Unless I missed something, the article said $461 million per year (See below). So if it’s going to make that much money per year and that’s “independent of supply and demand” then why should the U.S tax payer help fund the project? (I believe you said that gov would find 75% of the cost…edit: it was another responder actually). And if it reduces carrying costs for other goods then that seems like more reason for companies to cover the costs (imo)
> Digging the depth of the lower Mississippi from 45' to 50' could generate $461 million annually for the U.S. soybean industry — independent of supply and demand.
> So if it’s going to make that much money per year and that’s “independent of supply and demand” then why should the U.S tax payer help fund the project?
Because growing the economy by $461 million a year grows the economy and hence tax receipts, which then can be spent on good things or on reducing taxes. Note that that’s $461 million for one industry. Reducing shipping costs has benefits that accrue to everyone who uses goods that are shipped on internal waterways or sells them, i.e. everybody. Doing things that benefit everyone is very much in the bailiwick of the government.
