FY2025
Each year, organizations and state or local governments are able to submit appropriations requests to their U.S. Representatives. Below you can find information on the requests submitted on behalf of FL-17.
Juvenile Justice Prevention Services Program
Proposed Recipient: All Star Children’s Foundation
Recipient Address: 3300 17th Street, Sarasota, FL 34235
Amount Requested: $4,500,000
Explanation: The funding would be used to empower current foster youth, prevent future criminal activity, and create a nationally replicable model addressing the unique challenges faced by aged-out foster youth.
River Road Regional Interstate Connector Multi-Modal Capacity Improvement Project
Proposed Recipient: Sarasota County
Recipient Address: 1660 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34236
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Explanation: The funding would be used for multi-modal roadway improvements along the South River Road and Winchester Boulevard Englewood Interstate Connector.
Harborview Road Widening Project
Proposed Recipient: Charlotte County
Recipient Address: 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Amount Requested: $8,000,000
Explanation: The funding would be used for a necessary right of way acquisition in order to start construction of the widening project.
Charlotte High School Space and Aviation Academy Project
Proposed Recipient: Charlotte County Public Schools
Recipient Address: 1445 Education Way, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Explanation: The funding would be used for the construction of a new aerospace hangar at Charlotte High School.
Punta Gorda Airport Passenger Terminal Expansion Project
Proposed Recipient: Charlotte County Airport Authority
Recipient Address: 8079 Golf Course Boulevard, Punta Gorda, FL 33982
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Explanation: The funding would be used for the expansion of the Punta Gorda Airport’s Bailey Terminal.
Real-Time Intelligence Center Project
Proposed Recipient: Sarasota Police Department
Recipient Address: 2099 Adams Lane, Sarasota, FL 34237
Amount Requested: $750,000
Explanation: The funding would be used for the purchase of software, hardware, and other initial equipment for the establishment of the Real-Time Intelligence Center.
West Port Water Reclamation Facility Expansion Project
Proposed Recipient: Charlotte County
Recipient Address: 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Amount Requested: $8,750,000
Explanation: The funding would be used for the expansion of the water reclamation facility and necessary upgrades to the water treatment systems.
Mobility and Community Connectivity Greenway Project
Proposed Recipient: New College of Florida
Recipient Address: 5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243
Amount Requested: $4,000,000
Explanation: The funding would be used for the planning, permitting, design, and initial construction of a pedestrian and bicycle greenway corridor.
Security Operations Center and Training Site Project
Proposed Recipient: University of South Florida
Recipient Address: 8350 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243
Amount Requested: $2,600,000
Explanation: The funding would be used to purchase cybersecurity equipment, software, and hardware necessary for the establishment of a security operations center.
Veterans’ Center Improvement Project
Proposed Recipient: University of South Florida
Recipient Address: 8350 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Explanation: The funding would be used for facility enhancements and technology equipment upgrades for the Office of Veterans’ Success of the University of South Florida.
Holocaust Education Immersive Center Project
Proposed Recipient: Jewish Federation of Sarasota Manatee
Recipient Address: 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL 34232
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Explanation: The funding would be used for an immersive holocaust education and community center.
Security Improvements for the Sarasota Manatee Jewish Housing Council Project
Proposed Recipient: Sarasota Manatee Jewish Housing Council
Recipient Address: 1951 N Honore Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34235
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Explanation: The funding would be used for security equipment and hardware for the community.
Manasota Key Shoreline Restoration Project
Proposed Recipient: Jacksonville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Recipient Address: 701 San Marco Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Amount Requested: $800,000
Explanation: The funding would be used for a study assessing shoreline erosion along the Charlotte County shoreline and Manasota Key.
Mobile Emergency Communication and Command Unit Project
Proposed Recipient: City of North Port
Recipient Address: 4970 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, FL 34286
Amount Requested: $3,610,000
Explanation: The funding would be used to for the purchase of mobile emergency communications and command units for use by public emergency services.
Public Safety Emergency Operations Center Project
Proposed Recipient: City of Venice
Recipient Address: 401 W Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34285
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Explanation: The funding would be used to construct an integrated fire and police safety facility serving as an emergency operations center.
