Border Trade Alliance

The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) is proud to announce the launch of the Border Infrastructure and Resource (BIR) advocacy campaign.

The BIR Campaign is built on the success achieved last year with our Border Wait Times Campaign, which brought nationwide attention to the problem of delays at land ports of entry at the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders. The Wait Times Campaign resulted in hearings, public forums and Congressional legislation to address the problem. The BIR Campaign will utilize BTA’s relationship with Congress, federal agencies and stakeholders, along with the BTA’s effective media and advocacy resources to bring attention to infrastructure and resource requirements at our land ports of entry.

As you are aware, U.S. land ports of entry play an important role in sustaining cross-border trade and commerce, which has been a bright spot in our otherwise troubled economy. Last year, U.S. land ports contributed more than $363 billion directly to our national economy, over 2.5% of the annual U.S. gross national product.

As significant as it is to the economy, border trade relies on overburdened and outdated infrastructure at our crossings and transportation corridors. Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated it will need $5 billion in infrastructure upgrades over the next decade to continue to facilitate the existing level of cross-border trade in a secure and efficient environment.

The BTA BIR Campaign is already making an impact. As a result of timely BTA leadership, we have successfully built upon our established support within Congress for increased federal attention to our land ports and their vital contribution to our national economy. Recently we joined in support of the call by border state Congressional members to request the immediate investment in land port infrastructure as part of any economic stimulus legislation being considered by Congress.

We anticipate that the best opportunity to address the critical border crossing infrastructure and resource needs will occur early next year when Congress considers a major spending bill to fund the remaining federal agencies, like the General Services Administration, that are currently still operating under the FY 2008 federal budget.

BTA asks it’s members and all border stakeholders to participate what is certain to be a successful campaign.  To assist the BTA, we ask you to identify your border ports of entry specific infrastructure and resource needs or simply to share your ideas on what could improve our ports.  We plan to provide the information to policy-makers in Washington, D.C., as examples of how increased federal investment at our land ports of entry and trade corridors can help our border communities, its businesses and the national economy.  Please contact us…

BTA has also successfully engaged the media in their reporting and coverage of this critically important issue - including Forbes, Business Journal, and leading trade / supply chain magazines. Please view and utilize the press release on the border blog…

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