Pete Aguilar

07/16/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/16/2021 16:22

Aguilar Secures Nearly $7 Million for Inland Empire Community Projects in Government Funding Bills

Today, the House Appropriations Committee concluded the mark-up process for fiscal year 2022 (FY22) appropriations bills. Included in these government funding bills is $6,987,500 for Inland Empire community projects secured by Rep. Pete Aguilar. The projects were selected through a community-wide application process and were submitted by Rep. Aguilar to the committee through the Community Project Funding process, which allows Members of Congress to advocate for specific local projects within government funding bills. Of the ten projects submitted by Rep. Aguilar, all ten were approved by the Appropriations Committee and are now included in the FY22 government funding bills pending before the House. The following CA-31 projects were are included in these bills:

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 healthcare at the Children's Fund Child Abuse Forensic Assessment Center.

City of Rancho Cucamonga

Rancho Cucamonga Second Story and Beyond Project

$1,000,000

The funding will develop STEM-related museum exhibits and educational programming for K-12 students to inspire the next generation of scientists in the Inland Empire. The City will also conduct outreach to underserved, underrepresented, and minority communities to bring diversity to STEM fields, including in space exploration and research.

City of Redlands

City of Redlands Emergency Operations Center Improvement Project

$712,500

The funding will help address operational and functional needs at the Emergency Operations Center and will ensure the facility is prepared to respond to any catastrophic events or natural disasters, including earthquakes and fires, in the Inland Empire.

City of Rialto

City of Rialto's Body Worn-Camera Upgrade

$700,000

The funding will support transparency in law enforcement by upgrading the city's public safety body-worn camera system to be used by field (sworn and non-sworn) personnel. This project will build trust between Inland Empire residents and law enforcement and simultaneously create a higher quality of evidence for law enforcement investigations.

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, including through creating pedestrian friendly pathways, rehabilitating decayed public infrastructure, and increasing access to public transportation and will 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 at least four homes for honorably discharged veterans in San Bernardino. The funding will provide veterans who served their country 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 would be used for providing 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 healthcare. 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.

'I was proud to advocate for these projects, which have the potential to make immediate positive changes in our community. From providing additional housing for veterans to investing in access to health care and education initiatives, these projects will improve overall quality-of-life for Inland Empire residents and help stimulate our region's economy. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to see these initiatives signed into law,' said Aguilar.

In addition to the nearly $7 million in Community Project Funding submissions for the 31st District, Aguilar also secured nearly $20 million for local transportation and infrastructure projects in the House's surface transportation authorization bill. Aguilar serves as a Member of the House Appropriations Committee and holds the leadership position of Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus.