Brightline Advancing Commerce . . . . . . . 12

Explain Brightline’s impact on attracting companies to move to South Florida.

Many of the companies that are moving to South Florida are coming from areas in the Northeast (NYC) or Chicago which already have a robust transportation network that people count on daily. Brightline is that network in Florida, and companies are strategically positioning offices next to our stations as an added perk for employees.

Brightline has made a tremendous impact by connecting the three most populated and economic centers in South Florida. And now, by connecting Boca and Aventura, this opens employers up to a larger talent pool that simultaneously allows employees a unique quality of life that didn’t exist prior to direct, seamless connectivity. Once our Orlando station begins service in early 2023, these groups will have quick and easy access to one of the busiest in the country.

What are the most important strategic priorities for Brightline over the next three years?

Complete our full system to Orlando. We’ve always said that our business thesis is to connect city pairs that are too short to fly and too far to drive.

We are on track to complete our Orlando extension by the end of 2022 and welcoming passengers onboard is our top priority.

Completing our South Florida System: We are bringing online Boca Raton and Aventura at the end of this year. This will be extremely impactful to our South Florida system but will enhance our offering when we connect Orlando.

Breaking ground outside of Florida: Our next system, Brightline West, will connect Las Vegas to the Los Angeles Metro Region. We are expected to receive permits by the end of the year which will lead us into construction.

Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Boca Raton Station Site

Rendering of the new Boca Raton Brightline Station

The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s Education Foundation exists to support the Boca Raton public school system by administering funds and educational programs that promote business skills and workforce readiness. The Golden Bell Education Foundation has been awarding grants for over thirty years, impacting more than 850,000 students’ education. Please take a moment to read the narrative below from Ms. Jessica Bartoszek about the impact Golden Bell Grants have had on her career and teaching.

" What does a science teacher in Palm Beach County do without a Golden Bell grant? The answer, not much. Science teachers are required to do labs with their students on a weekly basis, yet the school district only provides each teacher approximately $250 a year to pay for materials. I teach Marine Biology, as well as Anatomy and Physiology at West Boca High School; dissections are a huge part of these classes. Students constantly tell me that the main reason they register for these science electives is because they want to do the dissections. Hands-on activities fuel the fire for knowledge, not a textbook.

So now let’s discuss the all-powerful dollar: In Marine Biology, we culminate the year by dissecting a Spiny Dogfish Shark. The cost of a shark is about $30. So, if we do the math, I can only purchase eight sharks for three classes of students. Ridiculous, right? That’s just the shark, what about all those other weeks that necessitate a lab?

Remember that I also teach Anatomy, so what about those students? Their dissections include a cow eye, sheep brain, sheep heart, pig uterus, and at the end of the year we culminate with a cat. So how do I pay for all of these? The answer, a Golden Bell grant.

Golden Bell has been funding my classroom for almost a decade. Their application process is simple and user friendly. The check comes at the beginning of the year so everything can be purchased early. They also provide us with a delicious breakfast and teachers never turn down food!

I strongly believe that the Golden Bell grant is an integral factor in the success of schools in Boca Raton. Long ago, I made the decision to drive 45 minutes each way to teach in Boca, in large part because I am confident that I can get the funds needed to run a successful classroom, keeping the students involved and engaged on a daily basis. I could never find this anywhere else in the county.

As a veteran teacher with over 30 years in the classroom, I want to say thank you to the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce for their continued dedication to teachers and students in their area schools. We couldn’t do this without you."

- Jessica Bartoszek, West Boca Raton High School

The Foundation would not have made the impact it has without the support of our community. Together, we continue to change the way teachers teach and students learn throughout Boca Raton.