Van Hollen, Cardin Secure Over $25 Million in Direct Investments for Community Projects in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties in FY2022 Funding Bill

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced that over $25 million in direct federal funding for local projects in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties was included within the fiscal year 2022 omnibus funding legislation, which the Senators voted to pass Thursday evening. The projects encompass a wide array of local and regional priorities ranging from infrastructure improvements to economic development to supporting local schools and universities. Overall, the Senators secured over $104 million in federal dollars directly for Maryland in the omnibus. The bill now goes to President Biden to be signed into law. 

“Bringing direct federal investments to our communities helps spur opportunity, create jobs, and grow our economy. Working together with local leaders across Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, we have identified these projects that will strengthen our communities by driving job growth, strengthening our infrastructure, improving public safety, bolstering educational and job training resources, and more,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “We look forward to getting these funds across the finish line and delivering these investments to Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties.”

“We have worked with local officials and organizations across Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties to identify the projects that could benefit from a strong federal partner. Congressionally Directed Spending is one of the best tools to maximize how we use taxpayer dollars in the places it can make a real difference for Maryland and the region,” said Senator Cardin.

Funding secured by the Senators includes:

• $8.3 million for infrastructure projects, including the Bethesda Metro South entrance, Route 218 Suitland Road Improvements, Reconstruction of MD 97 at Montgomery Hills, the City of Bowie’s Pipe Replacement Project, and the Hyattsville Ward 1 Stormwater Project
• Nearly $6 million for economic development and workforce training initiatives, including for The University of Maryland’s Economic Opportunity Center, small business development by the People for Change Coalition, the World Arts Focus, Inc.’s CreativeWorks Job Training Program, and the Bowie Business Innovation Center’s Center of Excellence for (8)a Government Contracting
• $5 million for educational initiatives, including Bowie State University’s Laboratory for Hydroponics Research, the renovation of the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Nursing Facility at the Universities at Shady Grove, an expansion of the Helping the Immigrant Youth of Maryland Succeed program led by Liberty’s Promise, The Lourie Center Trauma-Informed Preschool, the National Children’s Museum’s STEAM education programming, UMBC-Shady Grove’s Biomanufacturing Center
• $3.4 million to support community development through the renovation of the Kingdom Global Community Development Corporation’s Kingdom Cares Center, construction of the Bladensburg Trade School, and Hyattsville’s plan to complete the David C. Driscoll Community Park
• Over $2 million for public safety initiatives, including funds for the Hyattsville Evidence Lab to procure new equipment, the Laurel Police and City Government to purchase new radios, the EveryMind Crisis Prevention and Intervention Center, the Greater Washington Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, City of Rockville’s 6 Taft Court Emergency Power Generation, and Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office cell-site simulator equipment and technology
• $200,000 for environmental conservation to support the Anacostia Watershed Society Treating & Teaching Program 

INFRASTRUCTURE

Project Name: Bethesda Metro South Entrance
Project location: Bethesda, MD
Applicant: Montgomery County Department of Transportation
Amount received: $2,000,000
Description: Funds will be used for a new Bethesda South Metro Access that will provide access from Elm Street west of Wisconsin Avenue to the southern end of the Bethesda Metrorail Station. The station will provide connection to the Purple Line via the Bethesda Light Rail Transition station platforms just west of Wisconsin Avenue, helping to integrate the Purple Line with the WMATA Metrorail system.

Project Name: Route 218 Suitland Road Improvements
Project location: Suitland, MD
Applicant: Redevelopment Authority of Prince George's County
Amount received: $2,500,000
Description: Funds will be used for the reconstruction of Suitland Road from Silver Hill Road to Lacy Avenue at the Suitland Federal Center and the Town Square at Suitland Federal Center, providing safe pedestrian crossing points, wide sidewalks, bike lanes, landscaping, and lighting to improve traffic control and pedestrian access to retail and restaurant amenities in the redeveloped Town Square.

