The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) has announced the start-up of the "Transportation Investment Advocacy Center" (TIAC), a first-of-its kind, dynamic education program and internet-based information resource. The program is aimed at helping private citizens, legislators, organizations and businesses successfully grow transportation infrastructure resources at the state and local levels through the legislative and ballot initiative processes.

The cornerstone of the new program is the website, www.transportationinvestment.org. ARTBA Chairman Doug Black says the site has been structured "so those interested in making action happen do not have to ’re-invent the wheel’ to mount successful campaigns." The idea, he said, is "to put in one place—and promote the sharing of—current strategies, sample political and communications tools, legislative and ballot initiative language, and information on where to obtain professional campaign advice, research and help."

The transportationinvestment.org site features 39 detailed case studies of recent transportation funding campaigns—both successful and unsuccessful—mounted in 28 states. It includes the actual television, radio and print ads, polling data, and media and coalition strategies used in the campaigns. The site features a blog, which will be updated regularly with new developments and economic-based research and messaging developed by ARTBA to help frame the political debate. An overview of funding and financing mechanisms utilized to support state and local transportation programs is also included.

Complementing the dynamic website site, the TIAC program includes an annual workshop to be held in Washington, D.C., and ongoing webinars for transportation investment advocates featuring case studies, best practices, and the latest in political and media strategies.

The inaugural "National Workshop for State & Local Transportation Advocates" will be held July 16 at the Washington Court Hotel on Capitol Hill. The workshop will be marketed to state and local chamber of commerce executives, state legislators, state and local transportation officials, "Better Roads & Transportation" group members, industry and labor executives, and leaders of state and local chapters of national organizations with an interest in transportation development programs.

The Transportation Investment Advocacy Center is a project of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association’s "Transportation Makes America Work!" (TMAW) program and funded through voluntary contributions and sponsorships. To become a sponsor or to make a contribution, contact TIAC staff directly through the website.

Established in 1902, ARTBA represents the U.S. transportation design and construction industry in the Nation’s Capital.

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