Ruppersberger Announces $2.1 Million For Maryland

June 21, 2007 12:00 PM

(Washington, D.C.)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) announces $2.1 million in federal funding for Maryland: $231,000 for continued growth at the University of Maryland BioPark in Baltimore City, $231,000 to create an integrated library system for the blind and visually impaired, and $1.65 million for Chesapeake Bay Gateway Network. 

At the University of Maryland BioPark in Baltimore City, $231,000 will help create a workforce training center to support the revitalization of several West Baltimore neighborhoods.  The funding will be used to teach workers specialized skills, construct classroom and other facilities, and upgrade utilities and other infrastructure at the BioPark. 

“If you don’t have a job, you can’t support your family or your community.  This workforce training center will be a wonderful resource for nearby residents to learn new skills to enter into the growing biomedical field,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD). 

$231,000 will be used to develop a library system that blind and visually impaired individuals can use to access materials and information independently in a library or online without help from a librarian.  The system will be developed at the National Federation of the Blind Headquarters in Baltimore and will help 1.3 million blind and visually impaired citizens access to information when complete. 

“This program will greatly enhance the quality of life for blind and visually impaired individuals by giving them independent access to critical library resources and other online information at work or at home,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).       

$1.65 million will be used to enhance the Chesapeake Bay Gateway Network.  The money will pay for museums and facilities around the Chesapeake Bay to create exhibits about the ecosystem and history of the Bay including the John Smith Trail. 

“The Chesapeake Bay is one of Maryland’s greatest natural treasures.  This money will help educate the public about the extraordinary history of the Bay and the need to preserve it for future generations,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).  

These projects were included in the 2008 Interior and the Environment Appropriations bill and the 2008 Financial Services bill. The bills must be approved by the full House and Senate before they become law.

 

 

 

 

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