This year marks the first time that Members of Congress have been able to submit specific community projects for direct funding in over a decade. Rep. Castor successfully advocated for the nine projects based upon community support and pressing local needs - from improving water quality to providing mental health services to aiding in the fight against cancer.

“To lift our students and schools, it is vital to invest in good-paying jobs and our local educators. USF’s proposal will enhance STEM teacher preparation and strengthen the pipeline of well-qualified educators in Hillsborough County Public Schools.  The local community stood up for a stronger USF College of Education last year, and I am proud to follow on the call for action.

"The Urban League of Hillsborough County’s Hand Up program will link students with training and paid pre-apprenticeship initiatives in fields like solar energy deployment and hospitality that provide direct pathways to higher-paying, stable jobs that you can raise a family on.

“In Congress, I am working to reform police practices like consistent use of body cameras, and am heartened to see the City of Tampa and local law enforcement doing the same. We need funding for the technology and tools for Tampa Police Department to expand use of body-worn cameras and data retention.  Often the data must be evaluated as quickly as possible at the scene of an incident to ensure transparency and accountability.

“I’m pleased to support three projects aimed directly at lifting up and connecting our diverse Tampa communities.  The Fair Oaks Senior Center Redevelopment will provide Tampa seniors with vital services to keep them healthy and independent, and the University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc. cultural campus warehouse will connect neighbors with valuable services and initiatives to improve their quality of life. The past year has underscored the importance of having access to stable and high-speed internet, and funding for the Tampa Housing Authority will increase in-home, reliable internet for residents of affordable housing in Tampa. These initiatives will drive our economy, keep our neighbors plugged-in, and modernize local infrastructure," said Rep. Castor.

A summary of the nine projects is provided below, in alphabetical order:

AI/Machine Learning to Accelerate Cancer Research – H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

($2,000,000)

• This funding will be used for computer infrastructure to allow Moffitt to leverage already existing data and allow scientists to translate greater understanding of the complexities of cancer into novel prevention, early detection and treatment to help improve outcomes for cancer patients throughout the U.S.

Connectivity for Prosperity – Tampa Housing Authority

($520,000)

• This project will increase access to in-home reliable and high-speed internet in Tampa affordable housing communities, opening additional opportunities for education and training, employment and communication with medical providers, cultural groups and world events.

COPS Technology Enhancements (Digital Storage of Body Cam footage) – the City of Tampa

($382,000)

•  The new technology that will be acquired by this funding will provide the tools needed to improve access to body worn camera data for Tampa Police Department staff and the public, and will ensure that critical data is uploaded and evaluated as quickly as possible at the scene of an incident.

Cultural Campus Warehouse Renovation and Site Work – University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc.

($2,125,804)

• This site in the University Area will serve as a hub connecting community residents with anchored partners who will provide services and initiatives to improve the quality of life for area neighbors.

Enhancing STEM Teacher Preparation in the Tampa Bay region – the University of South Florida

($1,000,000)

• The funding would be used to prepare STEM teachers and creating a pipeline of STEM teachers to Hillsborough County Public Schools and other local school districts.

Fair Oaks Senior Center Redevelopment – the City of Tampa

($1,000,000)

• This project will connect Tampa seniors with vital community services that help them stay healthy and independent as well as provide them with access to inclusive culture programs.

The Hand Up Program – the Urban League of Hillsborough County, Inc

($300,000)

• This funding will help engage students who age out of school to link them with training and paid pre-apprenticeship initiatives in the Tampa Bay area.

Mariposa Women’s Neuropsychiatric Hospital – Mental Health Care, Inc (Gracepoint)

($2,000,000)

• This project will fund 24 additional psychiatric beds for women in our community to address a significant shortfall in capacity and provide critically needed psychiatric services to thousands of women annually.

Town N' Country Septic-to-Sewer – Hillsborough County

($800,000)

• This project will fund the replacement of legacy septic tanks to increase water quality in our community.