RITA may soon meet with U.S. Transportation Secretary

Members of the Regional Intermodal Transportation Authority (RITA) may soon have a chance to take their short- and long-term funding needs directly to the top of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

During a Tuesday morning (April 6) presentation in Fort Smith by the authority to U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., Mat Pitsch told Lincoln of the possibility of a direct meeting with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Pitsch, intermodal project manager for the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District, was showing Lincoln some of the projects to be funded if a $5 million federal request is approved and combined with $3 million in local funding.

The meeting may come courtesy of a connection between LaHood and Steve Clark. Clark is employed by Peoria, Ill.-based S.E. Clark & Associates, a company that helps communities, businesses and organizations with federal grant writing and development services for public and affordable housing. Clark is now working with the Fort Smith Housing Authority, and said he has watched with interest the regional efforts to improve transportation infrastructure.

RITA was formed in August 2009 with the broad goal to maximize the use of all forms of transportation — rail, barge, air, interstate — so as to reduce shipping costs and increase service options for regional business and industries.

Clark said he and LaHood have known and worked with each other for at least 20 years. He said during a recent private dinner event that he briefly explained to LaHood what was happening in the Fort Smith area and asked if LaHood would want to meet with RITA officials.

“He didn’t hesitate and said I should have them get in touch,” Clark said.

Clark said he visits many communities a year and sees in the Fort Smith area “a lot of opportunities and a lot of people working together on those (opportunities)” and believes LaHood will be impressed with what the region is doing and has accomplished. Clark said part of LaHood’s job is to direct federal dollars to projects that can create jobs almost immediately.

“That’s what we’re hoping to do, to get him as excited about the area as we are,” Clark explained. “Right now, large projects are being approved and funded, so if we’ve got a story to tell and the story is as impressive as other projects around the country, then this is a chance to get on that (funding) list.”

After the Tuesday morning meeting, Pitsch said a meeting with LaHood would include the potential for the region to be an important national freight hub and would include one other important project.

“You can bet I-49 will be pushed,” Pitsch said. “You don’t go to that (level) and not mention (I-49).”

Clark said he and Pitsch will work on a “window of time” that is convenient for LaHood, Lincoln, and U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers.

LaHood, a Republican, served 14 years (1995-2009) in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Peoria and other cities in 18th District of Illinois. His Congressional tenure included serving on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. Before his election to Congress, LaHood was the chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Robert Michel, a Republican, whom he succeeded in representing the 18th District.