FLA Chamber prez: SunRail-CSX deal will create jobs
February 24, 2009 at 11:55 am by Wayne GarciaHere’s a counterpoint to Kelly Cornelius’ most recent post on SunRail, an op-ed from the president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Mark Wilson:
Commuter rail helps create jobs
America is in a recession, and Floridians have not been spared. Florida’s unemployment rate is 8.1 percent, higher than the national rate of 7.2 percent. It seems as if every day, newspapers throughout the state report layoffs by Florida companies. Last year, Florida lost 255,000 jobs.
Times are tough, and the full attention of our elected leaders should be given to economic recovery, transition and job growth. While Florida is faced with the same economic challenges as the rest of the nation, we are fortunate to have a governor who understands the need to invest in long-term transportation solutions even in these tough times.
Last year, Gov. Charlie Crist announced his Accelerate Florida program to advance investment in infrastructure projects that will create jobs and encourage economic growth. The wisdom of the governor’s initiative is evidenced by the strong return on investment generated by infrastructure projects. For example, for every dollar invested in transportation projects, $5.60 in economic benefit is gained. That is a smart investment.
In addition to backing the Accelerate Florida initiative, the Florida Chamber of Commerce joined Gov. Crist in his call for national leaders to invest in our state’s more than $7 billion in shovel-ready transportation projects that can be started in less than four months, delivering a quick return on investment.
Along with those important projects, our state has even more work to do to prepare our transit infrastructure before we add another 7 million residents by the year 2030. Florida must continue to diversify and expand its mix of transit solutions to move goods and people.
One significant transit solution Florida should build upon is the expansion of commuter rail. While commuter rail systems are being planned in several regions, the Central Florida region’s proposed SunRail system provides the most immediate opportunity for construction activity that could leverage federal funding and quickly create thousands of jobs.
Not only will this project have an economic benefit for the whole state—by directly reinvesting private money in roadways, railroads and other transportation facilities throughout Florida–but it will also lay the foundation for passenger rail systems in other Florida regions desperate for multi-modal transportation solutions, including the Tampa Bay area.
Expanding commuter rail in Florida is a great opportunity to leverage federal funding, create thousands of jobs and gain economic benefits that accompany transportation improvements. Actions by this coming legislative session by the Florida Legislature and by Gov. Crist will enable the SunRail project to serve as a much-needed stimulus to our state’s economy. Florida needs long-term thinking and short-term action. The time to act on commuter rail is now.
February 25th, 2009 at 9:08 am
A recent article in the Sentinel claimed that 11,500 jobs would be created……over 30 years! That is just under 400 jobs a year (at a cost of 2.66 billion to taxpayers!)
The opposition isn’t opposing commuter rail, they are opposing the misuse of tax dollars, the questionable route and the overall corporate welfare this scheme would deliver. Pay attention to those that support this deal in its current form and that will speak volumes. Don’t forget the Florida Chamber is so against letting you vote on land use decisions (Hometown Democracy) that they came up with their own competing amendment.
February 26th, 2009 at 10:33 am
1. What’s wrong with the location? It runs parallel to I-4 through downtown Orlando. Pretty heavily congested auto traffic there.
2. Where would you propose it run instead? CSX has owned that line for decades. Building new track will require not only major capital costs but right of way purchase as well…talk about taxpayer costs!
3. Corporate welfare – again either the state can buy the track access from CSX or it can build it itself. Which do you think is less expensive?
4. Commuter rail is not a job creator. Track usually always exists, cars are built in Europe or Japan…none of this dissuaed President Obama from singlehandedly cramming $8b for it into the stimulus bill. So, then, why is rail so important? What is the multiplier effect or new condos, offices, access to both being created along this route?
5. What does the FRA say about the project?
6. Hometown?!LMFAO. Plenty of liberal Democrats oppose it too. It’s a disaster of a plan.