McCollum Announces 15 Community Project Funding Requests for FY 2024

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement after formally submitting 15 Community Project Funding requests in the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2024:

"I'm pleased to announce that my office has submitted 15 requests for Community Project Funding this year for worthwhile projects that will make a positive impact in the Fourth District," McCollum said. "From highway improvement projects, to public safety investments, to updated community buildings and drinking water infrastructure fixes, these projects are shovel-ready and already enjoy significant support across our community. However, as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I was disappointed that the Republican Majority prevented Members from making requests within the Financial Services, Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and Defense bills. This restriction excludes many otherwise deserving projects, including projects boosting workforce development, supporting opportunities for our youth, revitalizing small businesses, and funding health care services for children with complex medical needs, among others – projects that were eligible during the previous two years.

"The Community Project process was incredibly successful during the past two years, delivering direct investments to both Democratic and Republican Congressional districts across the country--including $47 million back to communities in Minnesota's Fourth District. This year, I will do everything I can to advance these new project projects during the Appropriations process. Unfortunately, under Republican leadership, this process is going to be unpredictable. I encourage my Republican colleagues to recognize the value of these investments in our communities and stay focused on solving problems for the constituents we are all elected to serve."

Background:
The 15 requests made by the Office of Congresswoman McCollum total $46.6 million, and are as follows in no particular order:

Project: City of Gem Lake Municipal Water Supply Project
$5,488,000
This funding would support the design and construction of a new water supply system to provide safe drinking water to Gem Lake residents due to 1,4-dioxane contamination of local private wells. This is a health and safety issue; residents should have reliable access to safe, clean water, without worrying about pollution. The majority of the City's residents are served by private wells, so this proposal is for a new water distribution system supplied by neighboring communities to ensure those affected by the contamination can be provided a safe, reliable potable water service.

Project: Agricultural Research Service Cereal Disease Lab: St. Paul, MN
$6,500,000
The funding would be used for the pre-design phase of a new next generation Cereal Disease Laboratory facility in St. Paul, MN. As the premier cereal disease research laboratory, these investments are critical if we are to continue making gains in addressing new and emerging highly pathogenic strains in wheat, or mycotoxins in corn, that not only destroy crops but cause illness and death in livestock and humans consuming the infected grain. With the complexities of our changing environment coupled with increased vulnerability to the global food supply, access to new cutting-edge technical capabilities is needed to take on growing challenges in cereal disease.

Project: Anerobic Digester Nutrient Recovery: St. Paul, MN
$800,000
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture would create a blueprint document to guide the creation and development of a domestic nutrient recycling industry in Minnesota. Efficient recovery and recycling of nutrients is part of a multipronged strategy to improve and protect Minnesota's groundwater and surface waters, reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers, and allow Minnesota to produce green fertilizers locally. While existing nutrient reduction and clean water programs are impactful at the field scale, MDA needs to take bold action to accelerate innovation. The resulting research serves to protect Minnesota's waters and improve sustainability of agriculture production.

Project: Ramsey County Emergency and Public Safety Communications Network Replacement: St. Paul, MN
$2,964,599
The funding would be used for necessary replacement and upgrade of technology to ensure the county's emergency and public safety communications networks remain intact. All police and fire departments in every Ramsey County community are dispatched by the Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center and depend on the County's 800MHz radio system for reliable communications. The consolidated dispatch center and shared 800MHz radio system were established to provide reliable communications interoperability throughout the county, with neighboring counties, and state agencies. This project will ensure a valuable public safety resource continues to function at sufficient capacity.

Project: Washington County Public Safety Equipment and Technology: Stillwater, MN
$1,000,000
The funding would be used to purchase two airboats, as well as implement a Digital Evidence Management System. Washington County Sheriff's deputies are present on over 250 lakes and other bodies of water every day to preserve safety. Airboats are essential equipment for WCSO to perform its duties safely and effectively. In early winter and late spring, airboats are the choice mode for conducting essential Sheriff's Office duties because they can traverse areas where prop motorboats or snowmobiles cannot, due to ice conditions. A Digital Evidence Management System would provide for uniformity, as well as efficient and effective communication of evidence for public safety agencies, attorneys, and the public. DEMS would grant Washington County agencies the ability to share cases, with permission levels assigned by Sheriff's Office public safety administrators.

