Category: DJF

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) has requested $36,773,695 for 15 local projects in the Fiscal Year 2026 spending bill. Larsen submitted the requests to the House Appropriations Committee as the Committee begins work on legislation to fund the federal government.

“My priority in shaping spending bills is to invest in Northwest Washington communities,” said Larsen. “I will continue to work closely with community leaders and stakeholders to secure critical funding to create more jobs, build better infrastructure and improve vital services residents rely on.”

The spending bill will include earmark funding for community projects that local leaders and stakeholders identified as critical to their communities. Larsen secured more than $19.3 million for 15 Northwest Washington projects in the Fiscal Year 2024 spending package, which was signed into law in March 2024.

Northwest Washington Community Project Funding Requests

Larsen requested the following earmarks to invest in Northwest Washington communities:

Investing in a Cleaner, Greener, Safer and More Accessible Transportation System

• Community Transit’s Bus Replacement Project: This project will enable Community Transit to purchase two battery electric buses with chargers to replace diesel buses that are beyond their expected useful life. ($3,000,000)
• City of Lynden’s Pepin Flood, Agriculture, Salmon and Safety Transportation (FASST): This project will complete design and support construction of a new channel for Pepin Creek, and complete design and construction of the Pepin Parkway Bridge. ($2,448,000)
• Snohomish County’s Everett Intermodal Yard and Curve Improvements: The project will improve rail shipping capability, safety, and reliability for freight and intercity passenger service at the Everett Intermodal Yard. These improvements will benefit both BNSF freight trains and Amtrak Cascades service. ($2,000,000)

Investing in Community Services

• City of Anacortes’ Community Event Center: The project will support final design and construction for a central event space to host large-scale tourist-oriented events, local nonprofit events and private rentals located near the Anacortes waterfront and downtown. ($3,000,000)
• Lopez Island Family Resource Center’s Food Center: This project will construct a mixed-use food center, including a community kitchen, shared farm stand, rental spaces, and gathering areas for pop-up shops, in addition to a home base for the San Juan Food Hub and local food bank. ($2,500,000)
• City of Edmonds’ Food Bank and Community Engagement Space: This project will support an expanded facility for Edmonds Food Bank, including increased food bank space, a commercial kitchen, an urban garden and community meeting spaces. ($2,000,000)
• City of Bellingham’s Bellingham Central Library Renovation: This project will support exterior renovation of the Bellingham Central Library, including updated windows, upgraded main and children’s entrances, and a refreshed plaza. ($2,000,000)
• Whatcom County and Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County’s (DVSAS) Douglas Building Preservation: This project will support the renovation of a building used by DVSAS to serve survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. ($1,510,295)
• Whatcom County Sheriff Office’s Portable Radio Replacement Project: This project will support the purchase of new portable radios to replace outdated radios that are failing, allowing deputies to communicate clearly with dispatch and each other. ($600,000)
• Orcas Senior Center’s Roof Replacement: This project will repair the failing roof of the facility, ensuring seniors can continue to access services. ($175,000)

Investing in Education and Workforce Development

• Edmonds College and Latino Educational Training Institute’s (LETI) Incubator for Family Success: This project will establish a comprehensive community center that includes a cultural retention and arts center, vocational school, commercial kitchen, deli-specialty store and child care circles. ($4,250,000)
• Western Washington University’s (WWU) Shannon Point Marine Center Research Vessel: This project will support acquisition of a new research vessel for WWU marine and coastal science educational and research activities. ($1,490,400)

Investing in Critical Infrastructure

• Port of Everett’s South Marina Terminal Replacement Project: The project will replace the existing Dock 1 in the South Marina that has exceeded its useful life with a new structure that will provide greater utility capacity to serve potential small cruise and passenger ferry service. ($5,000,000)
• Port of Edmonds’ North Portwalk and Seawall Reconstruction: This project will repair the Port’s seawall, which is urgently needed to protect the Port and surrounding community from flooding and extreme weather. The project will also create new public use spaces for recreational activity and replace the boardwalk to improve public access and increase economic development for the businesses on and surrounding the port. ($4,000,000)
• Island County’s Recycling and Reuse Station: This project will build a new solid waste transfer station that will significantly enhance the efficiency of the county’s waste management processes, reducing costs for local rate payers and mitigating associated impacts to public health, safety and the environment. ($2,800,000)

