An easy question, to be sure.  But in many opinion circles, a certain theory is gaining traction, and it goes something like this:  We all know that the world is round, but given technological advances, the movement of goods and ideas and cultural expression is easier than ever.  Consider it a level playing field that is, at its most fundamental, a flat surface.

This way, straight lines of delivery are achieved, rather than zigzag processes that are time-consuming and inefficient.  This is what is meant by the “flat” idea, and it’s an interesting way to look at our region as never before.

This comes to mind today reading an article in the Riverside Press-Enterprise detailing that region’s extensive and continuing efforts to get their share (or is that more than their share?) of the more than $2 billion in transportation bond money the State of California will soon divide up.  Hmmm … what do they know that we don’t?  And what does this have to do with us?

Simple:  If our region wants to receive what it is entitled to in bond money, it had better get as organized, streamlined and prioritized as our competitors.  Because I suspect they are already far ahead.  No longer do we enjoy any advantage based upon our unrivaled agricultural industries.  Places like the Inland Empire – which has never been anything resembling a major population or political force in California – have their sights set on our share by advancing the idea of trade corridors connected to ports.

Here’s a clip from the Press-Enterprise:

The California Transportation Commission decided Thursday that $2 billion in funds from Prop. 1B should be distributed between four major transportation routes across the state used to transport goods. One of those "trade corridors" begins at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and cuts through both Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

That means the Inland counties will get the benefit of having larger counties -- including Los Angeles and Orange -- on their side when trying to ensure that the Southern California corridor receives as much as $1.7 billion. But Riverside and San Bernardino counties also would compete with the larger counties for the lion's share of whatever money is designated.

A preliminary list of 42 Southern California priorities has ranked five Riverside County projects among the top 10, while most of San Bernardino County's projects were near the bottom. Both counties have said they expect the list to be revised further.

“Clearly the corridor approach is the big winner today,” said Anne Mayer, executive director of the Riverside County Transportation Commission, which believes the method will increases the region's clout.

How will we win?

One way is by backing sensible and solid projects along the lines of where this trend is heading.  A great example was seen in a very recent blog post from our friends at 99 to 5 detailing the reasons why the Stanislaus COG should support short-haul rail.

More evidence is right here, in the Modesto Bee linking short-haul rail to increasing our competitiveness, as well as addressing the very vexing problem of our region’s air quality.

The trend lines are showing, and I get the sense that our friends in Southern California saw it before we did.  How can I tell?  It’s easy to see, if you consider we’re looking across a “flat” surface.