Month: March 2022

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids announced that more than $15.7 million is coming to projects in the 3rd District of Kansas, including a new cancer imaging machine for The University of Kansas Cancer Center, funding to protect Merriam homes and businesses from flooding with the Upper Turkey Creek project.

Out of hundreds of bipartisan submissions, eight Davids-requested projects were passed into law Thursday night as part of the broader government funding bill.

“My job is to advocate for the 3rd District in Washington, and I’m proud to announce many of our communities’ priorities are going to benefit from federal funding—from fixing our flood infrastructure to training the next generation of our workforce to enhancing our world-class cancer treatment center,” Rep. Davids said in a news release. “Our team worked in tandem with local officials and conducted detailed reviews of each proposal to ensure they met strong standards with a high return on investment. I’ve long fought for responsible budget policies to protect taxpayers, like pay-as-you-go rules, and these investments maintain that commitment to fiscal responsibility while making a difference for Kansas.”

This fiscal year, members of Congress were able to request federal resources for up to 10 projects with demonstrated community support. Each of the eight Davids-requested projects were submitted in tandem with local officials and selected for their potential to improve health and safety in the community, tackle climate change, and bring economic opportunity to the 3rd District:

• $1 million to purchase a VIS/Quantum X2 Ultra-High-Resolution Imaging Station for The University of Kansas Cancer Center.
• $500,000 to begin removal of Downtown Merriam, Kansas, from the floodplain through the Upper Turkey Creek flood risk management project.
• $4.8 million to purchase a Backup Engine Generator at WaterOne’s Ralph Wyss Pumping Station.
• $4 million to perform needed maintenance on critical infrastructure on the Fairfax Jersey Creek Upper Levee.
• $1.9 million to purchase equipment for the Automation Engineering Technology Program at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
• $3.4 million total across three economic development and green space initiatives in Kansas City, Kansas.

More about the projects:

A new imaging machine for The University of Kansas Cancer Center will give the state-of-the-art research and treatment facility a new tool to serve thousands of Kansans who are fighting cancer.

• “The University of Kansas Medical Center and The University of Kansas Cancer Center would like to thank Representative Sharice Davids for championing congressionally directed spending for the KU Cancer Center,” said Douglas A. Girod, chancellor of the University of Kansas. “These much-needed funds will be used to purchase ultra-high-resolution imaging equipment that will benefit the regional scientific community and will serve as a cornerstone in creating a state-of-the-art pre-clinical imaging facility unlike any other in the region. This equipment will have a direct positive impact to the thousands of Kansans who are battling cancer.”

Kickstarting removal of Downtown Merriam, Kansas, from the floodplain through the Upper Turkey Creek flood risk management project has been a longtime priority for the community. Hundreds of homes and over 80 businesses in Merriam will benefit from this project with increased safety and future economic development opportunity.

• “We appreciate Rep. Davids’ great efforts to get the additional Upper Turkey Creek funding included in the omnibus funding bill,” Mayor Bob Pape said. “With this additional funding the city can continue its efforts with the Army Corp of Engineers to mitigate future flooding in downtown Merriam which not only protects private property and increases safety, but will also spur additional investment.”

A Backup Engine Generator at WaterOne’s Ralph Wyss Pumping Station, which serves over 400,000 customers in Johnson County, will improve emergency preparedness and provide water to Kansas households even through storm and emergency situations.

• “The resilience of water service is the backbone of Kansas communities,” said Mike Armstrong, general manager of WaterOne. “Rep. Davids’ support of securing federal funds for this emergency power generator at WaterOne facilities helps us further safeguard reliable water service to over 400,000 Kansans and businesses.”

Performing needed maintenance on the Fairfax Jersey Creek Upper Levee will protect 120-plus businesses in Kansas City, Kansas, from flooding.

• “The Fairfax Drainage District and all of the many businesses in the Fairfax Industrial Park are very grateful to Representative’s Davids’ office for advocating for our $4 million project in the Omnibus funding bill,” said Steve Dailey, general manager of the Fairfax Drainage District of Wyandotte County, Kansas. “This project will allow us to fully access our under-seepage infrastructure for inspection and maintenance purposes which is so vital in keeping the Fairfax levee system healthy and reliable.”

The Automation Engineering Technology Program at Kansas City Kansas Community College allows students to train on real-life automation equipment as they prepare to enter the workforce.

• “Creation of this new downtown center will better the lives of tens of thousands of people in KCK for generations to come and could not be possible without the support of many. This project will move countless people from poverty to prosperity,” said Dr. Greg Mosier, president of Kansas City Kansas Community College. “Representative Davids’ support to obtain federal funds to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for KCKCC’s new Automation Engineering Program is crucial to the success of this project and will uplift residents of Wyandotte County by providing critical education and technical training opportunities along with desperately needed wraparound services. We are truly grateful for Rep. Davids’ commitment to this project and, most importantly, to the residents of Wyandotte County.”

Supporting economic development and green space initiatives in Kansas City, Kansas, through the 6th Street Bike Boulevard and Heritage Trail Connection, the Sumner Area Green Corridor, and the Klamm Park Trail will improve quality of life in Wyandotte County.

• “We are grateful to Representative Davids and her team for the ongoing support in ensuring Wyandotte County-Kansas City, Kansas, is included in impactful funding opportunities that help reinforce our vision to have Wyandotte County- Kansas City, Kansas, be one of the top places where people choose to live, work, and raise a family,” said Mayor Tyrone Garner. “As part of my platform commitment, I am determined to bring attention to our infrastructure needs such as roads, sidewalks and parks in areas that need most improvement. We are beyond grateful for the Omnibus funding bill which gives Wyandotte County, specifically 3rd Congressional District, a direct benefactor of what true unified and invested leadership and positive community impact looks like. This is a great first step in meeting the numerous needs of Wyandotte County. We look forward to collaborating to meet additional identified community needs moving forward.”

• Story from Rep. Davids’ office