Tigard Chamber of Commerce Urges No Vote on Measure 34-210

Tigard businesses need transit options!Efficient transportation is the lifeblood of commerce.  Without it, Tigard will be left behind economically.  35-40 % growth is projected in the SW Corridor through 2035. Access to transportation needs to increase with this growth to ensure a healthy business economy.  
The majority of chamber businesses surveyed think:
-More ways for people to get to their business besides car will help their business
-A high capacity transit option outside of the 99W corridor will benefit their business and Tigard
-Increased car traffic will hurt their business
This measure is not in the best interest of business or our economy.  Adding or widening roads will displace/disrupt more Tigard businesses than a high capacity option and will reduce the business tax base, affecting the future economic vitality of Tigard.  This measure will eliminate Tigard from discussions about road improvements and high capacity transit in the metro area, and severely decrease federal and state funding for transportation improvements. 
Reduce congestion and plan for growth.  Tigard is geographically positioned as a transportation and business hub in the metro area. More people live in and conduct business in Tigard than ever before, causing significant traffic congestion.  Understandably, residents cite congestion as their number one area of concern associated with growth. This is not the time to force the City of Tigard to step away from discussions about road improvements and high capacity transit.  Doing so would destroy the city’s ability to strategically plan for inevitable population increases and leave Tigard behind economically.  
Vote No on Measure 34-210.  It’s bad for business and bad for Tigard!
– Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce
 To learn more about congestion in Tigard visit www.stopcongestion.org