McCollum Secures Critical Federal Funding to Assist New Americans and Improve Regional Trails in Ramsey and Washington Counties

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement today after President Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2022 conference agreement (H.R. 2471) into law, with funding for all 10 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Rep. McCollum that will directly benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:

"International Institute of Minnesota's renovations will help more New Americans build successful futures – an effort I'm proud to support, especially during this time of global uncertainty," Congresswoman McCollum said. "I'll continue to support the Institute in this important work. Additionally, federal funding to help complete the Bruce Vento Regional Trail through the Fourth District's northern communities will help connect bike commuters to critical transportation routes. Improvements to the Central Greenway Regional Trail will make it safer and more accessible for East Metro families to enjoy. These projects will benefit our community directly and tangibly, and I'm proud to secure federal funding to help make them possible."

Three Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Rep. McCollum will benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District by investing in our parks and trails and strengthening our communities:

• Project: International Institute of Minnesota ($1,500,000)
  Description: Founded in 1919, the International Institute of Minnesota helps New Americans successfully transition to new lives, build self-sufficiency and achieve economic independence. The Institute is recognized as a leader in programs for immigrants and refugees and is a national model for New American workforce development. To increase the number of New Americans served annually, as well as expand the number of career pathways for New Americans to pursue, the Institute is investing in a comprehensive renovation of its existing 18,000-square-foot-space and the addition of a 16,000+ square foot wing containing six new classrooms, interactive training labs, a welcoming and functional lobby and gathering spaces for clients and their families.

"This investment demonstrates Congresswoman McCollum's commitment to welcoming New Americans to Minnesota and building the workforce system in our state," said Jane Graupman, executive director of the International Institute of Minnesota. "The Institute has been helping immigrants and refugees settle in Minnesota for over 100 years – contributing to the rich cultural diversity and economic prosperity that has fueled Minnesota's past and will catalyze our future. We appreciate Rep. McCollum's care and attention to this issue, and commitment to getting things done!"

• Project: Central Greenway Regional Trail Improvements ($1,000,000)
  Description: The Central Greenway Regional Trail project will improve the multiuse regional trail within Washington County, including new trail segments, pavement rehabilitation, and trailhead improvements. This project will provide improved regional and local pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to community destinations, improving accessibility, safety, and environmental conditions. Segments of the existing trail have passed their service life and are in need of pavement rehabilitation. New trail segments and trailheads are also needed to accommodate increased use and provide a safer experience for all.

"Residents have shown they love the parks and trails," said Washington County Board of Commissioners Chair Wayne Johnson. "The Central Greenway project will advance our goal of creating connector trails to three premiere regional parks in Washington County. This Greenway will help forge bonds between Washington County and its communities, benefitting all who use it for recreation or commuting. We are grateful for the leadership and support of Representative McCollum to help make Washington County a great place to live, work, and play."

• Project: Bruce Vento Trail ($1,300,000)
  Description: This project request will provide final design and construction plans for a six-mile alternate regional trail alignment that is mainly outside of rail property on public land. These funds will also complete the last two undeveloped segments of the Bruce Vento Regional Trail from Buerkle Road to County Road J in the cities/township of Gem Lake, White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Vadnais Heights in Ramsey County, Minnesota. Completing final design and construction documents will allow these last two segments to be shovel ready projects for implementation. This will complete a major gap in the Regional Bike Transportation Network and United States Bike Route 41 (USBR 41), provide critical connections to a proposed arterial bus rapid transit (BRT), and provide a multi-modal trail that does not exist today for pedestrian and bicycles in northern communities within Ramsey County.

"We appreciate Rep. McCollum's efforts to secure funding for the Bruce Vento Trail Extension," said Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt. "This popular trail provides transportation and recreation opportunities for people across the region and the extension will expand access in the northern part of the county. The federal partnership is key to making this happen and we are lucky to have Congresswoman McCollum fostering this investment in Ramsey County."

Background:

For FY 2022, the Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies bill provides funding of $81 billion, an increase of $6.4 billion – more than 8 percent – above 2021 levels.

The legislation:

• Creates tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure with significant investments in airports, highways, transit, passenger rail, and port systems

• Grows opportunity through homeownership and rental assistance, including more than 25,000 new housing vouchers targeted to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness and over 4,000 new units for seniors and persons with disabilities
• Includes $10 billion for Community Planning and Development, including $3.3 billion for CDBG grants, and $1.5 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program
• Includes language securing $27.4 billion for Tenant-based Rental Assistance to continue to serve more than 2.3 million very low- and extremely low-income households nationwide. This level of funding also includes $200 million to expand housing assistance to more than 125,000 low-income families, including individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and survivors of domestic violence and veterans
• Supports the vulnerable with public housing safety, maintenance, and improvement investments, such as the remediation of lead paint and radon and installation of energy and water efficient systems
• Promotes safe transportation and housing with a skilled and growing workforce to conduct inspections, mitigate hazards, and study emerging threats and innovative solutions
• Reduces emissions, increases resiliency, and addresses historical inequities in transportation and housing programs through targeted grants and investments
  • Includes regarding addressing historical inequities in our nation's interstate highway system: "The construction of our nation's interstate highway system was shaped by systemic racism. There are countless examples of interstate highways that were directly and purposefully routed through established minority communities, causing community upheaval, loss of homes and businesses, and deep psychological pain. The Committee encourages the Department of Transportation to address the systemic destruction of communities like these by prioritizing projects which reconnect neighborhoods cut off by historic investments in the interstate highway system and ensuring new projects increase opportunity, advance racial equity and environmental justice, and promote affordable access."

Full list of McCollum-secured CPFs:

Rep. McCollum's full statement on the passage of the FY 22 funding agreement is available here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee's commitment to transparency, information on Rep. McCollum's Community Project Funding requests is available here.

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