Community Project Funding Requests
Rep. Blunt Rochester has submitted funding requests for important community projects in Delaware to the House Appropriations Committee.
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 10 projects in their community for fiscal year 2022 – although only a handful may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Additional information on the reforms governing Community Project Funding is available here.
In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Rep. Blunt Rochester has certified that she and her immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects she has requested.
Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee
Center for Urban Revitalization and Entrepreneurship
$1,000,000
Delaware State University, 1200 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901
The funding would be used to address the lack of small business incubators in Kent County, Delaware, including Dover. The incubator will promote entrepreneurship and community development in Dover and for underserved communities in the region.
Certification Letter can be found here.
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee
Fuel Cell and Corrosion Control Hangar
$17,500,000
Delaware National Guard, 1 Vavala Way, New Castle, DE 19720
The funding would be used for the replacement of a critical maintenance hangar needed by the Delaware Air National Guard 166th Airlift Wing to effectively accomplish their domestic and foreign missions on behalf of Delaware and the nation. The new hangar would replace a nearly 60-year-old hangar that not only makes work on critical maintenance less efficient but poses serious safety hazards for the service members and the aircraft.
Certification Letter can be found here.
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee
Mobile Health Van
$341,000
TidalHealth Nanticoke, 801 Middleford Road Seaford, DE 19973
The funding would be used to outfit a mobile health van and create a mobile clinic to help address health disparities and poor health outcomes in disadvantaged communities within Western Sussex County, Delaware. The mobile clinic will also serve three school-based wellness centers in collaboration with the school systems and utilize data analytics to direct services to communities with the greatest need.
Certification Letter can be found here.
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee
New Castle Agricultural Programming Building
$1,250,000
The Delaware State Fair, Inc., 18500 South DuPont Hwy, P.O. Box 28, Harrington, DE 19952
The funding would be used for the construction of an essential community facility which will support agricultural programming for families that reside in underserved rural areas in Delaware. It would also support the Delaware 4-H and FFA Association programming, including STEM-based learning, wellness, and leadership skills.
Certification Letter can be found here.
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee
PFAS in Wastewater Infrastructure in Delaware
$80,000
Center for PFAS Solutions at STRIDE, 272 Quigley Blvd, New Castle, DE 19720
The funding would be used to help address PFAS contamination from wastewater treatment plants in both urban and rural Delaware. Addressing this contamination can help mitigate the prevalence of PFAS in surface and groundwater across Delaware and prevent associated health effects of PFAS contamination.
Certification Letter can be found here.
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee
Project Honor
$3,500,000
The Way Home, Inc., 7 South King Street, Georgetown, Delaware 19947
The funding would be used for the construction and renovation of an essential community facility that will provide services to justice-involved individuals re-entering the community with a focus on veterans. The services to be provided include educational and career preparation classes, vocational training, health and wellness, and transitional housing.
Certification Letter can be found here.
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee
Repairing of Historic School
$200,000
Richard Allen Coalition, 316 S. Railroad Ave, Georgetown, DE 19947
The funding would be used for much-needed repairs to the historic school, a landmark designated by the Delaware Public Archives that serves as a bipartisan, multiracial source of community and pride. The school is an essential community facility which hosts community programs for seniors and youth, provides education space for youth in the community that lack reliable internet, and contains a community food pantry.
Certification Letter can be found here.
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee
Statewide Body Worn Camera Project
$1,600,000
The Delaware Criminal Justice Council, DE Criminal Justice Council, 820 North French Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801
The funding would be used to provide the necessary resources for Delaware to be the first state in the nation to have every law enforcement officer equipped with a body-worn camera. The funding would promote accountability and transparency of police, reduce overall misconduct by police officers, and enhance trust in law enforcement by communities. The proposal has the support of law enforcement, advocates, and the broader community.
Certification Letter can be found here.
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee
Statewide Violence Reduction Project
$1,900,000
Delaware Criminal Justice Council, DE Criminal Justice Council, 820 North French Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801
The funding would be used for evidence-based violence intervention programs across Delaware, including a law enforcement violence reduction strategy, hospital-based violence intervention programs, and community-based violence intervention programs. These programs will aim to decrease violent crime and shooting incidents by 10 percent statewide, implement and staff violence intervention programs within 90 days of award, and offer services to a minimum of 200 individuals.
Certification Letter can be found here.
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee
Telehealth in Delaware Libraries: The Future of Healthcare
$271,500
Delaware Division of Libraries, 121 MLK Jr. Blvd N, Dover, DE 19901
The funding would be used to provide efficient and cost-effective telehealth access for rural and underserved communities across Delaware. The project would help decrease health disparities throughout the state by providing reliable internet access that is within reasonable travel distances.
Certification Letter can be found here.
NDAA Funding Requests
Fuel Cell and Corrosion Control Hangar
$17,500,000
Delaware National Guard, 1 Vavala Way, New Castle, DE 19720
This project would build a new critical maintenance hangar needed by the Delaware Air National Guard 166th Airlift Wing to effectively accomplish their domestic and foreign missions on behalf of Delaware and the nation. The new hangar would replace a nearly 60-year-old hangar that not only makes work on critical maintenance less efficient but poses serious safety hazards for the service members and the aircraft.
Certification Letter can be found here.
Quantum Sensing Research, Education, and Training at Delaware State University
$1,111,000
Delaware State University, 1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901
The project would create three new research programs at Delaware State University’s Center of Excellence for Advanced Quantum Sensing related to quantum imaging of millimeter waves, optical clock development, and quantum gyroscope development. The funding would also expand the number of postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate researchers which would enhance the regional quantum imaging sciences workforce. This funding would supplement efforts to provide Historically Black Colleges and Universities like DSU.
Certification Letter can be found here.
