Anonymous
Source: Office of Rep. Salud Carbajal
[On Monday], Rep. Salud Carbajal visited Santa Maria Airport (SMX) and touted more than $8 million in funding already secured from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for Central Coast projects in the seven months since it was signed into law.
These historic first investments from the BIL—part of $9.7 billion already announced for California’s transportation, climate, energy, and environmental projects—are the result of Carbajal’s tireless advocacy for improving the quality of life on the Central Coast and creating jobs through much-needed infrastructure improvements.
“These funds are just the beginning of what is to come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the Central Coast,” said Rep. Carbajal. “From improvements to Santa Maria’s commercial and tourism capacities through its airport to upgrades and reliance projects from Paso Robles to Ventura, the investments that our landmark legislation will deliver over the next half decade will create jobs and grow our local economies for years to come. These projects come in addition to funds from our infrastructure law that it will to expand internet connectivity, fix dilapidated roads and bridges, reduce carbon emissions, and improve our public transit and clean water infrastructure up and down our coast.”
Santa Maria Airport is receiving $1.015 million through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to repair and upgrade taxilanes at the airport, encouraging continued access to aviators and economic development for Santa Maria.
Funding for BIL projects funded through the FAA on the Central Coast include:
- $2,346,936 for San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport
- $3,723,976 for Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- $1,015,735 for Santa Maria Airport
- $295,000 for Paso Robles Municipal Airport
- $159,000 for Santa Ynez Airport
- $159,000 for Lompoc Airport
- $110,000 for Oceano County Airport
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also utilizing BIL funding to provide:
- $500,000 for resilience work on the Carpinteria shoreline
- $200,000 for the Cambria Seawater Desalination Plant
- $23,875 for Morro Bay Harbor
- $22,875 for Port San Luis Harbor
- $16,000 for Ventura Harbor
In addition, the National Park Service recently announced that BIL funding will be used to combat carbon emissions and pollution by plugging abandoned oil wells in Channel Islands National Park.
Carbajal voted for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November 2021. California is projected to see at least $30 billion in investments from this measure.
Rep. Salud Carbajal represents California’s 24th congressional district, encompassing Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and part of Ventura County. He sits on the House Armed Services Committee, Agriculture Committee, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he serves as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
