By Carol Vaughn — Rep. Elaine Luria submitted 15 community project federal funding requests for Virginia’s Second Congressional District for next year, including requests for more than $7 million for six projects on the Eastern Shore.
“Community Project Funding invests in the most pressing needs of our Coastal Virginia communities, and I was proud to secure more than $18.5 million for seven projects last fiscal year,” Luria said, according to a press release.
She added, “These 15 projects will create good-paying jobs, support local government, improve infrastructure, combat climate change, spur economic development, and lead to further growth and opportunities throughout Hampton Roads. CPF projects are good government at work that improve the lives of Coastal Virginians.”
The project requests for the Shore include $250,000 for the Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Hope Harbor. The money would be used to help renovate the three-building property in Onancock and to hire additional staff.
A second request is for $447,600 for the Eastern Shore Mobile Food Distribution Project for the Foodbank. The money would be used to purchase a vehicle, hire staff, and secure food. The mobile project would allow the Foodbank to deliver food to residents in remote parts of the Shore.
A third request is for $3 million for the Exmore sewage collection system. The money would be used to rebuild and expand the town’s sewer collection system.
A fourth request is for $3 million to dredge the federal waterway of the Little Machipongo River to provide access to Willis Wharf.
A fifth request is for $214,416 to expand broadband in the Mt. Nebo and Bailey Neck areas, near Onancock. The money would be used to construct 8.16 miles of broadband network, passing 117 additional homes.
A sixth request is for $3.09 million to bring public sewer service to Wachapreague, including constructing a sewer line connecting the town to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District system and a pump station.
Luria testified May 25 about the projects before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.
Under Appropriations Committee guidelines, each House of Representatives member may request up to 15 community project funding proposals for fiscal year 2023, although all may not be funded.
Only state and local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations are allowed to receive the funding.
This year, Congress awarded more than $18.5 for seven community projects in the district, including around $11.2 million for three Eastern Shore projects.
The awards were announced in March.
An award of $8.2 million will help pay for upgrades to the public safety radio communications system on the Shore. The award was the largest single amount awarded for a community project in the nation.
An award of $500,000 was made for the second phase of the Legacy Development Project at New Road, in Exmore, which will provide affordable housing.
An award of $2.5 million was made for construction of the first phase of the Eastern Shore Rail Trail in Cape Charles.
