FY26 Community Project Funding Disclosure
As your elected representative, I have the privilege of making annual requests to the House Committee on Appropriations on behalf of my constituents that represent the priorities of Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. For Fiscal Year 2026, the House Committee on Appropriations will include Member-designated Community Project Funding, along with language and programmatic requests in the federal appropriations bills.
In order to prioritize accountability and transparency in this process, below are the projects that I submitted to the committee to consider. At a later date, the committee will publicly release a list of the projects that are ultimately selected by them. Submission of a project to the committee is not a guarantee that the project will receive funding.
Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee
Project: Public Safety Technology Equipment
Proposed Recipient: City of Lee’s Summit, MO
Recipient Address: 220 SE Green Street, Lee's Summit, MO 64063
Amount Requested: $10,000,000
Description: Funding would purchase equipment for a regional public safety answering point and a real-time crime center enhancing emergency response coordination for Jackson County, Missouri. Included in this project is the development of a public safety answering point (PSAP) to serve Eastern Jackson County, Missouri, with potential coverage for the communities of Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Independence, and Grandview. The Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) will serve as a centralized hub for crime analysis, leveraging live data feeds, surveillance systems, geographic information systems (GIS), license plate readers (LPRs), and other real-time technologies to support law enforcement response, investigations, and strategic deployment of resources. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will assist law enforcement efforts to enforce laws and address violent crime. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by section 501 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10152).
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) expansion for law enforcement
Proposed Recipient: Mid-America Regional Council
Recipient Address: 600 Broadway, Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64105
Amount Requested: $4,000,000
Description: The Mid-America Regional Council will expand the Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in both Kansas City, MO and Independence, MO. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because ALPRs are a critical law enforcement tool used to locate vehicles involved in crimes, track active incidents, and provide investigative support. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) program, section 501 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10152).
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: Police Aviation Technology Equipment
Proposed Recipient: Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri
Recipient Address: 1125 Locust Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Description: Funds would be used to purchase various aviation equipment for the existing helicopters used by the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD). KCPD would replace end of life navigation systems and police/air traffic control radio systems for 2 helicopters. They would purchase an airborne surveillance video downlink upgrade to facilitate digital video feed from the airborne unit to ground units for use in search or emergency situations. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will directly benefit the taxpayers through more effective and efficient police services. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by section 1701(b)(8) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. Section 10381(b)(8).
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: Police Cruisers Replacement Project
Proposed Recipient: Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri
Recipient Address: 1125 Locust Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
Amount Requested: $6,000,000
Description: Replace high mileage, end-of-life police cruisers for the Kansas City Police Department. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will directly benefit the taxpayers through more effective and efficient police services. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) program, section 501 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10152).
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: KCATA Public Safety Technology
Proposed Recipient: Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
Recipient Address: 1200 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO, 64108
Amount Requested: $3,100,000
Description: Funds would be used to purchase equipment that will increase public safety along transit corridors. KCATA currently utilizes cameras, shot-spotter technologies and some fixed-location cameras, and this investment would broaden that deployment, and provide heightened security in conjunction with regional law enforcement authorities. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the increase in crime among transit corridors is a pattern seen across the nation, and with public safety among the top priorities of the Federal Government, this project directly ties into local priorities. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by section 501 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10152).
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: Reducing Crime through School-Based Prevention and Education Programs
Proposed Recipient: Youth Guidance
Recipient Address: 300 E. 39th Street, Suite 35 Kansas City, MO 64111
Amount Requested: $5,760,000
Description: Expand Youth Guidance’s school-based counseling programs, BAM & WOW, to reduce crime and promote mental health. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because researchers have shown a huge ROI on society from this program when analyzing just impacts on crime rates alone. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 34 U.S.C. Section 10152.
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: Expanding Innovative Technology Programs in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence
Proposed Recipient: Rockhurst University
Recipient Address: 1100 Rockhurst Road, Kansas City, MO 64110
Amount Requested: $7,600,000
Description: Rockhurst is developing applied graduate programs for in-demand fields of Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, and Financial Technology. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will support the scientific understanding of these growing sectors that are important to the Kansas City business and scientific ecosystems. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by section 272 of title 15, United States Code.
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: Wraparound Supports for High-Risk Youth
Proposed Recipient: Foster Adopt Connect, Inc.
Recipient Address: 18600 E. 37th Terrace S., Independence, MO 64057
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Description: Funds will be used to expand FosterAdopt Connect’s services specifically targeting justice-impacted youth ages 17 to 26. These young adults, who have been shaped by both the child welfare and criminal legal systems, will receive intensive individualized wraparound support to prevent them from having further encounters with the criminal justice system. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will improve the criminal justice system (including the correctional system), provide victims’ services, and other related activities. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by section 501 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10152).
