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Letter: Inland port won’t help rural communities

(Francisco Kjolseth  |  Tribune file photo) A map shows the extensive boundary of the planned Inland Port development, displayed during a press conference at the Utah Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020.

(Francisco Kjolseth | Tribune file photo) A map shows the extensive boundary of the planned Inland Port development, displayed during a press conference at the Utah Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020.

I was fascinated by the Utah Inland Port Authority meeting on Dec 2, which featured many articulate speakers from the Wasatch Front and from rural counties. One amazing thing was how rural commissioners are so grateful for attention from the board. They don’t realize what a scam they are being sold.

The satellite ports were never part of the plan until public opposition exploded in their ears. If Utah officials are so concerned about rural populations, why didn’t they fund rural broadband, better schools and health care decades ago?

The rural commissioners will be disappointed to discover they serve only to say positive things about UIPA. There will be none of the fantasy benefits promised. Just more pollution, death and climate catastrophe. And still no jobs for their kids.

Jill Merritt, Salt Lake City

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