Project Name: Reconstruction of MD 97 at Montgomery Hills
Project location: Silver Spring, MD
Applicant: Maryland Department of Transportation
Amount received: $1,000,000
Description: Funds will allow for improved design of north and southbound MD 97 in the areas of Forest Glen, Montgomery Hills, and Woodside Park, increasing safety for all drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists, while improving traffic flow.

Project Name: City of Bowie Pipe Replacement Project
Project location: Bowie, MD
Applicant: City of Bowie
Amount received: $2,000,000
Description: Funding will be used to replace one mile of cast iron water main that has corroded, resulting in a reduced pipe diameter and trapped iron particles. The replacement pipe will improve water quality for residents of Bowie.

Project Name: Ward 1 Stormwater Project
Project location: Hyattsville, MD
Applicant: City of Hyattsville
Amount received: $870,000
Description: Funds will be used design and install stormwater management infrastructure, mitigating flooding in lower Ward 1 neighborhoods and business district and minimizing runoff to the Anacostia River.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Project Name: University of Maryland, College Park’s Maryland Economic Opportunity Center
Project location: College Park, Maryland
Applicant: The University of Maryland, College Park
Amount received: $2,250,000
Description: The Center will support statewide efforts to start, grow and sustain businesses owned by minority, women and other underserved business owners, most immediately to help them overcome pandemic-related challenges they now confront.

Project Name: Small Business Development - Increasing Access to Government Contracts
Project location: Prince George's County
Applicant: People for Change Coalition
Amount received: $350,000
Description: These funds will be used to provide workshop training, online resources, coaching, business partnerships, and hands-on activities to help small businesses navigate opportunities through local, state and federal government procurement and contracting processes.

Project Name: CreativeWorks Job Training Program: Promoting Access to College and Careers
Location: Prince George's County
Applicant: World Arts Focus, Inc. d/b/a Joe's Movement Emporium
Amount received: $300,000
Description: Funds will be used to expand CreativeWorks, a paid job training program supporting the college and career readiness of Prince George's County Public School (PGCPS) high school seniors, recent graduates, and Prince George's Community College students. CreativeWorks participants receive training in theater tech, digital media, photography, and movie production and can access internship and job opportunities at a range of employer partners, including the Smithsonian, Community Forklift, and Prince George's African American Museum and Cultural Center. Currently in its 13th year, nearly 500 youth have graduated from the CreativeWorks job training program.

Project Name: Bowie Business Innovation Center’s Center of Excellence for 8(a) Government Contracting
Project location: Bowie, Maryland
Applicant: Bowie State University
Amount received: $3,000,000
Description: Funding will expand the existing work of the only 8(a) Accelerator Program in the country that currently provides diverse, socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs with customized training, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The program will be expanded to other HBCUs nationwide.

EDUCATION

Project Name: Laboratory for Hydroponics Research
Project location: Bowie, MD
Applicant: Bowie State University
Amount received: $1,000,000
Description: Funds will be used to develop a Laboratory for Hydroponics Research and position Bowie State students and researchers at the forefront of research in plant biology, agriculture, and sustainable space exploration.

Project Name: Renovation of University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing Facility at the Universities at Shady Grove
Location: Rockville, MD
Applicant: University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing
Amount received: $1,250,000
Description: Funding would be used to renovate the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing facility at the Universities of Shady Grove, including creating additional simulation learning space; 3D immersion functionality; a new assessment lab with control room; a state-of-the-art hospital training suite; a Student Success suite with advising, tutoring, and study groups; and office space to accommodate new faculty.

Project Name: Helping the Immigrant Youth of Maryland Succeed
Project location: Montgomery County, MD
Applicant: Liberty's Promise
Amount received: $435,000
Description: Funds will be used to expand programs at schools in Baltimore City and Baltimore, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties that provide civics education and internship opportunities for low-income immigrant youth, including English Language Learners.

Project Name: The Lourie Center Trauma-Informed Preschool
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Applicant: Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children, Inc.
Amount received: $970,000
Description: Funds will be used to launch a Trauma-Informed Care & Preschool Project ECHO to establish an expert hub to train early childhood educators to more effectively support children experiencing trauma in their classrooms, reduce suspension and expulsion in preschool, and foster resiliency against teacher burnout and secondary traumatization – made even more pressing by the pandemic.

