FY 2026 Project Requests
All requests submitted by Congressman Gimenez to the House Committee on Appropriations are posted below. Members are required to certify that neither they nor their immediate family have a financial interest in the requests made.
Project Name: City of Sweetwater Policing Equipment and Safety Project
Project Sponsor and Address: City of Sweetwater located at 500 SW 109 Avenue, Sweetwater, FL 33174
Project Amount Requested: $2,100,000
Description of Project: The funding would update an array policing equipment to meet the needs of the growing city. Updating the policing equipment would involve the acquisition and integration of a closed-caption camera system and license plate reader system. This system would offer the ability to completely integrate with a CAD system delivering still images and video while police officers are traveling to a call, thus enhancing crime prevention and investigation, efficient resources allocation, crime analysis and intelligence gathering, intelligence sharing with neighboring agencies, and enhanced situation awareness. CCTV and LPR offer multifaceted advantages in enhancing security and law enforcement.
Signed Member Certification Letter
Project Name: Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office Vehicles Project
Project Sponsor and Address: Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office located at 9105 NW 25 Street, Doral, Florida 33172Project Amount Requested: $4,629,000
Description of Project: The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) jurisdiction covers all of Miami-Dade County, with 2.8 million residents. The funding will bolster law enforcement efforts and help maintain public safety. MDSO requires additional Marked Patrol Response vehicles due to the expansion of deputy sheriffs to meet operational demands. Patrol vehicles will be utilized to conduct police-related operations, provide high visibility, and promote community outreach and engagement for residents and tourists of Miami-Dade County. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) requires new Prisoner Vans to handle the transport of multiple subjects to respective correctional facilities for intake and processing. Prisoner transport vans will reduce the need for several road patrol deputies being taken off calls to conduct individual prisoner transport of more than two subjects. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the use of these funds would serve as a primarily public purpose to engage in public safety and ensure law enforcement is equipped with the tools and equipment required to keep our community safe. Consistent with Byrne JAG objectives, this project will improve the capacity of the criminal justice system to effectively plan, manage, and allocate resources and provide responsive law enforcement services.
Signed Member Certification Letter
Project Name: Interdisciplinary Engineering & Computing initiative to Advance Semiconductor Industry and National Security Project
Project Sponsor and Address: Florida International University located at 11200 SW 8 Street, Miami, FL 33199Project Amount Requested: $9,000,000
Description of Project: The funding will be used by FIU on state-of-the art equipment to create a facility for strengthening the security and resilience of the semiconductor supply chain, and for mitigating gaps and vulnerabilities. This will provide workforce training, support of workforce development for facilities under the CHIPS Act program, and the workforce necessary to engender a productive, efficient, and self-sustaining ecosystem. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will play a key role in training the workforce necessary for the commercial facilities in the U.S. that will be constructed, expanded, or modernized. The workforce will be essential for the domestic semiconductor industry and will ensure secure and resilient supply chains on which semiconductor fabrication relies.
Signed Member Certification Letter
-
Project Name: Florida International University Health Innovation District Health Across the Lifespan Project
Project Sponsor and Address: Florida International University located at 11200 SW 8 Street, Miami, FL 33199Project Amount Requested: $4,850,000
Description of Project: To make South Florida a place in which healthcare for all means world-class care, FIU Health has partnered with three major caregivers in Miami that span the key stages of life: children, adult, and general public with the vision of optimizing health across the lifespan. This public-private partnership is committed to investing in Research, Discovery, and Innovation to improve South Floridians' health today and develop the cutting-edge therapies of tomorrow. The missing piece is the investment in the cutting-edge equipment required for the basic and translational research that will be conducted. The money will fund a transcriptomics/ genomics core equipment. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will enhance the medical partnerships in South Florida contributing to overall health and medical research in the area, expand FIU's reputation as a leader in health research and as a model for interdisciplinary health collaboration, attract and retain new world-class researchers and clinicians to South Florida to support the growth of the state's economy around key research and clinical areas, build pathways to address urgent healthcare needs and train future healthcare leaders, and close critical gaps in medical research.
