Why a Tampa Bay container company showed up on Capitol Hill — and why it matters for Florida. Let’s talk about our advocacy for freight infrastructure.
Summary
A American Container officially joined the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) to lobby for federal freight funding in Washington, D.C. The mission focused on reversing a 50% erosion in freight infrastructure purchasing power caused by inflation since 2021.
Key Legislative Priorities:
- Funding Correction: Advocating for a minimum 50% increase in federal freight investment to offset inflationary losses.
- Process Reform: Streamlining the federal discretionary grant process to assist smaller agencies and private stakeholders in competing for complex multimodal projects.
- USDOT Restructuring: Elevating the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy to centralize and improve project oversight.
- Solvency Crisis: Addressing the closing window for Highway Trust Fund stability before the next reauthorization cycle.
Stakeholder Impact:
Represented the Tampa Bay supply chain alongside Port Tampa Bay and Florida East Coast Railway. Demonstrated that infrastructure health directly dictates the cost and speed of local container delivery for construction and retail sectors.
Most people do not think of a portable storage and shipping container company when they picture a day on Capitol Hill. But you should care about how goods move through Florida, and how the freight infrastructure behind that movement gets funded. And having a seat at the table matters more than you might think.
That is exactly why Jordan and I traveled to Washington, D.C. for the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) annual meeting. This was our second year attending, and our first as official CAGTC members. The conversations we had with lawmakers reinforced exactly why we made that commitment.
What is CAGTC and Why Should You Care?
CAGTC is a national coalition of more than 60 public and private organizations. These orgs are dedicated to increasing federal investment in multimodal freight infrastructure. Essentially, CAGTC brings together ports, railroads, transportation agencies, engineering firms, and companies like ours to push for smarter federal policies. Smarter policies keep goods moving efficiently across the country.
A American Container and Trailer Leasing. Inc. is a proud, first-year member of this coalition. We attended last year’s annual meeting and knew right away that CAGTC was an organization we wanted to be part of. This year, we made it official. We are now right there on the roster alongside Port Tampa Bay, the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida East Coast Railway, and dozens of other organizations that understand how critical freight infrastructure is to our economy.
Every wonder why your packages arrive on time, why construction materials show up at the job site, or why grocery store shelves stay stocked? Freight infrastructure is the answer. And right now, that infrastructure needs attention.
The Public Day: Setting the Stage
The annual meeting kicked off on Wednesday, April 22, with CAGTC’s Public Day program. After sign-in and breakfast, the morning session got underway, and it started strong.
Congressman David Rouzer of North Carolina, Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, delivered keynote remarks. His comments carried extra weight because a House Surface Transportation Authorization markup was targeted for the following week. In other words, the very legislation that shapes how freight infrastructure gets funded was about to be debated and refined, and we were hearing from one of the key decision-makers in the room.
The morning program also covered CAGTC’s three core priorities heading into the surface transportation reauthorization cycle.
These are the big-picture issues the coalition is advocating for on behalf of all its members:
First, increasing funding for freight infrastructure programs. Since 2021, federal funding for freight investment has eroded by more than 50 percent due to inflation. CAGTC is calling for a funding increase of at least 50 percent across all investment programs available to freight and goods movement infrastructure. That is not a wish list item; it is a baseline correction to keep pace with what inflation has already taken away.
Second, improving and streamlining the federal grant process. Discretionary grants are essential for the kinds of large, complex, multimodal freight projects that do not fit neatly into traditional formula funding. But the application process has become increasingly complicated and burdensome, making it harder for smaller agencies and organizations to compete. CAGTC is pushing for simpler, more standardized processes that give everyone a fair shot.
Third, elevating the role of the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy within the U.S. Department of Transportation. This office has the expertise and the mandate to oversee freight grant programs. However, in practice, much of that responsibility has remained scattered across other offices. Strengthening the Freight Office means better coordination and better outcomes for freight projects nationwide.
These priorities are not abstract policy positions. They have real implications for the ports, railroads, highways, and storage facilities that keep Florida’s economy moving. This includes the containers we deliver to job sites, businesses, and homeowners across Tampa Bay every single day.
