The eight billion initial investments in high-speed rail are expected to create approximately 320,000 jobs and approximately thirteen billion dollars in economic benefits. These include construction and operational work, as well as manufacturing and supply chain options. By increasing mobility and decreasing crowding and diffusion, high speed makes our country more competitive and at the same time creates economic development. High-speed rail could boost the economy and provide alternative transportation, so it should be built. Overall, some might argue that while it is a boost to the economy, it takes thousands of acres away from farmers. This is true, but the economic impacts observed across the country show that local projects can have large benefits on the surrounding area, while regional efforts are likely to generate a ripple effect. According to the Multistate Economic Impact Study (Mahoney), when a seventeen million dollar renovation occurred at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, it was expected to increase the value of land around the station by $227 million and create 3,000 new jobs in the Milwaukee area. And Congress's “Buy America” program guarantees that rail lines and high-speed trains will be built and operated using components made by American industries. Immediately following the announcement of high-speed rail funding, more than thirty rail manufacturers and suppliers pledged to establish or expand their operations in the United States if they are chosen to build America's next-generation high-speed trains. So if we build high-speed rail, shouldn't we expect the same results in California? Additionally, the high-speed rail network could mean 29 million fewer car trips and 500,000 fewer airplane flights each year, according to a 2006 study. ..... middle of paper ......ronmentally. Works CitedAlmendrala, Anna. “California high-speed rail still faces many obstacles.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, July 9, 2012. Web. November 16, 2012 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/09/california-high-speed-rail-problems_n_1660416.html Mahoney, Christopher. “Environmental Impact of High-Speed ​​Rail.” Tracking news and events in the rail industry RSS. CNN, November 20, 2012. Web. November 16, 2012. http://www.railroad.net/high-speed-rails-environmental-impact-394.html Lagos, Marisa. “Parliament approves spending on high-speed rail.” SFGate.Thehuffingtonpost.com, July 9, 2012. http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Legislature-approves-high-speed-rail-spending-3689191.phpTutton, Mark. “How green is high-speed rail?-CNN.com” CNN. Cable News Network, November 19, 2011. Web. November 16, 2012 http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/18/world/how-green-is-hsr/