Community Project Funding FY 2024
Members of the House of Representatives who are submitting Community Project Funding (CPF) requests to the House Appropriations Committee are required to publish online their CPF requests, as well as letters to the Committee certifying that the Member does not have a financial interest in the requested projects.
Congressman Mrvan is committed to being a good steward of taxpayer dollars and is pleased that the Committee has instituted stringent transparency measures to achieve this important task.
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 15 projects in their community for Fiscal Year 2024, although only a handful may be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible nonprofit entities are permitted to receive funding.
In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Congressman Mrvan has certified he, his spouse, and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects he has requested and has demonstrated the projects have a federal nexus.
Project Name: Calumet Region, IN
Amount Requested: $6,000,000
Project Sponsor: USACE – Chicago District, 231 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60604
Explanation: Funding allocated to Calumet Region Environmental Infrastructure provides for partnerships between the USACE and the communities in Lake and Porter Counties, to address critical water, sanitary sewer, stormwater sewer infrastructure improvements designed to alleviate deteriorated conditions, increase the efficacy of existing systems, and reverse adverse water quality impacts. Lake and Porter Counties are located along the southern coast of Lake Michigan; the projects constructed under this authority lead to water quality improvements within this area of the Great Lakes. Requested funds will allow the Chicago District to continue these partnerships with nonfederal sponsors to address these infrastructure needs.
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Project Name: Indiana Shoreline Erosion, IN
Amount Requested: $2,900,000
Project Sponsor: USACE – Chicago District, 231 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60604
Explanation: The project calls for placement of sand from an approved inland source along the shoreline as mitigation for the littoral drift losses and the resulting increased erosion caused by the harbor structures. The authorized project includes an initial beach nourishment placement of 264,500 cubic yards of material and periodic re-nourishment of 264,500 cubic yards of material at five-year intervals over a period of 50 years. The project also includes long-term monitoring of the density and distribution of benthic invertebrates during beach placement activities to ensure no negative impacts on the reproduction of fish. Placement of sand along the identified IDNP segment addresses erosion as mentioned and as affected by elevated lake levels in Lake Michigan. Continued investment in beach nourishment activities is necessary to rebuild lost shoreline and protect resources inland.
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Project Name: Burns Waterway SBH, IN
Amount Requested: $998,000
Project Sponsor: USACE – Chicago District, 231 South LaSalle Street, Chicago. Illinois 60604
Explanation: Funding allocated to support operations and maintenance at Burns Waterway Small Boat Harbor will support economic development within the City of Portage driven by its proximity to Lake Michigan and the availability of the harbor. Burns Waterway Small Boat Harbor and its channel provide safe refuge for recreational boats traveling within southern Lake Michigan during adverse weather events. Commercial harbors such as Burns Waterway Harbor, Gary Harbor and Indiana Harbor do not have facilities for the protection of recreational boats during intense thunderstorms or other weather conditions that affect navigability within Lake Michigan. Requested funds will allow the Chicago District to address the needs of this harbor within its authorized mission.
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Project Name: Michigan City Harbor, IN
Amount Requested: $2,525,000
Project Sponsor: USACE – Chicago District, 231 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60604
Explanation: Funding allocated to support operations and maintenance at Michigan City Harbor will support economic development within the City of Michigan City driven by its proximity to Lake Michigan and the availability of the harbor. Michigan City Harbor and its channel provide safe refuge for recreational boats traveling within southern Lake Michigan during adverse weather events. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) maintains law enforcement and rescue vessels within the port; improving the navigable waterway within the harbor and channel will improve the USCG’s access to and from the port to conduct its Homeland Security missions on Lake Michigan. Requested funds will allow the Chicago District to address the needs of this harbor within its authorized mission.
