Just an idea I had after reading so many posts about the parking and truck stop issues...

What if a TRUCKERS CO-OP purchased property in regions where parking is most needed and did these things:

1. Provided free parking in a lot that was wholly paved and marked, well-lit, properly drained, and had trash dumpsters strategically located...
2. Built a comfortable drivers' lounge that included those private "home-like" restrooms with showers...
3. Built a mini-mall unit, and leased the space to LOCAL business owners who would provide food, clothing, and other necessities and services as desired by truckers...
4. Built a fueling station and leased the space to a NON-PROFIT organization for the dispensing of fuel at reasonable market prices...
5. Built a washing station, a mechanic station, and parts supply store and leased it to LOCAL business owners who would service the trucks at a reasonable rate...
6. In certain regions, a healthcare practitioner could lease a space and provide minor medical services (minor illnesses, scrapes, etc) and perhaps a pharmacy would be nice... All as NOT-FOR-PROFIT...
7. Perhaps a credit union would want to tap into the huge numbers of truckers out there and offer service counters at these T/S to cash checks, offer minor loans, etc... (Credit unions are not-for-profit and run by their members, as compared to for-profit banks run by investors.)
8. Provide security service to ensure protection and compliance with site rules...
9. Discounts for merchandise, service, and food would be given to members of the TRUCKERS CO-OP as a reward for participation. Non-members would be able to use the services as members would, but would have to pay full price.
   
10. The TRUCKERS CO-OP could maintain a counter in the mall for recruiting and disseminating information.
    

If the TRUCKERS CO-OP did this right, they could recoup the cost of the land and improvements through lease income over many years. LOCAL businesses would succeed because those owners would have an interest in the local economy and their employees and therefore show real interest in the product or service offered to truckers.

A not-for-profit or co-op fueling venture would save truckers and their companies a little money. The overhead of running the station could be offset by the lease income from the mini-mall.

If run as a not-for-profit leasing venture, the cost of leasing to the tenants can be kept reasonable, allowing the business owners to pass on their savings to the truckers. The lease cost could also finance the support staff, such as security, janitorial, etc.

Profit would not be the reason for the OVERALL existence of these truck stops, but rather the focus would be on service to the truckers who need them.

In turn, LOCAL businesses can make a profit, pay competitive wages to their employees, and contribute to their local community. One of my main points here is to keep it local, keep it not-for-profit where applicable, and by all means, keep out the big corporations who don't care about anything but profit.

Sound too good to work? Remember, if the TRUCKERS CO-OP ran it as a not-for-profit venture, it could work. In fact, I'd bet as a co-op, they could apply for and receive subsidy grants from the federal, state, and local governments and/or other foundations for such projects, further reducing the cost of the capital venture.

It beats waiting for the government to do it. If we wait for them, well... we can't wait that long...

Hell, Put us or Schneider behind an Idea such as that, it would work, except the Non-Profit part.... Take some of the ideas from Farmer's Co-ops and put em to uses in Driving, I like it!

I just had a thought...you COULD get places like JBHT and Schneider on the bandwagon if you sell it to them as a Not-for-Profit TAX WRITE-OFF. Where they Fuel their 20,000 + Trucks at these co-op places TAX FREE (since it's not for profit, could apply for government subsidies or Tax breaks, it's all about the almighty dollar) Turn any profits into Charitable Donations (another Write-off for the IRS) to Cities, organizations (we've been big on the Make-A-Wish foundation, others like Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way, Salvation Army, etc)

Local Clothing shops, Restaurants, Mechanical shops, Maybe not doctor's offices specifically, but could always offer a shuttle to the nearest clinic. NO FAST FOOD. AT ALL. EVER. PERIOD.

It can be done so long as the right guy or gal is pushing the buttons

I love the idea, but I have tried here to purchase property to start a truck stop and the county put a stop to it! (I already had the grants lined up!)

If someone can make it work, I'll be behind it 100%

__________________