St. Louis Pushing For China Cargo Hub
Fox 2
November 1, 2010
By John Brown
The Gateway to the West continues to make a push to become the Gateway to the Far East. More major meetings are taking place in St. Louis this week with Chinese business leaders, as the region gets closer to landing the much talked about Midwest China Cargo Hub.
There have been several years of high level negotiations since at least 2008 between the two sides' major players. We do hear that the Chinese delegation loves Lambert Airport and the capacity it has to expand import and export. They are also enthusiastic about the capacity available at Mid America Airport near Belleville, Illinois.
Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill says this hub, could create a problem at Lambert Airport. But it's a problem most people would like like to see. "I'd like once again for us to dream of a congestion problem at Lambert, she says." "I'd like to see direct international passenger flights again at Lambert." McCaskilll also believes we will see direct flights to China as soon as next year.
Senator Bond agrees, that this potential deal will be a huge boost for the entire region. "The china hub makes St. Louis and the St. Louis region a player in the trade and investment and commerce with china." Bond points out that the interest from China shows that St. Louis has a strong future and this deal means more jobs and economic activity for the entire region.
The delegation is meeting Monday at Lambert, then at other location including MoDOT headquarters in Town and Country. They are taking a closer look at our region's infrastructure and the capacity to move goods efficiently and effectively.
