MIDLAND, Texas — The Midland Odessa Transportation Alliance, also known as MOTRAN, continues its course to bring road infrastructure to the Permian Basin.
On Monday, the Midland Development Corporation (MDC) unanimously approved the "Economic Development Agreement" with the nonprofit.
"It is an agreement for MOTRAN to pursue additional infrastructure funding for Midland and the Permian Basin to make sure that the road networks and the infrastructure here receive adequate attention from state funds," said Sara Harris, the executive director of the MDC.
According to the agenda, the total amount adds up to $142,500 for fiscal year 2024-2025. It's the same amount the MDC approved every fiscal year since 2022.
"For the MDC fiscal year, said funds to be used solely for the purpose of conducting the Economic Development Program as delineated in Exhibit B," as stated in the agenda.
Here's what's listed in Exhibit B:
INTERSTATES 14 & 27
• MOTRAN will continue efforts aimed at the development of the western segment of I-14 to the US 87/SH158/I-20 corridor, and a routing of I-27 which honors the original concept where the route serves both Midland and Odessa.
TRUCK PARKING
• Work with TxDOT and local truck stop owners to facilitate opportunities for enhanced truck parking to facilitate transportation and driver needs without creating problems for residential areas and other area businesses.
LOCAL LEVERAGE OPPORTUNITIES
• Work to recruit private sector investments in area infrastructure that can leverage additional state and federal investment.
BROADBAND AND TELECOM INFRASTRUCTURE
• Continue discussions with providers and promoting area growth and new market opportunities to potential providers
INCREASED TRANSMISSION CAPABILITIES
• Continue to support critical infrastructure like pipelines and election transmission necessary to support population growth and economic development activities
COMMERCIAL AIR SERVICE
• Continue discussions with carriers and promoting area growth and new market opportunities to potential providers
TELLING THE STORY OF THE PERMIAN BASIN
• Through the Permian Basin Coalition's (PBC) efforts, they will continue to provide demographic and economic data highlighting the needs and impact of the Permian Basin both to regional leaders and state leaders. In 2020-2021, the PBC expanded their current network to begin communicating this same data on the national/federal level as well.
The Economic Development Agreement between the MDC and MOTRAN takes effect on Oct. 22.