Federal budget proposal earmarks $1M for Downey space center

DOWNEY – The House of Representatives passed a package of six government funding bills last week that include $7.2 million in funding for seven local community projects, including a $1 million allocation for the Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey.

The spending bill still needs approval from the Senate. 

“This funding package will create good-paying jobs, improving our infrastructure, bolstering economic security and more,” said Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, who represents Downey in Washington, D.C.. “This bill will also tackle some of the most urgent challenges facing our country, such as combating the climate crisis, strengthening America’s food supply, and improving healthcare for our veterans.”

Roybal-Allard included funding for seven projects in the bill package that will directly benefit her congressional district. These projects include: 

$1 million for the Columbia Memorial Space Center. The project will help expand the space center, make technological upgrades, and house the Space Shuttle mock-up. Once complete, this Center will inspire students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and opportunities.

$2 million for the City of Paramount’s Spane Park Regional Stormwater Infiltration Facility. This project will allow the creation of a regional underground stormwater infiltration facility that will capture, treat, and reuse stormwater runoff.

$1.5 million for the Bell Gardens Regional Aquatic Center. This project will help fund the first aquatic center in Southeast Los Angeles. This Center will have an ADA accessible 50-meter competitive pool where lifesaving, therapy and recreational swimming lessons will be provided to underserved communities that lack access to recreational space.

$1.5 million for the Shelter Partnership Sustainability Project. This project will support the modernization of the warehouse facility through the installation of a solar power system, an inventory management system, and improvements to the building’s electrical and security infrastructure that will increase the ability to distribute goods to shelters throughout the County of Los Angeles.

$650,000 for the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust Maywood Riverfront Park Renovation Project. This project will allow the renovation and transformation of the largest park serving Maywood and neighboring communities, which serves as an important gathering space for community members and will help address environmental issues facing the region.

$250,000 for the Maywood Community Resilience Center. This project will allow the city to install a battery energy storage system resilience center that will provide solar energy to the city.

$300,000 for the City of Bellflower Aquatic Center Outdoor Pool Improvements Project. This project will allow the City of Bellflower to repair and rehabilitate the concrete pool deck, replaster areas of the pool, and replace pool filters to continue providing aquatic recreational opportunities.

“I am incredibly pleased for this funding package to have included $7.2 million in Community Project Funding that will have a profound impact on my district,” said Roybal-Allard. “These investments support underserved areas and make a real difference in the lives of so many in our community. I am proud to have fought for funding that will make our community healthier, safer, stronger, and even more resilient.”