Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper, Chris Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) today announced that they secured $97 million in funding for Delaware projects in the omnibus appropriations bill that passed the House and Senate this week. This funding will go to community priorities such as water infrastructure improvements, mental health support, childcare services, affordable housing, education and research, workforce development, and more up and down the First State. 

In 2021, Congress’ constitutional power to approve congressionally directed spending items – commonly known as earmarks – was restored with enhanced transparency and accountability measures.  

“I am proud to work with Senator Coons and Congresswoman Blunt Rochester to secure nearly 100 million for projects in Delaware,” said Senator Carper.  “These investments will help foster innovation at our universities, grow our economy, provide affordable housing and infrastructure investments, deliver health care to the far reaches of our state, improve public safety, and invest in our children.” 

“Senators, representatives and local leaders can identify the needs of their communities better than bureaucrats in Washington, and these transparent, locally supported funds will create good-paying jobs, keep Delawareans healthy, and bring much-needed affordable housing to the First State,” said Senator Coons.“As Delaware’s sole member of the Appropriations Committee, I’m proud to work with my colleagues to ensure that nearly $100 million has been set aside in this year’s omnibus specifically to make a difference for Delaware.”

“The most fundamental mission of our Congressional Delegation is to improve the lives of Delawareans up and down our state,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester.“Through this bill, working alongside Senators Carper and Coons, I’m proud that we’ve managed to deliver nearly $100 million that will go directly to improving the health, economic vitality, and quality of life for hundreds of thousands in the First State. I look forward to working with our state, local, and nonprofit partners to ensure these funds are put to their best use.”

A complete list of projects funded in Delaware can be found here. A few of the projects secured in the bill include: 

• More than $11 million for water and sewer infrastructure projects in Dover, Wilmington and Seaford. 
• $350,000 to Dover Air Force Base to replace the Armed Services Whole Blood Processing Laboratory – East to support the expedited transfer of blood and blood products to U.S. troops serving abroad from Dover Air Force Base.
• $10 million to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services for a new Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill.
• $15 million to the University of Delaware to fund the construction and purchase equipment for a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility. This facility will help the nation be better prepared for pandemic response and support our global competitiveness by ensuring a workforce training and manufacturing infrastructure exists through the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL).
• $6.8 million to Reach Riverside to redevelop blighted properties in the Riverside neighborhood of Wilmington.
• $3.5 million to the Latin American Community Center to support construction of its new Infant and Toddler Center and community playground as well as maintenance on the existing LACC building
• $1.5 million to the Choir School of Delaware for a new Community Learning Center in Wilmington
• $7 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete maintenance dredging in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal to restore navigability to the canal.
• $2.3 million to Milford Housing Corporation to rehabilitate Maxwell Estates, serving the elderly and disabled communities in Harrington, Delaware. 
• $866,00 to Delaware Department of Agriculture and Delaware State University to create an incubator farm on campus to enable the university to expand its programs and reach under-resourced audiences interested in farming.
• $1.1 million to Beebe Medical Foundation to support a comprehensive substance abuse and mental health outreach initiative in Sussex County.
• $600,000 to Sussex County Habitat for Humanity to acquire building lots for affordable homeownership opportunities throughout Sussex County, Delaware.
• $938,000 to the Town of Laurel to install accessible playground equipment in Tidewater Park.
• $757,000 to Brandywine Counseling and Community Services to provide funding to address historical inequities and disparities in access to medical and behavioral health care in all of Delaware.

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