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Community Project Funding

 

Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)

Community Project Funding

Member Submissions FY2026

 

(May 23, 2025) - Below are Rep. Tom Kean, Jr.'s fifteen Community Project Funding requests submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration:

 

Warren Community College Agricultural Education and Training Center in Warren County, New Jersey  

Subcommittee: Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies   

Amount: $978,625  

Recipient: Warren County Community College  

Location: 475 NJ-57 Washington, New Jersey 07882 

Justification: The funding would be used for improvements to the existing Agricultural Education and Training Center’s facilities to serve as a location for training students on vocational agriculture and culinary studies.   This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds as it provides for workforce development opportunities, local economic growth, spurs innovations, opens the door to educational access, and broadens community engagement. 

Letter 

Washington Township, New Jersey Police Department Building Renovation  

Subcommittee: Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies  

Amount: $560,000  

Recipient: Washington Township, New Jersey  

Location: 43 Schooley’s Mountain Road Long Valley, NJ 07853  

Justification: The project would be used for replacing, repairing, and renovating certain features of the Washington Township Police Department Building, such as roof replacement, HVAC air handler and condenser replacement, and parking lot replacement.   This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds as it will enhance officer and public safety, operational efficiency, and reduce long-term utility and maintenance costs. 

Letter 

Memorial Pond Stormwater Dredging in Borough of Mount Arlington, New Jersey  

Subcommittee: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

Amount: $560,000  

Recipient: Borough of Mount Arlington, New Jersey  

Location: 419 Howard Boulevard Mount Arlington, New Jersey 07856  

Justification: The funding will be used for data collection and analysis of the sediment, surveying, engineering, regulatory requirements, and dredging of Memorial Pond. The dredging involves pumping the sediment through a pipeline into geotubes.  This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds since it will address stormwater drainage for the local and regional community. 

Letter 

City of Summit, New Jersey Glenside Avenue Sidewalk Improvements  

Subcommittee: Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies  

Amount: $530,274.60  

Recipient: City of Summit, New Jersey  

Location: 512 Springfield Ave. Summit, New Jersey 07901  

Justification: The funding would be used for critical upgrades to Glenside Avenue, including new ADA-complaint sidewalks on a corridor that suffers from higher traffic than other routes.This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will improve public safety and accessibility while promoting physical activity and community engagement. 

Letter 

Borough of Hopatcong, New Jersey Lead Service Line Replacements  

Subcommittee: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies  

Amount: $1,456,796  

Recipient: Borough of Hopatcong, New Jersey  

Location: 111 River Styx Road, Hopatcong, New Jersey 07843  

Justification: The funding would be used for completing the initial phase of lead service line replacements along various roadways in the jurisdiction, mainly near low-income households.   This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds as it will help improve the quality of drinking water in Hopatcong and reduce the risk of lead contamination in water, which would pose negative health risks and consequences to those who ingest it. 

Letter 

Phillipsburg, New Jersey Riverfront Park Revitalization  

Subcommittee: Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies  

Amount: $2,400,000  

Recipient: Town of Phillipsburg, New jersey  

Location: 12 Filmore Street Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08886 

Justification: The funding would be used for revitalizing the existing Delaware River Park to be reused for recreational purposes.   This project is a good use of taxpayer funds as it will promote public health and wellbeing, community building, and youth engagement. 

Letter 

Hunterdon County, New Jersey Senior Center Expansion and Renovation  

Subcommittee: Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies  

Amount: $1,500,000  

Recipient: Hunterdon County, New Jersey  

Location: 71 Main Street, PO Box 2900 Flemington, New Jersey 08822  

Justification: The funding would be used for assisting Hunterdon County with expanding its senior center which services the entirety of the County and houses a number of programs that benefit low- and moderate- income senior citizens.   This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds as it supports health and independence for seniors, offers vital opportunities for social engagement, and assists many seniors on fixed incomes. 

