Building a Stronger Economy for Central Florida

Dear friends and neighbors,

This week, we got great economic news that US economic growth (GDP) went UP by 2.6% in the third quarter of 2022 while the unemployment rate remains at 3.5% — the lowest level in 50 years. Since January 2021, we have created 39,300 good-paying jobs in District 9. This is a direct result of our legislative work like the CHIPS Act to bring about an American Manufacturing Boom. We will continue to invest in American workers, strengthen our supply chains, and lower costs for the American people.

On Thursday, we joined forces with Protect Our Care and State Senator Vic Torres to celebrate the lower health care and prescription drug costs coming to Central Florida thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. Currently, estimates show that the Inflation Reduction Act is helping 149,000 people in our district access coverage. Without this law, these individuals would have seen their health insurance premiums rise or lost coverage altogether at the end of the year.

On Wednesday, we brought local, state, and federal agencies together to help Osceola cattlemen recover after Hurricane Ian. It is critical to ensure local farmers, growers, and ranchers in our district have the proper resources to come back and prepare for any future storms.

Team Soto also had the pleasure of welcoming Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia Fudge, as she visited Central Florida to present the Homeless Network of Central Florida with an $8.3 million grant to combat homelessness. The Secretary also visited the Disaster Recovery Center in Barnett Park and participated in a roundtable on the dire need for attainable housing.

As always, I am thrilled with everything we accomplished this week and look forward to seeing what next week holds.

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Great News for Central Floridians

GDP Report Shows That the Economy is Growing

This week, we learned that the economy is growing strongly and our investments in American manufacturing and technology are working. GDP is UP (2.6% in Q3) and unemployment is DOWN (3.5%).

We are seeing new high-paying jobs surge in Lake Nona and NeoCity in FL-09 due to our efforts. This is on top of the unprecedented 10 million jobs and almost 700,000 manufacturing jobs created already under President Biden.

Click here for more information

In the District

Celebrating Lower Healthcare Costs

It was great to join Protect Our Care and Senator Vic Torres on the Lower Costs Better Care bus tour in Orlando. Lower costs and better healthcare are on the way for all Americans thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.

Meeting with Osceola Cattlemen to Discuss Hurricane Ian

We brought local, state, and federal agencies together in Kenansville to help Central Florida cattlemen recover and prepare for the flooding that comes with major storms like Hurricane Ian. We are proud to provide important resources and listen to the concerns that farmers, ranchers, and growers have.

Highlighting First Responders in Davenport

Team Soto was proud to join Advent Health for its first responders appreciation event in Davenport. I am grateful to those who put their lives on the line to protect local residents and will continue supporting them in Washington, D.C.

Standing Up for Attainable Housing

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge visited Central Florida to present the Homeless Network of Central Florida with an $8.3 million grant to combat homelessness. We also thank her for the recent $5.69 million grant to Osceola Council on Aging for seniors' affordable housing in BVL.

The Secretary visited the Disaster Recovery Center in Barnett Park and participated in a roundtable on the dire need for attainable housing.

Attending the Four Corners Junior Woman's Club Meeting

Our team was present at the GFWC Four Corners Junior Woman’s Club meeting. We provided a briefing on Hurricane Ian resources and received information about the great work they're doing to help schools, families, and other non-profits.

Hosting Service Academy Interviews

We hosted our U.S. Service Academy interviews this week. These young people are inspiring, tough, and show that Central Florida’s future is bright.

Student Loan Relief Application is Now Open

The application for $10,000 in student debt relief is now open. It’s up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients.

Click here to apply

Congressional App Challenge

Know a student who is interested in coding?

Middle and high school students in our district who are interested in creating an app can learn more at https://congressionalappchallenge.us and submit their applications by November 1.

Spring 2023 Internship Applications

Federal Resources for Affected Individuals

President Joe Biden approved Individual Assistance for all counties in Florida's Ninth Congressional District: Orange, Osceola, and Polk. As a result, affected families can file claims if they need home repairs or have other damaged property. Disaster Recovery Centers have also been opened to help individuals apply for federal assistance and disaster loans, update applications, and learn about other resources available.

We are thrilled to announce that all three counties have been approved for the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program to provide short-term lodging assistance for victims of the storm. For long-term solutions, we have asked FEMA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to consider activating the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP).

Visit DisasterAssistance.gov for more information or call 1-800-621-3362

If you receive a rejection from FEMA, it may not be the end of the road. You have up to 60 days to submit an appeal if you disagree with FEMA’s decision and there are often simple steps you can take to remedy the situation.

Assistance for Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has established facilities to provide business owners, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters with answers to their questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help each person complete their electronic loan application. These facilities can be either virtual or brick-and-mortar, depending on the circumstances surrounding the disaster and other factors. Individuals should apply under SBA declaration # 17644.

Apply through your DisasterAssistance.gov account

Additionally, Florida has made $50 million available through the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The loans will be administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and provide short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Ian.

Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, as well as to view the lending guidelines and required documentation, and complete an application.
Business owners who need further program information may call 833-832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
Applications are due on December 2, 2022.

Resources for Constituents Without Power

If constituents are experiencing long-term power outages, they should look into the Low-Income Home Energy Assistant Program (LIHEAP) in addition to applying for Individual Assistance. The state of Florida released $1.4 million in LIHEAP set-aside emergency funding for use by LIHEAP providers across the state.

Food and Nutrition Assistance

HOT FOOD UPDATE: Residents of Osceola, Orange, and Polk Counties can now use SNAP to purchase hot foods until the end of the month. SNAP-authorized retailers may accept SNAP benefits in exchange for hot foods and foods intended to be consumed on retailer premises.

D-SNAP UPDATE: USDA has approved Disaster-SNAP benefits for Hurricane Ian survivors in Orange, Osceola, and Polk Counties. Individuals can pre-register at https://www.myflfamilies.com/hurricaneian/.

Beware of Fraud

I am proud to be your representative and look forward to our continued efforts to improve our district! Please do not hesitate to call my office with any questions or concerns.

In Community,