Community Projects for 2022
Congresswoman Bonamici has submitted funding requests for important community projects in NW Oregon to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration. The reformed and transparent Community Project Funding process allows Congresswoman Bonamici to advocate for specific community projects that will help the people and communities of Northwest Oregon.
Under guidelines issued by the House Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 10 projects in their community for fiscal year 2022, although only a small number may receive funding. Requests are limited to specific accounts determined by the Appropriations Committee. Only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are eligible to receive funding. Additional information on the reforms governing Community Project Funding is available here.
The Congresswoman evaluated projects based on eligibility, community support, job creation, equity, and geographic diversity. The process was very competitive, with stakeholders submitting more than 70 requests in total.
In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Congresswoman Bonamici has certified that she, her spouse, and her immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects she has requested.
Projects are listed in alphabetical order.
Astoria Pre-Disaster Landslide Storm Drainage Project, City of Astoria
Homeland Security Subcommittee—Pre-Disaster Mitigation
$902,500
1095 Duane Street, Astoria, OR 97138
Landslides are one of the most widespread and damaging hazards in Oregon. This project is the first part of a multiphase effort to reduce landslide damage in Astoria. The project will reduce the potential for landslides through improved drainage in high elevation forested areas, protecting 32 homes from potential loss and another 69 homes from partial damage, as well as a health care facility and critical roads. The requested funds will be used for design and construction of the new storm water system which will help prevent future landslides by removing excess water from slide-prone terrain.
This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would proactively reduce future and inevitable property damage and potential loss of life.
Beaverton Non-Profit Incubator Development Project, City of Beaverton
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee—Economic Development Initiative
$500,000
12725 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton, OR 97005
This request is for Oregon Technology Business Center’s non-profit incubator project. The non-profit incubator would help individuals in the early development phase of establishing non-profit organizations that are looking for assistance in fiscal oversight, program design, and start-up. The criteria for selection of the cohort of nonprofits will prioritize BIPOC-led and serving nonprofits, as well as those that serve the LGBTQ+ and disability communities. The requested funds will be used to renovate the building.
The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would create equitable opportunities for individuals to create or refine their non-profits to meet new demands, achieve greater impact, and serve the community in expanded ways.
Behavioral Health Resource Center Plaza, Multnomah County
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee—Economic Development Initiative
$1,355,000
501 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland, OR 97214
Multnomah County is in the final stages of planning a peer-led, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC) in downtown Portland. The Center will offer a day shelter, 32 shelter beds, and 19 transitional beds, and will serve individuals with behavioral health issues who face barriers to accessing services. This funding would build the BHRC’s Plaza.
The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would provide relief to diverse stakeholders, including businesses, and provide a vitally important service hub in downtown Portland where many of the region’s houseless residents currently live.
Cardiac Monitor/Defibrillator Project, Banks Fire District #13
Agriculture Subcommittee—Rural Community Facility Grants
$170,000
13430 NW Main Street, Banks, OR 97106
It is critical that first responders have the appropriate medical equipment. The Phillips Monitors currently used by Banks Fire District are being phased out by Phillips and will no longer be supported by Phillips with no replacement parts or service available. The Washington County EMS Alliance is transitioning all county EMS providers to the new Stryker Cardiac Monitors, and this project will allow Banks Fire District to continue to provide high-quality care to residents in compliance with the County. Banks Fire District serves 136 square miles with three stations among four rural communities: Banks, Manning, Buxton and Timber. They also provide coverage to three major state highways, the Stub Stewart Park, with over 92,000 annual visitors, and the 21-mile long Banks-Vernonia Linear Trail, with over 250,000 annual visitors.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it is critical that first responders have the most reliable EMS equipment to adequately serve the community and visitors.
Columbia County Small Business Resource Center, Columbia County Economic Team
Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee—Small Business Initiatives
$175,000
375 S 18th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
This request is for the development of a new Small Business Resource Center for Columbia County to serve the county’s 1,400 businesses, many of which have 10 employees or fewer. The center will provide advising & counseling, specialty assistance, training through workshops and courses, technical assistance, business outreach, retention, and expansion. Funds would be used for the first year of operation, with plans to secure state and local funding for future years.
