I 14-U33 CONNIE MACK am Nice Eur WTI-I Drsmicr. 1 i239l BUDGET dlcnaresa at the fitates' I-Jmes. FL 34112 -rnansvomvmon mo locust at wraasraueruas communes wmmam OWE, fllilliasljingtait, IBQE 2051543914 11561333; l2Ill'2l 325-2535 3, The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary US. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary LaHnod: I would like to express my support for Charlotte County. Florida's application under the TIGER Discretionary Grant Program for $29 million to build thesouthwest Florida Intennodal and Logistim Center and modernize railroad infrastructure. 1 am confident that a federal investment in this project will yield a multitude of environmental, safety, economic and mobility benefits to the residents of Southwest Florida, fiilfilling several objectives of the TIGER program. Charlotte Counly's proposed project includes a truck to rail transfer facility and railroad upgrades that would introduce high volume, high speed rail transportation into Southwest Florida. Enhanced rail speed and capacity will encourage the transportation of freight by train rather than heavy trucks making Southwest Florida's roadways safer for cars. Furthermore, this project will establish a connection between Southwest Florida economic centers and the seaports of Tampa and Manatee counties, advancing the region's economic competitiveness. This project is shovel-ready and will facilitate tl1c'transportatio'n of goods and people throughout Southwest Florida, spurring economic development in a region crucial to the economic health of the state. These aspects make Charlotte County's project an excellent candidate for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was designed in part to encourage economic growth through investments in infrastructure. Any consideration that you are able to give to this application would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Connie Mack Member of Congress PRINTED DH RECYCLED PAPER