WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Representative John L. Mica (R-Volusia) today announced that several important projects in Central Florida will receive federal support through a spending measure that was given final approval by the U.S. Senate yesterday. The funds are included in an omnibus appropriations bill that completes the Federal Government’s budget requirements for Fiscal Year 2004 (FY’04), which began on October 1st, 2003."Federal support and investment will benefit many worthwhile projects in our region," the Congressman stated. "I am pleased that some of the hard-earned tax dollars paid by Central Floridians to Washington are being returned to improve our community."
Listed by county, funded projects include the following:
VOLUSIA
$1,013,982 – VOTRAN?VOTRAN will receive federal funding to add new buses, replace others and improve its ability to accommodate an increasing number of tourists and residents in East Central Florida. Last February Votran also received $540,000 as part of the Fiscal Year 2003 federal budget.
$99,410 - Advanced Technology Center?Daytona Beach Community College (DBCC) will receive $250,000 to help procure instructional equipment and technology infrastructure for its Advanced Technology Learning Center, located on Williamson Boulevard in northern Daytona Beach. The Center is a joint effort between DBCC, Flagler and Volusia County School Districts and local businesses to provide advanced technical training in high-wage and high demand careers. Including the new funds, Rep. Mica has been able to help secure $600,000 in federal assistance to date for the ATC.
$99,410 - Volusia County/Daytona Beach Shores Beach Erosion Study?Due to major hurricanes, particularly Hurricane Floyd of 1999, and severe weather patterns in the Central Florida region, the beaches north of Ponce de Leon Inlet have been subject to significant erosion. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin a feasibility study on potential long term solutions to stabilize and renourish the beaches around Daytona Beach Shores. To date, the project has received nearly $200,000 in federal support.
$298,230 - DeLand Athens Theatre Renovation?Built in 1922 as a vaudeville theater and movie house in downtown DeLand, the Athens Theatre originally featured live stage shows and films, and served as the entertainment centerpiece of the city for 70 years. Now under the ownership of the non-profit Mainstreet DeLand Association, the Athens Theatre is being restored with additional help from a State of Florida Historical Preservation Grant and private donations. Coupled with $202,500 Mica also helped secure in Fiscal Year 2003, the funds will help expedite the project’s expected 2005 completion.
$497,040 - Bethune Cookman Student Union/Community Service Center?Located adjacent to some of the oldest public housing units in the United States, Bethune-Cookman has a long history of providing volunteer services to the Daytona Beach community. The Student Union/Community Service Center will enable Bethune-Cookman College to expand their health volunteer service program and better aid local residents seeking satisfactory health care assistance. In addition to $3.2 million in federal support received over the past five years, Bethune-Cookman College has also secured significant private donations to assist in the construction of the Center.
SEMINOLE
$497,050 – Orlando Sanford Airport?Runway 9R/27L is being extended to alleviate safety concerns that occur due to the close proximity of small aircraft pilot training operations to airline flights on the main east/west runway. The current 3,500-foot runway will be extended to 7,000 feet to handle the explosive growth in general aviation flight training and corporate aircraft operations. The funds match $1 million previously obtained by Rep. Mica.
$99,410 - Lake Mary Downtown Development Improvement Program?The City of Lake Mary is now proceeding with an economic redevelopment project and is working to improve parking, traffic circulation, sidewalk and lighting enhancement projects. As part of this effort, the Downtown Development Improvement Program will permit the better long-term use of downtown properties, and it will also help create the potential for a public-private partnerships, provide jobs and improve the commute of Central Florida residents and visitors.
ORANGE
$198,820 – Technology Upgrades for Maitland Police Department?Federal funds will improve the Maitland Police’s ability to access records, drivers’ licenses, criminal histories, and photo identification information on a timely basis. With the additional purchase and use of Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), Maitland’s streets will be safer for all citizen.
The funding measure was approved in the House of Representatives 242-176 on December 8th and by the Senate yesterday 65-28. The bill will be signed into law by the President by the end of next week.