BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The city of Cocoa is seeking millions in federal funding to build a Brightline passenger train stop in the city.
What You Need To Know
The city of Cocoa is seeking millions in federal funding to build a Brightline passenger train stop in the city
City officials say the stop could bring in up to $350 million in yearly economic impact and generate nearly $30 million in annual tax revenue
But with a $75 million price tag, Cocoa is looking to the feds for funding to the tune of nearly $60 million
Local businesses could benefit from travelers delivered to their doorstep. City officials say the stop could bring in up to $350 million in yearly economic impact and generate nearly $30 million in annual tax revenue.
But with a $75 million price tag, Cocoa is looking to the feds for funding to the tune of nearly $60 million.
Bruce Reigle is about the mark a year in business at his Village Art Gallery in Cocoa Village. His place is just two miles from the proposed train station site.
“We do furniture repairs here. We do framing. We have a separate room dedicated to music-related artwork,” says Reigle.
If it comes to fruition, multiple stops a day means potential passengers turning to the shopping district’s patrons.
“We’d love to get local bus companies or something like that to be able to bring people here,” Reigle said.
The city calls it a transformative project for the entire Space Coast, potentially bringing in employment opportunities in leisure and travel.
Cocoa has committed $5 million for the project.
Other funding partners include Brevard County, the Space Coast Office of Tourism and Space Coast Transportation and Planning Organization.