October 6, 2017

Secretary Elaine Chao
US Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590

Letter of Support — TIGER Grant Funding for I-10/Avenue 50 Interchange (Coachella, California)

The Honorable Secretary Chao,

Please accept this letter in support of the FY2017 TIGER Grant application for a new interchange at Interstate 10/Avenue 50 (Coachella, California). The proposed project will complete a connection between State Route 86, a NAFTA corridor identified on the Priority Freight Network (PFN), and Interstate 10. The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce and it’s 1,300+ members strongly support the advancement of commerce and community development in our valley and believe this project would be beneficial to the community of Coachella, a traditionally underserved area of development.

This new connection will spur economic growth, reduce double digit unemployment, improve mobility and encourage ongoing private investment. Funding for construction of a new interchange connection at Interstate 10 is vital. Planning, engineering and environmental clearances are underway and are 100% locally funded.
If the TIGER grant funding is approved, federal dollars yield a 12 to 19x return on investment based upon the Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) methodology. Dr. John Husing, a noted regional economist, completed a study in 2014 estimating substantial economic benefit with this new Interstate connection as a catalyst for opportunity. Dr. Husing predicts the interchange could produce the following through 2040:
14,800+ new jobs
$780+ million in labor income
$2.4 billion in retail sales

We support this project and the growing list of prominent supporters. Your assistance and support for this worthy project is appreciated. Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact our Community Development Officer Patrick Swarthout at 760.347.0676.
With Regards,

Patrick Swarthout
Community Development Officer
Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce
www.GCVCC.org

About the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce was created in 2016 in cooperation with the former Cathedral City, Coachella, La Quinta, and Indio Chambers, along with the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians and Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. It enhances and significantly improves the way businesses interact with each other and the community in the entire Coachella Valley. As a Regional Chamber, the GCVCC delivers services and benefits to its members on a scope not seen before in the area.