FY 27 Appropriations Requests
For transparency, Members must post Community Project Funding requests, federal nexus documents, and a certification of no financial interest on their house.gov websites at the end of the technical assistance period. The information included:
• The proposed recipient
• The address of the recipient
• The amount of the request
• A short explanation of the request
• Federal Nexus and financial disclosure statement
Projects Requested
The projects Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson has submitted to the House Committee on Appropriations on behalf of her community are listed below.
(The projects are listed in alphabetical order by project name)
Project Name: AI Innovation and Infrastructure Community HUB
Proposed Recipient: Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Address of Recipient: 1450 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33132
Amount Requested: $3.5 million
Project explanation: These funds will deliver a high-return investment in both human potential and regional economic competitiveness. By transforming these underutilized assets into cutting-edge AI Innovation Hubs, will serve as a vital catalyst for inclusive economic growth and job creation for low-income residents in Miami-Dade and attract private-sector investment‚ strengthening the entire region's tax base and reducing future public assistance needs.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure: Letter
Project Name: Allied Sciences Building STEM Laboratory Equipment and Research Infrastructure Initiative
Proposed Recipient: Fisk University
Address of Recipient:1000 17th Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37208
Amount Requested: $15 million
Project explanation: Fisk University seeks federal support to equip the Allied Sciences Building with modern STEM laboratory equipment and research infrastructure. The building will house programs in Biology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and will serve as a hub for scientific training and research. Funding will support advanced laboratory instrumentation, biochemistry and molecular biology equipment, research microscopes and imaging systems, computational biology infrastructure, and laboratory safety systems. These investments will allow Fisk to fully operationalize the facility and expand student access to high-quality STEM education and research opportunities aligned with regional workforce needs. Allowing the school to become a regional leader in the development of technology and procedures within these fields.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Broward County Public Schools - Youth Empowerment and Safety Initiative (YES Initiative)
Proposed Recipient: Broward County Public Schools
Address of Recipient: 600 SE Third Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Project explanation: The Youth Empowerment and Safety Initiative (YES Initiative) is a comprehensive program spearheaded by the school's police department, aimed at preventing youth crime in high-risk middle and high schools. This initiative promotes positive youth-police interactions to steer students away from gang and criminal activities.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Cagni Park Phase II Redevelopment and Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of North Miami
Address of Recipient: 776 NE 125 Street, North Miami, Florida 33161
Amount Requested: $3.5 million
Project explanation: Cagni Park serves residents of a densely populated urban area with limited access to high-quality public recreational space. Many neighborhoods surrounding the park are designated low-to-moderate income census tracts and experience disparities in access to safe outdoor recreation.
Phase II improvements will:
- Increase equitable access to safe recreational spaces
- Support youth development and after-school programming
- Provide safe spaces for community events, health programs, and family recreation
- Improve public safety through lighting and visibility upgrades
- Support environmental resilience and urban greening
The project will enhance quality of life for residents and strengthen community cohesion while addressing longstanding infrastructure needs in the surrounding neighborhood.
Federal investment in Cagni Park Phase II will deliver long-term community benefits by improving public infrastructure in a low- and moderate-income area, expanding safe recreational opportunities for youth and families, and supporting community development objectives consistent with HUD programs.
The project aligns with federal priorities to strengthen local infrastructure, support equitable access to public facilities, and enhance community resilience in urban areas.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: City of Miami Beach Fire Station # 1
Proposed Recipient: City of Miami Beach
Address of Recipient: 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Amount Requested: $5 million
Project explanation: The City of Miami Beach is dedicated to fostering a robust economy that stimulates balanced growth by connecting business, community, people and jobs through business assistance and resources, corridor development and redevelopment, real estate, and creating a diverse economy for this dynamic and resilient community. To do so, we must have adequate and up to date public services and infrastructure. Fire Station 1 in the City of Miami Beach will serve citizens, businesses and tourists in the Miami Beach area. The 29,309 square foot facility will be built on a one-acre property in a central South Beach location that will expand emergency coverage and reduce response times throughout the service area. The parcel is surrounded by three adjacent roadways for increased vehicular ingress and egress. Emergency vehicles will be able to drive up wide access ramps to reach four double loaded, elevated apparatus bays, with enough space to park 10-12 emergency vehicles. The apparatus bays will have a floor-to-ceiling height of 18’6” that can accommodate large, modern fire rescue ladder trucks. The garage will have a ventilation system that captures and filters the exhaust from the fire trucks before releasing it back into the environment. Beneath the apparatus bays, 34 parking spaces will be provided for fire department personnel. The interior design features an efficient layout of 20 dormitory rooms, a watch office, a kitchen, training facilities, a gym, and equipment storage. The facility will be hardened with impact windows and doors, an energy-efficient roof, and a power generator.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Community Food Pantry
Proposed Recipient: City of Miami Gardens
Address of Recipient: 18605 NW 27th Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida 33056
Amount Requested: $2.5 million
Project explanation: This funding is a valuable use of taxpayer funds as it will address a key concern, food insecurity. With this project funding the construction of a food pantry, it will serve as a critical element in addressing food security throughout the city.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Duval County Public Schools - Youth Empowerment and Safety Initiative (YES Initiative)
Proposed Recipient: Duval County Public Schools
Address of Recipient: 1701 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Project explanation: The Youth Empowerment and Safety Initiative (YES Initiative) is a comprehensive program spearheaded by the school's police department, aimed at preventing youth crime in high-risk middle and high schools. This initiative promotes positive youth-police interactions to steer students away from gang and criminal activities.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Dyer Building Renovation
Proposed Recipient: Miami-Dade College
Address of Recipient: 300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, Florida 33132
Amount Requested: $5 million
Project explanation: This investment delivers a powerful triple return:
Historic Preservation & Fiscal Responsibility: Instead of building new, the College is stewarding a priceless piece of our national architectural heritage. This project is a model of sustainability and fiscal prudence, preventing further decay and maximizing public assets.
