FY2025 Community Project Funding Requests

After receiving hundreds of inquiries and requests, Rep. Kaptur has submitted funding requests for important community projects in Ohio's Ninth District to the House Appropriations Committee.

Community Project Funding (CPF) is an initiative for Fiscal Year 2025 that will allow Members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the communities they represent. CPF is separate from federal grants and funding apportioned by formula. CPF’s are also not normal appropriations requests, which deal with funding levels for individual federal programs.

Rep. Kaptur will review funding requests for important community projects in Ohio's Ninth District to be submitted to the House Appropriations Committee. Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 15 projects in their community for Fiscal Year 2025 — although only a few may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding accounts, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Additional information on the reforms governing Community Project Funding is available here.

 

Erie County Department of Environmental Services – Sawmill Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (Energy & Water) 

• $3,375,000 
• 117 Rye Beach Rd., Huron, OH 44839 
• Funding would be used to expand treatment capacity at the Erie County Sawmill Creek wastewater treatment plant in order to eliminate the raw wastewater internal bypass. Proposed improvements would expand the plant’s current average daily flow capacity from 1.2 MGD to 2.4 MGD and its peak flow capacity from 3.5 MGD to 8.0 MGD. Funding would be used to construct a new oxidation ditch and secondary clarifier and to install oxidation ditch aeration mechanisms, drives, anaerobic tank mixers and controls. 
• Signed disclosure letter available here. 

 

Magruder Hospital – High Quality MRI Machine to Improve Patient Outcomes (AG) 

• $2,198,000 
• 615 Fulton St., Port Clinton, OH 43452 
• Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton, Ohio, is committed to elevating the healthcare services provided to the community by replacing its outdated, leased Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine with a new, state-of-the-art model. Currently constrained by an aging machine and a limiting vendor agreement, the hospital faces significant challenges in meeting the diagnostic needs of its patients. The proposed project involves the acquisition and installation of a cutting-edge MRI machine and the construction of a dedicated facility to house it. This initiative is poised to enhance diagnostic accuracy, expedite patient care, and improve overall health outcomes. By investing in this vital infrastructure, Magruder Hospital aims to provide the highest quality of accessible care, underscoring the project’s prudent use of taxpayer funds to boost rural healthcare capabilities.   
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here. 

 

Terra State Community College – Broadband Innovation Center (AG) 

• $2,019,855.98 
• 2830 Napoleon Rd., Fremont, Ohio 43420 
• Terra State Community College in Fremont, Ohio, is actively seeking to enhance its broadband and 5G training capabilities through the construction of a 10,000 square foot Broadband Innovation Center. This facility, strategically located on college-owned land, is designed to provide comprehensive year-round training in broadband construction, specifically tailored to address the needs of rural, underserved areas. The center will serve as a hub for Terra State’s existing Utility Construction Installer Certificate program, empowering students with essential skills to become fiber optic construction technicians, equipment operators, utility locators, and fiber optic splicers. This initiative aims to extend high-speed internet access and facilitate the rapid deployment of 5G solutions. The project's goal is to elevate career awareness in the broadband sector and scale educational offerings, potentially expanding into additional degrees and certificates in utility construction fields. 
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here. 

 

Williams County Port Authority – Greenfield-Bryan Infrastructure Improvements & Housing Utilities (AG) 

• $1,247,851.20
• 110 S. Walnut St., Bryan, OH 43506
• The Williams County Port Authority (WCPA), with the support of the City of Bryan, is respectfully seeking federal assistance to support the construction of water, waste water, and storm systems required in order to build workforce housing to meet the critical need to attract workers to the area. This proposal not only addresses the current housing shortage but will boost economic growth and development by facilitating job growth – workers in the area simply lack adequate housing options. This funding is necessary in order to keep the home prices affordable for the workforce, as the cost of installing necessary infrastructure exceeds the value of each parcel. 
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here. 