Signed Member Certification Letter
-
Project Name: Critical Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Florida Keys Project
Project Sponsor and Address: Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority located at 1100 Kennedy Drive, Key West, Florida 33040
Project Amount Requested: $10,000,000
Description of Project: This project addresses critical infrastructure needs through the installation of a 6-mile phase of a redundant transmission pipeline. This strategic upgrade will enhance system reliability, minimize pipeline failures, and allow for future rehabilitation of the existing pipeline. These vital improvements are designed to ensure a continuous, uninterrupted supply of safe, clean potable water, thereby supporting public health and bolstering the economic vitality of the Florida Keys. This project is crucial for maintaining a resilient and sustainable water supply for the community.
Signed Member Certification Letter
-
Project Name: Joint Interagency Task Force – South Command and Control Facility
Project Sponsor and Address: U.S. Southern Command located at 9301 NW 33rd St, Doral, Fl 33172
Project Amount Requested: $90,000,000
Description of Project: The funding would be used to construct a five-story Command and Control facility for JIATF-S located At Truman Annex, Naval Air Station Key West, FL. The project encompasses, an operations area that includes special use space for a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), Operations Center (OC), and Network Operations Center (NOC), and an administrative area divided in to specified security zones.
Signed Member Cerification Letter
-
Project Name: Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Project (FKWQIP)
Project Sponsor and Address: Army Corps of Engineers located at 701 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Project Amount Requested: $6,000,000
Description of Project: A project to implement a water quality protection program to preserve the Florida Keys marine ecosystem. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the communities of the Florida Keys are required to meet stringent wastewater and storm water management regulations as well as comply with water quality and environmental protection standards. To do so, they need to access Environmental Infrastructure funding to construct state of the art treatment facilities throughout the Keys. The FKWQIP projects have and will continue to provide for new permanent jobs in communities from Key Largo to the Village of Islamorada to Marathon. In addition to these important benefits, the communities of the Florida Keys are sustained by the tourism industry which is dependent in large part on a healthy marine environment. Funding for this project will continue to support the $1.3 billion per year tourism industry and 21,000 dependent jobs in the State of Florida.
Signed Member Certification Letter
-
Project Name: Key West International Airport Main Terminal Building Expansion Project
Project Sponsor and Address: Key West International Airport 3491 South Roosevelt Boulevard Key West, Florida 33040
Project Amount Requested: $8,000,000
Description of Project: Key West International Airport (EYW) serves as a critical gateway for travelers to the Florida Keys, providing essential connectivity for both residents and tourists. With increasing passenger volumes and growing airline service demands, the current ticketing facilities at EYW have become inadequate efficiently accommodate travelers, leading to congestion, inefficiencies, and passenger inconvenience. The EYW Main Terminal Building Expansion Project is a strategic initiative designed to modernize and expand the airport’s ticketing and check-in facilities, enhancing operational efficiency, passenger experience, and overall airport capacity. The Main Terminal Building Project will involve an expansion and modernization to the existing ticketing hall, as well as modifications to existing infrastructure to improve passenger flow. Key Components of the project include ticketing hall expansion, baggage handling and screening enhancements, improved passenger circulation and accessibility, technological and security improvements, and resiliency features for South Florida.
Signed Member Certification Letter
-
Project Name: Sugarloaf Boulevard Bridge Replacement Project
Project Sponsor and Address: Monroe County located 1100 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040
Project Amount Requested: $7,146,012
Description of Project: The project will achieve the goals of improving the condition of bridges in poor condition and bridges with substandard geometry by replacing the existing structure with a new, more resilient bridge that meets current geometric standards through the inclusion of shoulders and a protected bicycle/pedestrian sidewalk. It is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project will increase safety by accommodating pedestrians and bicyclists. The new, more resilient bridge will be in a good state of repair and because it has been designed with consideration given to impacts of future tropical storms it will provide a more reliable means of access to the community through its expected 75 year design life.