Project: Analytical Equipment for Measurement Science: St. Paul, MN
$1,000,000
This funding would support the acquisition of analytical equipment that will support the measurement of trace elements, pollutants, and microbial communities that will forward our understanding of several complex environmental research questions. It would be used to purchase a Micro-CT, a Size-exclusion Chromatography system, a MALDI Mass-Spectrophotometer, an ICP-MS, and a Microbalance.

Project: Fire Station 7 Renovation
$4,000,000
The funding would be used to construct a new Fire Station 7 to meet the growing needs of the East Side of Saint Paul. The existing Fire Station is 91 years old and can't support the personnel or resources needed to provide adequate and equitable fire and medical response for some of the city's most vulnerable residents. This project would allow the Fire Department to improve fire and EMS coverage to East Side of Saint Paul. The rebuilding of this station will create on-going benefits to the entire East Side and surrounding areas. The new station would be a five-bay station that could accommodate additional fire and emergency medical response vehicles. The current station lacks facilities that would be conducive to gender equity, privacy and to general employee wellness (e.g., shower facilities for men and women, adequate locker room space, appropriately private sleeping quarters, etc.). Currently, this station cannot be fitted for measures that would otherwise markedly reduce exposure to cancer causing carcinogens, such as spaces for decontamination and storage of personal protective equipment (PPE) separate from both living quarters and apparatus bays.

Project: Workforce Development & Training Center at the East Side Boys & Girls Club
$1,500,000
The funding would be used to create a state-of-the-art Workforce Development & Training Center at the East Side Boys & Girls Club. The project will help the Boys & Girls Clubs give access to high quality workforce development programs to youth in the community to help break cycles of generational poverty by giving youth a vision for the future and path with which to achieve it. The current building, built in 1994, requires renovation, expansion, and improvement to build out a new Workforce Development & Training Center space for youth in the community. Additionally, infrastructure improvements and upgrades will help bring the building up to current building standards and requirements to house a first rate out of school time facility for Saint Paul youth. The renovated building and expansion will focus on youth safety and sustainability measures to create a building intentionally designed with external and internal threat and safety awareness along with long term sustainability, energy conservation, and community development goals.

Project: Rice Street Reconstruction
$3,900,000
The funding would be used to implement improvements along Rice Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Wheelock Parkway. Rice Street is a regionally significant route that carries 15,000 vehicles a day, including significant heavy freight traffic, and features multiple bus routes with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) investments planned for construction in 2026-2027. The project will reconstruct Rice Street to better serve the needs of the surrounding community, including safety. Rice Street has one of the highest crash rates in the metro area. From 2012-21 there were 1096 crashes in the project area. This rate is nearly two and a half times higher than the statewide average and equates to one crash every three days. The proposed project is anticipated to result in a 47% reduction in the crash rate. Construction elements will include greater pedestrian amenities such as wider sidewalks and improved crossings. Bicyclists will benefit from a 12-foot shared use path with regional connections. Transit improvements will include clear station pad space in anticipation of Metro Transit's future G Line BRT route. Enhanced boulevards will provide improved streetscape aesthetics. Safety for all users will be improved through a 4-to-3 lane conversion providing a dedicated two-way left turn lane and improved medians.