 

Toledo Police – New SAFE-T City Headquarters (HUD) 

• $4,000,000 
• 2201 Nebraska Ave., Toledo, OH 43607 
• Since its inception in 1978, the Safe-T-City program, orchestrated by the Toledo Police Department, has played a crucial role in educating generations of Toledo-area kindergarteners about life-saving safety measures, from pedestrian awareness in traffic to fire safety and appropriate responses to strangers in public spaces. This vital program is conducted in a miniaturized city setting, providing a blend of classroom instruction and practical outdoor activities at no cost to families. Despite its success and longevity, the physical facilities of Safe-T-City have deteriorated; the streets and sidewalks are damaged, buildings are structurally compromised, and the indoor classroom lacks modern educational resources. To address these concerns, funding is being sought for fiscal year 2025 to either relocate and rebuild Safe-T-City at a new site integrated with a new Toledo Police Department operations center, or renovate and expand at its current location in Scott Park. This proposal will not only revitalize an essential community resource but also enhance the educational environment, ensuring that Safe-T-City continues to safeguard and educate young citizens effectively. 
• Signed disclosure letter available here. 

 

Toledo Public Schools – Scott Park Campus Revitalization (HUD) 

• $3,940,365 
• 1609 N. Summit St., Toledo, Ohio 43604 
• In June 2023, Toledo Public Schools acquired the Scott Park Campus, launching an ambitious project to transform it into a hub for education, residential living, and recreation. The campus will host three specialized magnet schools—Education, Business, and Construction/Architectural Designs—catering to students in grades 7-12 from across Northwest Ohio. These institutions will collaborate closely with Owens Community College and the University of Toledo, providing students pathways to associate and bachelor’s degrees. The redesigned campus will also feature versatile spaces such as a cafeteria that doubles as a community center and faith-based gathering area, alongside state-of-the-art Career Tech labs developed in partnership with trade unions to meet future workforce demands. Additionally, plans are underway to develop residential housing in collaboration with Habitat For Humanity, aimed at creating a vibrant community for teachers and local service members. Complementing these educational and residential plans, the project will also see the construction of a 130,000 square-foot multi-sport dome, underscoring the campus's commitment to becoming a leading example of community-integrated public education. 
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here.

 

Metropolitan Park District of the Toledo Area – Metroparks Toledo Riverwalk Construction and Glass City Enrichment Center Building Upgrades (HUD) 

• $2,500,000 
• 5100 W. Central Ave., Toledo, OH 43615
• Toledo has undertaken an unprecedented public-private initiative to bring high-quality public greenspace, trails, and programs to downtown Toledo’s riverfront neighbors. The Glass City Riverwalk initiative will create powerful, sustainable change for the entire region for generations to come by creating 300 acres of new and revitalized greenspace, naturalizing the shoreline, and reducing storm water runoff to the impaired Maumee River, the largest watershed on the Great Lakes. The Maumee River is quite deep at certain locations, and the seawall was historically in place to accommodate the water depths required for lake freighters. Current infrastructure is in need of repair to continue supporting expanded economic development in downtown Toledo. Riverwalk construction will provide structural stability to protect against flooding and enable economic growth for the area, including the $400 million in investments already made to the downtown Toledo area by businesses, restaurants, and recreational organizations.  
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here.

 

Toledo Fire and Rescue Department – New Fire Station 16 on Dorr Street (HUD) 

• $2,000,000 
• 1301 Dorr St., Toledo, OH 43607 
• Station 16 in Toledo, Ohio, urgently requires a modern facility to enhance its emergency response capabilities for the nearly 10,000 residents it serves. Constructed in 1979, the current station is plagued by structural inadequacies—including only two apparatus bays and frequent maintenance issues—that hinder its operational efficiency in an area known for high home fire risks and resultant fatalities. The proposed development aims to construct a new fire station designed to house all necessary apparatus and equipment under one roof, improving safety conditions for both firefighters and the community. The new facility will feature increased capacity for additional response vehicles, dedicated turnout gear rooms away from vehicle exhausts, gender-separated sleeping quarters and restrooms, and enhanced heating, cooling, and insulation to reduce energy costs. Recognized as being in 'Poor' condition by a 2022 Facility Conditions Assessment, the replacement of Station 16 is a top priority for the city. Given the station's vital role and the city's limited budget for such critical infrastructure improvements, this funding request is not only necessary but a prudent use of taxpayer funds to safeguard the community's physical and economic security. 
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here. 

 

City of Toledo - Englewood Healthy Foods Initiative and Capital Construction (HUD) 

• $2,000,000 
• 1801 N. Detroit Ave,, Toledo, OH 43606 
• This funding will support predevelopment, site acquisition, and construction for the Seaway Marketplace and Nutrition Center at Englewood (“Seaway Englewood Food Center”). This project is envisioned as a key economic development catalyst for job creation and healthy foods accessibility in the historic Englewood Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA), a low- and moderate-income neighborhood in Toledo’s inner core currently characterized as food insecure. The Seaway Englewood Food Center will feature a 20,000 square foot full-service grocery store including a fresh produce market, pharmacy, full-service deli, coffee shop, commercial kitchen and programmable space for food events and training on the former Lincoln School site. 
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here. 