Meeting with Florida’s Senators about freight infrastructure
After the morning program, it was time for the Hill meetings. Jordan and I were assigned to the Florida delegation, and we focused our time on meetings with our state’s two U.S. Senators.
We met with Senator Ashley Moody and Senator Rick Scott, both members of the Homeland Security Committee. Both meetings included the Senators themselves along with their top aides, which gave us the opportunity to speak directly about how federal freight policy impacts businesses on the ground in Tampa Bay. The conversations were engaging, and it was clear that Florida’s freight needs are on their radar. Canaveral Port Authority led both meetings where we were joined by representatives from Port Tampa Bay and Florida East Coast Railway. This created a strong Florida team that could speak to freight needs from multiple perspectives.
Having A American Container in the room alongside major port authorities and a Class II railroad sends a clear message. Freight infrastructure is not just about the big players. It is about the entire supply chain, from the port where a container comes off the ship, to the yard where we store and maintain our fleet. And then to the job site or business where that container ends up serving a customer in Clearwater, Brandon, or Sarasota.
On the House Side
“The window to fix the Highway Trust Fund while it is still solvable is closing, and the decisions Congress makes in this reauthorization cycle will have lasting consequences.”
Dr. Angie Payne, CEO, A American Container
The House of Representatives was in session for votes on the day of our Hill meetings, which meant we met with legislative staff rather than the Members of Congress themselves. That is completely normal on Capitol Hill. Schedules shift constantly, and the staff members we spoke with were knowledgeable and engaged.
Meeting with staff is actually one of the most productive things you can do during a Hill visit. These are the people who brief Members on policy details, draft legislation, and follow up on constituent concerns. Building relationships with them is just as valuable as shaking hands with the Member.
The 25th Anniversary Celebration
This year marked CAGTC’s 25th anniversary, and the coalition celebrated with a reception and dinner on Wednesday evening. It was a chance to connect with fellow members from across the country, swap stories, and reflect on how far the coalition has come in advocating for freight infrastructure investment. The suggested dress code was business attire with a pop of “CAGTC green”. This was a nice touch that showed this coalition does not take itself too seriously, even when the work is serious.
A Quick Look at the Highway Trust Fund
On Thursday morning, CAGTC held its Board and Membership meetings. One of the highlights was a presentation by Jeff Davis of the Eno Center for Transportation on their latest report examining the Highway Trust Fund’s solvency challenges. The takeaway? The window to fix the Highway Trust Fund while it is still solvable is closing, and the decisions Congress makes in this reauthorization cycle will have lasting consequences.
For companies like ours that depend on well-maintained roads and highways to deliver containers across the Tampa Bay region and beyond, the health of the Highway Trust Fund is not an academic topic. It is the foundation of the infrastructure we use every single day.
A Little Bit of History Before Heading Home
Jordan and I had a few hours before our flight home, so we made the most of it. We toured the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress, and both were incredibly impressive. There is something about standing in those buildings, surrounded by that much history and purpose, that puts everything into perspective. The work that happens in Washington shapes the policies and investments that trickle down to every corner of the country. Including our corner of Tampa Bay.
Why This Matters for Tampa Bay | freight infrastructure
“Freight infrastructure is not just about the big players. It is about the entire supply chain, from the port where a container comes off the ship to the yard where we store and maintain our fleet…”
Dr. Angie Payne, CEO, A American Container
You might be wondering: why does a container company from Tampa need to fly to Washington and meet with Senators?
Because the freight infrastructure that supports our business, and the businesses of our customers, does not fund itself. Federal investment decisions determine whether highways get repaired, whether ports get expanded, and whether rail connections get improved. Those decisions affect how quickly and affordably we can deliver a container. Whether that’s to a construction site in Ybor City, a retail operation in Bradenton, or a school in Hillsborough County.
At A American Container, we have been serving the Tampa Bay area since 1998. We know this market, we know these roads, and we know what it takes to get a container where it needs to be. But we also know that our ability to keep doing that depends on infrastructure that is funded, maintained, and modernized.
That is why we show up. That is why we became members of CAGTC this year. And that is why we will keep making the trip to Washington whenever there is an opportunity to speak up for the freight infrastructure that keeps Florida moving.
Have questions about our containers, our services, or our industry involvement? We are
always happy to talk. Call us at (813) 740-1911.