WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 4, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, engaged Dr. Jonathon Gifford, Professor and Director, Center for Transportation Public-Private Policy, George Mason School of Public Policy, on the special needs and position of American Samoa in terms of current surface transportation infrastructure.
“On the islands that I represent, American Samoa, almost every business qualifies as a small business. At the same time, American Samoa has some of the worst surface transportation infrastructure in the nation. This lack of quality infrastructure has a lasting and profound negative effect on those businesses and it is safe to say that the American Society of Civil Engineers would grade our island’s infrastructure with an F,” stated Amata. “Knowing of the benefits of the P3 (public-private-partnership) approach, has the Center for Transportation Public-Private Partnership Policy included such territories as American Samoa in its’ research and outreach? Also, what challenges do you see in incorporating the P3 approach in the territories,” concluded Amata.
The purpose of the hearing, entitled “The Road Ahead: Small Businesses and the Need for a Long-Term Surface Transportation Reauthorization”, focused on the needs for improving the nation’s infrastructure, and examining small firm participation in the surface transportation industry.
“It is essential that we improve our island’s infrastructure so that not only our people have safe and easily accessible roads, but also so our local businesses that rely upon sound infrastructure can thrive,” concluded Amata.
