Business owners, property owners, developers and landlords along western Boca Raton have long known the promise of development in this area – and the greater South Florida Region. Office, warehouse and commercial property owners know a simple mantra: Any business growth here aids business growth throughout the area.

That vision is coming even more clear as South Florida regional transit planners roll out the idea for a regional rail program that will improve upon Tri-Rail and deliver a transit solution that unites the tri-county region.

A headline in the South Florida Business Journal proclaimed what developers and business leaders all hope: “Long-awaited commuter rail service could spur regional development.”

“Previously stalled plans to add commuter rail service on the Florida East Coast Railway are beginning to gain momentum, a potential game-changer for development in South Florida,” the article stated.

The rail line, slated mostly for counties’ eastern railway would open development and redevelopment on the eastern reaches of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, luring businesses and igniting possible investment.

We’ve already seen this to the west. Tri-Rail is used by thousands of commuters and travelers daily, removing cars from the roads, reducing congestion and improving mobility region-wide. In fact, Tri-Rail and other commuter- and ec0-friendly solutions are central to new development envisioned for Northwest Boca Raton. Planned mobility is central to the move to improve the area’s living and workplace offerings and rekindle development in the area.

Tie the east to the west – from Jupiter to Miami – and South Florida could become the regional player so many business development leaders and economic advocates have long hoped it could be.

Such promise also is envisioned for All Aboard Florida, the privately owned, operated and maintained passenger rail line being developed by Florida East Coast Industries (FECI). The intercity rail service serve some of the 50 million Floridians and tourists who travel each year between South Florida and Orlando. Opening such corridors to rail and people will encourage opening of trade and commerce as well.

Much work remains to be done. The infrastructure for a new South Florida regional rail line, from 28 stations to trains and passenger cars, to improved park-and-ride lots, could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Just as important as the finances behind it will be the political will and civic support to see this through.

In recent years, we’ve seen a move away from “territorial” perspectives and municipal leaders embracing a regional approach. If, as it’s been said, a rising tide raises all ships, any development that spurs interactivity and business development across the region will only serve to improve tidings in the cities within. Here’s hoping leaders throughout the region can proclaim, “All Aboard” and Floridians see development grow.