Congressmen Cohen Applauds Inclusion of $15.5 Million of His Community Project Funding Priorities in Pending CJS and THUD Appropriations Bills

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today applauded the Appropriations Committee's announcement that his major community project funding priorities for Tennessee's 9^th Congressional District are included in the first appropriations government funding packages to be voted on later this week.

The House is expected to take up this first funding package on Wednesday, which includes the following funding bills: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS), and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies. Other federal agencies' spending bills are expected to be voted on by the end of this month.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"I am pleased that my Appropriations Committee colleagues saw the value of these community projects to our District and I look forward to voting for them later this week. Some of this funding expands upon projects I secured funding for in previous years that are already well under way and this spending will see them to the finish line. All meet the needs of our community and will improve the lives of residents of Shelby and Tipton counties."

The Appropriations Committee informed Congressman Cohen on Monday that his community funding project priorities for CJS and THUD will be funded at the levels indicated below:

CJS - $2.3 million

• Covington Police Department Youth Crime and Violence Diversion Project -- $100,000 ;
• Memphis Police Department Officer Equipment Improvement Project -- $963,000;
• Shelby County District Attorney's Victim/Witness Services Program - $300,000 ; and
• Memphis Police Department Sentinel Surveillance Cameras Project - $963,000

THUD - $13.2 Millon

• Memphis International Airport -- Snow Removal Equipment (SRE) Building Design-Build - $5 Million;
• Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) Operations & Maintenance Facility Project - $500,000;
• Alpha Omega Veterans - Operation Home for Heroes Project - $2 million;
• Urban Strategies - Legends Park Expansion Project - $1,666, 279
• Habitat for Humanity - Castalia Heights Affordable Homeownership Opportunity Development Project - $1 million;
• The Works - Northside Square - Revitalization of Northside High School Project - $1 million;
• Hospitality Hub - Hub Hall: Disrupting the Cycle of Chronic Homelessness in Youth Project - $1 million;
• Overton Park Accessibility Improvements Project - $850,000; and
• Boys & Girls Club of the Hatchie River Region Building Renovation Project (Covington) - $202,000

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