A wildfire in northern California has forced closures onto Interstate 5; with the closures to the interstate, it poses a challenge of resiliency for Sacramento area businesses.
Roads and infrastructure are vital to economies. They operate as pathways for both goods and people to enter and exit the Sacramento area. I-5 connects Sacramento to multiple import ports, like Oakland and San Jose.
“…I think that there is no questioning that, especially when it comes to our commerce and our local economy, it [I-5] is very important and very vital,” said Erika Bjork, Brand Strategy and Communications Officer with the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “It’s something that we need to keep moving commerce, people, and product on in order to have our growing economy here in Sacramento.”
The interstate also serves a critical need for agricultural producers, especially during harvest time.
“We’re in the midst of tomato season, so, every time you see those trucks out there, there’s an impact to that,” Bjork said. “Two of the five major counties that help distribute tomatoes during this time are Yolo and San Joaquin, so it’s important that they have access to get their products out there.”
“We have about $2 billion worth of agricultural products produced and shared within our region. Obviously, they don’t remain here. They flow out.”
Disasters pose a matter of resiliency for businesses
“Most businesses don’t have the capabilities or the capital, especially our small businesses, to carry through in crisis like this,” Bjork said.
Some businesses are not able to weather issues like prolonged road closures to vital roads. According to Bjork, a business's resiliency comes into play when ripple effects from natural disasters occur and during economic downturns.
Addressing the impact of ripple effects, Bjork discussed the impacts of an earthquake in Silicon Valley and the questions of what happens to business necessities like internet, servers, and telecommunications. She believes that in a time where more natural disasters could occur, these are the kinds of conservations that need to be had to help businesses.
“Those I think are bigger conversations that, as a business community, is important and vital to have to ensure that we have some of those systems in place to support our businesses,” Bjork added.