FY 2027 Community Project Funding Requests
Below are the 20 requests I made to the House Appropriations Committee for Community Project Funding in the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. The projects are listed alphabetically by project name, by subcommittee, and not in any ranked order.
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration
Fort Smallwood Park Visitor Center Renovation
Requesting Entity: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Requested Amount: $750,000
Agency and Account: Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Community Facilities Program
Project Description: If awarded, this funding would be used to renovate and modernize the historic barracks building to serve as the new visitors center for the park. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funding because the work benefits the public by preserving the cultural heritage, offering educational opportunities along with traditional park benefits, and enhances community health and well-being for those who visit this park yearly.
Parkland Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Initiative
Requesting Entity: Howard County, Maryland
Requested Amount: $500,000
Agency and Account: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Operations
Project Description: If awarded, this funding would be used to remove high-priority invasives using integrated pest management practices, plant 2,000+ native trees and shrubs selected for local ecological benefit, and install signage and community education elements. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funding because the project addresses ecological degradation from invasive species, restores native forest cover, and improves habitat connectivity for pollinators, migratory birds, and native wildlife.
Commerce, Justice, Science
Chesapeake Bay Area Monitoring and Prediction System
Requesting Entity: University of Maryland, College Park
Requested Amount: $3,000,000
Agency and Account: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Operations, Research, and Facilities, Coastal Zone Management
Project Description: If awarded, funding will be used to develop a multi domain modeling and data assimilation system that will merge observations from the atmosphere, freshwater streams, estuary, soils, land surface, and ecosystems into coupled models to provide prediction and other decision support data for use by city managers, state, and local authorities. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funding because the project will provide predictive data to communities along the Chesapeake Bay to prepare for flooding and other environmental hazards while strengthening environmental resilience.
Drone Detection and Surveillance
Requesting Entity: Howard County, Maryland
Requested Amount: $500,000
Agency and Account: Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services, Technology and Equipment
Project Description: If awarded, funding will be used to procure a comprehensive drone detection system, along with installation and training of operational staff. Drones are increasingly used to aid inmates in contraband delivery in correctional facilities across the country. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funding because it ensures the safety and security of both correctional officers and inmates in Howard County by aiding in identifying and tracking unmanned aerial vehicles.
Emerging Contaminants Patterns Assessment
Requesting Entity: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Requested Amount: $908,000
Agency and Account: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Operations, Research, and Facilities, Coastal Zone Management
Project Description: If awarded, funding will be used to assess the seasonal patterns of emerging contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay and their impacts on the Bay and wildlife. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funding because the project will provide a better understanding of the impacts of contaminants on the Bay’s living resources, including striped bass, blue crabs, oysters, and other wildlife. These waterborne contaminants may impact reproductive success and pose a significant threat to Maryland’s recreational fishing industry, which the striped bass industry alone directly supports more than 10,000 jobs and provides over $800 million dollars to Maryland's GDP.
Lethality Assessment Program Expansion
Requesting Entity: Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence
Requested Amount: $226,157
Agency and Account: Department of Justice, State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance, Byrne Justice Grants
Project Description: If awarded, funding will be used to support the expansion of the Lethality Assessment Program in Maryland and beyond. Funds will be used to support staff who do outreach to Law Enforcement Agencies and train them in Lethality Assessment implementation. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funding because the training for officers allows for enhanced victims services and connection, strengthen law enforcement response to domestic violence, reduce crime and stress on the justice system, and ultimately save lives.
Police Specialty Vehicles
Requesting Entity: Annapolis Police Department
Requested Amount: $815,000
Agency and Account: Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services, Technology and Equipment
Project Description: If awarded, funding will be used to purchase 3 separate police vehicles; an Armored Response Vehicle (to assist Annapolis Special Emergency Teams respond to critical incidents involving armed suspect and suspected criminal and terrorist acts), a prisoner transport van (to securely, safely, and humanely transport detainees and inmates), and a forensic services van (to sufficiently stock and transport equipment to crime scenes, and to ensure timely forensic gathering and analysis). This is a valuable use of taxpayer funding because it will reduce the burdens on police officers and staff while dramatically increasing officer efficacy and safety.
