U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., joined business and infrastructure leaders Monday to celebrate passage of Davids’ funding request to repair and upgrade the Fairfax-Jersey Creek Upper Levee, which has been overdue for critical maintenance since its construction in the 1940s.
In March, the President signed a government funding law fulfilling Davids’ request for $4 million to perform critical maintenance on the levee.
This funding will be used to make upgrades to the 1940s-era pipes and allow Fairfax Drainage District workers to ensure and enhance the safety of the structure, according to Rep. Davids.
The levee currently protects over 120 businesses in the Fairfax district from flooding, including the General Motors plant, the Kellogg’s plant, Certain-Teed, International Paper, Manno Pro, McCray Lumber, Neff Packaging, Owens Corning, Plastic Packaging Technologies, FBM Building Materials, Universal Construction Company and many other trucking, logistics and manufacturing companies.
“The Fairfax Levee protects some of our region’s most vital resources, including fuel supplies and major manufacturing and trucking companies that are critical to the Kansas economy. Yet it has needed maintenance since its construction in the 1940s,” Rep. Davids said. “Working with our local officials, this project passed detailed reviews and met significant standards for return on investment—and the federal funding coming here will finally complete crucial upgrades for the safety of those businesses and resources.”
“The Fairfax Drainage District and all of the many businesses in the Fairfax Industrial Park are very grateful to Representative Davids’ office for advocating for our $4 million project in the Omnibus funding bill. This project will allow us to fully access our under-seepage infrastructure for inspection and maintenance purposes which is a so vital in keeping the Fairfax levee system healthy and reliable,” said Steve Dailey, general manager of the Fairfax Drainage District of Wyandotte County.
“It is great to see the continued support for levees throughout the Kansas City region by Representative Davids. The levees in Fairfax protect significant manufacturing operations as well as fuel supplies for the region. As Fairfax celebrates 100 years in 2022, it is great to see these federal investments that will enhance its safety for the next hundred years,” said Melissa Sieben, president of the Missouri and Associated Rivers Coalition.
The Fairfax Levee project funding was passed along with H.R. 2471, the broader government funding bill for fiscal year 2022. Members of Congress were able to request federal resources for up to 10 projects with demonstrated community support and high return on investment.
Out of hundreds of bipartisan submissions, eight Davids-requested projects were passed into law. Each project was submitted in tandem with local officials and selected for its potential to improve health and safety in the community, tackle climate change, and bring economic opportunity to the 3rd District. In total, more than $15.7 million is coming to the Kansas 3rd District.
- Story and photo from Rep. Davids’ office