Tuesday’s "Press Conference" in support of High Speed Rail for Florida was "standing-room only."  Joining U.S. Senator Bill Nelson was Ed Turanchik, President of Connect Us, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty; along with other elected and appointed officials from across the Central Florida Region.

All were in attendance to show their support of High Speed Rail for Florida; during this time of "community fellowship," Mr. Turanchik was able to share his exciting plans designed to support our Congressional Delegation, as they work together to help secure Federal Dollars to successfully advance High Speed Rail for Florida.

Jacob V. Stuart, President of the Central Florida Partnership (Left), shown with Ed Turanchik, President of Connect Us.

Attendees of the event show their support for high speed rail. Click here for more photos from this event.

Central Florida Partnership is "Ready, Willing and Able”  to Help

When it comes to High Speed Rail for Florida and how we can advance the Vision for High Speed Rail in America, the Central Florida Partnership is "ready, willing, and able" to help coordinate this regional effort. Along these lines, we need to be ready to mobilize tens of thousands of Central Floridians in this effort; to succeed, we need to support the "fast-paced-statewide-grassroots-marketing-campaign," being advanced by Connect Us.  Want to know more?   To learn more about Connect Us, just "click here." 

High Speed Rail is "Going to Happen" in America - It "Should Happen" in Florida

The "Press Conference" helped focus attention on this special opportunity for the "Sunshine State." According to Senator Nelson, the U.S. Department of Transportation is close to deciding which cities and states will be the recipients of a portion of the $8 billion in "stimulus money."  In fact, Senator Nelson said this decision could come sometime this month.  Florida’s Department of Transportation has applied for $2.5 billion for the Orlando to Tampa segment and $30 million in planning money for the segment from Orlando to Miami.  According to the Florida Department of Transportation, this could create as many as 23,000 construction and engineering jobs over four (4) years.

Contact President Barack Obama and Express Your Support

You can provide immediate help, from the comfort of your office, by contacting President Barack Obama, right now; it’s easy to do, just "click here" for easy to follow instructions.  Just "click here" for some "Fast Facts" about High Speed Rail for Florida.  And, you can help, too, by asking your friends, family, colleagues and co-workers to contact The White House to express their support of High Speed Rail for Florida

Senator LeMieux and Governor Crist Show Their Support

Although unable to attend the "Press Conference," both U.S. Senator George S. LeMieux and Governor Charlie Crist stand in strong support of High Speed Rail for Florida. During the "Press Conference," Mr. Turanchik provided special recognition of their efforts.  In a letter from Senator LeMieux, he said, "When constructed, a High Speed Rail Network would not only help Florida maintain its leadership as a global destination for tourists, but it would develop the infrastructure necessary for future economic prosperity." In a letter from Governor Crist, he said, "Through a High Speed Rail Corridor, visitors from all over the world will have better access to our many beautiful destinations.  It will also provide Floridians with the chance to connect to high-wage jobs so that they may realize the promise of a brighter future."

We Need Your Help to Advance High Speed Rail for Florida

Questions?  Comments?  Suggestions?  Or, if you have some ideas on how you can help support Connect Us, please don’t hesitate to contact Jacob V. Stuart, President of the Central Florida Partnership at Jacob.stuart@ideastoresults.org; or, in his absence, please contact Mike Ketchum, Vice President of Public Policy for the Central Florida Partnership, at 407.835.2464, or by email at mike.ketchum@orlando.org. Along these lines, we believe, our "ticket" to High Speed Rail for Florida is to support Connect Us and we need your special support to advance our "collective cause."

Central Florida Partnership - Ideas to Results
Improving Central Florida’s economic vitality and quality of life by focusing on transportation, public policy advocacy, regional leadership, entrepreneurial growth and regional planning.  

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