Celebrating new jobs and a health clinic in Sulphur Springs, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, State Rep. Janet Cruz, City Councilman Frank Reddick and other community leaders broke ground today on a new community health center on the corner of Bird Street and Nebraska Avenue.  The clinic is expected to open next spring and serve more than 12,000 new patients. The project will create new construction jobs in the short term and new health care jobs in the long term.

“New jobs in the heart of Tampa tied to a new community clinic highlight the broad community revitalization effort underway in Sulphur Springs,” Castor said. “Murray Construction is going to get right to work, partnering with the CDC of Tampa to train workers for these jobs. Then when the clinic opens, Tampa Family Health Centers will hire medical professionals from our neighborhoods.”

The new clinic will have 30 exam rooms. Services include adult, pediatrics, OB-GYN, psychiatric care, dental care and a pharmacy.

Approximately $1 million of the $4.9 million clinic comes from federal sources, including money set aside for health clinics in the Affordable Care Act.

“This is tangible evidence that Tampa Family Health Centers and the Affordable Care Act are making a difference in the heart of our community. Sulphur Springs and other nearby residents will have better access to quality, affordable health care. At the same time, we are spurring economic development and creating jobs in a neighborhood that needs a boost.”

Community health centers are a key source of local employment and economic growth in many economically challenged communities. These centers support more than 105,000 jobs nationwide, including physicians, nurses, dentists and other health professionals.

In 2010, Tampa Family Health Centers served approximately 42,500 patients, representing about 126,000 patient visits.