What Northwest Washington Community Leaders and Stakeholders Are Saying

Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz on the Bus Replacement Project: “Community Transit ensures that people of all walks of life can easily and reliably get from where they are to where they want to be. In order to live up to this mission, it’s critical that buses are maintained and replaced according to schedule. We are grateful to Rep. Larsen for prioritizing the Bus Replacement Project, enabling us to serve customers with lower pollution buses that benefit everyone in Snohomish County.”

Lynden Mayor Scott Korthuis on the Pepin Flood, Agriculture, Salmon and Safety Transportation (FASST) Project: “The Lynden FASST project (Flood, Agriculture, Salmon, Safety and Transportation) is a significant investment in infrastructure for the city to provide housing opportunities in what is a difficult area of the city to develop.  With the support of Representative Larsen on this project, we will continue to develop the needed infrastructure in this area of the city and provide a variety of housing types.  We greatly appreciate Representative Larsen moving this project forward and investing in Lynden.”

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers on the Everett Intermodal Yard and Curve Improvements Project: “We are grateful for Congressman Larsen’s support for this vital rail project. If we receive the funding, the renovated intermodal yard will allow us and our rail partners to continue a sustainable and low impact operation for our residents, ensuring public health and safety are prioritized.”

Anacortes Mayor Matt Miller on the Anacortes Community Event Center project: “We are deeply grateful to Congressman Larsen for championing the Anacortes Community Event Center project. His support for this waterfront facility—developed in partnership with the Port of Anacortes—reflects a strong commitment to strengthening our community, our economy, and our shared public spaces. This proposed investment will help create a vibrant gathering place for residents and visitors alike, and we appreciate the Congressman’s leadership in moving this vision forward.”

Lopez Island Family Resource Center Executive Director Barbara Schultheiss on the Lopez Food Center Project: “The Lopez Food Center believes that a thriving local food system and strong economy are essential to a healthy, sustainable life here on Lopez. The construction of the food center will create a vital central gathering place—that will provide a much needed new space for the food bank; increase sales of local farm products with space for a communal farm stand and the San Juan Food Hub; creates opportunities for food businesses to grow/expand with storage, commercial kitchen and event space; and, provide critical trainings and supports for food businesses.  This shared facility will increase efficient food production and distribution and support the health and well-being of Lopez Island residents by increasing access to nutritious food and hands-on opportunities in the local food economy.”

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen on the Edmonds Food Bank and Community Engagement Space Project: “We greatly appreciate the leadership of Rep. Larsen to support the Edmonds Food Bank. We know that many people in our community are struggling with food insecurity, and sadly the numbers are increasing, so this funding request is vitally important.”

Edmonds Food Bank Executive Director Casey Davis on the Edmonds Food Bank and Community Engagement Space Project: “We are incredibly grateful to Representative Larsen for continuing to advocate for our community. As the need for food assistance continues to rise and other critical funding sources are eliminated, this $2 million request is vital to help us build a new facility that meets the growing needs of the individuals we serve in a respectful and efficient way. A new food bank and community engagement space will allow us to provide not only nutritious and culturally relevant food, but also deeper connection, dignity, and resources for long-term stability for our entire community. We cannot do this alone, we need the strength of continued partnerships to make this vision a reality.”

Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund on the Bellingham Central Library Renovation Project: “Our library is a well-loved institution that gives community members opportunities to learn, grow, and connect. We are grateful for Rep. Larsen’s request for funding, which would help us make the library more accessible, comfortable, and welcoming, especially for families and children.”

Whatcom County Health and Community Services Co-Health Officer Dr. Amy Harley on the DVSAS Douglas Building Preservation Project: “Whatcom County Health and Community Services is pleased to support the rehabilitation of the Douglas Building, the home of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County (DVSAS) in Bellingham. Washington. The Douglas building is used to provide critical counseling, legal support, and children’s programs for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation, and is an essential part of the continuum of care for this vulnerable population. The Douglas Building, however, is more than a building – it’s a lifeline for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Whatcom County. Investing in its rehabilitation will ensure that DVSAS staff can continue to provide high-quality, trauma-informed care in a safe and trusted location, where individuals and families can begin the process of healing with dignity and respect.”

