The Specialized Carries & Rigging Foundation (SC&RF) released the white paper "Public Benefits and Economic Dependency" in February 2024.

Despite the role of the specialized transportation, crane, and rigging industries in the growth and development of our society, the unique challenges and regulations encountered are often not well understood by the public, elected representatives, and government officials at a local, state, or federal level.

Therefore, the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Foundation (SC&RF) commissioned a white paper as an externally focused resource for business owners and advocacy groups in the specialized transportation, crane, and rigging industries to educate those outside the industry, highlight the shared objectives between the industry and society, and demonstrate the impact of those working in the industry.

Therefore, the white paper was developed to enable the reader to understand the basics of the specialized transportation, crane, and rigging industries and therefore set the stage for targeted discussions.

For example, state/local transportation planners, city officials, or members of state legislatures may not fully understand the impact of a change in design standards, permitting regulations, or other policy decisions on the specialized transportation, crane, and rigging industries and the customers they serve. Similarly, job candidates or career counselors are unlikely to understand the uniqueness and the impact of working in the specialized transportation, crane, and rigging industries.

In both cases, this white paper is a useful resource for quickly communicating the following:

• The background on the specialized transportation, crane, and rigging industries for an audience who is not familiar with what each industry does.
• The role of the specialized transportation, crane, and rigging industries in all aspects of modern society, including the buildings we live in, the generation and transportation of energy, and the roads and bridges we use.
• Case studies that provide real-world examples of the connection between the specialized transportation, crane, and rigging industries and major projects.
• Employment statistics of the industries supported by the specialized transportation, crane, and rigging industries.
• Challenges encountered by the specialized transportation, crane, and rigging industries, as well as the opportunities for collaboration and solutions to the industry’s challenges.

Overall, we hope that the white paper will be used to improve the understanding of the specialized transportation, crane, and rigging industries to attract talent and facilitate discussions with elected representative and government officials that ultimately results in a safer and more efficient industry.