Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) supported the Fiscal Year 2023 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) funding bill during its consideration by the full House Appropriations Committee. The programs funded by the bill will improve the transportation infrastructure that moves people and products as well as connects communities and businesses to markets across the country and the world. The bill would also support affordable housing for renters, existing and aspiring homeowners, as well as support Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects that enhance local infrastructure and economic growth.
“From supporting projects that attract new businesses and make our cities more vibrant to supporting more affordable housing for our communities, this bill is making crucial investments in Middle and Southwest Georgia. This bill will also fund needed improvements to America’s roads, railways, airports, and harbors that get families and goods to places more safely and efficiently,” said Congressman Bishop. “This includes vital arteries, like the I-14 highway extension through Georgia, I-75 enhancements, support for the Cordele Inland Port, and the completion of the Port of Savannah Harbor expansion project — through which so much of America’s imports and exports flow.”
The Congressman added, “Moreover, I am especially pleased we were able to include direct funding for community projects for the City of Bainbridge, Columbus State University, the Boys and Girls Club of Albany, and Mt. Olive Community Outreach Center, Inc. in Dougherty County.”
The City of Bainbridge will receive $1,500,000 for a 500,000-gallon, elevated water tank servicing the Downrange Industrial Park, supporting new opportunities for the city’s economic growth.
“This is a project of vital importance to Bainbridge and to the development of West Bainbridge” noted Bainbridge Mayor Edward Reynolds. “Congressman Bishop’s leadership and his commitment to Bainbridge has been demonstrated time and again and the city values our partnership with the congressman.”
Columbus State University (CSU) will receive $4,000,000 for engineering and design work, in addition to start-up construction costs, for the CSU and Muscogee County School District Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Collaboration Center in Columbus, Georgia. The center will provide opportunities for CSU and Muscogee County School District students to learn more about robotics, engineering, coding, and 3D design/fabrication technologies.
“Columbus State University is incredibly grateful to Congressman Bishop for championing our efforts to attract and educate the next generation of STEM professionals,” said CSU’s incoming interim president, Dr. John Fuchko III. “Creating a robust talent pipeline is essential as our state builds workforce and economic development opportunities around robotics engineering, space exploration and technology. This investment will expand those efforts through our K-12 STEM partnerships and CSU’s undergraduate and graduate programs.”
The Boys and Girls Club of Albany, Georgia, will receive $1,850,000 to renovate its facilities in Dougherty, Macon, and Sumter counties so that it can continue to provide safe and positive programs for Middle and Southwest Georgia’s youth.
“We are appreciative of Congressman Bishop’s unwavering support of young people in Southwest Georgia,” said Marvin B. Laster, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany. “We are excited about the possibilities this funding will provide for our organization and the young people we serve. If approved, more youth and teens in Dougherty, Sumter and Macon counties will have access to safe, fun places to go, to grow, and to thrive.”
Mt. Olive Community Outreach Center, Inc. will receive $750,000 to help replace and rebuild housing in Southwest Georgia lost to recent natural disasters.
“Addressing affordable housing needs is visionary, thoughtful, and caring at the core. No one should live in substandard housing in America,” stated Reverend Lorenzo Heard, Executive Director, Mount Olive Community Outreach, Inc. “Thank you, Congressman Bishop, for your support.”
These projects are part of the overall, Fiscal Year 2023 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) appropriations bill which provides $168.5 billion for a wide range of federal programs, including:
- $61.3 billion for the Federal Highway Administration for formula programs funded from the Highway Trust Fund
- $3.8 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration to improve the safety and reliability of passenger and freight rail systems
- $775 million for National Infrastructure Investments (RAISE/TIGER/BUILD)
- $300 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program
- $273 million for discretionary Airport Improvement Grants and projects
- $12.8 billion in funding for new affordable housing, critical health, safety, and maintenance improvements
- $1.7 billion in direct funding to states and local governments through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program
- $3.3 billion for Community Development Block Grants
- $70 million for Housing Counseling assistance for renters, homeowners, and those considering homeownership
Original source can be found here.