Signed Member Certification Letter
-
Project Name: The South Dade Corridor Project
Project Sponsor and Address: Miami Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works located at 701 NW 1 Court, Miami, FL 33136
Project Amount Requested: $10,000,000
Description of Project: Funding will go toward a trail that will connect to the future Underline and will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to connect to the Miami River in Downtown Miami. The new enhancements will accommodate for lighting, intersection improvements, signage, site furniture and equipment, landscaping, drainage, and certain amenities. The project will travel through five municipalities and connect to 14 BRT stations. The request under this submission is for Segment 3 from SW 312 St (BRT station) to SW 296 St (BRT Station). The project is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will serve to reconcile existing demands for open space and restoration of tree canopy. It will act as a catalyst to transform underutilized County land into a multi-community asset of recreational spaces that showcases identity, fosters community, promotes wellness, and expands connectivity.
Signed Member Certification Letter
-
Project Name: FIU CasaCuba Business Incubator Project
Project Sponsor and Address: Florida International University located at 11200 SW 8 Street Miami, Florida 33199
Project Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Description of Project: To fully realize CasaCuba’s mission and maximize its impact on economic development, incorporating a business incubator is essential and forward-thinking. A permanent, state-of-the-art space will serve as the anchor for these initiatives, providing an environment where academic research, business incubation, and community engagement intersect. This facility will be a landmark for South Florida, showcasing the economic contributions of the South Florida community while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
Signed Member Certification Letter
-
Project Name: The College of the Florida Keys Student and Employee Housing Project
Project Sponsor and Address: The College of the Florida Keys located at 5901 College Road, Key West, FL 33040
Project Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Description of Project: The project will provide affordable housing solutions to a diverse range of students and employees at The College of the Florida Keys. CFK serves a diverse student population, which includes a significant percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Monroe County's extremely high cost of living often negatively impacts these students' educational goals. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds as the Florida Keys faces a huge housing crisis and shortage, and this project will provide housing and encourage young adults to remain in the FL Keys.
Signed Member Certification Letter
-
Project Name: Historic Reynolds School Renovation Project
Project Sponsor and Address: Monroe County School District located at 241 Trumbo Road, Key West, FL 33040
Project Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Description of Project: The funding would be used to support the cost of design and construction activites for restoration of the Historic Reynolds School property. Rendered inhabitable by Hurricane Irma, the District wishes to preserve this historic building and renovate the property to serve as a suitable site for the District’s maintenance and operations department. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because restoration of the Reynolds School property in this manner will facilitate the District’s efforts in vacating its current administrative headquarters at Trumbo Point to allow that property to serve as a site for affordable workforce housing.
Signed Member Certification Letter
-
Project Name: Sweetwater Housing Development Project
Project Sponsor and Address: Miami Dade Housing and Community Development located at 701 NW 1st Court, Miami, FL 33136
Project Amount Requested: $10,000,000
Description of Project: The project consists of 326-unit, mixed-age and mixed-income multifamily development. 40% of the units will be age restricted to individuals who are 55 years of age or older. The remaining portion of the project will be designated as workforce housing. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because there is a considerable need of attainable housing in Miami Dade County. The project will provide much needed new and resilient affordable housing in an area of considerable need.
Signed Member Certification Letter
-
Project Name: Homestead Pump 11
Project Sponsor and Address: City of Homestead located at 100 Civic Court, Homestead, FL 33030
Project Amount Requested: $2,200,000
Description of Project: Pump Station 11 is a submersible station that contains two 20-horsepower submersible pumping units. This pump station collects wastewater from its own collection system, as well as flows from the 4 upstream pump stations in a predominantly residential and commercial area, totaling over 180 acres. The funding would be used for 2 new 34-horsepower pumping units be installed, and a new 6,725 linear foot 12-inch discharge force main be constructed. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because improvements will increase capacity, efficiency, and operational safety of the wastewater pump.