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: Community-Based Violence Intervention & Prevention Initiative
Proposed Recipient: The Mattie Rhodes Memorial Society
Recipient Address: 148 N Topping Ave, Kansas City, MO 64123
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Description: The Violence Intervention & Prevention Initiative provides community-based services to reduce youth violence in Kansas City, MO’s Historic Northeast area. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will assist law enforcement efforts to enforce laws and address violent crime. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by section 501 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10152).
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: Transit Ambassador Program
Proposed Recipient: Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
Recipient Address: 1200 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO, 64108
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Description: The Transit Ambassador program will deploy approximately 18 Ambassadors across the system aimed at improving passenger security by providing additional, trained eyes and ears to report suspicious activities, de-escalate situations, and augment the role of law enforcement to allow them to focus on more serious incidents while Ambassadors handle routine issues. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the increase in crime among transit corridors is a pattern seen across the nation, and with public safety among the top priorities of the Federal Government, this project directly ties into local priorities. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by section 501 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10152).
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee
Project: Kentucky Ave Bridge Replacement
Proposed Recipient: City of Independence, MO
Recipient Address: 111 E. Maple Ave, Independence, MO 64050
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Description: Replace the existing bridge, built in the 1920's. Kentucky Road serves as an arterial for residential and commercial areas through Independence and Sugar Creek. This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because replacing this bridge will provide a vital arterial traffic route for residents, business owners, and emergency vehicles for both Independence and Sugar Creek, MO. This project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by section 133(b) of title 23, U.S. Code, as amended by title III of division A of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – construction of highways, bridges, tunnels.
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: Town Square Renovation
Proposed Recipient: City of North Kansas City, MO
Recipient Address: 2010 Howell Street; North Kansas City, MO 64116
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Description: This project will renovate the town square and consist of updates to seating, lighting, streetscapes, and the replacement of an aging pergola for public events. It is a good use of taxpayer funds because the town square is currently underutilized. As the city continues plans to develop the downtown area, a renovation of the square will be a key component of the community infrastructure. Upgrades to the square will promote economic development through encouraging businesses to the area as well as improve the quality of life for people who live in the community. This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because the town square renovation will renovate and re-energize the open space that is currently underutilized. As the city continues plans to develop the downtown area, a renovation of the square will be a key component of the community infrastructure. This project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2) – the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or installation (including design features and improvements with respect to such construction, reconstruction, or installation that promote energy efficiency) of public works, facilities (except for buildings for the general conduct of government), and site or other improvements.
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: Main Street Market
Proposed Recipient: City of Grandview, MO
Recipient Address: 1200 Main Street Grandview, MO 64030
Amount Requested: $3,500,000
Description: This project will create a permanent Main Street Market that will also provide an additional multipurpose community space in downtown Grandview. This includes the construction of a farmer’s market structure both enclosed and open air, restrooms, public parking, solar power, and the development of green space that provides a pocket park and park amenities. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by section 5305(a)(4) – clearance, demolition, removal, reconstruction, and rehabilitation (including rehabilitation which promotes energy efficiency) of buildings and improvements (including interim assistance, and financing public or private acquisition for reconstruction or rehabilitation, and reconstruction or rehabilitation, of privately owned properties, and including the renovation of closed school buildings).
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: Brush Creek Greenway Improvement
Proposed Recipient: City of Kansas City, MO
Recipient Address: 4600 E. 63rd Street KCMO 64130
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Description: This project will create recreational opportunities for the neighborhoods that were fractured by the Bruce R Watkins Highway Project and the Brush Creek Flood Control Project. The planned improvements include sidewalks, a trail connection along the creek from the new pedestrian bridge. The park will be supported by a parking lot and improved street crossing for pedestrians. This project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will provide safety and pedestrian improvements to an area that is currently underutilized and provide better access to neighborhood recreational parks for residents, some of whom currently have to cross Brush Creek along busy streets. This project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2) – the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or installation (including design features and improvements with respect to such construction, reconstruction, or installation that promote energy efficiency) of public works, facilities (except for buildings for the general conduct of government), and site or other improvements.
Member Certification Disclosure letter
Project: MCC-Longview Automotive Institute
Proposed Recipient: Metropolitan Community College-Longview
Recipient Address: 500 SW Longview Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Description: This project will provide equipment for training programs within Automotive Technology and Collision Repair, launch a program in Diesel Technology, and permit development of new program tracks focusing on Electric Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the development of these programs will add both workforce development and economic development to the region. The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized in 42 U.S.C. Section 5305(a)(4).
Member Certification Disclosure letter