 

Wood County Port Authority – Chessie Circle Trail Buildout (Transportation) 

• $1,500,000 
• 639 S. Dunbridge Rd., Bowling Green OH 43402; Project extends 2.37 miles from Perrysburg to Rossford OH 2.37 miles from Perrysburg to Rossford, OH
• This funding would be used to extend the Chessie Circle Trail by constructing 2.37-miles of 16-foot-wide multi-use trail, a connecting path into the Knight Nature Preserve, trailheads, wayfinding and interpretive signage, and trail amenities in northern Wood County. It utilizes the former CSX/Chessie rail corridor from East River Road/Ford Road in Perrysburg Township to Lime City Road in Rossford. Trail users will enjoy improved safety and off-road access to community assets.  
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here. 

 

Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) – New State-of-the-Art TARTA Garage & Zero Emission Bus Transition (Transportation) 

• $3,260,480 
• 1127 W. Central Ave., Toledo OH 43610 
• Funding requested for this project would be used by the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) to upgrade its maintenance facilities in preparation for the Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) systems transition. This work would include replacing up to 10 current bus repair bays, constructing overhead walkways for repairs, replacing and servicing of ZEB batteries, and procuring ZEB related tools for our EV maintenance technicians. 
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here. 

 

 City of Defiance – Water Distribution Upgrades (Interior) 

• $960,000 
• 08198 St. Rt. 66, Defiance, OH 43512 
• Funding would be used to replace an existing potable water booster station that is beyond its useful life to ensure the supply of safe drinking water to the Tinora Schools complex (consisting of an elementary school, middle school, high school, performing arts center, and school district administrative building) and multiple industrial facilities. As an ancillary benefit, the booster station will also provide water for fire protection. The proposed station will be approximately 20' by 38' and is planned to be constructed as a block building with a standing seam metal roof. 
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here. 

 

Village of Swanton – Water Resource Recovery Facility (Interior) 

• $2,173,293 
• 300 South St., Swanton, OH 43558 
• Funding would be used to add screening capabilities and automation and increase efficiency at the Village of Swanton's Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF). Some of the structural components of the facility are over 70 years old, and upgrades have not been made in the past 10 years. Lack of screening capability makes the WRRF vulnerable to costly damage. In 2023, the Village incurred an expense of $80,000 for emergency replacement of two pumps damaged from wet-wipes and other solid waste flowing through the plant. In addition to installing screening capabilities at the WRRF, the funding would be used to add a new headworks building, decommission structures that are obsolete, reroute and replace piping, and add higher levels of automation and energy efficiency into the system. 
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here. 

  

Village of Gibsonburg – Village of Gibsonburg Downtown Improvement Project (Transportation) 

• $1,000,000 
• 526 N Webster St., Gibsonburg, OH 43431
• Funding would be used for a multi-modal pedestrian and bicycle replacement project located in the Village's downtown business district. The Project will directly address three key elements of surface transportation: replacement of and improvement to deteriorating and non-compliant infrastructure; signal improvements to safely guide and move pedestrian traffic; and safe connections to important community assets. Madison Street/SR 600 and Main Street/SR 300 represent the primary corridors where improvements are needed and where investment would occur. 
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here. 

 

University of Toledo – Harmful Algal Bloom Testing Equipment to Monitor Human Health Effects (CJS) 

• $795,152.81 
• 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo, OH 43606 
• The University of Toledo is proactively addressing the increasing environmental concerns in the Great Lakes region by seeking funding to acquire a state-of-the-art analytical mass spectrometer. This cutting-edge equipment will significantly bolster the university’s capabilities in environmental toxicology. Specifically, it will facilitate in-depth research into the adverse effects on human health caused by exposure to Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) toxins, as well as other emerging contaminants like microplastics, residual pharmaceuticals, and chemical byproducts from industrial waste. Positioned within the Department of Chemistry at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, this mass spectrometer will not only enhance research but also support the development of new diagnostics and therapies for illnesses linked to these environmental hazards. Furthermore, it will serve an educational purpose, enriching the learning experiences of students. This investment is a prudent use of taxpayer funds, leveraging advanced technology to protect public health and the environment. 
• Signed disclosure and federal nexus letter available here.