First published in the March 12 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
Nearly $500,000 appears poised to come to Burbank’s Fire Department and the local Boys and Girls Club as part of the federal government’s funding legislation.
Congressman Adam Schiff, a Burbank Democrat, announced this week that $7.7 million in community projects he championed were included in the 2022 federal government funding legislation, which passed the U.S. House on Wednesday. President Joe Biden was anticipated to sign the spending bill in the coming days.
The community projects included $250,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley to renovate its new main clubhouse, allowing it to triple its capacity. Projects also included $225,000 for the city of Burbank’s Fire Department to replace its water tender, allowing it to provide enhanced fire suppression resources to regional, urban and wildland firefighting needs in the Foothills communities.
“In California’s 28th Congressional District, we are fortunate to have within our community numerous organizations dedicated to supporting our families every single day. And I am pleased to announce $7 million in federal support is heading to Los Angeles to assist these organizations in their mission of bettering our community,” Schiff said in a statement. “Ten organizations based in Glendale, Burbank and Los Angeles will receive new funding to help them deliver life-saving health services, emergency housing, small business support and public safety investments that enhance our quality of life.
“It was an honor to fight for these resources in Congress, and I look forward to seeing all the good they will accomplish,” he added.
Other community projects included $950,000 for the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California in Glendale to support ongoing construction and the development of the museum’s permanent exhibition and programming, $700,000 for the city of Glendale’s Verdugo Regional Crime Laboratory to purchase equipment and supplies for evidence processing and forensic testing, and $1.6 million for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to purchase new equipment.
The legislation will also increase funding for key domestic priorities, including a $400 increase to the maximum Pell Grant award and allowing for the federal funding passed under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including investments in roads, bridges, transit, water systems, airports, broadband and more to begin flowing into communities.
