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Consultant: Good mass transit attracts good jobs and corporate HQs

This is perhaps one of the strongest selling points for investing in public transportation: it strengthens economic development.

Don’t take my word for it: the business-backed Broward County Alliance hired Boyette-Levy, a consulting firm to explain their strengths and weaknesses to attract corporate headquarters to their county. Among their weaknesses? No mass transit.

Here’s the relevant clip from the Miami Herald story:

The study also looked at Broward’s strengths and weaknesses as a place to put a corporate headquarters. Among its strengths are good weather, growing colleges and universities and the quality of life. Weaknesses include lack of mass transit, high cost of living, and the quality of public schools.

Broward Alliance chairman and Nova Southeastern University President Ray Ferrero Jr. said the latter is a misconception. ”There’s been tremendous strides,” Ferrero said. “The challenge is the perception. The perception is not the reality.”

Follow the advice of the national experts: to attract good jobs, invest in public transportation.