Ensure our transportation networks are built and maintained to withstand the harshest winter conditions, guaranteeing consistent mobility and safety.
Protect the flow of goods and services by safeguarding logistics and distribution channels against winter weather disruptions.
Keep businesses open and commerce moving, preventing the significant financial losses caused by winter-related road closures.
Advocate for proactive policies and investments that prepare the entire nation for winter, transforming a seasonal threat into a manageable challenge.
Each winter, snow and ice threaten more than just mobility—they threaten local economies. When roads are impassable, businesses shutter, supply chains stall, and critical services are delayed. A single day of severe road closure due to winter weather can cost a state between $300 million and $1 billion in lost economic activity.
From small businesses and logistics firms to hospitals and manufacturers, organizations across the country depend on safe, open roads to operate efficiently. Winter road maintenance is not just a public safety issue—it is a cornerstone of economic resilience.
Many states face chronic underfunding in winter operations, leading to reactive rather than preventative maintenance. Insufficient salt stockpiles, outdated equipment, and workforce shortages leave roadways—and the businesses that rely on them—vulnerable to shutdowns.
Key decisions about snow removal, deicing strategies, and infrastructure funding often exclude the business community. Chambers of Commerce and winter-dependent industries are rarely consulted—despite bearing the brunt of economic disruption.
Many jurisdictions lack the tools or protocols to notify businesses of winter impacts in real time, making it difficult to adapt or respond effectively.
For small businesses, especially in retail, food service, and healthcare, even a single snow day can result in significant financial loss. Extended closures during severe storms can threaten long-term viability.
From farm-to-market goods to critical medical supplies, delayed shipments caused by unmaintained roads impact entire sectors. According to the American Transportation Research Institute, delays in freight movement during winter weather contribute to higher operating costs and reduced service reliability.
The Open Roads for Business initiative unites local business leaders, state chambers, economic development coalitions, and public officials to ensure winter preparedness is treated as an economic priority—not just a public works function.
Support legislation and policies that guarantee consistent investment in salt, equipment, training, and staffing—well ahead of winter’s arrival.
Establish formal pathways for Chambers of Commerce and industry groups to participate in transportation planning, emergency coordination, and infrastructure investment decisions.
From trucking and tourism to agriculture and healthcare—America’s economy runs on open roads. Winter readiness is not optional. NCFOR invites business leaders and chambers across the country to join the movement to strengthen our winter infrastructure and protect local prosperity.
Open roads are vital arteries of American commerce. When plows stop, productivity halts. It’s time to align winter maintenance strategy with economic reality—and ensure that every snowstorm doesn’t become a shutdown.
From trucking and tourism to agriculture and healthcare—America’s economy runs on open roads. Winter readiness is not optional. NCFOR invites business leaders and chambers across the country to join the movement to strengthen our winter infrastructure and protect local prosperity.
Open roads are vital arteries of American commerce. When plows stop, productivity halts. It’s time to align winter maintenance strategy with economic reality—and ensure that every snowstorm doesn’t become a shutdown.
