FY'23 Community Project Funding Requests

Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro announced that the House Committee on Appropriations will be accepting Community Project Funding (CPF) requests from Members. This is in addition to the standard programmatic and language-based requests. Each Member is limited to no more than 15 Community Project Funding requests across all subcommittees for Fiscal Year 2023 and there is no guarantee that all requested projects will be funded. The FY2023 CPF process has a limited scope with combined earmarks capped at 1% of all discretionary spending and eligible accounts restricted to those listed in the table below.

Please note:

  • Congresswoman Plaskett will NOT accept CPF requests for projects outside of VI-00.
  • All projects must meet the relevant statutory and administrative criteria for funding through the grant program under which it is submitted.
  • A request submitted to Congresswoman Plaskett does NOT guarantee the project will be selected.
  • The selection of a project does NOT guarantee it will be funded by the Appropriations Committee.
  • The Committee will NOT provide cost-share waivers and grantees are legally responsible for meeting the non-federal cost share requirements and all other applicable grant criteria.

The deadline for submitting project requests to Congresswoman Plaskett is COB April 22, 2022

More information on the process can be found on the House Appropriations Committee’s page here. Staff may follow up for additional information to support the CPF request such as budget justification, documentation of community support and need, or proof of ability to meet match requirements once an initial request is submitted. If you have any questions about Congresswoman Plaskett’s project submission process, please reach out to Jeffrey.Nowill@mail.house.gov.

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Eligible Entities & Projects

Only state and local government entities, public institutions, and non-profit entities are eligible to submit and receive funding through CPF. Funding cannot be directed to for-profit entities and will not include waivers for State or local match requirements. While matching funds do not have to be in-hand prior to the request, requesting entities must have a plan to meet such requirements for the project to be viable. Additionally, each submission must be for FY2023 only and cannot include multi-year funding requests. The Committee will only consider projects with demonstrated community support in the form of: letters from local elected officials; press articles highlighting need; support from newspaper editorial boards; mentions on State intended use plans, community development plans, or other publicly available planning documents; resolutions passed by city councils or boards; etc.

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Transparency

The final 15 CPF requests selected and submitted by Congresswoman Plaskett to the Appropriations Committee will be posted on this page.  Members will be required to certify that neither they nor their immediate family have a financial interest in the CPF requests made.

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Commerce, Justice, Science / Department of Justice / Byrne Justice Assistance Grants
Project Name: Marine Enforcement Vessels
Project Location: Christiansted, Saint Croix, VI 00820; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00802; and St. John, VI 00830
Project Recipient: Virgin Islands Police Department
Recipient Address: Alexander Farrelly Criminal Justice Center, Zone A, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Amount Requested: $4,335,279
Project Description and Explanation: This project would fund the purchase of three marine enforcement vessels by the Virgin Islands Police Department to assist with the interdiction of drug-trafficking related criminal activity through the Virgin Islands. The vessels will also assist with safety patrolling local waters. The Virgin Islands Police Department requires marine-capable law enforcement capacity because the Virgin Islands is surrounded by water as an island territory of the United States.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here

 