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County on the DVSAS Douglas Building Preservation Project: “Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County (DVSAS) extends its deepest gratitude to Congressman Larsen and his team for their efforts in prioritizing funding to preserve our downtown support center. Securing this vital funding guarantees continued access to essential services for individuals experiencing domestic or sexual violence, ensuring survivors have a lifeline to safety and immediate access to crisis services. Congressman Larsen’s commitment to preserving our downtown support center ensures everyone in our community has access to safety and support, now and for years to come.”

Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley on the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department Portable Radio Replacement Project: “Great training and bullet-proof vests aren’t all that keep our Patrol Deputies safe. Portable radios ensure deputies can communicate hazards, status and needs in the field. During the upcoming World Cup – with matches in Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. – increasing traffic through Whatcom County, it is vital that radios are interoperable with international agencies. Our current portables are not. We are grateful to Congressman Rick Larsen for his support of this essential need.”

Orcas Senior Center Board Member John Ehrmantraut on the Orcas Senior Center Roof Replacement Project: “As Chair of Orcas Senior Center, I can’t stress enough how critical it is to replace our aging roof —not just to protect the building, but to safeguard the essential services and sense of community this space provides to Orcas Island residents. This center is a cornerstone of our island community, and protecting it means protecting the people who rely on it every day.”

Edmonds College President Dr. Amit Singh on the LETI Incubator for Family Success Project: “Edmonds College is committed to our partnership with LETI in supporting first generation immigrants and their success. This resource center will empower individuals and families by providing assistance with everything from navigating social services to pursuing higher education. I am very thankful to Representative Larsen for his ongoing support of LETI and Edmonds College.”

Founder & CEO of Latino Educational Training Institute Rosario Reyes on the LETI Incubator for Family Success Project: “We deeply appreciate Representative Larsen’s support for LETI’s Incubator for Family Success and are grateful to Edmonds College for joining us as a vital partner in this initiative. This new center will serve as a lasting community hub for Latino and low-income families in Snohomish County—a place to celebrate culture, host life events, and access essential services. With dedicated offices and classrooms, LETI will continue advancing its mission to empower Latino families through education, business development, family health, and support for financial advancement.”

Western Washington University President Sabah Randhawa on the Shannon Point Marine Center Research Vessel Project: “Western Washington University appreciates Representative Larsen’s efforts to include funding for a new research vessel at Shannon Point Marine Center as part of the FY26 budget. If funded, this investment will significantly enhance our ability to study the Salish Sea and surrounding coastal ecosystems while expanding hands-on research opportunities for Washington’s next generation of scientists.”

Port of Everett CEO Lisa Lefeber on the South Marina Terminal Replacement Project: “The reconstruction of Dock 1 will bring new commercial opportunities to the Everett waterfront, including possible passenger-only ferry service and small regional cruise visits for the first time to the area. This investment in transportation infrastructure will benefit jobs and recreation, therefore investing in our economy. The Port of Everett appreciates Congressman Larsen’s support of this infrastructure investment.”

Port of Edmonds Commission President David Preston on the North Portwalk and Seawall Reconstruction Project: “We are grateful to Representative Rick Larsen for his continued support of the North Portwalk and Seawall Reconstruction Project. The Port will utilize funds to advance our project into its third and final phase. Vital repairs to the marina seawall will protect the Port and the surrounding area from flooding, erosion, and storm surges. At the same time, the improvements to the Port’s boardwalk will enhance the public’s use and experience on the waterfront.”

Chair of the Board of Island County Commissioners Jill Johnson on the Island County Recycling and Reuse Station Project: “We are incredibly grateful for Representative Larsen’s leadership and support for Island County. Federal funding for the Island County Recycling and Reuse Station will improve upon and expand the county’s waste removal and recycling capacity, directly enabling growth and increasing environmental resiliency.”

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