FY27 Community Project Funding Requests

Recipient: James City County

Location: 1365 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, VA 23081

Committee: Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies

Amount Requested: $ 3,960,000

Justification: The funding would be used to support the preservation, interpretation, and continued research of Jamestown, one of the most historically significant sites in the United States. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because Jamestown represents the foundational origins of the nation—encompassing over 15,000 years of Indigenous history, the arrival of European settlers in 1607, the forced migration of enslaved Africans, and the establishment of the first form of representative government in America. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors engage with this irreplaceable site, gaining a deeper understanding of the complex intersections of democracy, diversity, and early American history through direct interaction with ongoing archaeological work and educational programming. As a leading historical and research institution, Jamestown serves students, scholars, and lifelong learners nationwide by preserving and sharing discoveries that are critical to understanding the American story. Federal investment will ensure the long-term protection, accessibility, and educational impact of this nationally significant site for future generations.

Letter

Recipient: Middlesex County Virginia Sheriff’s Office

Location: 2788 General Puller Hwy, Saluda, VA 23149

Committee: Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies

Amount Requested: $1,500,000

Justification: The funding would be used to integrate Middlesex County into the King and Queen-led regional radio communications system, enhancing interoperability with neighboring jurisdictions. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the County’s current system requires software patches or radio swaps to communicate across jurisdictions, creating dangerous delays during multi-county emergency responses. Integration into a regional system will enable seamless, real-time communication among law enforcement and emergency personnel, improving officer safety, especially during pursuits that cross county lines, and ensuring more coordinated responses to critical incidents. Additionally, the project will strengthen communications infrastructure redundancy across the region, increasing reliability during emergencies. Federal investment will result in faster response times, improved public safety, and long-term cost savings through shared, modernized communications capabilities.

Letter

Recipient: Hanover County, VA

Location: 7522 County Complex Rd, Hanover, VA 23069

Committee: Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies

Amount Requested: $3,040,224.60

Justification: The funding would be used to equip Hanover County deputies with modern, GPS-enabled portable radios to enhance communications capabilities and improve emergency response. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it directly addresses critical public safety needs by replacing aging equipment that lacks real-time location tracking and secure communication features. Deputies frequently operate outside their vehicles during patrols, searches, and emergency incidents, where reliable communication is essential; GPS-enabled radios will allow dispatchers and supervisors to immediately locate personnel, coordinate faster responses, and provide rapid assistance in high-risk situations. The project will also improve response times and coordination during emergencies—including violent incidents, natural disasters, and mutual-aid operations—by enhancing situational awareness and interoperability with regional partners. Federal investment in this proven, standards-based technology will strengthen officer and public safety, reduce operational risks, and ensure more efficient and reliable use of taxpayer resources over the long term.

Letter

Recipient: William and Mary

Location: 540 Landrum Drive, Williamsburg 23185

Committee: Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies

Amount Requested: $1,500,000

Justification: The funding would be used to acquire an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) at William & Mary to expand access to advanced imaging capabilities and support interdisciplinary scientific research. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it provides shared, high-impact research infrastructure that will serve a broad range of disciplines—including chemistry, physics, biology, geology, health sciences, and anthropology—by enabling the analysis of delicate, hydrated, and complex materials not accessible with traditional microscopy. The ESEM will strengthen collaboration across the School of Computing, Data Science & Physics, the School of Arts & Sciences, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, while also supporting graduate research, innovation, and workforce development. Beyond campus, the instrument will serve as a regional resource through established partnerships with other Virginia institutions, expanding access to advanced scientific tools and promoting collaborative, externally funded research. Federal investment will enhance research capacity, drive scientific discovery, and maximize the return on taxpayer dollars by supporting shared-use infrastructure that benefits the broader Commonwealth.

Letter

Recipient: William & Mary’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)

Location: 1370 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, VA 23062

Committee: Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies

Amount Requested: $1,600,000

Justification: The funding would be used to support the Center for Environmental and Estuarine Forecasting (CEEF), enhancing its ability to deliver critical scientific data, forecasting tools, and decision-support resources for coastal Virginia. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it directly benefits approximately five million residents who rely on accurate environmental forecasting to prepare for and respond to increasing threats such as intensified storms, prolonged flooding, declining water quality, and impacts to economically vital marine resources. By improving forecasting capabilities and coordination with state agencies—including the Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Health, and Department of Transportation—the CEEF enables faster, more effective responses to emergencies and long-term planning for coastal resilience. Federal investment will help mitigate economic and environmental risks, strengthen community preparedness, and position Virginia as a national and global leader in coastal and estuarine forecasting, attracting additional research investment and maximizing the return on taxpayer resources.

Letter

Requestor: Essex County, Virginia

Location: 713 Marsh Street, Tappahannock, VA 22560

Committee: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

Amount Requested: $ 1,718,135

Justification: The funding would be used to construct a Joint Maintenance Facility (JMF) to replace Essex County’s outdated 1940s-era fleet maintenance building and to install a short access road to improve connectivity to nearby thoroughfares. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will modernize and centralize critical fleet operations for public schools, emergency services, law enforcement, and county operations—improving efficiency, safety, and reliability across essential government services. The current undersized and deteriorating facility no longer meets operational or safety standards, creating delays and maintenance challenges that can hinder emergency response and service delivery. Federal investment will enhance response times, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and ensure the County can effectively support essential public services for its residents.

Letter