Florida Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold Champions Making Florida Globally Competitive During Florida Chamber Foundation Transportation Summit

New Video Released: Transportation: Paving the Path to Florida’s Future

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Dec. 6, 2016) – Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold encouraged Florida’s business community to remain focused on Florida’s global competitiveness by securing Florida’s transportation future during today’s Florida Chamber Foundation 2016 Transportation Summit.

“The Florida Chamber Foundation’s focus on a long range vision and their commitment to solving transportation issues has been instrumental in keeping Florida globally competitive,” said FLORIDA DOT SECRETARY JIM BOXOLD. “Transportation is the key to job growth, keeping our families safe and maintaining a good quality of life. As we look at the future of transportation, the technology tsunami is right around the corner. The business community is at the forefront of these changes and discussions like these are important in order to be ready for whatever the future has in store for us.”

Innovations and consumer behavior are changing the way people and goods are moved around the state. From airports to seaports, highways to rail lines, and everything in between, Florida’s transportation challenges and opportunities took center stage today as statewide leaders sought solutions that will meet the needs of our state’s 19.9 million (and rising) residents.

Consider the Following:

• Between now and 2030, six million more residents will call Florida home,
• Florida has more than 500,000 jobs in transportation, trade and logistics,
• Between now and 2030, its estimated Florida will welcome more than 150 million visitors every year,
• $160 billion of goods flow through Florida’s airports and seaports each year,Florida moves more than 98 million tons of freight on its more than 2,700 miles of rail lines annually, and
• 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States.

These challenges and opportunities are addressed in a newly released FloridaWins.org video, Transportation: Paving the Path to Florida’s Future.

“With a growing population, the Florida Chamber Foundation takes discussions on Florida’s Transportation future very seriously,” said TONY CARVAJAL, Executive Vice President of the Florida Chamber Foundation. “By bringing together industry experts with those affected by transportation issues, we can not only plan for the future, but we are able to plan better for the next six million residents.”

The Florida Chamber’s Transportation Summit focused on issues that included transportation trends; the impact transportation has on access to housing, education and jobs; a discussion on new and innovative models for transportation funding; and the role of public-private partnerships.

To learn more, please visit www.FloridaChamber.com/TransportationSummit.
The Florida Chamber Foundation is the business-led, solutions development and research organization working in partnership with state business leaders to secure Florida’s future. The Foundation’s “Six Pillars” serve as a visioning platform for developing the first-ever, long-term strategic plan for the state. The Foundation’s work focuses on: 1) Talent Supply and Education, 2) Innovation and Economic Development, 3) Infrastructure and Growth Leadership, 4) Business Climate and Competitiveness, 5) Civic and Governance Systems, and 6) Quality of Life and Quality Places. Founded in 1968, the Foundation is a crucial voice for improving the state’s pro-business climate to enable Florida to grow and prosper. Visit www.FLFoundation.org for more information.