This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because small businesses continue to drive our economic growth and they have sustained significant economic damage because of the pandemic. Closing this geographic gap in small business production between Portland and the coast is essential to the regional economy.
Construction Trades Expansion, WorkSystems, Inc.
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee—Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
$1,000,000
1618 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97201
WorkSystems’ funding request supports the development and expansion of efforts to diversify the construction trades in the region, with a focus on jobseekers in NW Oregon. WorkSystems will deliver construction training for 80-100 historically underrepresented Washington County residents through partnerships with BOLI-certified Pre-Apprenticeship Training Programs (PATPs) and WorkSource Centers (American Job Centers). The requested federal funding will be used to prioritize recruitment, screening, training, and retention of diverse jobseekers into registered apprenticeship pathways in Construction, including women and people of color.
The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will increase the pipeline of diverse workers from the local community into well-paying careers in the trades.
Newberg Clinic Expansion, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee—Health Resources and Services Administration
$2,123,500
3305 NW Aloclek Drive, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
Virginia Garcia’s Newberg Clinic Expansion will increase the capacity of the organization to deliver integrated dental, pharmacy, and primary care to patients living in Yamhill County. The expansion will add three new dental operatories, nine exam rooms and an enlarged pharmacy. The expanded space will allow the clinic to double its capacity to deliver care. The requested funds will be used for construction and the purchase of equipment.
The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will increase the capacity of the organization to deliver integrated dental, pharmacy and primary care to patients living in the community of Newberg and the surrounding areas in Yamhill County and eastern Washington County.
The Japan Institute Building Renovation Project, Portland Japanese Garden
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee—Economic Development Initiative
$1,750,000
611 SW Kingston Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97205
The Japan Institute will serve as a hub for educational and cultural programming and will provide a positive economic effect on the region through job creation and additional tourism. The requested funding will be used for interior renovations and environmental remediation to four buildings.
The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would strengthen the economy through job creation and strengthen and deepen the community’s understanding of and respect for Japanese culture.
Upgrade and Expand the Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction (CMOP) Program, Columbia River Inter Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC)
Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee—NOAA Operations, Research, and Facilities
$760,000
700 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 1200, Portland, OR 97232
CRITFC recently acquired this keystone science and monitoring program from Oregon Health and Sciences University. The requested funds will create new capacity to monitor ocean acidification nutrients, and contaminants in the estuary and near-shore environment and improve modeling capabilities for salmon habitat restoration, navigation safety, and climate change resilience. These funds will upgrade and expand observational equipment, modeling tools, and improve the CRITFC data portal to improve management of the Columbia River estuary and coastal margin and support regional goals including salmon recovery and maintaining vibrant commercial fisheries.
This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because long-term monitoring of ocean acidification in the estuary has been a regional priority for years. Additionally, strengthening CMOP data will benefit commercial and recreational fisheries and the coastal economy.
Water Supply System Construction, City of Hillsboro
Interior Subcommittee—EPA State and Tribal Assistance Grants
$1,000,000
150 E Main Street, Hillsboro, OR, 97123
The City of Hillsboro is requesting funds for a portion of its new water system. The city is facing water treatment capacity limits and needs the new water system to serve growing demand. City of Hillsboro water customers have experienced high rate increases for several years in order to fund their portion of the construction of the Willamette Water Supply System (WWSS). Because of the pandemic, WWSS partners are faced with the decision of cutting major project components or maintain Hillsboro rate increases at or below 10%. Additionally, the new water system will be seismically resilient, and the City of Hillsboro has an intergovernmental agreement to provide assistance to other jurisdictions in an emergency. The requested funds would be invested immediately into the capital project that is currently under construction.
This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will reduce pressure for higher rate increases while also supporting important infrastructure investments to proceed on schedule.