed Route fleet – four of the vehicles are battery-electric, but the goal is to take them all in that direction. A clean and green boost for the whole community. A wealth of positivity and good news stories at your fingertips, my friends. Scroll at will and enjoy the read! EDI TOR ’ S NOTES Lorie Lee Steiner Editor in Chief WWW. BUSINESSVIEWMAGAZINE .COM Email for all inquiries: info@businessviewmagazine.com 2422 Palm Ridge Road, Suite 820 Sanibel FL, 33957 239.220.5554 CONTACT US Editor in Chief Lorie Lee Steiner ResearchDirectors Paul Payne Brendan McElroy Lisa Curry Thomas Hiley Matt Savelli ContributingWriters Caroline Verner-Hiley Michelle Mahoney Dan Macharia Brett Anningson Victoria Gray Michael Reschke Lauren Shoots Candace Allison Barclay Ballard Andrew Macfarlane Lucy Thorpe Victoria Rosenthal Director of Production Vicki Lewis Director of Administration Ana Forlin Digital Strategist Jon Bartlow Creative Director Todd Calfee Vice President of Business Development Matthew Mitchell CGO Alexander Wynne-Jones Executive Publisher / CEO Marcus VandenBrink