Johnson Accepts Peters’ Invitation to Visit the Northern Border

Washington – Today, U.S. Representative Gary Peters was pleased to announce that Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson will be visiting Michigan to discuss the importance of constructing proposed customs plazas at high volume trade crossings like the Detroit-Windsor border. Peters, who has been leading efforts for federal funding of the New International Trade Crossing (NITC) customs plaza, invited Secretary Johnson to visit the Northern Border in January and is looking forward to working with the Secretary to make customs plazas in Michigan a national priority.

Peters said, “If we harness Michigan's strategic location and talented workforce, we can transform our state into a transportation and logistics hub that will boost trade, create jobs and strengthen our state’s and our nation's economy. I look forward to welcoming Secretary Johnson to our great state so that we can have a productive discussion about constructing and expanding customs plazas at critical sites like the New International Trade Crossing. Canada remains one of our most important trading partners, and projects like these will expand our international cooperation and commerce and create thousands of jobs here in Michigan."

Peters expects to convene a roundtable discussion with Secretary Johnson and other local leaders and stakeholders to discuss the importance of these projects and the best steps going forward to secure funding.

In February, Peters introduced the Customs Plaza Construction Act of 2014 , to construct Federal Customs Plazas at critical trade crossings like the New International Trade Crossing (NITC) at the U.S. – Canada border and Port Huron. Peters’ legislation prioritizes funding for trade crossings with the highest trade volume by value of shipments, including exports and imports. The Detroit – Windsor crossing and Port Huron crossing rank number two and four, respectively, in trade volume for land ports of entry in the United States. Peters’ measure seeks to fund these critical customs plazas on the northern border to increase trade, create jobs and grow the economy in the state of Michigan. Funding for both the Detroit and Port Huron border crossings would be prioritized with passage of Rep. Peters’ measure.

The proposed NITC calls for a six-lane bridge spanning the Detroit River between Detroit and Windsor, enhancing a vital trade corridor by linking I-75 and I-94 in Michigan to Highway 401 in Ontario. The Government of Canada has agreed to fund construction and land acquisition of the $2.1 billion project, per an agreement with the State of Michigan to be repaid by tolls. This project will play a critical role in creating jobs throughout the Midwest and increasing U.S. exports.

The Peters’ measure to fund the critical infrastructure project has received support from Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Farm Bureau, the Michigan Manufacturers Association and Business Leaders for Michigan. Since introduction, the Peters’ measure has been cosponsored by Michigan Reps. John Dingell, John Conyers, Dan Kildee and Sander Levin. The bill was also endorsed in letters of support by Grand Rapids Mayor George K. Heartwell and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).

Peters is Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Canada and a member of the House Financial Services Committee. He has made it a top priority to facilitate greater trade and tourism between the United States and Canada. Recognizing Canada as our number one trade and tourism partner, Peters has advanced several initiatives to strengthen relations between the greater Detroit region and Windsor and support hundreds of thousands of jobs.

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