Costa Secures $12.2 Million for Local Projects in the San Joaquin Valley

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) secured $12,235,783 in Community Project Funding through the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. This funding will respond directly to some of the most pressing needs in Fresno and Tulare counties. The budget is expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden later this week.

“Bringing back federal funding to the San Joaquin Valley is one of my top priorities. These projects will support underserved communities and foster economic development while providing more opportunities for folks to get ahead. I am proud to have fought for this funding to build stronger, more resilient communities.” said Costa. 

Costa championed and secured federal funding for 15 local projects that will directly benefit Fresno and Tulare County residents. These include: 

• $3 million to invest in the Upper Kings Groundwater Resiliency Project facilitated by the Alta, Fresno, and Consolidated Irrigation Districts, which would construct 3,300 acres of basins to be used for capturing surface water in wet years and pumping groundwater during dry years.

• $1.4 million to initiate Phase II of the Fresno-Yosemite Airport Terminal Expansion Project, which includes new TSA and airline baggage handling areas with added capacity and a new upper-level concourse with two dual-use passenger bridges to facilitate domestic and international boarding, larger hold rooms, space for new shopping and dining concessions.

• $1 million to help complete a feasibility study to allow for the construction of the Seaborn Reservoir Project, a multi-benefit reservoir to capture high-flow flood release and reduce the downstream flooding hazard to local infrastructure in Tulare County.

• $959,752 for the City of Dinuba to expand its existing sewer capacity, while creating jobs and protecting public health from sewer spills and overflows.

• $959,752 for the City of Visalia - Groundwater Basin Project to increase groundwater recharge capacity, while maintaining groundwater levels and improving drought resiliency.

• $850,000 for the modernization of the Marjaree Mason Center – Community Resource Center, a newly purchased building to provide comprehensive support services to survivors of domestic violence in the San Joaquin Valley.

• $850,000 to help revitalize the fire station in the City of Sanger, which would accommodate additional space for training, dormitories, storage, and coverage parking for fire engines in the rear of the facility. 

• $750,000 for the Traver Sewer System Feasibility Study Project, which would improve wastewater service and expand sewer capacity in the community of Traver.

• $500,000 for the City of Farmersville – Streetlamp Project to help install new streetlights, strengthen security, and enhance safety at night in the community.

• $500,000 for the City of Fowler - Downtown Streetscape Project, which would reinforce Fowler’s history, developing walkable streets and creating public spaces for the community.

• $500,000 for the City of Woodlake - Mulberry Street Roundabout Project, which would construct a roundabout at the intersection of Naranjo Boulevard (SR-216) and Mulberry Street. 

• $500,000 for the Habitat for Humanity Project for Disabled Veterans, which would develop additional housing for disabled and unhoused veterans in Tulare County, while ensuring ADA-compliant infrastructure.

• $400,000 for the Food to Share Hub Project to sustain healthy food access programs and other social services across Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings counties.

BUDGET WINS FOR VALLEY FAMILIES

• Fully funds the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at $7.03 billion and reverses the Republican effort to drastically cut the fruit and vegetable benefits in the WIC program.

• Secured $134 million for Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act water storage projects, which have benefitted Valley projects like B.F. Sisk Dam, Sites Reservoir, and the Friant-Kern Canal in the past.

• Secured $14 million for the Water Operations Technical Support (WOTS) to improve water resource management at Army Corps of Engineers reservoir projects, which could benefit Terminus Dam and Pine Flat.

• Secured $41 million in Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA) funding to invest in Children’s Advocacy Centers to help victims of child abuse.  

• Protects women’s access to mifepristone nationwide.

• Provides additional funding to continue the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act pay increase for wildland firefighters.

• Stabilizes communities by protecting housing assistance for nearly 5 million low-income individuals and families to ensure they continue to remain in safe, stable, and affordable housing.

Learn more about the Community Project Funding process.  

For more information about the six budget bills, click HERE.  

View a list of Democratic Victories HERE.