FY2024
Multi-Modal Roadway Improvements of Fruitville Road
Proposed Recipient: Sarasota County, FL
Recipient Address: 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236
Amount Requested: $10,000,000
Request Explanation: The funding would be used for support of the design, permitting, and right of way acquisition for this project that would provide travelers with increased safety and capacity for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists along Fruitville Road.
Manasota Shoreline Restoration Program
Proposed Recipient: Charlotte County, FL
Recipient Address: 18500 Murdock Cir., Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Amount Requested: $500,000
Request Explanation: The funding would be used for a study assessing shoreline erosion along the Charlotte County shoreline and Manasota Key.
Charlotte County Septic-to-Sewer Program
Proposed Recipient: Charlotte County, FL
Recipient Address: 18500 Murdock Cir., Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Amount Requested: $3,500,000
Request Explanation: The funding would be used to partner with the Army Corps of Engineers so Charlotte County may advance their septic-to-sewer program.
Lee County Water Transmission Pipeline
Proposed Recipient: Lee County, FL
Recipient Address: 2120 Main St., Fort Myers, FL 33910
Amount Requested: $4,000,000
Request Explanation: The funding would be used for the construction of the raw transmission pipeline to convey water from five new wells in the North Fort Myers area.
I-75 / Sumter Blvd. Interchange Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of North Port, FL
Recipient Address: 4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port, FL 34286
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Request Explanation: The funding would be used for the design and construction of improvements to the interchange, and would provide travelers with increased safety and capacity for vehicles.
Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club Reconstruction
Proposed Recipient: Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties
Recipient Address: 3130 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, FL 34237
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Request Explanation: The funding would be used for the reconstruction of the facility that was damaged during Hurricane Ian.
Proposed Recipient: Jewish Federation of Sarasota Manatee
Recipient Address: 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota, FL 34236
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Request Explanation: The funding would be used to construct a facility that provides students and adults with an immersive learning experience that includes interactive exhibits, engaging workshops, and firsthand testimonies from Holocaust survivors.
Gaines Memorial Park Phase 3 Construction
Proposed Recipient: Charlotte County, FL
Recipient Address: 18500 Murdock Cir., Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Amount Requested: $950,000
Request Explanation: The funding would be used to complete a public park that will be able to host recreational and community building activities for my constituents.
Mote Marine Shark Repellent Testing Project
Proposed Recipient: Mote Marine Laboratory
Recipient Address: 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, FL 34236
Amount Requested: $190,000
Request Explanation: The funding would be used to test electrical and magnetic repellents on up to 15 species of shark, that would promote shark conservation efforts, reduce conflict and losses to the American fishing industry from unintended shark bycatch in fishing gear, and to protect caught fish from being taken by sharks.
Proposed Recipient: YMCA of Southwest Florida, Inc.
Recipient Address: 701 Center Rd., Venice, FL 34285
Amount Requested: $2,720,000
Request Explanation: The funding would be used for rebuilding facilities damaged by Hurricane Ian.
Newtown Community Sidewalk Replacement and Accessibility Upgrade Project
Proposed Recipient: City of Sarasota, FL
Recipient Address: 1565 First St., Sarasota, FL 34236
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Request Explanation: The funding would be used to build new and replace substandard sidewalks in the Newtown Community Redevelopment Area in order to make the community more accessible in compliance with accessibility standards.
FY2023
Construction of Roadway in Highlands County
Proposed Recipient: Highlands County, FL
Address of Recipient: 505 S Commerce Ave, Sebring, Fl 33870
Amount of the Request: $1.1 million
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it creates a critical connection between three major roadways, thereby serving to alleviate serious vehicle traffic and pedestrian congestion, reducing travel times for motorists and emergency response personnel.
Toledo Blade Road Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of North Port
Address of Recipient: 4970 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, FL 34286
Amount of the Request: $2.5 million
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would allow several of my constituents to better access the highway and will also help grow the economy in the surrounding area.
Proposed Recipient: Charlotte County, FL
Address of Recipient: 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL, 33948
Amount of the Request: $1.5 million
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will allow the County to complete a public park and it will be a shining example of an active park combined with a series of reflective memorials to bring all ages together.
Hardee County Emergency Operations Center Restoration
Proposed Recipient: Hardee County, FL
Address of Recipient: 412 W. Orange Street, Rm 103, Wauchula, FL 33873
Amount of the Request: $493,534
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will establish a plan and design of a fully operational EOC that will benefit the taxpayers of Hardee County by putting their lives and safety as a top priority.