Letter 

Bernards Township, New Jersey Police Department Communications Upgrade  

Subcommittee: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies  

Amount: $835,000 

Recipient: Bernards Township, New Jersey  

Location: 1 Collyer Lane, Bernards Township, New Jersey 07920  

Justification: The funding would be used for improving the communications capabilities of the Township Police Department and partner emergency response agencies within the Township, which provide for direct radio contact and allow the police to more effectively communicate and facilitate deployment.   The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the equipment purchased will provide interoperable communications capabilities to the Township Police Department. 

Letter 

Township of Warren, New Jersey Public Safety Communications Equipment Upgrade

Subcommittee: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies  

Amount: $900,000  

Recipient: Township of Warren, New Jersey  

Location: 46 Mountain Blvd., Warren, New Jersey 07059  

Justification: The funding would be used for communication technology upgrades for emergency operations of the police department to allow the agency to meet the growing needs of the community. The equipment upgrade is a valuable lifeline to all emergency services for the township.   The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the communication equipment upgrade is a valuable lifeline to all emergency services for the township and positively benefits the residents, businesses and corporate employees. 

Letter 

School Resource Officer Vehicle and Equipment for Greenwich Township, New Jersey Police Department  

Subcommittee: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies  

Amount: $97,606.12  

Recipient: Township of Greenwich  

Location: 321 Greenwich Street, Stewartsville, New Jersey 08886  

Justification: The funding would be used for the purchase of a single police vehicle to be utilized by the Township’s school resource officer dedicated to ensuring a safe, secure, and supportive environment for students, staff, and residents.   The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because having a dedicated vehicle for the school resource officer presents a variety of benefits like ensuring a safe, secure, and supportive environment for students, staff, and residents. 

Letter 

Modernizing the Holland Township Police Department Headquarters in Holland Township, New Jersey 

Subcommittee: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies  

Amount: $1,025,000  

Recipient: Holland Township Department of Police and Public Safety  

Location: 61 Church Road, Milford, New Jersey 08848  

Justification: Holland Township’s Police Department Headquarters was first constructed in 1976. The current space lacks sufficient office space, locker facility, and processing areas, hindering officers' ability to work effectively, coordinate resources, and serve the community. Both the interior and exterior need to be brought up to modern standards. The project includes the addition of a processing area and sallyport with heightened security measures to facilitate efficient operations. Additionally, the modernized police headquarters can serve as a hub for community engagement and outreach initiatives. The renovated facility can provide space for community meetings, educational programs, and events to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.  The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it is a critical investment for the community which renovates a police building constructed almost 50 years ago and will have a positive impact for the community which will create jobs and simulate economic activity in the local area. 

Letter 

Township of Readington Police Department Expansion and Modernization in Readington, New Jersey  

Subcommittee: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies  

Amount: $3,000,000  

Recipient: Readington Township Police Department 

Location: 509 Route 523, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey 08889  

Justification: The expansion and modernization initiative for the Readington Township Police Department aims to enhance the operational capacity, efficiency, and community engagement of the department through strategic upgrades and expansion efforts. This comprehensive project encompasses the modernization of infrastructure, technology, and resources to ensure the department is equipped to meet the evolving needs of the community while fostering trust and collaboration between law enforcement and residents.  The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it is a critical investment for the community which renovates a police building constructed almost 50 years ago and will have a positive impact for the community which will create jobs and simulate economic activity in the local area. 

Letter 

Mountainside Emergency Operations Center  

Subcommittee: Homeland Security  

Amount: $420,000  

Recipient: Borough of Mountainside  

Location: 1385 Route 22 East, Mountainside, New Jersey 07092  

Justification: Mountainside’s Borough Hall contains its police department, senior center, recreation department, building and construction office, tax office, clerk’s office, and court. Additionally, there is minimal security to enter certain offices in the building. This funding will allow the Borough to purchase and install new security cameras at the Borough Hall and the fire department, as well as a computerized badged locking system. The locking system would allow the Borough to grant access to certain offices based on employee function. This funding will allow the Borough to install an intercom system at the main entrance to allow police dispatchers to communicate with visitors after hours.  The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it complies with the allowable use of funds under FEMA's EOC program, specifically regarding construction and upgrading of a facility. 