Project: Oyate Ota Center, American Indian Family Center
$2,510,000
The funding would be used to acquire a site for and construct the Oyate Ota Center, a community center serving the American Indian community residing in Ramsey County with culturally specific support. The Oyate Ota Center is a transformational vision for the future of social service delivery in Ramsey County, Saint Paul and beyond. Meaning The People's Place in the Dakota language, this vision is powered by a coalition of non-profits and public agencies that are eager to co-locate services in one shared, community-centered space. Emerging from tireless work of community-based organizations dedicated to strengthening and supporting American Indian children, youth and their families, and Elders, the founding members of the Oyate Ota Center include the following organizations: American Indian Family Center (AIFC), Department of Indian Work of Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul (DIW), and Montessori American Indian Childcare Center (MAICC). Working together, these groups are making strides in disrupting the cycles of trauma, substance abuse, mental illness, and chronic health issues that keep our community in poverty, homeless, and incarcerated at higher rates than any other population. Collectively, the Coalition serves 2,500 households annually with culturally specific wrap around services providing support in all life stages, prenatal to elder.

Project: City of North St. Paul Community Center Revitalization
$2,000,000
The funding would be used to revitalize the community center into a mixed-use space serving all ages and demographics in the City of North St. Paul. The Community center will become a Year-round community hub offering farmer's and craft markets, educational programs, seasonal and cultural events and celebrations, and social gatherings. Safe zone for the youth to foster positive socialization and recreational space for youth sports and activities. A space for youth-targeted, leadership-building programs like scouting and Why I Am (a local nonprofit that aims to break the cycle of hopelessness and youth incarceration). A place for veterans and seniors to socialize, and engage in crafts, dance, fitness, and recreation with interior design that is safe and accessible for all abilities. Multicultural center for ALL residents serving the City's diverse demographics. Demonstration hub showcasing the City's commitment to sustainability. Renovations will likely include solar energy, stormwater best practices, and water conservation to promote environmental health in the community.

Project: Weir Drive, City of Woodbury
$3,200,000
This funding will be used to elevate and improve a ½-mile stretch of Weir Drive. Weir Drive is a dead-end roadway serving the Woodland Pointe apartment complex (approximately 300 units), E-STEM Middle School, and several businesses. There are currently two points along Weir Drive that convey stormwater. When the roadway floods, it cuts off access for residents in and out of Weir Drive. Reconstruction and the addition of culverts will help the City of Woodbury maintain this road, provide access to low-income residents at the Woodland Pointe apartments, ensure access to the E-STEM Middle School and several businesses that sit along the roadway, and ensure first responders have access to all points of Weir Drive in the event of an emergency while the road is flooded.

Project: Riverview Library Renovation
$4,000,000
The funding would be used to renovate the Riverview Library, a historic Carnegie library, on the West Side of Saint Paul. The library was built in 1917 and last updated in 1989. This renovation would transform the library into a dynamic, technology-enabled, inviting and healing community space and resource hub that strengthens the social infrastructure of the West Side, including building on the cultural history of welcoming new immigrants. Complete renovation of the Riverview Library address changes that the community have asked for including accessibility and entrances, updated restrooms, improved public meeting and programming space, better separation between quiet and active spaces, better technology, and improved play-based and creative learning space. This investment will transform library services and an historic iconic building for this community for the next 40-50 years.

Project: Hayden Heights Library Renovation
$4,000,000
The funding would be used to renovate the Hayden Heights Library on the East Side of Saint Paul. The library was built in 1978 and has never been renovated. A renovated Hayden Heights library will promote innovation by enhanced technology for residents, especially those using the library for business and economic needs. The pandemic exposed the extent to which many residents experience digital distress – lack of adequate access to technology, internet connection, and skills to navigate life online. Libraries serve as essential technology resource hubs in communities – providing basic access to computers and internet, but also classes and 1:1 support for technology-based tasks. As more and more public services move online, it is essential to invest in the infrastructure and resources to make sure no one gets left behind in a digital world. The renovation will incorporate energy efficiency, sustainability, and climate resilience into the building features and technologies.

Project: Trunk Highway 96, Norell Avenue, and Stonebridge Trail Roundabout
$2,250,000
The funding will be used to construct a roundabout to replace two existing intersections along Highway 96. This will simplify the connectivity between Highway 96, Norell Avenue, and Stonebridge Trail in Stillwater Township. Replacing these intersections with a roundabout will improve safety for all users.

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