Inland waterways, like the Tennessee-Tombigbee, provide myriad benefits to the Nation’s economy and its impacted region. For examples:

Water is the preferred mode to transport large volumes of commodities and bulk-type products for long distances. These cost savings help greatly expand markets for U.S. shippers and decrease production costs for those manufacturing operations served by the waterway;

Heavy, capital-intensive industries that use large amounts of raw materials typically locate on waterways to take advantage of economical barge rates. Most of these plants employ skilled workers at higher wages that help improve the region’s standard of living;

Some waterways provide supplemental water supplies to industries and municipalities.The availability of water is becoming a deterrent to continued growth in some regions of the nation: and,

Unique recreation and tourism opportunities offered by a waterway help grow the local economy by creating small business ventures, such as marinas, restaurants and other accommodations.        
        
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