How collaboration drives globalization on the Agricultural Coast | Mary Lamie | TEDxStLouisWomen

Key Concepts - The "Ag Coast of America" is a 15-mile section on the Mississippi River in St Louis, moving the highest amount of grain by barge [1] - Collaboration among rail, river, roads, and runways is crucial for global commerce in the St Louis region [4][5] - The St Louis area functions as an agricultural coast, transporting crops globally [4] Transportation Efficiency & Cost - Optimizing the journey of corn from farm to kitchen table across different modes of transportation is a key focus [12] - Improved transportation efficiency can stabilize costs, such as air conditioning units [14] - Introducing a new international flight path from St Louis to Europe lowered the cost of jogging shoes [16] - Streamlining the movement of crude oil and coal can lower utility bills and gas prices [19][20] Infrastructure & Investment - A $230 million rail bridge replacement project was prioritized by the barge industry to enhance competitiveness through combined barge and rail rates [21] - Prioritizing infrastructure projects requires considering the impact on various industries, such as the barge industry's need for a rail bridge [20][21]