About AANW
May 2022
Purpose and Mission
All Aboard Northwest (AANW) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit public policy advocacy and action organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Northwest region, extending from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Northwest: Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
AANW believes that a comprehensive, long-distance, passenger and freight rail network, with seamless connections to other modes of transportation throughout the Greater Northwest will create significant benefits to the region’s economy, environment and equity.
Vision
A national transportation network that
- Provides seamless, door-to-door connectivity to everyone in the region; and
- Offers economic, environmental and equity benefits to all, including low-income, tribal, disability and rural communities, locations where transportation alternatives are limited, and those who cannot drive
Opportunities
The Greater Northwest region must take advantage of today’s opportunities:
- Unprecedented federal funding available for transportation alternatives
- Growing state and local interest in rail and active transportation
- Climate, local economic development, and equity pressures
- Existing rail, road, and urban infrastructure available
Challenges and Needs
Decisions regarding rail are made not only in Washington DC, but also in state capitols throughout the country. In DC, there is excellent representation from the Rail Passengers Association and other groups. But they cannot have a presence in every state capitol. Some states rely on small, volunteer advocacy organizations, while other locations have no organizations at all. Thus, supporters of passenger rail do not have as loud a voice as users of other modes, not because their needs are less important, but because they do not have strong, professional groups representing them. AANW provides the Greater Northwest region with the advocacy it needs.
How AANW Can Achieve the Vision
All Aboard Northwest advocates for the needs of rail passengers, especially on a regional scale over state lines, and coordinates with infrastructure and transportation interests to strengthen relationships between existing groups to bring economic, environmental, and equity benefits to our citizens.
AANW’s small staff conducts outreach, education, engagement, and coordination of stakeholders to build an effective coalition to bring about new and enhanced services throughout the region. AANW provides professional content, training and technical assistance to existing advocacy groups, while enhancing their message in locations not currently served. AANW’s efforts do not duplicate ongoing efforts at the local and state level.
Engage Local Communities
Share the benefits of rail throughout the region by:
- Conducting “Train Trek” series of community meetings, and presentations to service clubs and business groups
- Soliciting support and donations from local activists
- Soliciting support letters
- Generating media coverage
- Organizing publicity events
Educate and Energize Elected Officials, Business & Local Leaders
Advocate for interactivity between rail and all other modes through:
- Educational “Whistle Stop” events for state legislators
- Formal testimony and informal meetings with Federal, state and local elected officials
Unite Coalitions of Stakeholders on a Regional Level
Enhance coalitions by educating and coordinating activities among a broad group of stakeholders, including environment, economic development, equity, labor and health groups, together with organizations representing rail, port, transit and other transportation modes.
AANW’s 2022 Activities
During 2022, AANW’s primary focus is to help the Greater Northwest region take advantage of opportunities from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
- Cascades Service Development Plan Community Outreach
- North Coast Hiawatha BIL 22214 Study Community Outreach
- Pioneer BIL 22214 Study Community Outreach
- 2022 Collegiate Train Trek
- 2022 North-South Train Trek
- PNWER Summit, Calgary, AB
- Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit, Billings, MT
- Whistle Stop, WA
- Whistle Stop, OR
Goals for 2023 and Beyond
- Create a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Passenger Rail Working Group (modeled on the successful Gulf Coast Working Group) to investigate new and restored passenger rail service throughout the region, identifying a completed network vision, with understanding of multi-modal, intermodal, connections through funding available in the BIL Sec. 22214.
- Implement long-term economically-viable, user-friendly, non-automobile transportation services through the region on a core passenger rail system: Seamless transportation.
- Create a sustaining moment for better passenger rail and multi-modal transportation (and infrastructure investment more broadly) for the economy, environment and equity of our citizens.
Be a Founding Sponsor
Help us share economic, environmental and equity benefits with underserved communities.
- Your logo will be featured in advertising, email promotion, website, and virtual platforms
- You will be recognized in our online and in-person events
- Complimentary registrations available to events and virtual programming
Leadership Contacts
For more information, contact:
Dan Bilka
[email protected]
Charlie Hamilton
[email protected]
Patrick Carnahan
[email protected]