Cantwell Secures $75 Million For Washington Community Projects In Senate Funding Bill

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell announced that $75,178,000 in federal funding for 50 grassroots projects across Washington state has been secured as part of a sweeping Senate-passed appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026. The funding supports transportation, infrastructure, workforce housing, health care, and social services across 18 counties.

The package, known as the third “minibus” appropriations bill, includes five negotiated spending bills that cover 95 percent of the federal budget. It passed with bipartisan and bicameral support. The sixth bill, which would fund the Department of Homeland Security, was removed and placed under a two-week stopgap to allow time for further negotiations around oversight of agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Senator Cantwell spoke on the Senate floor about the need for these guardrails as debate continues.

The newly announced investments span every region of the state and reflect a community-driven approach to funding. Each project was identified through local partnerships and Congressional submissions.

In the Olympic Peninsula region, Port Orchard will receive $3.5 million to elevate and rebuild Bay Street to combat flooding and improve utility infrastructure and pedestrian safety. The Hoh Indian Tribe was awarded $3.1 million to complete its Resiliency Center, part of a larger relocation effort to move the community away from flood and tsunami danger zones. Jefferson County will receive $1.5 million for workforce housing, and the Makah Indian Tribe was awarded $1.2 million to purchase housing build kits to alleviate overcrowding.

Northwest Washington communities will benefit from new infrastructure and economic development. The Port of Skagit County received $1.75 million for a new Agricultural Innovation Center. Monroe will receive $850,000 for feasibility studies to improve safety around rail crossings. Edmonds was awarded $850,000 for a new food bank facility and $1.2 million for a seawall reconstruction project. The Port of Everett received $250,000 to rebuild a deteriorating dock in the South Marina, supporting future small cruise and ferry services.

In King County, Evergreen Treatment Services secured $3 million to expand opioid use disorder treatment through mobile clinics. The Northwest Native Chamber was awarded $2 million to expand small business support services. Bellevue’s Grand Connection Crossing will move forward with $2 million for community engagement. Additional investments include upgrades to the University of Washington for accessibility, capital repairs for affordable housing in Seattle, and relocation funding for a Federal Way day center.

In the South Sound, Tacoma will receive $1 million to replace fire engines. Puyallup and the Tacoma Housing Authority each secured $850,000 for safety and housing improvements. The Washington State Department of Transportation received $500,000 for infrastructure planning in Fife, and Pierce Transit was awarded $250,000 for ADA and wayfinding improvements.

Communities in Southwest Washington will benefit from investments in critical infrastructure and homelessness services. Lewis County will receive $3.35 million for the rehabilitation of the Ceres Hill Bridge. Kelso was awarded $3.25 million for new affordable housing and community facilities. The Port of Chinook will receive $2.7 million for long-overdue marina dredging. Clark County’s Council for the Homeless was granted $2.5 million to build a new service center.

In Central Washington, the Yakama Nation received $4.2 million to expand its Village of Hope project. Benton County secured $3 million to support recovery housing. The Port of Benton and the Port of Quincy each received $2.5 million for rail infrastructure expansion. In Moses Lake, Samaritan Healthcare received $2 million to remodel a clinic for a new family medicine residency program. The YWCA Yakima was awarded $1.5 million to build a

second domestic violence shelter. Additional grants support substance use treatment in Walla Walla, diagnostic imaging in Klickitat County, and senior living in Grand Coulee.

In Eastern Washington, Spokane Valley will receive $4 million to reconstruct the Sullivan Road interchange. A new child care center will be built through a $2 million grant to the Northeast Public Development Authority. Frontier Behavioral Health in Spokane received $2 million to open a clinic addressing rising opioid-related deaths. The Port of Pend Oreille was awarded $852,000 to modernize its locomotive facility, and the Kalispel Tribe will receive $717,000 to improve flood control and access on Dike Road.

Two statewide projects also received funding. The Washington State Hospital Association will receive $1 million to support rural hospitals in maintaining maternity services, and the Pacific Northwest Economic Region’s Build Northwest Export Accelerator will receive $1 million to support infrastructure planning and regional coordination.

Senator Cantwell, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, emphasized the grassroots nature of the awards.

“These projects reflect real priorities in Washington communities,” Cantwell said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “From transportation to housing, from small business support to climate resilience, this funding will deliver results that people across our state can see and feel.”

All 50 projects were included in the appropriations bill that passed the Senate and are now expected to move forward with full federal support.