U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) announced today that Tampa area families, veterans and seniors received over $1.2 million though the work of her constituent service team in 2019. Castor also worked to secure more than $1.3 billion in federal grants in 2019, including $958 million for medical research that demonstrates that Tampa Bay continues to grow as a national hub in health care innovation. The federal dollars returned to our neighbors and invested in our community are creating jobs, boosting education and infrastructure, and supporting the important work of local partners.

“Under the leadership of my District Director, Marcia Mejia, my Tampa constituent services team, Tery Sanchez, Dee Gonzalez, Tania Fernandez, and Steven Angotti  work to cut bureaucratic red tape and to ensure citizens receive the benefits they have earned,” U.S. Rep. Castor said.

“Team Castor tackles complex cases like that of Ms. Mamie Walker that garnered attention earlier this year. Our talented caseworkers advocate for our neighbors day in and day out - whether it’s for our veterans, our seniors who rely on Social Security and Medicare, or individuals with disabilities.”

In 2019, U.S. Rep. Castor’s office handled over 1,200 individual cases for Tampa area neighbors to ensure they received the assistance they earned and deserve.  About half of the $1.2 million in federal benefits recovered by Team Castor were for veterans and current service members and their families.  According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Hillsborough County has the highest veteran population in Florida with more than 98,000 veterans. Every year, U.S. Rep. Castor assists Tampa veterans with cases related to benefit adjustments, disability claims and appeals, debt waivers, as well as expedited benefits decisions and record requests.

Grants – $1.3 billion

“Thanks to USF, Moffitt Cancer Center, local nonprofits and the many expanding businesses, our region remains a fast-growing center of economic growth. I am proud to advocate to bring our tax dollars back to Tampa to create higher-wage jobs and invest in the skills training that lift our community,” U.S. Rep. Castor said.

In addition to significant investments in medical research and health care, the University of South Florida (USF) received a $7.5 million grant to establish a National University Transportation Center (UTC) to advance research that will address our nation’s most critical transportation challenges. U.S. Rep. Castor also championed $200,000 to the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc. (CDC of Tampa) and $300,000 to the University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) to create a skilled workforce in communities where EPA brownfields assessment and cleanup activities are taking place. Additionally, her work continues to restore the Gulf of Mexico after the BP disaster in 2010 when she announced a $1.95 million grant for the Florida Institute of Oceanography at USF.

“The investments made for Tampa Bay keep our region on the cutting edge of health care innovation, keep our economy growing, ensure environmental justice and modernize our transportation infrastructure. I will continue to oppose radical cuts proposed by President Trump to health, education, transit and housing,” U.S. Rep. Castor said.  “I’m committed to doing more in 2020 to bring transit dollars home, boost innovation and fight for higher wages in Tampa Bay.”

Residents in Florida Congressional District 14 can call U.S. Rep. Castor’s Tampa office at 813-871-2817 or visit www.castor.house.gov for assistance. Happy Holidays!