Rep. Panetta Announces Eight Community Projects for Congressional District Totaling $5.9 Million
SALINAS, CA – Today, Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) announced that eight community projects in California's 20th District were included in the FY 2022 Appropriations package totaling $5.9 million. These funds will support infrastructure, water projects, workforce development, healthcare, and housing projects throughout the district in Santa Cruz, Pacific Grove, King City, Watsonville, San Juan Bautista, and Salinas. The legislation was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday night, the U.S. Senate last night, and will be sent to President Joe Biden for signature prior to the funding deadline on March 15th.
"The federal government is playing its part when it comes to providing funding for much needed infrastructure projects on the Central Coast," said Rep. Jimmy Panetta. "I thank the local municipalities and stakeholders for our work together to determine the projects, including systems for sustainable and safe drinking water, roads ways, recreation trails, and workforce development, and I appreciate the bipartisan work in Congress to secure this federal funding. The funding for the projects will help bolster our water resources, revitalize our infrastructure, create jobs, and strengthen our local economies and communities."
"The City's water meter replacement program will help our water customers ultimately save money and water while also providing employable skills to willing residents," said Sonja Brunner, Mayor of Santa Cruz. "We are grateful that Congressman Panetta could assist us in addressing two of the Santa Cruz City Council's most significant goals, addressing climate change and growing our local workforce."
"This is great news, King City is very excited to hear that our Community Project grant application for our Downtown Streetscape Project was awarded," said Mike LeBarre, Mayor of King City. "Congressman Panetta has always been engaged and supportive of our efforts to meet high priority needs in our community and we greatly appreciate all his work advocating for this grant and ensuring underserved rural communities receive much needed Federal support. The streetscape project will help transform and revitalize our downtown area, create a more active and pedestrian oriented downtown, support much needed business and job growth, beautify our community, and create an overall higher quality of life for our residents. We thank Congressman Panetta and the Community Project grant program for making this possible."
"Monterey One Water is driven by its mission to turn the area's wastewaters into safe, resilient water solutions for the community and the environment," said Paul Sciuto, Monterey One Water General Manager. "To do this, we must protect our infrastructure from the impacts of climate change, especially storm intensity and tidal surges. We are grateful to Representative Panetta for championing our community project, and helping our Agency secure federal funding to begin the relocation process of critical coastal infrastructure."
"Congressman Panetta was the first to reach out and help San Juan Bautista transform its wastewater system," said Don Reynolds, City Manager of San Juan Bautista. "The City is very grateful for this help. This is the first official grant award for this project, and will act as a catalyst to build the confidence needed to fund the entire $18 million investment. The citizens of the City stood up in December agreeing to increase their sewer rates, and now the Congress is working beside them to make sure the transformation occurs. The City is honored to receive these funds, and will be the "poster child" for any other small aged system that is working towards a similar regional transformation.
"The City of Watsonville is pleased and appreciative of this funding for the Lee Road Trail project," said Murray Fontes, Principal Engineer of the City of Watsonville. "It will assist with construction of a one-half mile bicycle and pedestrian trail that will allow Watsonville residents and Pajaro Valley High School students to bike and walk to the soon to be constructed Watsonville Slough Farms trail network."
Below is the full list of community projects for California's 20th District and their funding levels allocated through the FY 2022 appropriations package:
Monterey One Water Pump Station Electrical Relocation ($400,000):
This funding will be used to relocate electrical equipment to dry, higher ground so the station, threatened by coastal climate change, can continue to pump the City of Pacific Grove's wastewater safely and reliably to the Regional Treatment Plant.
Dientes and Midpen Housing Project ($1,050,000):
The Health & Home Project is designed to address the major social issues of our time: access to affordable health care and housing. The project unites three leading nonprofit organizations – Dientes Community Dental Care, Santa Cruz Community Health, and MidPen Housing – who will work together to improve health, increase housing stability, and support local economic development.
San Juan Bautista Water and Wastewater Project ($1,000,000):
This funding will be used for a portion of the City's Regional Water and Wastewater Project, which includes building a "force main" pipeline to send wastewater to the City of Hollister Regional Treatment Plant to be treated, recycled and reused for agricultural irrigation.
Santa Cruz Water Meters ($1,000,000):
This funding will be used to replace over 27,000 aging water meters in the City of Santa Cruz water service area with smart meters. Smart meters can help customers track their water usage, save water, and reduce their water bills.
King City Streetscape ($1,000,000):
This project is designed to make downtown King City more pedestrian oriented and bike-friendly. It will help improve circulation and access for the community, increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists, encourage healthier lifestyles, revitalize the downtown area, support businesses and job growth, and provide an important local economic stimulus.
Watsonville Lee Road Trail ($1,000,000):
This funding will be used to construct a 1.4-mile pedestrian and bike trail from the Pajaro Valley High School driveway to the railroad crossing on Lee Road. It will also connect with other trail projects. The project will connect students and community members with trails that will circumnavigate coastal wetlands, grasslands, and organic farmland and support cleaner commutes and healthy recreation.
ALBA Farmworker Workforce Center ($250,000):
This funding will be used to assist hard-working field laborers develop new skills and fill positions in the Salinas Valley's agriculture industry. The Center will complement ALBA's existing farm incubator by establishing targeted training to shore up skills gaps in the fast-growing organic agriculture sector. It will expand upon an existing relationship with nearby Hartnell College to offer on-farm education and experiential learning opportunities to students exploring agricultural opportunities.
El Pajaro Alisal Kitchen Incubator ($200,000):
This funding will be used to acquire commercial equipment and fixtures needed for a kitchen incubator in East Salinas where food production entrepreneurs, women and other economically disadvantaged persons can receive training and technical assistance, and food producers can start-up and expand their businesses in a commercially-equipped, licensed facility.
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