Phoenix received $5 million in the appropriations bills passed by Congress last week for two projects: $3 million for a shelter for seniors experiencing homelessness and $2 million for a workforce education center.
Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema touted their efforts in securing a total of more than $125 million in federal investments for Arizona projects and priorities in the appropriations for fiscal year 2024.
“After months of work with mayors, law enforcement, and community leaders, I’m proud to announce these important investments in communities across Arizona,” stated Kelly in a news release from his office. “From upgrading roads and water infrastructure to giving law enforcement and firefighters the tools they need to keep communities safe, these investments will make sure we remain the best state to live, work, and raise a family.”
The senators highlighted a list of federally funded 69 projects for municipalities, military bases, nonprofits and colleges across the Grand Canyon State.
“I’m proud to bring these federal investments to Arizona – supporting projects and priorities for our counties, cities, and towns for safer and healthier communities,” stated Sinema, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in the news release from Kelly’s office.
The shelter in Phoenix will be converting a former hotel, something that Phoenix has done before for homeless shelters. The renovations will transform the 120-room hotel into permanent supportive housing for seniors.
The Innovation 27 Workforce and Education Collaborative Project will convert a long-closed retail facility into an innovation and education center that will partner with higher education institutions to provide career training programs to high school and adult learners.
“I want to thank Senators Kelly and Sinema for securing critical funding for projects that will help us tackle housing challenges and expand workforce initiatives,” stated Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego in the news release. “The new funding for Innovation 27 will enable us to support more Phoenicians eager to train for and land a high-wage career, while our hotel conversion project will provide seniors ending their homelessness with a safe, comfortable place to call home. These projects will provide residents of all ages and backgrounds with a brighter future in our growing community, and I commend our Congressional leaders for their advocacy to get us there.”
Another project involving Phoenix is a $2 million allocation of federal funds for Cave Creek, to connect the towns water system to the city of Phoenix’s to create a backup drinking water supply for a system that currently relies on a single pipeline to serve its thousands of residents and the Carefree Water Company.
Editor's note: The above contains information from a news release from the office of Sen. Mark Kelly.
