Resilient Supply Chains: Keeping Northwest Goods Moving
Since the launch of our program in 2022, the PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator has applied innovative financing tools to complex transportation projects in corridors and gateways in the Pacific Northwest – a region that’s both geographically diverse and remarkably multimodal. This region-wide approach to advancing infrastructure is a core part of our mission, and has shaped Build Northwest and our other three program areas. Now, we’re expanding one of these areas to take a broader look at the supply chains that connect industries, communities and economies across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. This new focus will explore innovative approaches to strengthening supply chains, reducing transportation costs and integrating energy hubs along major corridors.
Taking Stock: The Northwest Supply Chain Network
Strong regional supply chains are especially vital in the Pacific Northwest, where a rich variety of commodities – timber, seafood, wheat, apples, airplanes and electronics – are produced and distributed globally. Movement of these goods relies on seamless connections between rail lines, highways, waterways, logistics hubs and ports across multiple states. Our region’s commodities not only power economies here at home, but also in key trading destinations, like PNWER’s member provinces and territories in western Canada. Binational integrated supply chains serve as critical connection points for North American products to both upstream and downstream markets.
Blending public and private investment in these systems unlocks tremendous potential to lower transportation costs, dampen inflation and create manufacturing and processing job opportunities. In a time when global supply chains are increasingly impacted by shifting trade policies, regional logistics networks are more important than ever. These regional links enable more streamlined operations and quicker movement of our hometown commodities to the global market.
Agriculture and other manufactured commodities play a central role in the region’s economy. Let’s take a closer look at some of the commodities that rely on seamless supply chains to reach their final destinations:
Build Northwest: Innovative Supply Chains
Our supply chain program – overseen by the Build Northwest Council of state policymakers and industry leaders – was born out of our previous work in the innovative trucking space. Here’s what we’ve learned: in shifting trade environments, building resilient supply chains takes enduring public and private investment–not only to keep goods moving reliably for carriers and consumers, but also to nurture a skilled, regional workforce. As a technical assistance and convening entity, the PNWER RIA takes a unique approach to infrastructure investment by bringing stakeholders together across borders, blending public and private capital, and applying innovative financing tools to tackle tough infrastructure challenges.
Our Current Projects
Umpqua Indian Development Corporation Truck Parking Facilities | Oregon
The Umpqua Indian Development Corporation (UIDC) has a large truck stop operation in rural Oregon, including an 8-acre property for rest and overnighting for approximately 200 trucks. Located on I-5 on Exit 99, an average of 5,000 medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) trucks pass the truck stop daily.
The PNWER RIA works with partners throughout Oregon, including Oregon Department of Transportation and Indigenous Resilience, to analyze innovative financing opportunities to support the development of truck parking, reservation systems and existing refueling infrastructure for medium-and heavy-duty vehicles.
St. Regis Hydrogen Mobility Hub | Montana
The St. Regis Two River Travel Center provides services and parking for light and heavy-duty vehicles along the I-90 corridor. Approximately 2.5 million visitors travel through St. Regis annually, as it serves as the shortest route to Glacier National Park from the West Coast.
The town of St. Regis was selected as part of the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub by the Department of Energy in 2023, which is driving continued efforts to advance St. Regis as an innovative technology refueling center. The PNWER RIA supports St. Regis and the Two River Travel Center in evaluating opportunities for federal and private financing to support the expansion of existing commercial vehicle fueling facilities.
Informing Policy Decisions
The PNWER RIA team helps inform state policy decisions by sharing research, educational modules and lessons learned from our regional coordination work.
Supply Chain Competitiveness Infrastructure Program | Washington
SB5649 creates a supply chain infrastructure program that would fund critical infrastructure projects that increase supply chain competitiveness, including through public ports, ground and maritime facilities, warehouses, manufacturing facilities and final destinations.
PNWER RIA Director Bruce Agnew testified before the Senate and House transportation committees on this bill, emphasizing that stacking state funds with federal infrastructure and supply chain legislation helps Pacific Northwest supply chains remain competitive. He also testified that the program would enable the PNWER RIA to support integrating Washington’s supply chain with more partners in neighboring states and provinces.
Trains & Tracks 101 | Oregon
Our Trains and Tracks 101 information session is designed to educate policymakers in the five-state region on how the blended freight and passenger rail system functions, emphasizing opportunities to target public and private investments to realize a more efficient, equitable and sustainable rail system for the Pacific Northwest.
In February, we presented the first Trains and Tracks 101 module to the Oregon Joint Committee on Transportation. We showcased a concept we call High Performance Rail – a hand in glove approach to securing joint public and private investments in grade separations, short line railroads, intermodal and transload facilities, and passenger rail infrastructure. Taken together, High Performance Rail prioritizes strong supply chains by reducing bottlenecks and moving freight faster, while simultaneously expanding passenger rail service for communities and reducing on-road emissions.
Bringing Regional Leaders to the Table
Building resilient regional supply chains requires collaboration from everyone involved, with growers, manufacturers, shippers, ports, policymakers and decisionmakers convening in common cause. The Greater Northwest Rail Summit, which we co-hosted in 2024 with All Aboard Northwest, brought these leaders together across sectors and state lines. Creating spaces for policymakers, rail and supply chain leaders to discuss priorities and opportunities reinforces the value of cooperation in driving real progress. Looking to get involved? Reach out to us on our contact form.
Join the Conversation!
Save the Date: PNWER Cross-Border Supply Chain Resilience & FIFA World Cup Transportation and Emergency Planning Workshop
June 3-4, 2025
Bellingham, Washington
This meeting will bring together key stakeholders from the federal, state/provincial and local governments, and the private sector to better respond to supply chain disruptions, plan for transportation capacity and examine coordination opportunities for emergency management between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. More information to come.
Register Today: PNWER Annual Summit
July 20-24, 2025
Bellevue, Washington
Policymakers, business leaders and academics from the U.S. and Canada will gather in Bellevue, Washington, for PNWER's 34th Annual Summit to share information, strengthen partnerships, and discuss regional economic best practices and trade concerns.
This year's event is themed Building a Resilient Future Through Regional Collaboration, Innovation, and Trade. The summit’s Build Northwest transportation track will highlight emerging innovations in transportation infrastructure, showcase key opportunities for regional supply chains and trade corridors, and feature numerous networking opportunities with key decision makers. Find more information and register today at www.pnwer.org/2025-summit.
Save the Date: Build Northwest Forum & Pacific Northwest Rail Summit
October 14-17, 2025
Portland, Oregon
The PNWER Build Northwest Forum is co-locating with the Pacific Northwest Rail Summit in Portland, OR, October 14-17, 2025. The Build Northwest Forum will kick off on October 14 with insights on strengthening cross-border supply chains within the PNWER region. October 15-17 will feature panel discussions with industry experts and policymakers around innovative energy transmission infrastructure and strategies to enhance our region’s freight and passenger rail network – including opportunities to revitalize Portland’s historic Union Station. Stay tuned for additional details.
