U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, stopped by to visit Palmerton Borough Hall Thursday night for a town-hall style meet-and-greet with residents.

Starting at 6:30 p.m., Cartwright explained to the attendees the many services his office provides to the district before taking written questions from the residents. The 17th district is home to 686,892 constituents ranging from Carbon County up to the Scranton area, where Cartwright has been the congressman for the past four years.Cartwright said his various offices are available to help residents with many issues."If it happens we can help you, we want to do that," he told the audience. "That's why I got into this business."The congressman described the services he and his staff can provide to residents of the district."We have a lot of vets and active-duty personal and we're here to help if there problems with the Veteran Affairs system," he said.The example he gave was veterans who may have not received the decorations they were awarded during time of service."Joe Scheckman was in World War II. He had nine service decorations he never got. Thinking of all the buddies he lost though, he wasn't interested in a bit of ribbon. His neighbor was close with him and put the request in for the medals including a Bronze Star for Valor," said Cartwright."The VA is a big bureaucracy and we can help."Cartwright said his office also helps with the IRS."When the IRS thinks you own them money, time is not your friend," he said."It can turn into penalties and interest, so get it resolved."Immigration services such as visa applications and issues with passports can be straightened out in one of the five offices throughout the district."So many people in this area depend on Social Security," he said."There are 150,000 people in Schuylkill County, Cartwright said, adding that 40 percent of those people depend on that money for support."If someone misses a check it's an immediate hardship. We can help."Economic Development was the last service the representative mentioned before taking a handful of questions from residents."It is a big part of what we do. Jobs are the biggest issue here. It doesn't take a political rocket scientist to figure that out," he said."There are members of Congress who work hard to get around to their districts and figure out what is needed. It's something I think about and work on," he said.The latest grant award to the Carbon County area was for the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, which was awarded a $47,620 from an Operations and Safety grant. The funds will allow the fire company to replace its cascade system that dates back to the 1990s. An air cascade system refills self-contained breathing apparatus units following use.The units are worn by rescue workers, firefighters and others and provides breathable air.Cartwright explained the lack of information available to municipalities for federal grants available to counties and district. Cartwright said he wants to "make sure we get our fair share of money back into our district."He also addressed unemployment. "The best way to increase employment in our area is to increase what we already have. If we roll up our sleeves and work at it, we can get it done," he said.Cartwright invited the audience to make a trip to the Washington, D.C., office where he can arrange tours of the Capitol and the White House."Come down and visit," he said, adding that advance notice is needed.Cartwright can be reached at his Pottsville District Office at 121 Progress Ave., by phone 570-624-0140, or at the Washington office at 202-225-5546.