Local Governments Join Davids to Celebrate Her Federal Investments for 15 Community Projects

Today, after a week touring Kansas’ Third District to witness the impact of her project requests, Representative Sharice Davids joined local leaders to celebrate the success of these initiatives. The 15 projects, totaling $15.8 million in fiscal year 2024, will help purchase new law enforcement training vehicles, modernize roads and bridges, improve water access during extreme weather, and more.

“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.”

Before the press conference, Davids visited the Johnson County Regional Police Academy to celebrate her successful project request. The police academy received $150,000 in federal support for three new law enforcement training vehicles, which will provide recruits with the tools necessary to practice realistic traffic stop and driving scenarios. This investment is a critical component of enhancing the training and preparedness of future law enforcement officers.

“JCCC is grateful to Congresswoman Davids’ and her team for supporting the Johnson County Regional Police Academy,” said Sonta Wilburn, JCCC Director, Police Academy. “The funding will be designated to purchase much needed training vehicles to help prepare the next generation of law enforcement professionals in our community.”

A full list of Davids-secured FY2024 projects can be found here:

• Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City: Received $3,500,000 for the complete reconstruction of the Kansas Avenue Bridge, connecting Kansas and Missouri
  • A joint request with Representative Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02)
• Johnson County Wastewater: Received $1,509,000 to relocate, modify, and protect sanitary sewage lines along Highway US-69.
• City of Overland Park: Received $1,466,279 to reconfigure 82nd Street at Metcalf Blvd. with a traffic signal and small park.
• Johnson County’s Emergency Operations Center: Received $1,000,000 to modernize and better respond to public safety needs.
• City of Edgerton: Received $959,752 to install 2,000 feet of new sewage pipe, overcoming high-cost hurdles and the intersection of a waterway, rail line, and high-pressure gas pipeline.
• City of Olathe: Received $959,752 to install backup generators at two underground water wells for risk mitigation during extreme weather.
• City of De Soto: Received $959,752 to replace aging equipment at the City’s water treatment plant, supporting the Panasonic EV Battery plant project.
• City of Garnett: Received $959,752 to help construct a new water treatment plant, providing safe drinking water to 3,400 Kansans.
• City of Mission: Received $850,000 for roadway improvements, including pavement reconstruction, curb and gutter replacement, and installation of new sidewalks and streetlights.
• City of Overland Park: Received $850,000 to update 190 outdated traffic signal controllers.
• City of Gardner: Received $850,000 to construct new underground water pipes for wastewater movement to the treatment facility.
• City of Olathe: Received $791,000 to replace the generator at the Renner Water Pump Station, ensuring compliance with modern codes.
• City of Leawood: Received $500,000 to raise a key roadway above the floodplain, enhancing emergency response times and citizen safety.
• City of De Soto: Received $500,000 to build a new water tower, supporting the Panasonic EV battery plant and managing water flow for new developments.
• Johnson County Regional Police Academy: Received $150,000 to purchase three law enforcement training vehicles.

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.