Nearly $12 million in federal funding could be coming to Central Coast community projects, after Democratic Congressman Salud Carbajal’s spending bill passed in the House of Representatives.
If the bill clears the Senate, $11.9 million in federal funding would go into eight projects, ranging from protecting the water supply, supporting affordable housing and bringing older buildings up to date in safety and accessibility.
“We are very excited about this because this will put a big dent in some of those expenses for us," said Cambria Community Services District Manager John Weigold. "It doesn’t cover everything, but something is better than nothing.”
Weigold said $375,000 is slated to help refurbish two large water tanks — something he said is desperately needed for the district in order to protect humankind’s most valuable resource-water.
"We are predominantly always in a period of near-drought in the Central Coast," Weigold said. "So having water available in tanks really helps us provide for both the community and for fire fighting prevention.”
$2 million would go to the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo, which will be used to offer more housing vouchers for low-income individuals at the Anderson Hotel in downtown SLO.
$2.5 million would go to the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County, which will be used to construct a community center for Guadalupe residents. The center will offer early childhood education and wellness services.
$900,000 would go to Santa Barbara County for the Lompoc Health Clinic.
“In Lompoc, we serve more than 7400 people each year with over 34000 patient visits," Dana Gamble, Deputy Director for Primary Care & Family Health for Santa Barbara Public Health said. "So it really is a hub for health care in the city of Lompoc.”
Gamble said the money would be used on a generator project in the case of power outages, and to connect two separate medical building structures, which will improve the flow and capacity for the clinic.
Gamble said both of these projects have been a dream for about twelve years.
“That’s a long time, twelve years," Gamble said. "It’ll make the patient experience better and it will also make our operations more efficient.”
Other projects include:
City of Guadalupe LeRoy Park
Amount: $1,700,000
This project would restore the park. The park has been a popular site for family gatherings, cultural/national holidays, or other community events like easter egg hunts and boy scout campouts for decades. This funding will be used to provide further park enhancements such as additional barbeque areas and picnic areas, an exercise area, and an amphitheater.
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Waste Water Treatment Plant
Amount: $112,340
This project will support the initial engineering analysis required to implement the preferred alternative to expand the waste water treatment plant to serve the town of Santa Ynez.
Goleta Valley Community Center
Amount: $3,000,000
This project will help the City reopen a key community asset that has been partially closed since January 2021 due to a critical need for seismic upgrades.
County of Santa Barbara Veterans Building Seismic Upgrade
Amount: $1,300,000
The Santa Barbara Veterans Memorial Building is owned by the County of Santa Barbara and serves as a community resource for the area’s veterans, non-profit groups, and other residents. The Federal aid would support seismic, electrical, and energy upgrades.