Educational Advancement & Workforce Development: The restored facility will expand MDC’s capacity to educate and train the future workforce of South Florida and the nation with innovation spaces aligned with high-demand fields. It will house cutting-edge classrooms, labs, directly fueling this portion of downtown's economic engine. It will also return this space to community/public use.
Community Revitalization & Civic Engagement: This restored building will allow Miami-Dade College to create a true hub for the entire community, central destination for public forums, cultural events, and lifelong learning. This project will activate a critical downtown block, spurring surrounding economic activity, enhancing safety, and strengthening the civic fabric of Miami. This funding is the crucial.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: FAMU Youth Success and Workforce Pathways Initiative
Proposed Recipient: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Address of Recipient: 1601 S. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, Florida 32307
Amount Requested: $2 million
Project explanation: The FAMU Community Youth Centers Initiative represents a strategic investment in community-based youth development, advancing early intervention efforts that support academic achievement, workforce readiness, and long-term community stability.
Through this initiative, FAMU will expand access to youth development services across Miami-Dade and Broward Counties‚ two of the University’s most significant enrollment pipelines and regions with demonstrated need. Participating youth will benefit from enhanced academic support, enrichment programming, and early exposure to postsecondary education and STEM career pathways.
This initiative reflects a responsible and impactful use of federal resources by directly addressing key barriers to after-school participation‚ affordability, accessibility, and availability‚ as identified by the Afterschool Alliance. The project prioritizes free or low-cost programming located within the communities being served, ensuring equitable access for families most in need.
Investments in community youth centers are expected to yield measurable long-term outcomes, including:
- Reduced truancy rates
- Decreased involvement in criminal activity
- Improved academic performance
- Increased readiness for postsecondary education and high-demand career pathways
By strengthening community-based institutions, this project will produce sustainable benefits that extend beyond individual participants to families, neighborhoods, and the broader regional economy. It reflects FAMU’s enduring commitment to service, community engagement, and the development of human capital across the State of Florida.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Highland Village Drainage Improvements
Proposed Recipient: City of North Miami Beach
Address of Recipient: 17011 NE 19th Avenue, North Miami Beach, Florida 33162
Amount Requested: $2 million
Project explanation: Funding this project represents a responsible and valuable use of taxpayer resources because it addresses a critical public infrastructure need, reduces long-term flooding risks, protects property and public assets, and strengthens environmental resilience for the community.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Miami-Dade County Public Schools - Youth Empowerment and Safety Initiative (YES Initiative)
Proposed Recipient: Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Address of Recipient: 1450 Northeast 2nd Avenue Suite 914, Miami, FL 33132
Amount Requested: $4,000,000
Project explanation: The Youth Empowerment and Safety Initiative (YES Initiative) is a comprehensive program spearheaded by the school's police department, aimed at preventing youth crime in high-risk middle and high schools. This initiative promotes positive youth-police interactions to steer students away from gang and criminal activities.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Miramar Community Youth Center
Proposed Recipient: City of Miramar
Address of Recipient: 2300 Civic Center Place, Miramar, Florida 33025
Amount Requested: $5 million
Project explanation: The Miramar Community Youth Center represents a critical investment in the safety, development, and future of Miramar's young residents. The facility will replace an aging childcare facility with a modern, multi-purpose public center providing indoor recreational sports, gaming, and multipurpose programming designed to directly benefit low- and moderate-income youth. The project addresses youth crime prevention by fostering positive interactions between law enforcement and the community's younger residents, while providing access to educational, recreational, and social development resources.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Modernization of Aviation and Safety Training Infrastructure
Proposed Recipient: Florida Memorial University
Address of Recipient: 15800 NW 42nd Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida 33054
Amount Requested: $4 million
Project explanation: In the Aviation Safety Workforce Plan 2021-2030 the FAA has made it clear that there is a dire need for efforts in building a sufficient talent pipeline to address the shortages of both qualified pilots and aviation mechanics. They further continue to outline the continued need on focusing on education efforts to encourage consideration of aviation careers. This investment in the modernization of Florida Memorial University's Aviation and Safety Training Infrastructure will allow the university to do its part in the goal of a creating a bridge to the next generation of aviation professionals. In addition to the need outlined in the FAA report, the Canadian Aviation Electronics released their 2025 report which shows that there is a need for 1,465,000 new civil aviation professionals over the next 10 years. Without critical investments in aviation workforce training, we will see continued workforce shortages and will put our nation at a security risk.
