Media

FRESNO, CA -Congressman Jim Costa (CA-20) announced today that theLamont Elementary School District will receive over $300,000 in funds from theUnited States Department of Education (DOE) Literacy and School LibrariesProgram. The funds will be used to better equip and enhance the Lamont SchoolLibrary.

Fresno, CA -Congressman Jim Costa(CA-20) announced today that the FresnoArt Museum will receive the Museums ofAmerica grant in the amount of $149,176 from the Institute of Museumand Library Services.

"The Museums of America grant supports hundreds ofeducational programs and the advancement of community partnerships of museumsacross the country. This grant will allow the Fresno Art Museumto create lasting relationships with the community while they continue to expandthe programs and projects they currently have," Congressman Costa explained.

FRESNO, CA- Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) announced today that the FresnoInterdenominational Refugee Ministries operated by the Office of Refugee Resettlementwill receive $180,000 in funding from the United States Department of Healthand Human Services.

"With theCentral Valley receiving 2,400 refugees over the last two years, it isimportant to provide these newly arrived refugees services that will help themget started in living in the in the United States" Congressman Costa explained.

FRESNO,CA - Congressman Jim Costa (D - Fresno) announced todayhe will host a grant workshop to acquaint non-profit organizations and localgovernments with federal and private funding opportunities. Agencies providinginformation include the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the FresnoRegional Foundation and the American Humanics Program at CaliforniaState University,Fresno. Theworkshop will be held on Thursday, August 24, at the Economic OpportunitiesCommission Board Room in downtown Fresnofrom 9:00 a.m. to noon.

BAKERSFIELD, CA- Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) announced today he will host a grantworkshop to acquaint non-profit organizations and local governments withfederal and private funding opportunities. Agencies providing informationinclude the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Kern CountyCommunity Foundation and the Office of Grants, Research and Sponsored Programsat California StateUniversity, Bakersfield. The workshop will be heldon Tuesday, August 22, at the Kern County PublicService Buildingin downtown Bakersfieldfrom 9:30a.m.

FRESNO, CA - Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) announced todaythat the Corcoran Joint UnifiedSchool District and the city of Corcoran will receive aninvestment grant from the United States Department of Commerce EconomicDevelopment Administration. The grant will be in the amount of $204,660. Thefunds will be used toward planning and designing a vocational training center.

"The development of the vocational center will improve theworkforce of KingsCounty, in return makingthe region more competitive economically," Costa explained.

FRESNO, CA- Congressman Jim Costa (CA-20) announced today thatthe Fresno Unified School Districthas been selected to receive $275,000 in funding under the Development andDissemination Grant Program. The funds will be used towards implementingstandards-based arts in elementary and middle school education.

"Integrating the arts into education is vital to studentslearning experiences. These funds will enable students to improve in academicperformance, creative, and performing skills," Congressman Costa explained.

FRESNO, CA - Congressman JimCosta is seeking local student artists to compete in the Congressional ArtCompetition for the Twentieth District of California.

The competition is opento ninth through twelfth grade students who live in the 20^thCongressional District. The deadline forsubmission of artwork is Friday, February 24, 2006.

Over the summer, thelocal winner will be invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony in Washington, DChonoring the new entries, which are placed on exhibit at the Nation's Capitol.