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Commerce, Justice, Science / Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration / Operations, Research & Facilities
Project Name: Coral and Aquatic Research and Restoration
Project Location: Coki Point, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Project Recipient: Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative (non-profit)
Recipient Address: 6450 Coki Point Road, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Amount Requested: $900,000
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used by the non-profit Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative (CWORI) to provide the funding, personnel, infrastructure and resources required for coral rescue and restoration activities across the St. Thomas and St. John region of the Virgin Islands. The CWORI is already active in coral restoration activities in the Virgin Islands. This project will further complement and support more rapid response to emerging threats to coral reef and other marine life in the Virgin Islands, including improved sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because the Virgin Islands is disproportionately vulnerable to climate change and impacted by severe hurricanes and other extreme coastal weather events.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Energy and Water Development / Corps of Engineers / Construction
Project Name:  Estate La Grange Project
Project Location(s): Estate La Grange, St. Croix, VI 00840
Project Recipient: Virgin Islands Department of Public Works
Recipient Address:  6002 Annas Hope, St. Croix, VI 00820
Amount Requested:  $6,198,509
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used to construct this flood risk management project at Estate La Grange, St. Croix, Virgin Islands under the Continuing Authorities Program of the Army Corps of Engineers. Specifically, the flood control project would clear and grub the lower 1,600 feet of the existing gut, connected with a new channel to divert the flow northwest of the original gut. A 1,600-foot earthen levee will be constructed to divert flows away from the downtown area of Frederiksted, St. Croix. An interior drainage channel will be constructed to move water from the impounded downtown area of Frederiksted, St. Croix. The existing drainage structure will be replaced with a culvert at King Street. The Prince Street culvert and bridge will be removed. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because St. Croix is a remote insular area of the United States that is highly vulnerable to climate change, and there is persistent and significant flooding in the area due to low pressure weather fronts, storms and hurricanes. With the increased frequency and severity of these storms due to climate change, it is expected that the flooding and potential impacts will worsen if this project is not completed.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Energy and Water Development / Corps of Engineers / Investigations
Project Name:  Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) Harbor Study
Project Location(s): St. Thomas harbor, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Project Recipient: Virgin Islands Port Authority
Recipient Address:  8074 Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Amount Requested:  $1,000,000
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used to complete the post authorization change report required to be submitted to Congress for the Secretary to carry out the project for navigation – “Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) Harbor, United States Virgin Islands” – reauthorized under section 355 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-260, Div. AA), pursuant to subsection (b) of such section 355. This request will be utilized to review the permitting, NEPA and economic justification for the project for navigation at St. Thomas harbor and for the Secretary of the Army to submit to Congress the post-authorization change report required for resumption of the project. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because the improvements made possible by the project for navigation at St. Thomas harbor directly affect the economic and employment opportunities of the Virgin Islands by facilitating trade, tourism, and the maritime infrastructure necessary for the continued rebuilding of the territory following disastrous hurricanes in recent years, the Covid-19 pandemic, and future readiness for climate-related shocks.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here

 

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Energy and Water Development / Corps of Engineers / Investigations
Project Name:  Christiansted Harbor Study
Project Location(s): Christiansted harbor, St. Croix, VI 00840
Project Recipient: Virgin Islands Port Authority
Recipient Address:  8074 Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Amount Requested:  $1,000,000
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used to complete the post authorization change report required to be submitted to Congress for the Secretary of the Army to carry out the project for navigation – “Christiansted Harbor, United States Virgin Islands” – reauthorized under section 355 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-260, Div. AA), pursuant to subsection (b) of such section 355. This request will be utilized to review the permitting, NEPA and economic justification for the project for navigation at Christiansted harbor and for the Secretary to submit to Congress the post-authorization change report required for resumption of the project. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because it will stimulate the local island economy, which is heavily dependent upon maritime transport tourism and trade, by deepening the harbor and providing essential vessel access necessary to facilitate tourism and trade for St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here

 

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education /  Department of Education / Innovation and Improvement
Project Name: USVI Community STEM Project
Project Location: Virgin Islands Department of Education schools territory-wide in the Virgin Islands
Project Recipient:  Virgin Islands Department of Education
Recipient Address: 1834 Kongens Gade, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Amount Requested: $2,200,000
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used by the Virgin Islands Department of Education to incorporate relevant STEM opportunities for students at all levels, ensuring that STEM initiatives are included in various courses and afterschool programs. The funding would also allow for the purchase of IO Academy software and the inclusion of an Electric Vehicle Tech Class to be incorporated into school curriculum. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because it addresses multiple challenges facing the community: learning loss from Covid 19, low education attainment and labor challenges of being in a rural and isolated area.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here

 

