Salud Carbajal announces nearly $5 million for SLO County projects. Here’s what it will do
Nearly $5 million will go to community projects in San Luis Obispo County through federal funding bills signed into law by President Joe Biden on Friday.
The funding will support public safety improvements, water storage in Pismo Beach and the completion of a bike trail in Edna Valley, according to a news release from Rep. Salud Carbajal, whose district include the southern portion of San Luis Obispo County.
“I have been pushing to see this funding approved for the past year, and although our federal appropriations process has become even more tied up in political games and brinkmanship in recent months, I’m proud to help break this logjam and deliver this key funding for my constituents,” Carbajal said in the release. “These projects will improve public safety, emergency response and clean water access for SLO County residents.”
Carbajal also secured more than $8.5 million for projects in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. One key project is the development of 34 new studio apartments and a neighborhood clinic in Santa Barbara County, according to the release.
5 SLO County projects to get millions in federal funding
Carbajal secured a total of $4.8 million for San Luis Obispo County projects, according to the release.
The largest grant will be $2 million to help replace the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office radio dispatch system, which is set to expire in September, the release said.
The current radio dispatch system receives about 100,000 911 calls per year, according to the release.
“Public safety radio communication is the backbone of effective emergency coordination and response,” Sheriff Ian Parkinson said in the news release. “It allows our first responders to communicate vital information efficiently and ensures interoperability with local partner agencies.”
The $10 million project will upgrade the dispatch system’s software and hardware, according to the release.
Another grant will give $543,000 to the Grover Beach Police Department to buy license plate readers, public safety cameras and in-car video recorders for patrol units.
“This substantial award enables us to further enhance pivotal public safety technology across Grover Beach,” Grover Beach Police Department Chief John Peters said in the release. “Our commitment to bolstering the safety and security of our community is further strengthened by these technological advancements.”
Meanwhile, the bills allocated $1 million to the Oceano Community Services District Water Resources Program, to be used “to improve groundwater resource reliability in the Oceano Community Services District through waterline improvements that will reduce water losses, protect groundwater supply and improve water quality for Oceano residents,” the release said.
Carbajal also secured a $850,000 grant to fund the completion of the Edna Valley Trail, a 1.2-mile bike and pedestrian path that runs along Highway 227.
“The path, which is being overseen by the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, will connect neighborhoods along the corridor to Los Ranchos Elementary School and retail and commercial zones along State Route 227,” the release said.
Finally, $500,000 will go to replacing the Charles Street reservoir in Pismo Beach.
Improvements to the reservoir will offer more “storage to receive and distribute groundwater” and support the Central Coast Blue project, which will increase the use of groundwater wells, the release said.
This story was originally published March 11, 2024 at 11:51 AM.
