With great speed, much like the experience Northeast Maglev promises, an invitation to visit Japan to “see for yourself” turned into a reality as nearly a dozen Maryland-based Black business leaders, civil rights advocates and journalists ventured to Japan on Monday, July 29, 2024, to witness the cutting-edge transportation technology firsthand.
Initially mentioned in an exchange between Black business owners and Northeast Maglev at Coppin State University this past spring, this invitation became a ticket to discovery with a window to future opportunities. The journey highlights the crucial role of representation and inclusion in advancing the Northeast Maglev project and serves as a vital step in connecting technological innovation with community empowerment.
The delegation is powered through “jet-slag” to participate in a series of meetings and briefings with executives of the Central Japan Railway (JRC) to learn about the history of the company and its impact on the region’s growth. Perched in the daunting heights of Tokyo office towers, the group got a primer on the establishment of a major transportation hub driven by the development of Japan’s commuter rail system. Mid-week brought the first rider experience, boarding the Tokaido Shinkansen, a traditional high-speed rail line, between Shinagawa and Nagoya, Japan. In addition to the ride, they were hosted for a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) presentation in Nagoya.
Thursday morning offered an hour-long trip by van into Japan’s lush green mountain range to climb the platform for their ride on the Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (SCMAGLEV) train. The next day, an insider’s tour of the Kanagawa station construction site, the newest link in the route expansion, was provided.
Friday, the last day, included a brief time for cultural immersion with a visit to the old city in Tokyo, followed by a final meeting with a JRC Senior Vice President and his staff. The group was later hosted for lunch with the acting U.S. ambassador of Japan who shared the commitment to collaborating with the Japanese to bring this technology to the U.S. Throughout the trip, the delegation was treated to traditional Japanese fare prepared by some of Tokyo’s most coveted and highly rated culinary talents.
On Saturday, the group embarked on their return trip from Japan to Maryland, leaving with new insights on the potential the Northeast Maglev holds for supporting our region in its growth as a commercial and cultural metropolis.
The Northeast Maglev project, once completed, will revolutionize travel in the United States. With the train traveling at speeds exceeding 300 mph, passengers could travel from Washington, DC to New York in just about an hour, and the journey from Baltimore to DC would take a mere 15 minutes. This transformative project represents a significant leap forward in transportation technology and infrastructure development, potentially reshaping the Mid-Atlantic Corridor’s economic landscape.
With so much potential impact to the economic landscape, Northeast Maglev is diligent about ensuring that Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) members are aware and prepared to garner the government contracts that will help to bring this project to life. The company has committed to a goal of 40 percent or $4 billion in contracting opportunities for minority-owned firms for the $10 billion projected cost of the buildout.
This is evident in the upcoming Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) outreach event scheduled for September 25, 2024 in Prince George’s County at Bowie State University. This event, a follow-up to the highly successful MBE & WBE Outreach Breakfast held at Coppin State University in May 2024, will feature a panel of six experts from both the private and public sectors. These panelists, including participants from the Japan trip, will share their observations and insights, offering valuable guidance to minority business owners looking to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the Northeast Maglev project. Those interested in learning more and attending this MBE and WBE resource breakfast can visit: https://northeastmaglev.com/mbe-breakfast-2024/
For more information on the Northeast Maglev project and to stay updated on upcoming events, visit www.northeastmaglev.com.