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Project Name: Portable Camera Trailers and LPR Devices
Amount Requested: $264,000
Project Sponsor: Gary Police Department, 555 Polk Street, Gary, Indiana 46402
Explanation: The requested amount of $264,000 will be used by Gary Police Department to purchase 3 stationary LPR camera devices and 3 mobile trailer units. This equipment will increase the amount of LPR cameras that the City of Gary currently utilizes. The project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it allows officers to ensure residential safety throughout the city, will aid in enhancing police-community relations, and will lend to the reduction of crime and violence in the City of Gary
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cjs-cops-gary-pd_financial-disclosure.pdf
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Project Name: Radio Replacement Project
Amount Requested: $1,050,000
Project Sponsor: Town of Merrillville, 7820 Broadway, Merrillville, Indiana 46410
Explanation: The requested amount of $1,050,000 will be used by the Town of Merrillville to purchase emergency communication equipment for the Merrillville Police Department. This project is an excellent way to use taxpayer funds because the replacement equipment purchased by the Town of Merrillville for the Merrillville Police Department will provide for these necessary upgrades to continue the effective operations of the department while serving the community.
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Project Name: Equipment and Technology Acquisition and Upgrades
Amount Requested: $180,000
Project Sponsor: Michigan City Police Department, 1201 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City, Indiana 46360
Explanation: The requested amount of $180,000 will allow the Michigan City Police Department to acquire approximately 60 license plate readers. This equipment will enhance the Department’s ability to effectively patrol in real-time and grow the coverage of officers within the Department. The project is a good use of taxpayer funds because the acquisition of additional license plate readers will assist the Department achieve its goal of reducing crime in Michigan City by 25 percent in the next three years while also lending toward the effort to build the proper infrastructure for the Michigan City Police Department to create a Real Time Crime Center utilizing this technology.
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Project Name: Equipment and Technology Upgrades
Amount Requested: $215,000
Project Sponsor: Munster Police Department, 1001 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana 46321
Explanation: The requested amount of $215,000 will be used by the Munster Police Department to replace underperforming computers and purchase additional computer equipment, totaling 30 desktops with monitors, 20 laptop mounts for squad cars, and 40 laptops to be used in squad cars and in the field by investigators. This improved new computer equipment will replace outdated and out-of-warranty computer equipment that is at the end of its life cycle on workstations within the station. The upgraded patrol car laptops and associated mounting equipment will allow officers on active patrols to conduct better initial investigations and leverage all current technology and capabilities. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds as the equipment and technology upgrades will improve efficiencies within the Munster Police Department and enhance officers’ efforts to effectively investigate and solve crimes.
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Project Name: BlueNET Technology Upgrades
Amount Requested: $350,000
Project Sponsor: City of Hammond Police Department, 5925 Calumet Avenue, Hammond, Indiana 46320
Explanation: The requested amount of $350,000 will be utilized by the Hammond Police Department to upgrade and enhance the video surveillance/license plate reader system. The city administration has named this effort BlueNET, and areas of the city patrolled by this system are identified with such signage. The system currently provides coverage along Hammond’s municipal borders as well as at city-owned properties. This upgrade will enhance the system by providing additional coverage throughout the city’s primary transportation corridors. This is a beneficial use of taxpayer funding as the project improves public safety and the Hammond Police Department’s response and investigation capabilities.
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Project Name: Mission Control Simulator Acquisition
Amount Requested: $2,100,000
Project Sponsor: Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana, Inc., 2300 173rd Street, Hammond, Indiana 46323
Explanation: The requested amount of $2,100,000 will be used by Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana to acquire a new Mission Control Simulator. The current equipment utilized for this work is nearing obsolescence; upgrading the technology through the acquisition of the requested Mission Control Simulator will ensure current and future students are exposed to and may cultivate an interest in space and STEM fields, providing a pathway to achieve academic and professional opportunities they may not know exist. These funds will provide for the purchase and installation of a new Mission Control Simulator. This project would not entail any building construction or renovation. This request is a beneficial use of taxpayer funds given the educational development inherent in the STEM programs served through this equipment and technology acquisition, and the wide-range of student-aged populations that benefit from these programs, as offered by the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana.
