| February 13, 2003 |
Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth) today announced that the final fiscal 2003 appropriations bill includes millions for projects that will boost the Fort Worth economy. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Granger was instrumental in securing funding for Parker and Tarrant county priorities.
The bill includes a total of $3.41 million that Representative Granger requested for four projects supporting the redevelopment of the Trinity River. Specifically, the legislation provides $1.8 million for the Upper Trinity River Basin Feasibility Study to focus on flood control, water quality, environmental restoration, recreational master planning, and the Trinity River Vision Project; $810,000 for construction of the first phase of urban waterfront improvements for the Trinity River Vision project; $500,000 for a Pedestrian Access Study; and $300,000 for the Riverside Oxbow Ecosystem Restoration Project to make improvements to the section of the Trinity River located just east of Fort Worth.
"The Trinity River Vision project is the next step in the revitalization of Fort Worth," said Representative Granger. "With continued support at the local, state, and federal levels, this initiative has the potential to spur long-term economic growth in the city, restore the natural beauty of the Trinity River, and provide recreational benefits for our citizens."
The bill includes funding for several projects to bolster North Texas' transportation infrastructure. The Fort Worth Transportation Authority will use $3 million to modernize its bus fleet. Fort Worth's Corridor Redevelopment Program will receive $795,000 to support streetscape, utility, and parking structure improvements. The legislation provides $3.35 million to make repairs to Interstate 20 and $1.5 million for Bomber Road between the Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base and the Lockheed Martin facility. To strengthen Fort Worth's role as a major national and international transportation center, Granger fought for $3 million for continued construction of the runway extensions at Alliance Airport.
"From roads to buses to airports, economic development in Texas is directly linked to the quality of our transportation network," stated Representative Granger. "I will continue to fight to ensure that our state receives the necessary resources to meet our transportation needs."
Granger worked successfully to attract federal funding for a host of health and education projects benefitting North Texas. The Osteopathic Medical Center in Fort Worth will receive $870,000 to study the potential benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Cerebral Palsy. Granger secured $800,000 for the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center to purchase an advanced CAT Scan machine. The Tarrant County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center will receive $300,000 for the Computerized the Texas Medication Algorithm Project.
The bill also includes $440,000 for the Fort Worth YMCA TRUCE Program, which implements after-school programs for at-risk youths, $225,000 for the Mental Health Association of Tarrant County to create mental health programs in 12 middle schools, $150,000 for the Camp Fire organization to design and implement an Early Childhood Violence Reduction Program in Tarrant County, and $90,000 for the development of an English/Spanish audio tour at the National Cowgirl Museum.
The final fiscal 2003 appropriations bill is expected to pass the House of Representatives on Thursday night and the Senate on Friday.