Brightline announces date it will launch Orlando service

Welcome to Orlando Business Journal's weekly LinkedIn newsletter. I'm Digital Producer/Senior Staff Writer Richard Bilbao, rounding up Orlando business news to keep you in the know when time is short.

After a three-week delay, Brightline will start its Orlando-to-Miami service next week.

The Miami-based intercity rail company will begin service from Orlando International Airport on Friday, Sept. 22. The rail company initially had said it expected to start service as early as Sept. 1 but later announced two delays as it worked to complete the rail certification process.

“Opening Orlando fulfills our ultimate business model," Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline, said in a prepared statement. "We have seen incredible enthusiasm from the business and tourism industries eager to travel between Central and South Florida. As we start service to Orlando for peak holiday seasons, I encourage everyone to check calendars, make plans, visit our website or app and reserve a seat now.”

Read the rest of the story here.

And now, on to other big business deals, transactions and activity headlines from the week.

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Real estate news of the week

• Local firm WMG Development scoops up Winter Garden site. Here's what's planned.: A busy local retail developer has acquired a 5.5-acre site in the popular westside suburb it is headquartered in.
• Former Walgreens space in downtown Orlando listed for lease by Millenia Partners. Here's what to know.: An Orlando real estate executive who helped bring Walgreens to downtown Orlando in the first place is now leading the effort to find a replacement for the since-closed store.
• New York firm drops $45M on airport-area distribution center used by national retailer: A property near Orlando International Airport with a 600,000-square-foot warehouse used as a distribution center for office supply retailer Staples has traded hands.
• Confirmed: New Volkswagen dealership in works to be built in fast-growing Clermont: An 8.4-acre property sold earlier this year in the fast-growing Lake County suburb of Clermont is expected to become a Volkswagen dealership.

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Orlando news bites

Don't miss these other top stories:

• New sports training center proposed in Ocoee: The project went before the city of Ocoee's Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 12 for a large-scale preliminary site plan approval.
• How AI is shaking up workflows for Orlando private equity companies: Local companies in the private equity space are tapping into generative AI and treating it like a consultant for fundraising, portfolio investments and fund operations.
• Orlando draws $2B+ in federal, state funds for transportation projects — and could get more: Funds the region has received have come from the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the American Rescue Plan Act and Florida funds.

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Restaurant news & notes

Check out the latest news on popular local places to eat:

• Why Chima Steakhouse execs chose Orlando's Restaurant Row over other areas — and how much they spent (PHOTOS): Thiago Castro says the decision to open the newest Chima Steakhouse in Orlando came as a byproduct of real estate's cardinal rule: location, location, location.
• Fazoli's fast-casual chain's new restaurant signals return to Orlando: The fast-casual restaurant chain opened on Sept. 6 at 4201 E. Colonial Drive just outside of downtown Orlando, near Orlando Executive Airport.

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Nominations & Events

Things to put on your busy calendar:

• Nominate now for Orlando Business Journal's 2023 Veterans of Influence, which?recognizes military veterans who have made a significant achievement in their careers in the past year, have a strong record of innovation or outstanding performance in their work, and are involved in our community. The deadline is Oct. 6.
• Orlando Business Journal's 2023 C-Suite Awards event will be held Oct. 19 to recognize Central Florida’s top CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, CMOs, COOs and others who are outstanding in business and the community.

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Finally ... make your voice heard!

These?OBJ?polls are live. Let us know what you're thinking.

• How does your company celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month?
• Should applicants for Orange County tourist tax revenue have to put in some of their own money for their projects?
• Will UCF's entry into the Big 12 Conference lead you to attend college football games?
• How often do you plan to ride Brightline?

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Closing Note

The Orlando Business Journal now is unlocking a story in our morning and afternoon newsletters, making it available to read for free, for subscribers and non-subscribers alike. You’ll know which story is unlocked because its headline will start with “GIFT ARTICLE.” Be sure to sign up for our newsletters here: bit.ly/3s9UkKB. To ensure you never miss a story, subscribe here: bit.ly/3QHey8W.

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That's all for this week's top headlines, and thanks for supporting?OBJ.

This weekly round-up of Orlando business news was compiled by Richard Bilbao, digital producer/senior staff writer. Questions? Comments? Concerns? News tips? Send them to [email protected].