Business news and innovation with impact...
Welcome to our premiere issue!
March 13, 1995 Volume 1, No. 1
By Dion Eusepi
March 14th came and went without much fanfare. Voters turned their attention to the Regional Transit Initiative long enough to communicate a marginal, yet significant "NO" to Olympia. The transit system amounted to a $6.7 billion incremental development of 68 miles of light rail lines. The rail proposal attempted to link key commuter points form Everett to Lakewood by way of Edmonds, Seattle, Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Sumner, Puyallup, amd Tacoma.
Funding was critical to support for the proposal and, for most voters, the funding issue failed to pass the credibility test. Phase I of the Transit Systems was expected to be funded through federal and state grants while the remaining 50% of the billI was to subsidized by increases in sales tax and in vehicle license tab tax.
While considerable speculation exists as to the real fate of the proposal, and estimated 1.4 million people are expected to migrate to the area with the next 25 years. Added to the local picture are equally grim national trends in commuter transportation. According to the US Census Bureau, between 1980 and 1990 the number of Americans commuting alone on national highways increased from 65 to 75% while the number of Americans car pooling over the same period decreased from 20 to 13%. Such trends continue to plague our highways despite concerted efforts to spend more on mass transit as a solution to the problem. This is evidenced by recent national statistics. According, to the US Department of Commerce, annual capital outlays for mass transit lines and equipment inceased from 3 to 4.5 billion dollars between 1985 and 1995. The defeat of the Regional Transit System initiative clearly avoided spending increases, but it failed to mold a better strategy for resolving a problem that will continue to have a major impact on economic development in the area.
If you have thoughts you'd like to share with readers of theFederal Way Commerce Webpage regarding possible solutions to the transit situation, send e-mail to victorc@ix.netcom.com.
Intelllectual Property is an interactive publisher of Internet based documents and a developer of mulitimedia communications products. The enterprise will unveil it plans for a value-added information system to distribute news and information regarding how to build a business presence on the Internet or through online communications. Informative news and documents will be available via their demand fax system and through an electronic bulletin board system for Federal Way Area businesses. The service will provide a means of educating area businesses on the merits and longterm value of Internet and online-based communications. If the service sounds like something that might appeal to your business needs or personal interests, dial (206) 661-3821 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM for demand fax copies of Northwest Net-Watch. If you use a IBM-compatible PC, you can reach the Intellectual Property Bulletin Board System via modem @ (206) 661-3821 between 5:30 PM and 6:00 AM. Configure your Hayes-compatible modem for 8N1 and check out the Business Forum for an electronic version of Northwest Net-watch.
If you are a progressive small business that would like to submit inputs to our page, or just get involved in its growth, check out the Federal Way Commerce Web today or contact us personally via e-mail at victorc@ix.netcom.com or at the address below.