Homeland Security
Annapolis Maritime Resilience Initiative
Requesting Entity: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Requested Amount: $1,500,000
Agency and Account: Federal Emergency Management Administration, Pre-Disaster Mitigation
If awarded, funding will be used to address flood resilience in the Spa Creek and Back Creek watersheds in and around the Eastport Peninsula through shoreline stabilization, stormwater retrofits, stream restoration, and more. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because hazard mitigation efforts are necessary to protect the houses and residents of Eastport from rising waters and storms, as the area currently has no ability to mitigate flood risks.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Joint Information Center (JIC) Technology Improvement
Requesting Entity: City of Annapolis
Requested Amount: $618,375
Agency and Account: Federal Emergency Management Administration, Emergency Operation Center Grant Program
If awarded, funding will be used to update the operational and technical capacities of the Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center by installing new equipment to monitors, radio equipment, workstations, and more. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the current EOC/JIC is using technology that is past its useful life, and new technology infrastructure will ensure the city can maintain emergency operations for planned events and unplanned incidents.
Emergency Operations Center Construction
Requesting Entity: Town of Mount Airy
Requested Amount: $1,700,000
Agency and Account: Federal Emergency Management Administration, Emergency Operation Center Grant Program
If awarded, funding will be used to construct the Emergency Operation Center portion of the new Mount Airy Police Station/Emergency Operations Center building. Specifically, the funding will be used for hardened construction elements, communications systems, and critical infrastructure necessary for emergency management. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because a new EOC will provide Mount Airy and the surrounding area long-term public safety and disaster resilience infrastructure, as well as emergency preparedness for the area.
Historic Ellicott City Arm Barriers
Requesting Entity: Howard County, Maryland
Requested Amount: $611,111.25
Agency and Account: Federal Emergency Management Administration, Pre-Disaster Mitigation
If awarded, funding will be used to design and install various arm barriers around Ellicott City. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Ellicott City sits on a major flood plain, and these barriers will significantly enhance public safety, protect residents and businesses, and strengthen community resilience in an area with chronic flooding and severe storms.
Shoreline Restoration and Protection Initiative
Requesting Entity: Town of Highland Beach
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Agency and Account: Federal Emergency Management Administration, Pre-Disaster Mitigation
If awarded, funding will be used to restore and protect the shoreline of the town using living shoreline techniques, including beach nourishment and marsh creation, and will provide ecosystem improvements for waterfowl, crustaceans, fish and more. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because hazard mitigation efforts are necessary to protect the houses and residents of Highland Beach from rising waters and storms, as well as natural erosion.
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development
Agricultural Center at West Friendship Park
Requesting Entity: Howard County, Maryland
Requested Amount: $1,000,000
Agency and Account: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development Initiative
If awarded, funding will be used to support the construction of the 18,200 sq. ft. facility . This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will serve as a regional hub supporting agricultural entrepreneurship, small business incubation, workforce development, and agriculture-based education. Howard County faces a growing agricultural and food workforce, and this facility will help support that growth.
Anne Arundel County Affordable Housing Initiative
Requesting Entity: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Requested Amount: $2,000,000
Agency and Account: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development Initiative
If awarded, funding will be used to build or acquire up to 15 affordable homes around Fort Meade. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the county will be making these homes available to active-duty/veterans and their families at an affordable rate. Housing is a nationwide issue for servicemembers and their families, and this project looks to alleviate that hardship for some in our community.
BWI Air Traffic Control Tower Replacement Design
Requesting Entity: Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Aviation Administration
Requested Amount: $3,000,000
Agency and Account: Federal Aviation Administration, Airport Improvement Program
If awarded, funding will be used for the design of a new, safer, Air Traffic Control Tower at BWI’s Terminal. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport’s aging air traffic control tower—one of the oldest in the nation—requires replacement. The facility is undersized, requires major repairs, and has line-of-sight limitations. A modern tower will support safe operations, accommodate current equipment and staffing needs, and sustain aviation capacity in the National Capital region.