Letter 

Sparta Township for Pump Station Improvements 

Subcommittee: Interior and Environment 

Amount: $400,000 

Recipient: Sparta Township 

Location: 65 Main Street Sparta, New Jersey 07871  

Justification:  The proper flow of wastewater is essential to ensure a safe, healthy community in Sparta Township. Through the proposed upgrades to the White Deer Plaza Pump Station, this project will improve surface/groundwater quality. This project will serve as a worthy use of taxpayer dollars, as it will eliminate any risks associated with pump station failure, promote surface and groundwater quality, and ensure the maximum operational efficiency of the pump station to reduce municipal energy costs.   

Letter 

Byram Township Police Department Renovation 

Subcommittee: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies  

Amount: $1,787,500  

Recipient: Byram Township  

Location: 10 Mansfield Drive, Byram Township, New Jersey 07874  

Justification: The Township is in dire need of a new police department headquarters, currently operating out of a set of mobile construction trailers from the 1970s.This funding will allow the police department to move into an existing 4,500 square foot office building and renovate it to be suitable to house their police headquarters.  The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the department is in dire need of a new facility and the department is instrumental in the daily lives of the township and its citizens. 

Letter 

 

Community Project Funding (CPF) Information

 

CPF is a process that allows Members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the communities they represent. This process includes robust eligibility, ethics, and transparency guidelines and is only available to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as some non-profits. Additionally, only projects with evidence of strong support from the community will be considered, and evidence of this support and community need is required as part of your submission.

 

What is required for requesting Community Project Funding?

  • Community Support. Community engagement and support is crucial in determining which projects are worthy of Federal funding. Only projects with demonstrated community support will be considered. This recommendation builds on past Committee reforms, and Members will be required to present to the Committee evidence of community support that were compelling factors in their decision to submit the request.
  • Ban on For-Profit recipients. The Committee is imposing a ban on directing Community Project Funding to for-profit entities.
  • Matching requirements. Several Federal programs eligible for Community Project Funding requests require a State or local match for projects either by statute or according to longstanding policy. The Committee will not waive these matching requirements for Community Project Funding requests, so it is important that Member offices discuss with their State and local officials the ability for localities to meet matching requirements prior to requesting a project. Note: This does not mean that matching funds must be in-hand prior to requesting a project, but that local officials must have a plan to meet such requirements in order for such a project to be viable.
  • One-year funding. Each project request must be for Fiscal Year 2026 funds only and cannot include a request for multiyear funding.  However, the performance period for a project funded with amounts provided in Fiscal Year 2026 will depend on the appropriations account from which it is funded and may be longer than one year.
  • State, local or Tribal governmental entities as grantees. Members are encouraged to consider public entities as primary grantees to oversee the completion of the project.
    • For infrastructure projects, many States have established lists or intended use plans with projects that have already been vetted by governmental officials (e.g. drinking water, wastewater and highways).
  • Non-profits as grantees. Requester will need to provide evidence that the recipient is a nonprofit organization by either supplying the Employer Identification Number or an IRS determination letter. Further, many water projects often partner with non-profit entities to complete projects. Therefore, projects may also be directed to non-profits with an inherently governmental function.

 

Ethics and Transparency Requirements 

The following requirements apply to all CPF requests:

  1. Each Member may only submit 15 CPF projects to the Appropriations Committee for consideration. Of those 15, not all 15 will be successfully funded. If your project is one of the 15 submitted, the full details of your request (including the information provided below) are required to be posted publicly online on this website.
  2. The Government Accountability Office will conduct a mandatory audit of a sample of enacted community project funding and report its findings to Congress. This report will likely be made public at some point.
  3. A Member, their spouse, and immediate family may not have any financial interest in the project.
  4. Federal Nexus Requirement: In order to ensure a federal nexus exists for each funded project, the Committee will only fund projects that are tied to a federal authorization law. Members must include a written statement describing the federal nexus for each Community Project Funding request. Subcommittee guidance will include example language Members can use to make the required statement.

 

If you have specific questions, please contact our Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-5361

 

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