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Project Name: City of Valparaiso Stormwater Quality and Detention Project
Amount Requested: $2,800,000
Project Sponsor: City of Valparaiso, Indiana, 166 Lincolnway, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383
Explanation: The construction of this stormwater detention project supports the City of Valparaiso’s efforts to address its combined sewers through sewer separation projects located in older sections of the city. Directing stormwater into the detention project allows for natural filtration of stormwater, keeping pollutants from entering into existing public waterways and away from residences and businesses providing for essential improved stormwater collection and subsequently potential flood control during extreme wet weather events. This project is an excellent use of taxpayer funds as the stormwater detention project provides capacity for the efficient management of stormwater and complements the upstream combined sewer separation efforts while improving the quality of water that reaches public waterways, particularly Salt Creek whose waters enter Lake Michigan.
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int-stag-valparaiso_financial-disclosure.pdf
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Project Name: City of La Porte, IN for Combined Sewer Separation Project
Amount Requested: $4,720,000
Project Sponsor: City of La Porte, Indiana, 801 Michigan Avenue, La Porte, Indiana 46350
Explanation: The Combined Sewer Separation Project consists of the replacement of combined sewers with new separate sanitary and storm sewer facilities as well as a storm sewer extension and includes a new regional green infrastructure storm water management facility with storm and sanitary sewer improvements. This project is key to the separation of approximately 30 percent of the City’s Combined Sewer Areas. The joint efficiencies of this system upgrade will allow the City to reduce combined sewer overflow events and basement backups, improving both water quality and quality of life. This project is an excellent use of taxpayer funds as this combined sewer separation and stormwater management project improves the health and safety of La Porte residents by providing capacity for the efficient management of stormwater and sanitary flow, while improving water quality throughout the region given La Porte is in LaPorte County, which is situated within two major watersheds – the Great Lakes/Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River/Kankakee River watersheds.
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Project Name: Cargo Logistics Apron, Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY), Gary, IN
Amount Requested: $9,000,000
Project Sponsor: Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority, 6001 Airport Road, Gary, Indiana 46406
Explanation: The Gary/Chicago International Airport seeks to expand and construct a heavy cargo logistics apron for multiple users. Currently, cargo is being transferred at the commercial terminal building by a major cargo carrier. In order to address increased cargo operations at the Airport, efforts are underway to initiate projects such as the cargo logistics apron to accommodate demand, as other cargo carriers are interested in utilizing this location. Investments in the Gary/Chicago International Airport have long-term, positive economic impacts within the city of Gary and in Northwest Indiana. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funding as the project will create employment opportunities at the airport and support economic development initiatives pursued by the state of Indiana to attract businesses to this region given its proximity to Chicago and its transportation and logistics nexus.
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thud-aip-gyy_financial-disclosure.pdf
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Project Name: All-Inclusive Playground and Fitness Park, City of Michigan City
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Project Sponsor: City of Michigan City, Indiana, 100 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City, Indiana 46360
Explanation: The requested funding would be used for the construction and upgrades to Fedder’s Alley Park. The Fedder’s Alley All-Inclusive Playground and Fitness Park project will remove barriers to exclusion, both physical and social, providing a sensory-rich experience for all. The project addresses mobility, hearing and vision impairments, and those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because once completed, the all-inclusive equipment and activities will ensure no person hoping to enjoy recreational activities at the park is discouraged from participating in or accessing amenities.
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Project Name: Central Avenue Reconstruction, Portage, Indiana
Amount Requested: $3,600,000
Project Sponsor: City of Portage, 6070 Central Avenue, Portage, Indiana 46368
Explanation: The requested funding will support the Central Avenue Reconstruction Project in Portage, Indiana. Central Avenue currently exists as one through lane in each direction. The roadway has minimal shoulders, no curb and gutter, one signalized intersection, and minimal roadway lighting. The purposes of the proposed project are to address inadequate safety conditions for both pedestrians and motorists along the project corridor, to address deteriorating infrastructure along Central Avenue, reduce congestion along the corridor, and to address stormwater drainage issues. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds given the primary purposes of this project are to address the deteriorating infrastructure along Central Avenue, reducing congestion, improving driver and pedestrian safety, and improving storm water management throughout the corridor.
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