U.S. 95 On Regional Group’S Agenda Highways Important At U.S.-Canada Summit

Strategies for funding U.S. Highway 95 improvements are on the agenda next week, when 200 political and business leaders gather in Post Falls.

The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region will kick off a three-day summit Sunday at Templin’s Resort.

Transportation, trade and tourism issues headline the event.

Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne will give a keynote address Monday evening, speaking on opportunities for regional cooperation.

The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region is modeled after the European Union. The 9-year-old organization was formed by the states of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Alaska. British Columbia, Alberta and the Yukon Territory are also members.

If the area was its own country, it would have the 11th largest economy in the world, said PNWER director Matt Morrison.

Trade routes with Canada will be discussed during Monday’s session. John Goedde of Coeur d’Alene, a longstanding chamber of commerce champion for Highway 95 improvements, will discuss priority areas.

Others will talk about the importance of U.S. Highways 395 and 97 to Canadian-U.S. trade.

“Canada is Spokane’s No. 1 trading partner,” said Jan Romerdahl, a U.S. Bank vice president and member of the International Trade Alliance in Spokane.

Improving the inland highways will help ease truck congestion on Interstate 5, she said.

Regional and international cooperation are key in securing federal dollars for roadwork, Morrison said. The intent of PNWER meetings is to reach consensus, so funding requests can proceed with broad support, he said.

For instance, a 24-hour border crossing on Highway 395 is a priority for both U.S. and Canadian officials, Romerdahl said.

Regional leaders will devote two days to discussing agricultural issues ranging from cattle to potatoes.

The meeting wraps up Tuesday with a discussion of the Lewis and Clark bicentennial, and opportunities for cross-border tourism.