Local Governments Celebrate New Davids-Secured Federal Investments: Here’s What They’re Saying

Today, Representative Sharice Davids celebrated the passage of an additional project request in Kansas’ Third District, bringing the total number of awardees to 15 impactful projects. If accepted by local recipients, the total $15.8 million will help purchase new law enforcement training vehicles, modernize a bridge that connects Kansas and Missouri, improve water access during extreme weather, and more. Additional information on each project can be found here.

“My job is to advocate for the Third District in Washington and make sure the priorities of folks in our community are being addressed,” said Davids. “Our team worked in tandem with local officials and conducted detailed reviews of each proposal to ensure they met strong standards with a high return on investment. I’ve long fought for responsible budget policies that protect taxpayers, and these investments maintain that commitment to fiscal responsibility while making a difference for Kansas.”

The project passed today, which would help modernize Johnson County’s emergency operations center to better respond to public safety needs, was included in the bipartisan government funding package that funds six federal agencies for fiscal year 2024. Each of the 15 Davids-requested projects were submitted in tandem with local officials and selected for their potential to improve health and safety in the community, bring economic opportunity to the Third District, and tackle climate change. Appropriations requests are subject to strict transparency and accountability rules, which can be found here.

Kansas mayors, city administrators, and other local leaders joined Davids to submit the 15 approved projects. Here’s what they’re saying:

"The new water tower and the enhancements to our water treatment plant are significant milestones in building resilient infrastructure for De Soto,” said Mike Brungardt, City Administrator, City of De Soto. “The addition of 2 million gallons of elevated storage in the water tower will provide redundant fire suppression capacity, while upgrading our water treatment plant's capacity ensures future-proofing and operational efficiency. We extend our gratitude to Representative Davids for her instrumental role in securing the investments necessary for these crucial projects, highlighting the power of federal and local collaboration."

“Olathe is fortunate to have representation in Washington focused on returning funding to Kansas and our community,” said Tim Danneberg, External Affairs Director, City of Olathe. “Representative Davids’ commitment to our community helps ensure we continue to have an exceptionally safe and effective water supply system now and in the future.”

“We are thrilled to announce that thanks to Representative Davids' support, the City of Leawood has secured funding to raise Tomahawk Creek Parkway out of the floodplain, install dedicated bike lanes, and construct a much-needed roundabout at Town Center Drive,” said Marc Elkins, Mayor, City of Leawood. “These improvements will significantly enhance safety and accessibility for residents and visitors alike. We are grateful for Representative Davids' partnership and look forward to working with her to bring this project to fruition.”

“The City of Mission was honored to be included among the 2024 Community Project Funding projects supported by Representative Davids,” said Sollie Flora, Mayor, City of Mission. "Federal support helps to stretch our limited local resources for the benefit of our residents. We appreciate the way Rep. Davids advocates for the communities and constituents in the Third District."

"Reopening the Kansas Avenue bridge is a top priority for the UG, especially with the World Cup coming to our region in 2026,” said Mayor Tyrone Garner, Mayor/CEO, Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS. “We are very grateful to Congresswoman Davids and Congressman LaTurner for securing these federal funds to aid in our efforts to help get this bridge operational again"

“We greatly appreciate that Representative Sharice Davids’ support has resulted in $2.509 million of federal funding for these projects,” said Mike Kelly, Chairman, Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. “The US 69 Express project, an important transportation project, requires significant investment to relocate Johnson County Wastewater’s underground infrastructure. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) upgrade project will modernize and renovate the county's existing EOC to provide the county with more reliable technology, allowing for increased functionality and information sharing. This assistance is a prime example of partnership among government entities that alleviates the direct financial impact to Johnson County while strengthening the county’s infrastructure and ensuring the continued safety of Johnson County residents.”

“We are so appreciative of this federal support for the Police Academy at JCCC,” said Dr. Judy Korb, Interim President, Johnson County Community College. “These funds for scenario vehicles will allow us to expand our capacity to train more law enforcement professionals to ensure the safety of our community. We thank Rep. Davids and her team for advocating for JCCC.”

“Adding new homes has been a priority for Edgerton for several years,” said Donald Roberts, Mayor, City of Edgerton. “We’re so grateful to Representative Davids and her staff for helping us secure critical funding needed to offset the cost of utility infrastructure making this project a success. Not only will Edgerton see growth immediately, but this funding allows us to open up even more areas for future development.”

"I am grateful to Representative Sharice Davids for her support in securing federal funding for two critical projects in Overland Park,” said Curt Skoog, Mayor, City of Overland Park. “These initiatives demonstrate both Representative Davids’ and the City’s commitment to improving traffic safety throughout Overland Park, and the pedestrian experience near Downtown Overland Park.”

“The construction of the new water tower and the expansion of our water treatment plant are pivotal steps in De Soto’s journey towards sustainable growth and development,” said Rick Walker, Mayor, City of De Soto. “These projects will ensure a reliable water supply for our expanding residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, reinforce our commitment to public safety, and prepare us for the future growth of our vibrant community. We are immensely thankful to Representative Davids for her assistance in making these projects possible.”

“First off, I would like to thank Representative Davids and her staff for pushing for these projects,” said Travis Wilson, City Manager, City of Garnett. “This process to get a new Water Treatment Plant has been a very cumbersome process that started back in 2016. Two City Managers before me have been trying to push this through with obstacle after obstacle presenting itself and causing challenges. With the age of our plant, and the constant issues we face daily with components, this funding and building the new plant will not only improve efficiency but also the quality of water for the community.”

“The City of Gardner Southeast Growth Area Interceptor Project is critical to the city’s development in our primary growth area on the south side of I-35,” said Todd Winters, Mayor, City of Gardner. “The FY24 Community Project Funding appropriation of $850,000 allows us to continue to be proactive in the development of our wastewater infrastructure to facilitate the significant development interest and potential in that area. Representative Sharice Davids has been a great advocate for the City of Gardner’s interests and this funding is the direct result of her advocacy and support.”