Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced today that Hillsborough Community College will receive a $1.68 million grant to train students in auto collision repair and auto mechanics, an initiative that will create 300 jobs.

“This will enable HCC to train our students with the most modern, up-to-date technology so they can graduate and obtain well-paying jobs as auto mechanics,” Castor said. “With the facilities this will make possible, there’s no better place than HCC to receive this training.”

Florida has a critical need for skilled auto mechanics, and the Ybor City campus workforce training center will be one of only 13 in the state to offer this training. HCC will use the grant to renovate its workforce training center and start an Automotive Technology Program.

According to Gwen Stephenson, HCC president: “Many of Tampa Bay’s automotive dealers asked the college for assistance in creating an ongoing supply of skilled automotive technicians. Today’s complex integrated computing systems and changes in environmental emission standards require advanced technical skills, and the need to replace an aging automotive technician population have created a high demand for workers. HCC now will be prepared to provide technical training and an expanded workforce with the help of the EDA grant.”

The money comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration grants, and was made available through the 2009 appropriations bill that Congress approved this month.

“Congress and President Obama will continue to spur an economic recovery that creates jobs across America. This is a perfect illustration of how the new job creation strategy under the Recovery Act and federal Appropriations Act will create more jobs in the Tampa Bay area and bolster our economy,” Castor said. “This is a great example – creating 300 jobs in the auto industry.”