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education / Department of Health and Human Services / Health Facilities Construction and Equipment
Project Name: Virgin Islands Fire Services
Project Location(s):  Territory-wide at Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Service facilities across the Virgin Islands
Project Recipient:  Virgin Islands Fire Services
Recipient Address: 385 William G. Lewis Drive, Estate Taarneberg, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Amount Requested: $1,897,000
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used by the Virgin Islands Fire Services to purchase seven ambulances to augment their current fleet. These ambulances will allow for quicker emergency response times and an enhancement of their current emergency medical response capabilities. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because it will provide increased out-of-hospital assessment, medical care, treatment, and emergency medical transport of patients suffering injuries and illnesses. By securing this funding, the Virgin Islands Fire Services will be able to provide emergency medical services more effectively, efficiently and at reduced response times.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here

 

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education / Department of Health and Human Services / Health Facilities Construction and Equipment 
Project Name: Virgin Islands Diabetes Center of Excellence
Project Location: Territory-wide at VIDCOE facilities across each of the islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John
Project Recipient: Virgin Islands Diabetes Center of Excellence (non-profit)
Recipient Address: 4040 La Grande Princesse, Suite 1, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820
Amount Requested: $995,000
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used by the Virgin Islands Diabetes Center of Excellence (VIDCOE) to purchase two small vans to provide transportation for patients who require in-home visits or would like to participate in the Center’s educational program offerings but lack transportation. It would also fund telehealth services for persons who cannot access services in-office and allow for the purchase of medical equipment to provide diagnostic services for patients at-risk for diabetes and/or those who have diabetes. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because VIDCOE will be able to track key diabetes measures, coordinate patient care across specialties to drive improvement in outcomes, identify opportunities to close gaps in diabetes care and achieve health equity, and receive up-to-date information on quality of care provided to patients by tracking adherence to national performance measures.
Signed Disclosure Letter:  Click Here

 

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development / Department of Housing and Urban Development / Economic Development Initiative
Project Name: Bright Path Holistic Wellness
Project Location: Territory-wide at Virgin Islands Housing Authority properties located throughout the Virgin Islands
Project Recipient: Virgin Islands Housing Authority
Recipient Address: 9900 Oswald Harris Court, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Amount Requested: $900,000
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used to implement a Bright Path Holistic Human Service Delivery Model, establishing afterschool programing and mental health services to ensure Virgin Islands resident individuals and families in public housing have access to services and resources that are instrumental in promoting health and wellness, housing stability, economic mobility, and personal self-sufficiency for every household. School age youth who are engaged in healthy out-of-school activities such as afterschool programs show positive social, emotional, and academic development. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because the project will serve 600 low-income youth across 4 different afterschool sites and 400 low-income individuals in 2 different community wellness centers and see that these Virgin Islands resident individuals and families have access to services and resources that are instrumental in promoting health and wellness, housing stability, economic mobility, and personal self-sufficiency for every household.
Signed Disclosure Letter:  Click Here

 

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development / Department of Housing and Urban Development / Economic Development Initiative
Project Name:  Christiansted Sunday Market Square Revitalization
Project Location(s):  35 A & B King Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820; 10 Market Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820; and 39 Company Street, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820
Project Recipient:  St. Croix Foundation (non-profit)
Recipient Address:  1023 Market Street, Christiansted, VI 00820
Amount Requested: $1,059,152
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used by the non-profit St. Croix Foundation to build seven low to moderate income housing units in Christiansted, three commercial spaces in Christiansted, and an innovative nonprofit co-working space in Christiansted to nurture civic sector collaboration. It will also help to cover the costs associated with necessary architectural & engineering design services including archeological and environmental studies, schematic design plans, construction document preparation etc., as well as cover asbestos and lead paint testing and abatement, and temporary protective measures for the construction. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because it will help to replenish the supply of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income residents on St. Croix, which diminished because of Hurricane Maria. This project also contributes to economic revitalization by replenishing affordable commercial space on the island, providing the opportunity for small businesses to thrive and will provide operating space for nonprofit organizations, all providing critical social and cultural services to underserved individuals and families
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here

 

