The Kenai Peninsula and the State of Alaska will benefit from nearly $500 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2023.
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, announced the funding allocations which will benefit 15 community-driven projects on the Kenai Peninsula and over 130 projects statewide.
Through this process, Murkowski helped deliver significant investments for workforce development, fisheries, public safety, higher education, infrastructure, protection from natural disasters, wildfire mitigation, water and wastewater, the Alaska-gasline project, outdoor recreation, contaminated lands cleanup, legacy well cleanup, mental and behavioral health, public health, military construction, defense, and more.
After the Senate’s bipartisan passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Murkowski released the following statement:
“Leaders from across Alaska have come to me requesting help on needs and priorities for their communities. I have listened to their requests, and I’m proud to deliver significant assistance in the form of direct, targeted funding to projects throughout our state.”
“Alaskans have shared their anxieties on the workforce, housing, and food security. I’m particularly pleased with the funding we secured to help address those challenges, which will make our communities safer and our economies stronger. Other projects will strengthen Alaska on so many fronts—from climate resilience to wildfire protection, cleaner water, and a higher quality of life for our military members and their families.”
The CDS process, which resumed in FY 2022, allows Alaskans to identify and receive federal assistance for needs in the state. It helps restore Congress’ Constitutional power of the purse, accounts for no more than one percent of federal discretionary spending, and does not increase overall spending levels. Without this process, many of the dollars now headed for Alaska would go to other states based on decisions made by federal departments and agencies.
CDS projects for the Kenai Peninsula in the FY 2023 omnibus:
- Kenai: $4.6 million to construct a new clubhouse for the Boys and Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula clubhouse.
- “The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula has 7 Clubs in 5 communities that provide educational, enrichment and leadership programs for over 2,400 youth ages 5 to 18. But our ability to serve all the youth who need these services, and their parents who need afterschool and summer childcare while they work, is limited. Having our forever facility for a Clubhouse and a Head Start center will not only result in increased numbers of youth served, but it will also allow the Club to more efficiently utilize resources. As a result, we will be able to serve more youth more often, provide additional programs and days, and employ more Kenai Peninsula residents. This project will help increase the earning power of parents and youth when they become adults; these services and programs will benefit our communities, region, and state!” – Shanette Wik, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula
- Kenai: $1 million to the Alaska Children’s Institute (Triumvirate Theater) to rebuild a community theater.
- “The arts make kids smarter, forge life-long friendships and create the leaders of tomorrow. When a fire destroyed our community’s children’s theatre it was a devastating blow. This funding obtained for the rebuilding of the theater by Senator Murkowski’s efforts is a game changer. The theater and all its life-changing programs for youth will rise from the ashes thanks to this congressionally directed spending. Children and youth will thrive and once again be on a path of becoming their best selves.” – Joe Rizzo, President, Alaska Children’s Institute for the Performing Arts
- Kenai: $875,000 to the Alaska Electric & Energy Cooperative, Inc. for the installation of a combined heat and power project at the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Central Peninsula Landfill.
- “Homer Electric Association, Inc. (HEA) appreciates federal investment in its landfill gas to energy project on the Kenai Peninsula. This project will save the Kenai Peninsula Borough money, increase HEA’s generation capabilities and reduce harmful methane emissions. The project produces positive outcomes for the State of Alaska, the Kenai Peninsula Borough and HEA members. We appreciate Senator Murkowski tireless efforts to invest in our state and local communities.” – Brad Janorschke, General Manager of Homer Electric Association, Inc.
- Kenai: $2.9 million for the safe disposal of wastewater in Kenai.
- Funding for the City of Kenai Wastewater Treatment Plant Digester Blower Replacements Project will replace 40+ year old highly inefficient and failing equipment with new. This activated sludge plant, which discharges into Alaska’s Cook Inlet waters at the mouth of the Kenai River, was originally constructed in the early 1970s. This project will modernize our operations while reducing utility and maintenance expenses. “Thanks to Senator Murkowski, this Congressionally Designated Spending allocation will allow the City to complete this important project that will allow the City to continue to safely discharge water from our plant into the Cook Inlet at the mouth of the Kenai River.” – Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander
- Kenai: $1.5 million to implement the Kenai Peninsula Borough Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
- Homer: $300,000 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct the feasibility study for the proposed large vessel harbor expansion in Homer.
- Homer: $633,000 to the Seldovia Village Tribe to expand the Homer Health Center.
- “We would like to remind you of the primary benefits that our Tribe, patients and staff, as well as the community, will be able to enjoy upon project completion, thanks to you. Those include: Expanded services to support Healthy Alaskans 2030 health priorities; Reduce health disparities to low-income, underinsured and uninsured Alaskans; Provide community education sessions to improve the health and well-being of Alaskans.” – Crystal Collier, President Seldovia Village Tribe
- Homer: $750,000 to acquire and construct a facility to support South Peninsula Haven House in building a new financial empowerment facility.
- Seldovia: $414,000 for safe drinking water.
- “Communities like Seldovia require and deserve infrastructure that protects public health and is well maintained. But that comes at a high expense, especially since we are small, rural and located off the road system. With less than 250 residents in the city, we rely on partnerships at the tribal, state, and federal level to help us provide services including clean drinking water, safely collected wastewater, and material to help us resurface our roads. The CDS funding Senator Murkowski secured for Seldovia means we are taking care of our community now and into the future. In short, we aren’t just remaining here – we can, and will, grow.” – Seldovia Mayor Jeremiah Campbell
- Seward: $2 million for the safe disposal of wastewater.
- Seward: $5 million to expand the Seward Community Health Center.
- “This Congressionally Directed Spending Allocation via Lisa Murkowski’s office represents a giant step toward transforming the face of healthcare in Seward. This is the first stepping-stone to building a new clinic that will help improve the health and quality of life for Alaskans on the Eastern Kenai Peninsula. A new clinic will allow us to provide expanded primary care services to our community, including preventive/wellness educational programs, access to specialists, and greater telehealth connectivity. Along the way, a new facility is expected to increase staff satisfaction and retention, which will result in a higher quality of care for our community. We are excited about the possibilities that lie before us through this funding and are grateful for the opportunity to elevate the level of care we can provide.” – Craig Ambrosiani, Seward Community Health Center Executive Director
- Seward: $2.5 million to expand the Chugachmiut Health Clinic.
- “I want to thank Senator Murkowski for securing these funds! This one-time allocation will have a huge impact far into the future. Chugachmiut will now be able to improve and expand health services to the underserved and remote communities it serves. Adding services that are desperately needed but that were inaccessible before this generous gift by Congress will generate improved health outcomes for, at minimum, the next 30 years. “ – Jan Vanderpool, Executive Director
- Soldotna: $680,000 for a wastewater treatment plant.
- Soldotna: $320,000 to improve wastewater effluent before discharge to the Kenai River.
- Soldotna: $960,000 for upgrades to upgrade equipment used to dewater treated solids at the Soldotna Wastewater Treatment Plant.
To read the full list of over 130 projects, click here.