Florida Action Alert: Support Next-Gen Trains to Orlando, Tampa

The Florida Development Finance Corporation (FDFC) is holding a Board of Directors meeting in Orlando on Friday April 5th to consider Virgin Trains USA (Brightline) application to market an additional $950 million in Private Activity Bonds.

These bonds are a new allocation in addition to $1.15 billion in bonds already allocated by USDOT and approved by FDFC. Upon completion of this next FDFC board approval, Virgin Trains USA will go to market for the full $2.1 billion. The bankers are ready to go!

The meeting will start with public comments, with no opening statements, followed by a Board discussion and vote. A small but vocal group of opponents from Indian River County—the last holdouts along the route—is expected to show up again and continue their efforts to stop Brightline/Virgin Trains from connecting to Orlando.

Passengers who want to see world class train service in the U.S.: please attend this meeting and show support for the Virgin/Brightline request!

All attendees are welcomed to speak for up to three minutes. But even if you don’t feel comfortable speaking, the presence of rail supporters will help counter the vocal opponents from Indian River County, who showed up in bus loads at the first hearing.

This is a make-or-break decision process for the Virgin/Brightline extension to Orlando and to Tampa. Americans should be applauding a private business spending its own money to expand the national rail network, not trying to kill the project. If you live in Central Florida, please show your support!

FDFC Board Meeting to approve Virgin Trains USA bonds

Date: Friday, April 5

Time: 3:00pm

Location:

Hyatt Regency, Orlando International Airport

9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando Airport

Combined Rooms: Orly through Mirabel