Information Security and Compliance Risk Program at USF
Proposed Recipient: University of South Florida
Address of Recipient: 8350 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243
Amount of the Request: $2 million
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will help fill the nearly 30,000 unfilled cybersecurity job openings in the State of Florida. With more trained cyber professionals, costly and dangerous attacks can be prevented, and the local economy will benefit as more high-paid cyber positions are filled.
Manasota Shoreline Restoration Program
Proposed Recipient: Charlotte County, FL
Address of Recipient: 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL, 33948
Amount of the Request: $500,000
Request Explanation: This funding level is necessary to study the Charlotte County shoreline to resurrect the shore protection project that was studied by the Corps, but never constructed.
Proposed Recipient: Glades County, FL
Address of Recipient: 500 Avenue J SW, Moore Haven, FL 33471
Amount of the Request: $9 million
Request Explanation: This funding level is necessary to re-establish a vital avenue for both development and tourism development within Lake Okeechobee. This project has begun and approximately one mile of the work is completed, however there are seven more miles required to complete the project.
North Lee County Wellfield Expansion
Proposed Recipient: Lee County, FL
Address of Recipient: 2115 Second Street Ft Myers, FL 33902
Amount of the Request: $2.4 million
Request Explanation: This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will expand the use of alternative water supply by utilizing deeper aquifers with brackish water for many of my constituents.
Okeechobee City Hall Restoration
Proposed Recipient: City of Okeechobee, FL
Address of Recipient: 55 SE 3rd Avenue, Okeechobee, FL 34974
Amount of the Request: $1.2 million
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will use the funding for the completion of the project is a cost-effective way to ensure that thousands of people are able to access their local government and utilize City services.
Peace River Shoreline Restoration
Proposed Recipient: DeSoto County, FL
Address of Recipient: 201 East Oak Street, Suite 201, Arcadia, Florida 34266
Amount of the Request: $2.5 million
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will protect public spaces and waterways for constituents in Florida’s 17th district to use for recreational purposes.
Roadway Restoration in Wauchula, FL
Proposed Recipient: City of Wauchula, FL
Address of Recipient: 126 South Seventh Avenue, Wauchula FL 33873
Amount of the Request: $2.5 million
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will be used to improve roadways that are in hazardous conditions. This project, when completed, will provide for safer transportation, ultimately improving the health and safety of citizenry, protection of property by improving critically impaired, highly traveled roadways of Oak, Bay, and Palmetto Streets.
Sewer Vacuum Station Installation
Proposed Recipient: City of North Port, FL
Address of Recipient: 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL, 33948
Amount of the Request: $2.3 million
Request Explanation: This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will benefit those who live in the project boundaries, and it will benefit our sensitive natural environment.
Proposed Recipient: Lee County, FL
Address of Recipient: 2115 Second Street Ft Myers, FL 33902
Amount of the Request: $7 million
Request Explanation: This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this road will lower the evacuation times for my constituents in the event of a Hurricane or other emergency.
Proposed Recipient: Sarasota County, FL
Address of Recipient: 1660 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 34236
Amount of the Request: $1 million
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the South Sarasota County/North Charlotte County area is experiencing extensive growth which will impact the evacuation times for both Counties in the event of a Hurricane or other emergency. This project will decrease the evacuation times for residents of both Counties.
Proposed Recipient: AdventHealth Wauchula
Address of Recipient: 735 S 5th Ave., Wauchula, FL 33873
Amount of the Request: $925,731
Request Explanation: This project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will allow many underserved constituents in rural communities to seek preventative care for breast cancer.
FY2022
Proposed Recipient: Lee County, FL
Address of Recipient: 2115 Second St. Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Amount of the Request: $720,000
Request Explanation: The purpose of this funding is to implement best management practices for the Bob Janes Preserve Restoration Project to create a more productive native ecosystem and reduce nutrient discharges into the Caloosahatchee River. Given the risk of red tide, we believe that this project is worth investing in to maintain the water quality of our rivers.
