Next Steps

The Midwest High Speed Rail Association is sharing these initial findings to stimulate discussion and generate support for an expanded study that will document the expected economic benefits for the region as a whole.

Based on what is already known about the impact on Chicago, there is ample reason to believe that the system would considerably enhance economic activity in the rest of the region and enable the Midwest to remain a strong global player.

The Midwest High Speed Rail Association expects that every metropolitan area on the network would see explosive economic activity and job growth as a result of having access to 220-mph trains. Expanding these initial studies, and working closely with each of the metropolitan areas the system serves, will demonstrate new and innovative ways that investments in a truly “high speed” rail system will be repaid many times over in jobs tied to economic development in the new and emerging industries of the 21st century.

The support of state and municipal governments, economic development entities, the business community, and other stakeholders is vital in the Midwest High Speed Rail Association’s quest to define the benefits of a 220-mph rail network for the entire region and to set the foundation for a new century in the Midwest.