We’re on the verge of one of the largest infrastructure programs since the onset of the Interstate Highway System. 

The Biden Administration is talking anywhere between a $2.5 trillion and a $4 trillion package that would upgrade highways, bridges, railways, and much more. 

It’s hard to argue that many parts of the country need to upgrade roads and bridges. 

In my home state of Iowa, roughly 21% of bridges were structurally deficient in 2019. That’s the type of number that can keep you up at night if you’re driving quite a bit. 

Of course, the infrastructure will cost money, and the government will look for the easiest ways to generate revenue. That burden typically falls on the Middle Class. 

So, it wasn’t surprising to hear the Transportation Secretary float the idea of a higher tax on gasoline or the idea of a per-mileage tax on vehicles across the country. 

Now, I don’t get the logic behind raising money by taxing the activity on the infrastructure that you’re building. Taxes tend to reduce behavior and create marketplace friction.

Creating disincentives for the agricultural industry is the last thing that we need. We already have a labor shortage of truck drivers. We already have longer routes to move grain, more traffic, and longer lines that lead to idling and the burning of gasoline. 

So, I hope that they stick to their word and don’t put these per-mile taxes on our supply chains. 

That said, I want to stress that FOB and Digital Grain Elevator are committed to helping agricultural companies and farmers navigate whatever is thrown at them. 

FOB would be a very important tool in the face of higher costs and tighter margins. We use technology to help users be agile and address whatever is thrown their way. 

If gasoline or freight costs increase because of taxes or a driver shortage, we can help optimize your freight. 

We can help you be agile if the local ethanol plant idles or the soybean plant breaks down. 

We know the local elevator or cooperative might consolidate and close that convenient location you’ve used for years. 

We want to make it easier to manage your grain movement, reduce your costs, and adapt to the things you can’t control. 

Technology will continue to create trust, agility, and new opportunities in Rural America. We are putting in the work at a time that there appears to be more focus on cities. 

We hope you’ll continue to follow our work and each win that our customers experience along the way.

If you’re a farm operator or agribusiness struggling to effectively coordinate the movement of people, products, or equipment, we want to hear your story.

Call us anytime at 800-282-6081 or schedule a demo today.