This investment into Florida Memorial University’s Aviation and Safety Training Infrastructure is a valuable federal investment as it will help the development of the aviation workforce directly addressing the ongoing shortages. This investment will include equipment investments to develop the workforce such as:
1. ATC Training Simulator to meet FAA’s ATC Enhance Program standards;
2. Flight Education Simulation Equipment to provide creditable flight hours;
3. UAS training fleet to expand the UAS/CUAS workforce; and
4. Aviation Management Training Software.
These equipment and software investments in conjunction with the facility development will allow Florida Memorial University to continue build the Aviation workforce of tomorrow.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Mount Sinai Medical Center - Infrastructure Hardening and Resiliency
Proposed Recipient: City of Miami Beach
Address of Recipient: 1700 Convention Ctr Dr, Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Amount Requested: $5 million
Project explanation: The purpose of the Mount Sinai Medical Center - Infrastructure Hardening and Resiliency project is to build a more resilient cooling tower infrastructure to increase functionality and reliability during and after a major storm event or other natural disaster for the sole hospital on a barrier island. The project will protect the lives of patients, hospital staff and local residents in times of emergency.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Neighborhood Revitalization Efforts
Proposed Recipient: City of Miami
Address of Recipient: 444 SW 2nd Ave, Miami, Florida 33130
Amount Requested: $4 million
Project explanation: The purpose of this project is to enable the City of Miami to accelerate its neighborhood revitalization efforts. The funding will provide the city the ability to address blight, un- and underdevelopment issues, and obstacles that diminish sound community development and growth.
This project has a valuable use to taxpayers because it will address major community development needs for low- and moderate-income residents of the city. With this investment the city will be able to engage in revitalization efforts throughout the city while also addressing ADA-related needs by removing barriers restricting both elderly and handicapped persons.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Project COMPASS Workforce Hub
Proposed Recipient: City of Opa-Locka
Address of Recipient: 780 Fisherman Street, Opa-locka, Florida 33054
Amount Requested: $3 million
Project explanation: Project COMPASS will serve as a community workforce hub that helps the City of Opa-Locka, the Carrie Meek Foundation, and other community partners continue building both the aviation and general workforce. It will also address mental health factors that limit productivity by better understanding local mental health needs, coordinating services, and measuring outcomes across community programs.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately one in five adults in the United States experiences a mental illness each year, highlighting the growing need for accessible mental health services and early intervention. In many low-income communities, mental health challenges often go unaddressed due to barriers such as poverty, housing instability, and limited access to healthcare providers.
The Carrie Meek Foundation has served as a trusted community organization in Miami-Dade County since 2001 and coordinates a network of nonprofit partners delivering youth programs, workforce development services, housing stabilization initiatives, and community violence prevention efforts.
Opa-locka face significant economic and health disparities that affect community well-being. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate in Opa-locka is approximately 29.7%, and about 24.8% of residents under age 65 lack health insurance.
