Press Release
Posted:
Washington – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced he secured an additional $2,500,000 in community project funding for Napa County’s River Ecology Center.
“Once complete, the Napa River Ecology Center will provide new educational resources to our community while helping to conserve our local ecosystems. I’m proud to have secured $2.5 million in federal funds to support its development and I’m grateful to Napa County officials for identifying the need for these funds.” said Rep. Thompson.
"Strategically located where the Napa River meets San Pablo Bay, the transformation of former maintenance facility into the Napa River Ecology Center represents an unmatched opportunity to revitalize a former industrial site into a hub of opportunity for youth education, community engagement, and watershed conservation," said Leon Garcia, Mayor of the City of American Canyon. "This initiative fosters a deeper connection with our natural resources by expanding regional access to the River and contributes to the economic vitality of our community by attracting visitors from all over."
“The Napa River Ecology Center builds an environmental legacy for Napa County, and we are proud of the project's many enduring benefits. These include expanding youth watershed and environmental education, climate change resiliency, protection of watersheds and wildlife habitats, and new public access to wetlands walking paths and viewing areas. Over the past year, the Parks Foundation has made significant progress in the development of the project thanks to funding secured by Congressman Thompson. This new grant award represents another important funding milestone, and we are grateful for the Congressman's ongoing support and shared vision for the project. Together with the City of American Canyon, Congressman Thompson, and many community partners, we look forward to future groundbreaking and opening of the Ecology Center,” said Janelle Sellick, Executive Director, American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation.
Funding will support the City of American Canyon in repurposing an industrial site into a regional destination for education, recreation, and conservation.
The site for the new Napa River Ecology Center currently houses a county maintenance facility that over time has become surrounded by residents and trails, making this industrial use incompatible with the neighborhood. The project will remove physical and visual barriers to the adjacent Napa River wetlands while also rehabilitating and beautifying an existing building with architectural enhancements, ADA accessibility upgrades, energy efficient HVAC and lighting, and community-focused programmatic amenities.
The project will also include resilience measures to protect against flooding and help conserve local flora and fauna, including endangered species located in the area, as the site lies along the Pacific Flyway.
Once complete, the new Napa River Ecology Center will include an education center and gathering spaces, community walking paths, wildlife viewing deck, and an outdoor classroom.
Rep. Thompson requested funding for the project through Congress’ Community Project Funding (CPF) process. His request was included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which passed out of committee last week. The bill is expected to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law later this year.
To date, Thompson has secured a total of $3,600,000 in funding for three CPF requests submitted on behalf of Napa County and a total of $15,304,205 for projects across California’s Fourth District for 2025.
About Community Project Funding (CPF)
Each year, Members of Congress may direct federal funding to a select number of Community Projects through the appropriations process. Under this process, each House member is permitted to submit 15 project requests to the Appropriations Committee on behalf of their Congressional District so long as the projects meet criteria set forth by the Committee. There are no guarantees that Community Projects will all be funded, and the projects are competitively evaluated by the Committee on Appropriations.
Project selection and submissions is the first stage of the process for Community Project Funding. The projects are subject to a strict transparency and accountability process before they may be selected for inclusion in the relevant appropriations legislation for the upcoming year.