Crownsville Meyer Building Renovation and Modernization
Requesting Entity: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Requested Amount: $3,000,000
Agency and Account: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development Initiative
If awarded, funding will be used to renovate the existing Meyer Building to accommodate more than 60 affordable family rental units and child care space. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the continued work on the Meyer Building will create affordable housing with a preference for Veterans and families, as well as a place to house county services including the Office of Veterans Affairs and county SUD/Behavioral Health Treatment services.
Greenhouse Renovation
Requesting Entity: Maryland Department of Agriculture
Requested Amount: $375,000
Agency and Account: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development Initiative
If awarded, funding will be used to renovate and modernize the state greenhouse facility. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this facility supports high-priority and ongoing programs essential to the sustainability and protection of Maryland’s environment and agricultural economy.
Glen Burnie Town Center Community Enhancement
Requesting Entity: Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
Requested Amount: $4,000,000
Agency and Account: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development Initiative
If awarded, funding will be used to revitalize the current plaza through construction and streetscaping. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because revitalization of the town center by replacing the expansive paved surfaces with improved streetscaping, landscaping and stormwater management will better meet current community needs and better activate the site as an economic driver and community asset. Construction will transform the town center into a multifunctional community space that addresses many current accessibility challenges as well.
Rural Agricultural Center Construction
Requesting Entity: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Requested Amount: $3,000,000
Agency and Account: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development Initiative
If awarded, funding will be used to build an agricultural facility for vital agricultural services and agriculture related education. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will serve as a regional hub supporting producers and consumers in Anne Arundel County with processing, cold storage, aggregation and distribution, as well as facilitating expanding agricultural education.
Longwood Park Pedestrian Transportation Improvements
Requesting Entity: Howard County, Maryland
Requested Amount: $1,000,000
Agency and Account: Department of Transportation, Highway Infrastructure Grants
If awarded, funding will be used to modernize park pathways for both pedestrians and bicyclists. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because work will re-do heavily used park space to be ADA-accessible with clearer sightlines and durable surfaces. As a publicly accessible infrastructure improvement, the pathway will support community health and economic activity by increasing visitation to the Longwood Property and surrounding areas.
Financial Disclosures
Linked below are the Financial Disclosure Letters required with each project submission
- Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Letters (linked)
- Commerce, Justice, Science Letters (linked)
- Homeland Security Letters (linked)
- Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Letters (linked)
Past Years Project Requests
FY 2027 NDAA House Armed Services Community Project Funding Requests
Below is the request I made to the House Armed Services Committee for Community Project Funding in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.
P1911 USNA Storm Water Management Facilities
Recipient: United States Naval Academy (NSA Annapolis)
Address: 121 Blake Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
Requested Amount: $86,020,000
Agency and Account: Navy, Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
Project Purpose: This funding will provide storm water infrastructure to prevent flooding at the US Naval Academy during rain events. It installs an integrated storm water management system, consisting of pumps and storm sewers, that will meet storm water management requirements through the year 2100.
Project Justification: The project is required to protect the USNA from the impacts of sea level rise and storm surge in combination with intensifying storms. At present, the installation is at continuous risk of operational impacts or cessation due to tidal, high intensity precipitation, or a combination of those events. These impacts have increased in frequency to the point where it is common to have various roadways and areas inundated with water, impacting operations and training approximately 10 percent of any given month. Main operating areas are at elevations very near mean sea level, and these impacts are projected to increase in frequency. Current protective measures are frequently ineffective and highly impact training operations, often rendering some buildings unsafe due to obstructed egress. This project falls within a flood hazard area representing a 100-year hurricane event. This is a mission-essential facility. Operations and training areas are near mean sea level. This project itself is a flood-risk mitigation action for infrastructure and facilities that currently exist within the floodplain. The flood risk will be mitigated as described in the description of construction. The current design storm is more severe than Hurricane Isabel (2003), which impacted USNA operations for more than a year and inflicted more than $350M damage. With a service life of 80-100 years, this recapitalization effort will address the full service-life operating conditions projected to the year 2100. If the project is not completed, the installation will remain highly susceptible to major operational impacts and significant damage to assets and infrastructure due to major weather events, with risks increasing over time as sea level rise continues. In addition, routine nuisance flooding will continue to occur on a regular basis with increasing frequency and severity, affecting operations and services.