Costa secures $24 million in Local Projects

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) voted to fund $24 million in Community Project Funding for 15 local projects in the San Joaquin Valley, through the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill. This funding responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in Fresno, Madera, and Merced Counties. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.   

“One of my top priorities in Congress is to deliver taxpayer dollars back home to boost our regional economy,” said Costa. “These projects will support underserved communities and promote economic development, while providing more opportunities for Valley residents to get ahead. I am proud to deliver federal investments that will help build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities across our Valley.”

Costa championed funding for 15 local projects that will directly benefit Fresno, Madera, and Merced County residents. These include:

• $4.4 million for the City of Fresno to improve Fresno Yosemite International Airport's primary runway, which is used for daily commercial flights, transportation of goods, wildfire suppression, and homeland security.

• $4 million for the County of Fresno to revitalize streets, sidewalks, and roads in the disadvantaged community of Calwa. This will ensure all residents benefit from safer travel routes and improved sidewalk facilities that are ADA-compliant.

• $3.68 million for the Merced County Association of Governments to provide equitable and sustainable transportation to Yosemite National Park by converting the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) fleet to clean diesel buses.

• $3 million for the City of Atwater to improve access to clean drinking water, sanitation services, and water management, which will create opportunities for economic growth in the region by revitalizing water infrastructure in a rural, underserved community.

• $1.95 million for the County of Madera to improve and expand Highway 41. The project addresses safety and congestion concerns on the primary route between Fresno and Yosemite National Park. The project improves safety, reduces greenhouse gases, and eases traffic congestion.

• $1.35 million for the City of Gustine to improve internet access and bridge the digital divide by connecting low-income residents to affordable, reliable high-speed internet, including 5G access for businesses throughout the community. 

• $1.5 million for the Fresno Center to support and expand services for transportation, mental health, HIV prevention, and treatment for substance use disorders.

• $1.5 million for Community Regional Medical Center to expand and enhance its microbiology lab, which would improve patient care services like COVID-19 testing and other essential healthcare laboratory work.

• $1 million for the City of Fresno to address homelessness by immediately helping dozens of formerly homeless residents move out of motel shelters and into permanent affordable tiny homes.

• $703,000 for Madera County Sheriff's Office to purchase a Rapid DNA system, which will bolster law enforcement's ability to quickly obtain accurate analysis, identify victims' remains, and relieve the backlog in crime laboratories.

• $500,000 for the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission to train residents for firefighting and land conservation jobs with agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire, and Bureau of Reclamation.

• $484,047 for Reading and Beyond to revitalize and re-establish the California Bridge Academy in Fresno and Madera counties. The plan integrates employment and training services for minorities and low-income individuals. 

• $457,000 for Merced County Sheriff's Office to purchase a Rapid DNA system, which will bolster law enforcement's ability to quickly obtain accurate analysis, identify victims' remains, and relieve the backlog in crime laboratories.

• $200,000 for Fancher and Redbank Creek projects to increase water supply, improve regional flood protection, and enhance environmental protection in a disadvantaged region.

• $150,000 for the Central California Veterans Home Support Foundation to help maintain the Fresno Veterans Home Memorial, a historical landmark that honors the service and sacrifice of local veterans who served our country.

Background
Under the guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative was permitted to request funds for up to 15 projects in their community for the Fiscal Year 2023. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Costa continuously advocated for these projects, and all were included in the government funding package.

In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Congressman Costa has certified that he and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects that he has requested. Please find the financial disclosure letters for all projects here.

In addition, this bill secures critical funding to uplift American families, tackle food insecurity, and strengthen our national defense, including:

• Tackling Food Insecurity: Creates a nationwide permanent Summer EBT program, so that 29 million kids can access healthy, nutritious meals throughout the summer.

• Addressing Violence Against Women: Provides $700 million for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) prevention and prosecution programs, providing services and assistance to victims of domestic violence and assault.

• Supporting our Veterans: Secured a $21 billion increase for veterans’ healthcare and to support the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) as they implement the historic PACT Act.

• Addressing the Drought Crisis: Costa secured $134 million in Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act storage funds to assist in reducing the impacts of the drought crisis and building long-term drought resiliency.

• Combatting the Climate Crisis: Includes the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which eliminates barriers to participate in voluntary carbon markets and incentivizes sustainable farming practices. (Costa is an original co-sponsor of the bill)

• Protecting Democracies: Continues critical military and economic assistance to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia, which includes training, equipment, weapons, supplies, and humanitarian aid. 

• Safeguarding our Elections: Reforms the Electoral Count Act of 1887 to help prevent future attempts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power as we saw on January 6, 2021. 

• Enhancing Cyber-Security: Implements a ban on the Chinese-owned TikTok app on federal devices, due to national security and data privacy concerns.

• Protecting Women’s Rights: Includes the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which would prohibit discrimination and require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers. (Costa is a co-sponsor of the bill)

• Tackling the Opioid Crisis: Includes the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, bipartisan legislation that eliminates the outdated bureaucratic requirement—known as the “x-waiver”—currently preventing Americans from accessing lifesaving addiction treatment. (Costa is a co-sponsor of the bill)

• Combatting Global Hunger: Provides $50 million to both the Food for Peace and the McGovern-Dole Food for Education programs to support food security and fight world hunger.

• Supporting Armenia: Provides $60 million in security and economic assistance for Armenia, including $2 millionin assistance for Artsakh, which Costa advocated for in this Congress. 

• Enhancing Border Security: Make responsible investments in border security, including border technology, to improve inspections at ports of entry, hire more staff, and strengthen body-worn camera programs at CBP and ICE. 

A detailed summary of the bill is available here.   

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