Tenino and Bucoda community projects among 15 requested for federal funding

Two community projects from Thurston County are among the fifteen projects in Southwest Washington for funding request by Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for fiscal year 2025.

Totaling $35,695,000, the funding request is for Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s Community Project Funding (CPF) which she applied for last month, selecting projects based on their eligibility, geographical diversity, and community impact.

Each House member can submit up to fifteen CPF requests to the House Appropriations Committee, and Perez has requested full funding for these projects in the upcoming appropriations bills.

The City of Tenino is set to receive $1.5 million to develop a regional meat processing facility at the SW WA Agricultural Business and Innovation Park.

This facility aims to support small and medium-sized businesses by providing essential services like animal harvesting, processing, and cold storage.

The project addresses a critical gap in regional meat processing infrastructure, which currently forces local producers to face long wait times or transport animals to distant facilities, increasing costs and hindering business growth.

Bucoda will benefit from $1 million to replace its outdated 1992 fire engine.

The new engine would enhance the effectiveness of the town’s volunteer fire fighters, improving safety and emergency response not only in Bucoda but also in surrounding areas.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez highlighted the importance of these projects, stating, “Across Southwest Washington, I’ve heard from community members and local leaders about much-needed projects that have the potential to transform our rural economies, support public health and safety, and get resources to those who need them most. In the coming months, I’m going to fight to bring our tax dollars home for these investments and work to ensure they have the greatest impact in our communities.” 

In March, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez secured over $21 million for projects across Southwest Washington, including $500,000 for the SW WA Regional Agricultural Business and Innovation Park in Thurston County.

Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier expressed the importance of this funding, stating, “This investment will help us further our goal of supporting the regional ag economy, as well as build resilience into our food supply chain, in addition to creating local jobs and strengthening community.”

For more details on the funding requests for the fifteen community projects and their community support letters, visit Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s official website.