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development / Department of Housing and Urban Development / Economic Development Initiative
Project Name:  Community First Tiny Homes Build Out Phase III
Project Location(s):  82-C Whim Road, Frederiksted, St. Croix, VI 00841
Project Recipient:  Liberty Place, Inc. (non-profit)
Recipient Address:  82ABC Whim, Frederiksted, St Croix, VI 00840
Amount Requested: $1,964,210
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used by the non-profit organization, Liberty Place, Inc., to build 25 Permanent Supportive Housing units - tiny homes – on their campus, with wrap-around medical and behavioral health services to formerly chronically homeless individuals and small families. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because the project will help house those homeless individuals who lost access to affordable housing due to Hurricane Maria in 2017. These homeless individuals and small families have limited access to medical and behavioral health services. According to the non-profit sponsor, Liberty Place, Inc., a recent report from White & Reed of Abt Associates stated there is a need for 442 local Permanent Supportive Housing units throughout the Virgin Islands. This project will provide permanent housing and support for those homeless individuals in temporary shelters who have conditions requiring daily attention that prohibit them from independent living in private or public housing.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here

 

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development / Department of Transportation / Airport Improvement Program
Project Name:  King Airport Commuter Wing
Project Location(s):  Cyril E. King Airport, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Project Recipient:  Virgin Islands Port Authority
Recipient Address:  8074 Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Amount Requested: $7,000,000
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used by the Virgin Islands Port Authority for the renovation and expansion of the current inter-island terminal area at King Airport to develop additional space for expansion of the airport’s current passenger terminal facilities, allowing for the inclusion of jet bridges for off-island air passenger traffic. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because it would allow for additional space for jet bridges to be added in the main terminal and increase service options for inter-island travelers, providing transportation to visitors and locals, and providing a boost to the Virgin Islands’ economy.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here

 

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development / Department of Transportation / Airport Improvement Program
Project Name:  King Airport Safety Drainage
Project Location(s):  Cyril E. King Airport, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Project Recipient:  Virgin Islands Port Authority
Recipient Address:  8074 Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Amount Requested: $4,500,000
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used by the Virgin Islands Port Authority to design and construct a concrete lining for the drainage gut to ensure that the airport remains in compliance with FAA requirements and to improve the safety of operating on the airfield. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because the current, unlined airfield drainage gut at King Airport promotes the growth of vegetation and habitation of wildlife, which presents safety concerns for commercial aviation activities on the airfield. The Virgin Islands Port Authority spends significant funds to maintain this area to ensure these safety issues are kept at bay and to allow for aviation activities to continue uninterrupted. The design and construction of a concrete lining for the drainage gut would ensure that the airport remains in compliance with FAA requirements and would improve the safety of operating on the airfield.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here

 

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development / Department of Transportation / Airport Improvement Program
Project Name:  Rohlsen Airport Apron Rehabilitation
Project Location(s):  Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix, VI 00821
Project Recipient:  Virgin Islands Port Authority
Recipient Address:  8074 Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Amount Requested: $7,000,000
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used by the Virgin Islands Port Authority for rehabilitation of existing aircraft parking aprons to ensure the continued safety of airport operations at Rohlsen Airport. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because the construction of additional apron rehabilitation would further align the airport with safety requirements since pavement maintenance is a key safety component of any airport.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here

 

Subcommittee/Agency/Account: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development / Department of Transportation / Airport Improvement Program
Project Name:  Rohlsen Airport Runway
Project Location(s):  Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix, VI 00821
Project Recipient:  Virgin Islands Port Authority
Recipient Address:  8074 Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Amount Requested: $6,000,000
Project Description and Explanation: The requested funding would be used by the Virgin Islands Port Authority to design and support rehabilitation of the existing runway at Rohlsen Airport to improve the pavement strength and ensure safe air transport operations. This project is a sound use of taxpayer funding because it will improve the pavement strength and ensure safe air transport operations on the existing runway at Rohlsen Airport. Due to regular operations at Rohlsen Airport, the runway pavement has begun to deteriorate and has reached the end of its useful life. The current status of the pavement on Runway 10-28 needs rehabilitation and should be overlaid to ensure the continued safety of aviation operations at the airport.
Signed Disclosure Letter: Click Here