WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) voted for the bipartisan omnibus appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2022, which fully funds the federal government through September 30, 2023, and secures funding for key Pennsylvania priorities. Through the Community Project Funding Request process for the 117th Congress, which was included in this omnibus appropriations package, Rep. Fitzpatrick secured support for 13 community projects in Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District. Rep. Fitzpatrick looks forward to President Biden signing the legislation into law as soon as possible.
“I am pleased that community project funding for PA-01 that I have fought for was included in the House-passed bipartisan spending package. This critical funding will soon be delivered to address needs across Bucks and Montgomery Counties, including mental health and health services, financial education resources, and community and public infrastructure revitalization. I look forward to working with community leaders to implement these community projects in a timely fashion,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
Rep. Fitzpatrick successfully secured $19.015 million in funding for 13 community projects that will directly benefit First District constituents:
- BCOC Economic Self-Sufficiency: The purpose of this Economic Self-Sufficiency community project is to help individuals and families who are living below the poverty line to achieve economic stability and no longer need government assistance. The project will promote financial self-sufficiency by connecting families with resources to thrive. Through the ES program, households will not only increase income, but also increase social capital to support independence and community engagement.
Funding Secured: $1 million
Funding Requested: $595,000
- Bucks County Criminal DNA Database: This funding would go towards technology that allows a cheek swap to be run through a small, desktop-size, machine with results in as little as 90 minutes. The new Sheriff of Bucks County would like to implement a county-wide Rapid DNA Program. The acquisition of two additional instruments will allow law enforcement to implement DNA testing throughout the county. Once this Program is established, those smaller police departments within Buck’s County, with limited resources, will be able to see the same results and success as larger police departments have.
Funding Secured: $750,000
Funding Requested: $750,000
- Bucks County Department of Corrections Outmate Program: The objective of the project is to reduce recidivism. The Bucks County Jail has seen an increase in repeat offenders. An outmate program will help these individuals be more successful once on parole, by allowing us to provide them with extended treatment specifically mental health and medical treatment as well as social services. Lehigh County, PA has implemented a similar program with much success. This program will reduce recidivism and help individuals transition back into society with greater success.
Funding Secured: $900,000
Funding Requested: $900,000
- Doylestown Health Heart and Vascular Suite Expansion: This project would expand the heart and vascular suite at Doylestown Hospital. This state-of-the-art procedural suite currently includes a hybrid operating lab that opened in 2017 primarily for vascular surgery, and also encompasses the oldest cardiac catheterization laboratory still online at the hospital. To help meet a significant increase in patient volume and address the nation’s number one killer, heart disease, Doylestown Health’s transformational plans include building a new universal hybrid operating lab, while also renovating the oldest catheterization lab to be outfitted with the most advanced technology and equipment.
Funding Secured: $1 million
Funding Requested: $1 million
- Grandview Hospital Expansion Project: This project funding would support health facility construction of four patient-at-risk rooms in Grand View Health’s new emergency department for the provision of health and behavioral health services. The new infrastructure will improve safety for patients and staff at the hospital.
Funding Secured: $1 million
Funding Requested: $1 million
- Lower Bucks Hospital ICU Expansion Project: This project would increase the current Intensive Care Unit capacity from 10 to 22 beds at Lower Bucks Hospital. Lower Bucks serves a populated area that is in need of greater capacity due partly to COVID and complications from COVID that some patients suffer.
Funding Secured: $1.2 million
Funding Requested: $1.2 million
- L.O.V.E. Is the Answer: This project would help improve community relations for law enforcement. Bucks County made history in early 2020 when the Bucks DA became the first to license the film, WALKING WHILE BLACK: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer. In less than a year, the DA’s office secured commitments from 30 of the 39 police chiefs in Bucks County to use the film to train officers, generated interest from a Bucks County high school to make viewing the film a graduation requirement, secured a commitment from the County Commissioner to use the film to train all 2,400 county employees on the L.O.V.E. Is The Answer principles, and garnered commitments from several other DA’s in Pennsylvania to use the film to improve police-community relations. This one-time funding request will enable the DA to go deeper and broader in their work, and position Bucks County as a national model for police-community relations.
Funding Secured: $545,000
Funding Requested: $545,000
- Morrisville Municipal Authority: The Morrisville Municipal Authority is in the process of completing planning and design of a new wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). The project will provide needed wastewater infrastructure to Morrisville which will in turn improve the economic outlook of the community.
Funding Secured: $4 million
Funding Requested: $2.7 million
- Morrisville School District Technology Program Project: The purpose of the School District of Borough of Morrisville’s Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology Innovation Program is to increase student achievement through the development and implementation of innovative instructional practices, curriculum revision, technology integration, the establishment of professional learning communities, and the growth of afterschool and summer support programming. This investment in technology learning will lead to better students and a better workforce for the future.
Funding Secured: $850,000
Funding Requested: $850,000
- Shenandoah Woods Improvement and Revitalization Project: This project has been part of a decades-long effort to repurpose this former residential development that was abandoned by the Navy Department. The project site is adjacent to, and will become part of, the 243-acre Warminster Community Park. Facilities available at the Warminster Community Park include walking trails, nature areas, parking, playground, pavilion, picnic area, pond, restrooms and soccer fields. The project site is a vacant, blighted property and a designated Certified Redevelopment Area under the Pennsylvania Urban Redevelopment Law.
Funding Secured: $1.5 million
Funding Requested: $1.5 million
- Startup Bucks: This project funding will go towards helping Bucks County entrepreneurs by providing them needed resources. Mentoring services and oversight resources are included to help with the administration of the Bucks Built Startup Fund. This project will help spur further economic development and help bring more startups to the Bucks County everyone.
Funding Secured: $500,000
Funding Requested: $500,000
- Upper Bucks Rail Trail Improvement Project: This project would help link the rail trails in Upper Bucks County. These trails are great for the environment and recreation and bring visitors from near and far to the area. These visitors will help boost economic development in the area.
Funding Secured: $1.77 million
Funding Requested: $1.77 million
- YMCA of Morrisville Branch Revitalization: The Morrisville Y is a safe community space that offers positive opportunities for families. In addition to helping to nurture children and prepare them for school and life, the Y also offers support for the adult caregivers of the young people in our care. In order to strengthen the Y’s programs, the branch is in desperate need of total renovations to all classrooms, windows, the roof, and asbestos removal. Renovations will allow the Y to improve the safety and quality of the facility, uplift the children and youth. The Morrisville YMCA has early care, school age and summer camp programs.
Funding Secured: $4 million
Funding Requested: $2 million
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