A Bridge Too Far?
The Bridge from China at the development stage
In 1989, an earthquake hit California and the Bay Area of San Francisco. Part of the Eastern span was damaged and plans began immediately to fix the bridge. More than twenty years later, parts of the span were still being installed. However, this bridge was a huge change from the past. This bridge had a Made In China tag.
When the bids were opened, the planning commission for the Bay Bridge realized that costs would be astronomical and began looking for ways to save money. They quickly found that if they relied on Chinese steel and labor, they could build the bridge for less. However, what were the other costs? All of that money that could have gone toward revitalizing our own construction industry just went to China.
Buying local has huge benefits. For one, you save on shipping because your goods don’t have to travel as far. Two, the money that you spend locally stays local. With more business, the local company can expand and hire more workers. Small businesses create jobs and have a personal stake in making sure that they hold on customers.
We here at Atlas Signs and Plaques are committed to bringing you the absolute best signs we can. We’re also proud to keep jobs and commerce within the United States. We have pledged to use American Materials and Labor in all of our signs. We have also partnered with Metalcraft Industries to bring you American made brackets to hang your signs.