House Passes Funding Bill With $4.5 Million Designated for Inland Empire Projects

House Passes Funding Bill With $4.5 Million Designated for Inland Empire Projects

Seven of Rep. Aguilar's Community Projects Funded

Washington, DC-Today the House passed H.R. 4502, a package of seven funding bills for fiscal year 2022. The legislation contained seven out of ten of Rep. Aguilar's Community Project Funding (CPF) requests. The three remaining requests are included in bills yet to be voted on by the House. CPFs were selected through an open community application process, and represent a wide variety of local priorities. The following projects were included in H.R. 4502:

Proposed Recipient Project Name Requested Amount Summary

Children's Fund, Inc. COVID-19 Response Expanded Mental Health Services $100,000 The funding will provide support for vulnerable and displaced children in the Inland Empire with appropriate, trauma-informed mental health care at the Children's Fund Child Abuse Forensic Assessment Center.

City of Upland Downtown Upland Main Street Economic Recovery and Revitalization Project $1,000,000 The funding will revitalize the historic Upland downtown district to support small businesses, by creating pedestrian friendly pathways, rehabilitating decayed public infrastructure, and increasing access to public transportation. The funding will also help the community's small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area Inc. Habitat for Humanity's Veterans Blitz Build $800,000 The funding will allow for the construction of at least four homes for honorably discharged veterans in San Bernardino. The funding will provide veterans affordable housing options and prevent veterans from becoming homeless.

KVCR Inland Future's Foundation Moving KVCR into the Future, Public Broadcasting Opportunities for College Students $1,000,000 The funding will be used to provide Inland Empire community college students with educational experience and hands-on workplace training in public radio and broadcasting through continuance of KVCR and its related student programming. This funding will support KVCR's development team, which will create programs and curricula and support student-produced shows in the Inland Empire.

Mary's Mercy Center, Inc. Realizing Educational and Career Hopes (REACH) Project $300,000 The funding will create and implement a comprehensive workforce development program for Mary's Mercy Center's homeless transitional housing program participants. In partnership with the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department, the REACH Project will utilize evidence-based workforce development programming and supportive services to provide homeless men, women, and women with children with the foundation needed to obtain and retain employment leading to transitioning to safe and stable housing and self-sufficiency.

SAC Health System Increasing Access to Healthcare Program $375,000 The funding will increase health center access to low-income residents of San Bernardino County through the use of mobile health care. The medically underserved population is often unable to access care, lacks the resources to purchase medications, laboratory tests, and nutritious food, and this program will address the numerous barriers that Inland Empire residents face by bringing health care to low-income residents and improving health outcomes.

San Bernardino International Airport Authority San Bernardino International Airport Runway Repair Project $1,000,000 The funding will ensure the airport can conduct critical repair work at the airport's main runway and will help revitalize the airport and create good-paying jobs in San Bernardino.

'My top priority in Congress is to make sure the Inland Empire gets its fair share of federal resources. From providing housing to veterans and upgrading our infrastructure to expanding health care access and creating good-paying jobs, these projects will make a lasting impression on our region. I'm proud to have supported them, and I'm glad to be one step closer to seeing them signed into law,' said Rep. Aguilar.

'This project will have a lasting impact on the lives of San Bernardino County children experiencing trauma, abuse, or severe neglect. It allows us to provide critical mental health care to our community's most vulnerable. I am grateful to Congressman Aguilar for prioritizing children and working to include funding for Children's Fund in this year's appropriations package,' said Dr. Ciriaco 'Cid' Pinedo President & CEO of Children's Fund.

'The CPF funding will enable the City to launch an important economic development project focused on revitalizing Upland's Historic Downtown business district, which is cherished by our residents. Our Downtown has been hit hard by the COVID-19 virus, and the funding will enable the City to construct essential public realm infrastructure resulting in attracting residents to the downtown for local shopping, dining, and community services, as well as create new job opportunities for our residents,' said Upland Mayor Bill Velto.

'We are very appreciative of our Veterans Blitz Build Community Project Funding (CPF) request being approved by the House Appropriations Committee. The passing of the bill through the House this week is great news for the families of four honorably-discharged military veteran families facing hardship. These families will not only benefit from a safe, secure and affordable home, but will be provided the wealth-building opportunity, and responsibility, of home ownership. This funding will help us support sustainable change and development by transforming lives and promoting positive and lasting social, economic and spiritual change within a community. We look forward with great anticipation for this bill to pass through the Senate and then signed into law by the President,' said David Hahn, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area.

'KVCR's local journalism and early learning content help children succeed in school and make our Inland region vibrant. We are grateful to Congressman Aguilar for his partnership and leadership in Washington D.C. to help strengthen KVCR's service to our community,' said San Bernardino Community College District Chancellor-designate Diana Z. Rodriguez.

'For nearly 30 years, Mary's Mercy Center has helped serve the homeless in San Bernardino County. The REACH program is designed to help residents in our transitional homes access job training and attain skills so they can find meaningful career paths. The Community Project Funds will eliminate the financial barrier for our residents and allow them to enroll in educational and vocational programs. The power of work can be transformative, and we are grateful for Congressman Aguilar's commitment to helping homeless families in the Inland Empire,' said Dan Flores, Executive Director of Mary's Mercy center.

'SAC Health System is so thankful for the support of Congressman Aguilar and the House of Representatives for providing funding to serve those most in need in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. The Increasing Access to Healthcare Program will provide SAC Health System, a Federally Qualified Health Center and Health Center for the Homeless, with funding to purchase a fully equipped mobile health unit to be deployed into the region. In partnership with Congressman Aguilar, SAC Health System will bring high quality health care to the medically underserved, people experiencing homelessness, those lacking access to transportation, and to communities with little to no access to healthcare. We are thankful for this funding, our relationship with Congress Aguilar, and for the opportunity to serve our community,' said CEO of SAC Health System Dr. Jason Lohr.

'Originally completed in 2006 through significant post-BRAC grant funding from the FAA, SBD International's runway is in need of important repair work to ensure that these investments endure and continue to support SBD for many years to come. Through years of amazing support from the late and great Congressman Jerry Lewis and more recently from the amazing Congressman Pete Aguilar, SBD has been the fastest growing cargo airport in the United States propelling its current position as the 59th busiest in the nation,' said Michael Burrows, CEO of the San Bernardino International Airport.

Aguilar serves as a Member of the House Appropriations Committee, the committee responsible for allocating federal funding. H.R. 4502 is now pending before the Senate.

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