Proposed Recipient: Jacksonville District of the Army Corps of Engineers
Address of Recipient: 701 San Marco., Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, 32207
Amount of the Request: $500,000
Request Explanation: The purpose of this funding is to conduct a study of the Charlotte County shoreline with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address significant shoreline erosion, especially along Manasota Key. Several emergencies have been declared since 2014 as soil erosion threatens infrastructure and homes. This project is worth investing in to maintain the quality of our coastal homes and infrastructure.
Proposed Recipient: Charlotte County, FL
Address of Recipient: 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL, 33948
Amount of the Request: $3.2 million
Request Explanation: This will close the gap on an important septic-to-sewer conversion in the Ackerman area near the Myakka River and Charlotte Harbor. This project will be directly involved in converting 2,135 septic lots to sewer systems. This is critical to lowering the risk of septic seepage and increase water quality in the area.
Proposed Recipient: Child Protection Center, Inc.
Address of Recipient: 720 South Orange Avenue, Sarasota, FL, 34236
Amount of the Request: $3.5 million
Request Explanation: The funding will be used to construct a child advocacy center in North Port, Florida in area servicing 43,000 students with the likely addition of 10,000 students in the coming years through development growth. With this number of children, there is a need to provide services to protect children from child abuse. This program will bring those services to North Port, Florida.
Proposed Recipient: DeSoto County, FL
Address of Recipient: 201 East Oak St, Arcadia, Florida, 34266
Amount of the Request: $2 million
Request Explanation: Desoto County is estimating that active development orders will include over six hundred units in development in the next few years. Without expansion, these units will be fitted with septic tanks near the Peace River. To protect water quality in Desoto County, this project is necessary.
Proposed Recipient: Florida Endowment Foundation for Florida’s Graduates
Address of Recipient: P.O. Box 1779, Flagler Beach, FL, 32136
Amount of the Request: $1.5 million
Request Explanation: Learning loss has hurt all Floridian’s and there is a risk that at-risk Floridian youth who were struggling before the pandemic are doing worse now. This program will focus on working with at-risk youth on making up their learning loss, getting them ready for graduation, and preparing them for life after school. Early intervention now will create more productive citizens later.
Proposed Recipient: Okeechobee Utility Authority
Address of Recipient: 100 SW 5th Ave., Okeechobee, Florida, 34974
Amount of the Request: $1 million
Request Explanation: This funding is necessary to convert 1,600 to 2,000 residents away from septic tanks and to a centralized wastewater collection system on Treasure Island. The estimated impact of this is an annual reduction of 5.3 tons of phosphorous into Lake Okeechobee.
Proposed Recipient: Sarasota County, FL
Address of Recipient: 1660 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 34236
Amount of the Request: $1 million
Request Explanation: This project would provide for a portable transmission main that doubles as an emergency interconnect between North Port and the rest of Sarasota County. Currently there is no emergency interconnect and in the event of a water main disruption there is no avenue to deliver water to residents. This program will lower the risk of potentially intense disruptions in water delivery.
Proposed Recipient: Jacksonville District of the Army Corps of Engineers
Address of Recipient: 701 San Marco., Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, 32207
Amount of the Request: $2.5 million
Request Explanation: The purpose of this funding is to conduct critical maintenance dredging work in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The West Coast Inland Navigation District has identified the need for maintenance dredging in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Further, on the Venice Jetty serious erosion has been observed that requires study. Taken together, this funding will be critical to maintaining our local waterways.
Request #10 (Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure)
Name of project: Harborview Road from Melbourne St. to I-75
Location: Harborview Road in Charlotte County between Melbourne Street, near U.S. Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) and I-75
Project sponsor: Charlotte County, Florida
Amount of the Request: $21,000,000
Request Explanation: This funding will be used for a road widening project on Harborview Road to ensure ease of mobility as the population grows and maintain driver safety. Upon project completion, the road will improve on the existing bottleneck.
Proposed Recipient: Sarasota County, FL
Address of Recipient: 1660 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 34236
Amount of the Request: $1,000,000
Request Explanation: This project will provide for the design of widening the next phase for the River Road Regional Interstate Connector which is a major arterial roadway from State Road 776 (Charlotte County) to Interstate 75 (Sarasota County). The project will provide widening from an undivided 2 lane road to a divided 4 lane roadway with elevation improvement, adding capacity, correcting deficiencies, and providing for a critical hurricane evacuation route.