Research also shows strong connections between mental health, education, and economic stability. According to the Florida Department of Education, graduation rates in Opa-locka attendance zones are about 71%, compared with roughly 90% statewide.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: South Florida Ecosystem Restoration, Florida: Everglades Data Clearinghouse and Remote Sensing/Geographic Information System Support
Proposed Recipient: Florida International University
Address of Recipient: 3000 NE 151st St, North Miami, Florida, 33181
Amount Requested: $12,000,000
Project explanation: To best support whole-system resilience and assess vulnerabilities, the historic Everglades Restoration efforts call for the most modern and advanced monitoring and sensing systems; data measurement and warehousing; development and deployment of nature-based restoration solutions; and collaborative work with South Florida Tribal partners. This request would support the work of the Department of Interior’s Everglades Task Force to leverage existing research partnerships and allow for • Expand a distributed network of ground-based carbon flux sensors, areal drone-, aircraft-, and satellite-based observations, and advanced climate modeling center to provide real-time estimates of carbon capture for improving Florida’s sustainable water management and Earth system models. • Next-generation research and development in nature-based green-gray solutions and novel methods for restoration and mangrove rehabilitation • • State-of-the-art field operations center: Field and lab equipment for accessing and studying the Everglades, and • public interface for retrieving real-time information on the key features of the Everglades • A user-friendly, interactive data portal to provide greater understanding by stakeholders at all level, including our policymakers, and tribal communities, of both the financial resources being deployed, towards specific projects, timetable of projects, and ultimately environmental impacts of those specific projects. • Meaningful community engagement with our Miccosukee and Seminole Tribal communities and the larger South Florida population.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: West Park Community Health Center Project
Proposed Recipient: Broward Community and Family Health Centers
Address of Recipient: 5010 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, Florida 33021
Amount Requested: $13 million
Project explanation: This request seeks funding support to construct a new 30,000 square-foot community health center in the City of West Park, replacing the organization’s existing 1,500-square-foot facility that is no longer sufficient to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community.
The current facility was originally designed to provide limited outpatient services and lacks adequate space to accommodate the increasing number of patients seeking care. As the demand for affordable healthcare continues to rise, the existing building restricts the number of providers, exam rooms, and services that can be offered.
The proposed expansion will allow the health center to significantly increase access to primary care, preventive services, behavioral health, and chronic disease management for the city residents and surrounding communities in FL-24. The larger facility will include additional exam rooms, provider offices, and care coordination space, enabling the organization to serve more patients while improving efficiency and quality of care.
Investing in this project represents responsible use of public funds by expanding access to preventive healthcare and reducing reliance on costly emergency room services. The new health center will strengthen the local healthcare safety net, improve health outcomes, and ensure residents of West Park and surrounding communities have access to affordable, high-quality care close to home.
The expansion from 1,500 square feet to 30,000 square feet will allow the organization to meet current healthcare demands while preparing for future population growth and community needs. This project will create lasting benefits for the community by improving access to essential healthcare services and supporting the overall health and well-being of local residents.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Youth Training Community Hub
Proposed Recipient: City of Miami Gardens
Address of Recipient: 18605 NW 27th Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida 33056
Amount Requested: $3 million
Project explanation: By preparing youth for stable, skilled roles in this recession-resistant industry, the Hub will not only reduce unemployment and promote self-sufficiency but also strengthen local economic resilience, grow the tax base, and ensure that Miami Gardens’ youth are active participants in, not left behind by, the region’s economic growth. This initiative represents a smart, sustainable investment in both human potential and community development.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter
Project Name: Zafar Center Reconstruction Project
Proposed Recipient: Jessie Trice Community Health System, Inc.
Address of Recipient: 5607 NW 27th Avenue, Suite 1, Miami, Florida 33142
Amount Requested: $22,070,913
Project explanation: The purpose of the requested $22,070,913 is to support the reconstruction and modernization of JTCHS Dr. Fatima Zafar Health & Wellness Center, to expand clinical capacity and strengthen safety-net healthcare infrastructure serving medically underserved residents of Miami-Dade County.
The JTCHS Zafar Center Reconstruction Project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds, as federal investment in the project will strengthen capacity to deliver accessible primary care, behavioral health, and preventative services while helping reduce preventable emergency department visits and hospital utilization. JTCHS serving 39,838 patients annually, while an estimated 120,000 residents lack a healthcare provider. Investment in this project will strengthen essential healthcare infrastructure for communities served.
Reconstruction of JTFZ will enable essential improvements and integration of new clinical areas that address the community’s evolving health needs. Facility improvements will expand capacity for care related to chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer; enhance comprehensive maternal and pediatric services; strengthen behavioral health, oral health, and physical therapy offerings; and increase access to diagnostic services to reduce long wait times. The project will also support the development of specialized services, including ophthalmology, nephrology, and endocrinology. Modernizing and expanding clinical infrastructure within the existing facility footprint will improve patient flow, increase exam room availability, integrate specialty services, and strengthen coordinated care delivery.
As a Section 330 FQHC, JTCHS provides care regardless of ability to pay, ensuring that uninsured, Medicaid, Medicare, and low-income residents continue to receive timely, quality healthcare services. This measurable community benefit will be demonstrated through expanded access, improved health outcomes, and strengthened safety-net capacity in the county.
Federal Nexus and Financial Disclosure Letter