Congresswoman Kathy Castor joined business, labor and environmental leaders today to kick off a campaign to encourage Floridians to contact the White House in support of the state’s high-speed rail application. High-speed rail will create thousands of jobs and provide a much needed boost to Florida’s economy. Cable television ads will start running in Central Florida, urging Floridians to text “jobs” to 24453. Texters will receive a reply text with instructions for contacting the White House.

The campaign is coordinated by ConnectUs, the grassroots coalition working to bring high-speed rail to Florida. Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Ed Turanchik is leading the group, which is supported by Castor and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

Castor is leading the Florida Congressional Delegation’s effort to secure Recovery Act money for high-speed rail in Florida. Last week, Castor wrote a letter to President Obama, urging him to award Florida money for high-speed rail lines. Castor said the state’s application is technically top notch, and the state needs a high-speed rail award to boost the economy and create jobs.

“Florida is ready right now for high-speed rail,” Castor said today. “We are ready to put people back to work in this state.”

The state’s economy continues to struggle, a factor that makes Florida a strong candidate to receive an infusion of high-speed rail money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Florida’s foreclosure rate is second highest in the country. The number of Floridians receiving food stamps has doubled in the past two year. The unemployment rate is 11.5 percent, higher than the national average.

“Our application for high-speed rail is head and shoulders above the rest. President Obama, we are ready and we are ready to fight for these jobs. We need your help.”

High-speed rail offers Florida the opportunity to hire thousands of construction workers to build rail lines. A high-speed rail award also will mean jobs for engineering experts and operations and maintenance staff. The ripple effects will be significant, as workers spend money in our hometowns, helping local businesses, and buying homes, boosting the housing market.

“The intent of the Recovery Act was to put people back to work,” Castor said. “President Obama, we need it here more than anywhere else in the country.”