The Business Development Board of Martin County announces its support for recent actions by the Board of Martin County Commissioners to move forward in pursuing a Brightline station.
On Oct. 23, the BDB Board of Directors voted unanimously to send a letter to the BOCC recognizing its “leadership, responsiveness and decisive action.”
Martin County commissioners voted unanimously on Oct. 22 to finalize negotiations with Brightline—or any other qualified high-speed rail provider—to build a station at one of two locations in downtown Stuart behind the county courthouse or the county fairgrounds.
Last year, the city and county partnered in response to Brightline’s public request for proposals to build a station on the Treasure Coast. With the county pledging to cover up to $15 million of the station and the city up to $30 million, including a parking garage, theirs was selected as the winning bid. The 2.4-acre parcel behind the county courthouse was identified as the site for a 9,000-square-foot station.
In August, a new majority was elected to the city commission. Expressing concerns about the cost of required taxpayer contributions and removing the parking garage item in exchange for surface parking, the new majority rescinded its ground lease with Brightline.
In operation for 33 years, the BDB serves as the county’s official economic development organization. The organization’s Primary responsibilities include working closely with core industries such as aviation, marine, and light manufacturing, providing business retention and expansion services, facilitating financial assistance, and upholding a strong business climate. Citing this “core” responsibility, the BDB applauded the county commission’s action for:
· Safeguarding our community’s reputation;
· Upholding a pro-business environment;
· Demonstrating that public policy is conducted consistently and reliably;
· Realizing the appeal of quality passenger rail to local professionals as well as executives considering bringing employment opportunities to our area;
· Supporting and enhancing local tourism, which reportedly generates more than $700 million in annual spending in Martin County.
The BDB also underscored the importance of the county’s commitment to pursuing federal grants to minimize construction costs and complimented the City of Stuart for recently securing a tangential agreement from Brightline to provide up to eight local stops per day instead of two as originally anticipated. The BDB expressed optimism that going forward, “discussions between the city and Brightline would prove productive.”
The letter concluded: “From assuring multiple enhanced safety features at crossings to insisting from the onset that a station come to the region, Martin County has operated throughout this years-long process with diligence, foresight, and concern for the best interests of our community.”
