Castor Announces Another $800 Million for Jobs Related to High Speed Rail

Press Release

Floridians win thousands of new jobs as the result of another major high-speed rail award today. Florida will be receiving an additional $800 million towards completing the Tampa-Orlando High Speed Rail segment. Congresswoman Castor learned of the award in a conversation with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood this morning.

"We are putting thousands and thousands of Floridians to work on a transportation and jobs initiative that will benefit Florida residents, small business owners, and aid future economic growth," Castor said.

In one of the largest investments for Florida under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Florida received $1.25 billion in January to create jobs and begin work on a High-Speed Rail line that will connect Tampa and Orlando. Castor joined Senator Nelson in August calling on the Administration to award the Florida Department of Transportation's application for funding the completion of the Tampa-Orlando link.

"People are already at work on the Tampa to Orlando segment, and workshops are underway for small business owners to tap into new business opportunities," Castor said. "Today's major investment means that thousands more Floridians will be put to work."

In August of this year, Congresswoman Castor worked to bring a workshop for local small businesses that drew hundreds of local business owners to learn the procurement process and subcontracting opportunities.

"Clearly, our local businesses are excited to get to work and our community is ready to take full advantage of the new transportation innovations we are bringing to Florida," Castor said.

This announcement comes on the heels of last week's Housing and Urban Development grant for the City of Tampa to establish the city's High Speed Rail station. Also awarded today was an $8 million grant to begin the Orlando-Miami segment of Florida's High Speed Rail line. These major investments show Castor and the Administration's commitment to bringing jobs and economic recovery to Floridians.

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