Walker throws away possible creation of 103,000 jobs and $13 billion in economic activity by politicizing “high speed rail” to conservative voters.

Sure the following report was in part prepared by a group that advocated high speed rail, but the projected advantages of building a system in Wisconsin are worth considering again, even if the numbers here are on the high side.

Wispolitics: Transportation advocates, workers and state leaders released a report today entitled “The Economic Impacts of High Speed Rail: Transforming the Midwest” showing that expanding passenger train service in Wisconsin and the Midwest can create 103,000 jobs and $13.8 billion of economic activity in the region. 

“The communities I represent rely on a freight rail network that provides an essential connection for rural manufacturers that support thousands of jobs,” said Rep. Fred Clark (D-Baraboo). “Communities like Wisconsin Dells and Portage would benefit directly and immediately from an enhancement of our passenger rail system.  

The report was prepared by the Midwest High Speed Rail Association by AECOM and the Economic Development Research Group, Inc., and sponsored by Siemens. The report showed that the Midwest is the fifth largest economy in the world, only behind China, Germany, France and Japan, but lacks the freight and passenger train infrastructure to compete.