VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Millions of dollars in federal funding are going towards several projects across Hampton Roads.
The money comes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024. President Joe Biden signed it into law on Saturday.
Congresswoman Jen Kiggans supported the legislation. She said in a statement more than $13 million is going towards projects in Hampton Roads.
Among the recipients, more than $1.9 million is going towards An Achievable Dream.
Amasa Smith is the Academy's chief strategy officer.
“It’s hugely critical. We’re so appreciative to the entire Virginia delegation for their support,” Smith said.
It’s a nonprofit K through 12 program that works with Newport News and Virginia Beach public schools to help students succeed at school and in life.
“Both in academic achievement, positive behavior and in the development of critical life skills," Smith said. “Our goal is to bring equity to education by providing our students opportunities to succeed, both in school but also more broadly in life.”
Smith said this new funding will support the Academy on all fronts but will specifically help administrators enhance their mental health support and trauma-informed programs, extended-day programming and college and workforce readiness.
"We’re so appreciative," Smith said. "Especially to Senator Warner, Senator Kaine, Representatives Kiggans, Scott and McLellan, who’ve really been huge supporters of our program from the beginning and I think really believe in the dream and the impact our organization has.”
Kiggans also pointed out: Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters is getting $375,000; In Chesapeake, $500,000 is going towards replacing a police patrol vessel; In Suffolk, More than $3 million will help with the King’s Highway Bridge replacement.
The City of Virginia Beach's ongoing Laskin Road Phase eye-B project is getting 3 million dollars. This is widening the eastern portion of Laskin Road into a six-lane divided highway.
Kiggans said via a press release: “It’s only right for our hard-earned taxpayer dollars to get returned to our community. I was proud to fight for these important funding requests on behalf of Southeast Virginia and am glad they have now been signed into law. I have no doubt these projects will have a positive impact here in the Hampton Roads community!”
Congressman Bobby Scott also supported the federal funding. He pointed out he's secured more than $14 million for his constituents.
He said: $963,000 is going towards the Virginia Witness Protection Program; $850,000 will help Chesapeake’s sidewalk expansion project; $1.6 million is going towards Norfolk’s Freemason Street Bridge construction; and $1 million will go towards the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank's cold storage expansion.
“As the representative of Hampton Roads, I was also very proud to have secured over $14.3 million in funding for community projects across Virginia’s Third Congressional District,” Congressman Scott said in a statement. “I am also glad to see continued funding for the 400 Years of African American History Commission, which was created by legislation I sponsored with Senator Tim Kaine, as well as continued support for the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, a critical source of economic and recreational opportunities for our region.”
Scott also praised increased funding for the Violence Against Women Act, funding for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
