Cascade State is meant to feel connected. A logging company does not exist without roads, customers, machines, and people. A farm depends on transport and nearby towns. Freight becomes more meaningful when the cargo belongs to an industry the player recognizes.
The shared economy gives us a guide when deciding what belongs in a game. A feature should support the player's role and show a believable relationship to the wider state. Not every connection needs to become a complicated simulation, but the player should understand why the work matters.