Project Name: Inspiring the Next Generation in STEAM Education
Project Location: Washington, DC
Applicant: National Children’s Museum
Amount received: $600,000
Description: These funds will be used for educational exhibit content development and programming, and will support the development of a virtual field trip video to enable children from across the county to access the programming and permanent exhibits at the Museum.

Project Name: University of Maryland, Baltimore County Shady Grove Biomanufacturing Center
Project location: Rockville, Maryland
Applicant: The University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Amount received: $750,000
Description: Funding will support equipment and student services for UMBC Shady Grove Biomanufacturing Center and class demonstrations in UMBC facilities at The Universities at Shady Grove.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INITIATIVES

Project Name: Kingdom Cares Center
Project location: Beltsville, MD
Applicant: Kingdom Global Community Development Corporation
Amount received: $2,000,000
Description: Funds will be used on the initial phase renovation of the Kingdom Cares Center, which will serve as a hub for food assistance, rental and utilities assistance, health support, and workforce development for communities in Prince George's, Montgomery, and Howard Counties.

Project Name: Bladensburg Trade School
Project location: Bladensburg, Maryland
Applicant: Town of Bladensburg, Maryland
Amount received: $1,000,000
Description: In partnership with a long-time Bladensburg business, this new facility will expand education, training and career opportunities for local high school students and workers, directly meeting the needs of local employers.

Project Name: Town of Hyattsville David C. Driscoll Community Park Master Plan -IN
Project location: Hyattsville, Maryland
Applicant: Town of Hyattsville, Maryland
Amount received: $400,000
Description: Funding will be used to complete the David C. Driscoll Community Park and provide a template for providing increased recreational services, advanced stormwater compliance and protection of the existing tree canopy.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Project Name: Hyattsville Evidence Lab Equipment
Project location: Hyattsville, MD
Applicant: City of Hyattsville, Maryland
Amount received: $100,000
Description: Funds will be used to purchase equipment to process crime scene evidence more efficiently.

Project Name: Laurel Police and City Government Radios
Project location: Laurel, MD
Applicant: City of Laurel, Maryland
Amount received: $200,000
Description: Funds will be used to replace a 14-year-old radio system with a new digital system to connect the Police Department and all City government departments, increasing public safety and ensuring more timely responses to constituent service requests.

Project Name: EveryMind Crisis Prevention and Intervention Services Capacity Building
Project Location: Rockville, MD
Applicant: EveryMind
Amount received: $325,000
Description: Funds will support the development of EveryMind’s virtual capacity and technology infrastructure, supplementing their crisis prevention and intervention measures and promoting the mental health and wellness of the Montgomery County community.

Project Name: The Greater Washington Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse
Project Location: Rockville, MD
Applicant: The Greater Washington Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (JCADA)
Amount received: $300,000
Description: Funds would enable JCADA to serve more people by temporarily hiring additional staff to deal with the surge of clients experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault and seeking services. JCADA would continue to provide hybrid in-person and remote services to survivors as well as temporary assistance to clients struggling with homelessness and food insecurity.

Project Name: City of Rockville 6 Taft Court Emergency Power Generation -IN
Project location: Rockville, Maryland
Applicant: City of Rockville, Maryland
Amount received: $409,000
Description: Funding will support the City of Rockville’s first dedicated Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Project Name: Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office Cell-Site Simulator Equipment and Technology
Project location: Prince George’s County, Maryland
Applicant: Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office
Amount received: $834,000
Description: Funds will allow the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office to purchase cell-site simulator equipment and technology to locate and apprehend violent offenders that contribute to the county’s violent crime rate.

ENVIRONMENT

Project Name: Anacostia Watershed Society Treating & Teaching Program
Project location: Prince George's County, MD
Applicant: Anacostia Watershed Society
Amount received: $200,000
Description: Funds will be used to install stormwater management projects on Prince George's County Public School campuses with associated outdoor classroom facilities, allowing for environmental education opportunities while simultaneously reducing runoff to the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.