Sykes announces 20 local projects totaling $89 million advance in Community Project Funding process
SUMMIT COUNTY — U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-District 13) announced in April the 20 community projects she has submitted for consideration in the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process. Together, the projects total over $89 million for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.
“I’m proud to submit these 20 local projects that would bring millions of taxpayer dollars back to our community,” Sykes said in a press release. “From clean drinking water, affordable housing and safer roads to public safety and job creation, these projects reflect the needs of our communities and would make life better for families across our district. Over the next few months, I’ll keep working to pass a responsible federal budget that includes funding for these vital priorities.”
Each year, members of Congress can submit projects to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration to receive specialized federal funding that is included in the appropriations bills that Congress passes annually to fund the federal government. The House Appropriations Committee will now review each project to determine which will ultimately be included in appropriations bills later this year.
The Community Project Funding process allows members of Congress to work closely with community partners and stakeholders to identify projects of regional importance. This year, a total of 89 projects were submitted to Rep. Sykes for consideration. She said she will continue working closely with Ohio’s senators to encourage them to advocate for additional projects from the community.
Below are a sample of area projects submitted by Sykes:
• Project DEPOT: $6 million. Project DEPOT (Defense Energy Polymer Occupational Training) will redevelop a former industrial property in Barberton into a training center for high-demand manufacturing jobs. The facility will focus on skills like welding and metalwork needed for defense-related industries. It is expected to train about 500 people each year. The program will help fill a shortage of skilled workers, especially for shipbuilding and submarine construction. It will also provide local residents with access to well-paying career opportunities. This project is a collaboration between the Barberton Community Foundation and the Development Finance Authority of Summit County.
“The DEPOT will establish the Midwest’s premier defense workforce training center, bringing together multiple employers to deliver industry-driven training for the workers and industries our region and nation urgently need. The Development Finance Authority of Summit County is proud to serve as lead applicant on this project and is deeply grateful for Congresswoman Sykes’ commitment to this critical regional priority,” said Rachel Bridenstine, president of the Development Finance Authority of Summit County.
“We are still … bringing together the partnerships, financing and infrastructure needed to make The DEPOT a reality,” said Josh Gordon, executive director of the Barberton Community Foundation. “It will bring together multiple employers to deliver industry-driven training alongside wraparound services that address the real barriers workers face every day — transportation, child care, housing navigation and case management — because we know that training alone is not enough for the people we are trying to reach. The DEPOT will complement — not compete with — existing training programs across Ohio, serving as a regional hub that builds the pipeline of skilled workers that our defense and polymer industries urgently need.”
• Wolf Creek Dam Water Supply Protection Project: $5.8 million. This project will repair and upgrade a dam that supplies drinking water to 28,800 people, including 72 industrial facilities, across most of Barberton as well as portions of Norton and Akron. Planned improvements include strengthening the structure, reducing flood risks and updating safety systems. The work will help the dam meet modern safety standards. It will also extend the dam’s lifespan by about 50 years.
“Wolf Creek Dam and the Barberton Reservoir are the backbone of our community’s drinking water system, serving nearly 29,000 residents and dozens of industrial employers across Barberton and neighboring communities,” said Barberton Mayor William Judge. “This project is essential to protecting public health, ensuring long-term water reliability and safeguarding our city from flood risk.”
• Village of Lakemore Pump Station Phase of Sanitary Sewer System Improvement Program: $1.98 million. This project will upgrade a pump station that is currently overwhelmed during heavy rainfall. Excess water can cause sewage backups into homes and overflows into nearby lakes. The improvements will increase the system’s capacity to handle stormwater. This will reduce flooding and improve water quality in the area. The project addresses long-standing public health and environmental concerns.
“Replacing Lakemore’s pump station is a critical step in protecting public health, improving water quality and complying with Ohio [Environmental Protection Agency] requirements,” said Lakemore Mayor Richard Cole Jr. “This investment will help prevent sanitary sewer overflows, reduce water in basement events for our residents and protect Springfield Lake from future discharges. We are grateful to Congresswoman Emilia Sykes for submitting this project for Community Project Funding and for her continued advocacy on behalf of small communities like Lakemore that need federal partnership to deliver essential infrastructure and environmental improvements.”
For the full list of projects and more information, visit sykes.house.gov.
By: Staff Writer
Source: Akron.com