Infrastructure Bill Poised For Final Passage

Smart Infrastructure Investment Bill Prepares for Growing Population Demands and Provides Economic Development Opportunities for Rural Communities

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 23, 2019) – An infrastructure bill now poised for final passage in the Florida Senate will help ensure Florida is prepared to meet its growing population, and invigorate rural communities with jobs and economic development opportunities, the Florida Chamber of Commerce said today.

“With an additional 5.5 million residents in Florida by 2030, and annual tourism growing from 126 million to 150 million visitors, these smart infrastructure investments will help ensure Florida is poised for it’s growing population and future economic prosperity,” said David Hart, Executive Vice President, Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Senate Bill 7068, a top priority of Senate President Bill Galvano and the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Infrastructure Coalition, will develop new multi-modal corridors, connect Florida’s rural communities to metro areas, and plan for new transportation technologies such as connected and autonomous vehicles. Also, they will serve as additional hurricane evacuation routes, providing safe transportation in times of natural disaster.

State transportation leaders have previously identified these proposed corridors as ideal locations for responsibly meeting the needs of a growing population.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Nearly 900 new residents move to Florida each day
• 126.1 million people visit Florida annually
• By 2030, 26 million people will call Florida home
• Florida’s infrastructure must be able to accommodate more than 3 million new drivers by 2030

“The Florida Chamber of Commerce commends President Galvano, Senator Tom Lee and members of the Florida Senate for helping to ensure we prepare Florida’s infrastructure for smart growth and enhanced mobility,” said Hart.

The bill is poised for final Senate passage.

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Established in 1916 as Florida’s first statewide business advocacy organization, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the state’s largest federation of employers, chambers of commerce and associations aggressively representing small and large businesses from every industry and every region. The Florida Chamber works within all branches of government to affect those changes set forth in the annual Florida Business Agenda, and which are seen as critical to secure Florida’s future. The Florida Chamber works closely with its Florida Political Operations and the Florida Chamber Foundation. Visit www.FloridaChamber.com for more information.