Small Business

“With no time to lose, the American Rescue Plan released by President-elect Joe Biden holds great promise for Tampa Bay area families, students and small businesses to accelerate vaccinations, crush the coronavirus, and deliver direct, immediate relief to those hardest hit. “America is in the midst of a national emergency with both health and economic crises. We must act right away on the urgent threats of COVID-19 and its economic fallout. I pledge to work to dramatically expand vaccination and... Read more

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today her office worked to deliver nearly $1.6 million to veterans, seniors, small businesses and families in 2020; almost $1.5 billion in federal grants to create jobs, invest in education and infrastructure, mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and support the important work of local partners; and $2.7 billion in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for Tampa businesses. “Every day, my Tampa constituent services team, Tery Sanchez, Steven Angott... Read more

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor released the following statement as the bipartisan FY21 omnibus and $900B in COVID-19 relief head to the president’s desk: “In addition to the immediate relief provided by the COVID-19 emergency aid in this package, the FY21 omnibus contains priorities that will support our economy and military, lower health care costs, strengthen our fight for clean energy and more. I’m pleased that we came to a bipartisan solution that meets the needs of our community and more. Several p... Read more

“Help is on the way for American families and small businesses as the House just passed a fifth Covid-19 emergency aid bill. The landmark package will provide relief to individuals, small businesses, schools and hospitals - and a bridge to a day when the coronavirus vaccine is widely administered. Workers and families have been hurting for months and the bill will provide assistance for day-to-day realities like paying rent, taking care of children, and putting food on the table. This bill will ... Read more

Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s (FL14) bipartisan measure to study the impacts of COVID-19 on the bedrock tourism, travel and hospitality industries and provide immediate and long-term assistance for industry workers and small businesses passed the House of Representatives by voice vote as part of H.R. 8121 – Pandemic Effects on Home Safety and Tourism Act. “The bedrock tourism, travel and hospitality industries here in Tampa Bay and our neighbors who rely on those jobs need help from the devast... Read more

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the below statement following the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting detailing the ongoing allocation of local Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to serve the community. The CARES Act is a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package for states and local communities passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. “Hillsborough families, small businesses, first responders and frontline workers are s... Read more

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) introduced H.R. 8122- the bipartisan Protecting Tourism in the United States Act with Rep. Fred Upton (MI06) which directs the Department of Commerce to study the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel and tourism industry. “Our nation is facing one of the gravest health and economic emergencies in more than 100 years. The coronavirus pandemic has had a deep impact on every aspect of American life, and bold action is required to address the health emergency,... Read more

Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced two grants for the Tampa Housing Authority totaling over $1.7 million. These grants were provided by Congress through the CARES Act’s Public Housing Operating Fund and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance provisions. The CARES Act is a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package for states and local communities passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, our neighbors who rely on public housing need peace of mind th... Read more

"In times of challenge and adversity, America responds to support each other. That is what I intend to do today to ensure that American families and workers have the help they need to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. "In Florida, we are used to the chaos and harm that a hurricane brings. Well, this coronavirus is a monster storm that is wreaking havoc, especially on our most vulnerable neighbors. We must respond in an resolute way. "This is the third bipartisan emergency aid package and it contai... Read more

Today, U.S. Rep Kathy Castor (FL14) was joined by AARP Florida State Director Jeff Johnson to call on the Senate to take up House-passed legislation to safeguard older Americans from age discrimination in the workplace. Read more