U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) in Washington. D.C. has selected 15 Congressionally funded community projects, totaling $104,253,714 million in New Mexico, to submit for consideration in the upcoming 2025 budget process. Courtesy photo

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury:

• Watch Rep. Stansbury’s video remarks here.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As communities across New Mexico face interconnected challenges in addressing public safety, housing and homelessness, water security, and economic development, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) selected 15 Congressionally funded community projects, totaling $104,253,714 million, to submit for consideration in the upcoming 2025 budget process.

“I came to Congress to support the needs of New Mexico by using every tool available,” Rep. Stansbury said. “Community funded projects, leveraging federal funding, is one of the most powerful tools we have to make investments necessary to support lasting and generational change for communities in our state. These 15 projects will create stable modern housing and help families experiencing homelessness, deliver increased protection for public safety, and revitalize critical infrastructure in New Mexico.” 

The 15 projects have been submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration, pending approval through the Congressional budget and appropriations process. Projects this year were restricted to a limited number of federal programs, and only state, local, and Tribal governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. The House Appropriations Committee will weigh these requests alongside other submissions as part of the FY 2025 appropriations process, currently underway. 

Due to restrictions imposed by Republican Leadership in the House, Rep. Stansbury referred additional projects to the offices of Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján. Once projects are approved by Appropriations Committees, they will be subject to passage in both Chambers of Congress before being signed into law. This process will likely take months, with the earliest final consideration of bills taking place in the fall. 

Since taking office, Rep. Stansbury has secured over $1 billion in funding for New Mexico’s First Congressional District, including $81.6 million for 37 community funded projects for public safety, economic development and other needs as part of the Fiscal Year 2022, Fiscal Year 2023, and Fiscal Year 2024 budgets.

A summary of the 15 projects is provided below: 

Investing in Public Safety for Local Communities

Albuquerque Police Department CSI Mobile Lab — $800,000 

• Funding will support Albuquerque Police Department upgrades for a new mobile crime laboratory for addressing Albuquerque metro crime. 

Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Vehicles — $500,000 

• Funding will replace an aging fleet of vehicles in need replacement to support the Sheriff’s work in keeping Bernalillo County safe2,516 

Valencia County Sheriff’s Office Vehicles — $731,148 

• Funding will fund patrol vehicles and a Mobile Crime Scene Unit to support the Sheriff’s work in keeping Valencia County safe 

New Mexico Department of Public Safety Technology — $2,516,400 

• Funding will expand State Police wireless capabilities in patrol vehicles and ensure compatibility with 5G and cellular technologies, especially important in rural areas. 

Bernalillo Fire Station — $1,500,000 

• Funding will support the construction of a new fire station to serve the Town of Bernalillo and growing surrounding communities.

Fort Sumner Fire Station — $950,000 

• Funding will support the construction of a new fire station for Fort Sumner on the West side of the Pecos River. 

Lincoln County Fire and Emergency Operations Center — $3,000,000 

• Funding will support construction of a new Emergency Operations Center to serve county-wide emergency service needs in Lincoln County in partnership with the Town of Ruidoso, Mescalero Apache Nation, and other nearby communities.   

Housing and Homelessness

City of Albuquerque Temporary Stability Shelter — $1,700,000 

• Funding will support temporary shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque’s International District.

Bernalillo County Affordable Housing for Seniors — $2,000,000 

• Funding will provide housing for low- and moderate-income seniors in Downtown Albuquerque. 

Albuquerque Transitional Housing for Women and Children — $1,000,000 

• Funding will support the acquisition and rehabilitation of transitional housing for women and children residing in emergency or short-term shelter in Albuquerque by the NM Mortgage Finance Authority. 

City of Rio Rancho Housing Repair Grants — $1,500,000 

• Funding will support the City of Rio Rancho in providing Home Repair support to low-income families with aging homes.

Projects Investing in Water and Community Infrastructure 

Middle Rio Grande Pueblo Irrigation and Acequia Improvements — $72,260,166 

• Funding will provide support for the six Middle Rio Grande Coalition of Pueblos, including the Pueblos of Sandia, Santa Ana, San Felipe, Santo Domingo, Cochiti, and Isleta Pueblos to improve acequia and irrigation infrastructure. 

Rio Rancho Aquifer Storage Expansion — $3,536,000 

• Funding will support planning and construction to expand the Rio Rancho Aquifer Reinjection System to help secure the City’s long-term water supply. 

Bosque Farms Wastewater Treatment — $10,000,000 

• Funding will support critically needed improvements to the Village of Bosque Farms Wastewater Treatment Plant to improve water quality for the community. 

Town of Estancia Community Center —$2,260,000 

• Funding will support planning and repairs of the historic Estancia Community Center, built as a 1930s WPA project, serving communities throughout Torrance County.