TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03) announced $14,440,468 in Community Project Funding for the 3rd District of Arizona were included in the final 2023 appropriations government funding package. This funding responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in across southern Arizona. 

“I am proud to have secured $14,440,468 in Community Project Funding that will meet community needs in Arizona’s 3rd District,” said Rep. Grijalva. “These investments create jobs with better pay, update critical infrastructure, provide educational opportunities for historically underserved and Tribal communities, and continue our mission to build a more equitable and sustainable future.” 

Rep. Grijalva championed funding for 15 projects that will directly benefit Arizona’s 3rd District residents. These include: 

• $400,000 for the Ajo Business Support Center and Co-Working Space 

 
“The International Sonoran Desert Alliance is excited by this opportunity to work with the US Small Business Administration to expand economic opportunity in a geographically isolated and under-resourced part of southern Arizona,” said Aaron Cooper, Executive Director, International Sonoran Desert Alliance. “With this support, the region will continue on a path toward a more sustainable and less extractive future. Thank you to Representative Grijalva for his strong leadership and advocacy for our communities.” 

• $1,016,458 for the Baboquivari High School Turning Lane/BIA Route 19 
   

“We are so appreciative of the work Congressman Raúl Grijalva has done to secure the necessary appropriations for the Baboquivari High School Turning Lanes Project, a critical infrastructure improvement on the Nation,” said Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris Jr. “Congressman Grijalva continues to stand with our tribal citizens and ensure that our needs are addressed by the federal government. His efforts on this project will have immediate and direct impacts, providing protections for the safety of our students, teachers, staff, and other community members. I congratulate all those involved—including several executive departments, Nation districts, and our Legislative Council—and celebrate this successful collaboration.” 
 

• $2,747,000 for the El Pueblo Center Revitalization Project, Tucson, AZ 

“Thank you, Representative Grijalva for fighting to secure this necessary funding for the El Pueblo Center,” said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. “Activating this important gathering space for our community, is a priority for both of us. This investment we will make sure it is continued to be used as a place to come together, to access services, to learn, to grow and to play.” 

• $1,088,768 for the Higher Ground A Resource Center, Tucson, AZ for coordinating resources and services to reduce poverty 
   
• $167,700 for the Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates, Phoenix, AZ for targeted student support programs  

“We are very grateful for this funding. Bringing together leaders in education, business, government, labor and community has been the focus of JAG,” said Graciela Garcia Candia, JAG President. “Again, on behalf of the many young people we serve, thank you for the opportunity to answer the needs of our communities!”  
 

• $2,947,000 for the Mission Manor Aquatic Complex, Tucson, AZ 

“Representative Grijalva’s work to bring this funding for an aquatic center that serves children, the elderly and those with limited access to cooling spaces is a necessary and forward-thinking investment in the face of climate change,” said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. “This multi-generational Mission Manor Aquatic Complex brings investments to Tucson’s south side that are deserved and necessary.” 
 

• $862,813 for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Tucson, AZ for academic programs, curricula, and teacher development 
• $1,232,000 for the Pima County Community College District, Tucson, AZ for a building and construction technology program, including equipment 

“This Community Project funding will enable Pima Community College’s Building & Construction Technology Program to purchase equipment to expand into commercial and industrial HVAC and refrigeration competencies,” said Lee D. Lambert, Chancellor & CEO, Pima Community College. “Since training opportunities in these areas are not readily available, PCC will be one of very few colleges and technical schools in the U.S. that will be able to more fully train and prepare students to start careers in the industry and to reskill/upskill technicians already employed, both serving employers and strengthening our economy.  Support for this project given by Congressman Raúl Grijalva and Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, along with Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, will make a measurable contribution to Arizona’s economy.”  

“As a lifelong resident of Pima County and a former Pima County Supervisor, Rep. Raul Grijalva knows better than most the workforce development needs of his hometown,” said Sharon Bronson, chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. “Connecting workers with employers and helping workers obtain the training and skills needed to secure and keep the jobs of the new economy is one of our County’s top economic priorities. I thank Congressman Grijalva for his foresight and leadership securing this funding for the County and for our partner Pima Community College.”  

• $1,200,000 for the Pima County for a Stormwater Drain at El Vado Wash 
   
• $252,000 for the Pima County School Superintendent’s Office, Tucson, AZ for curricula, resources, and professional development 

• $325,000 for the Pimeria Alta Historical Society Museum’s Archive Project 

“The Pimería Alta Historical Society and Museum community are grateful for this federal funding,” said Christine Courtland, President of the Pimería Alta Historical Society Board of Directors. “Thanks to the continued support from Congressman Grijalva and his staff, we’ll soon be able to make our archives more accessible for southern Arizona and future generations.” 
 

• $380,000 for the Repair of 1,000,000 Gallon Steel Water Storage Tank, Somerton, AZ 
   
• $423,670 for the Sunnyside Community Reinvestment as Cultura Traditions: Tucson, AZ 
   
• $588,059 for the Tucson Indian Center, Tucson, AZ for facilities and equipment 
   
• $810,000 for the YMCA Southern AZ Childcare Transportation, Tucson, AZ 

“We are so grateful to Rep. Grijalva and to the members of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development committee for investing in the children, the YMCA of Southern Arizona serves,” said Kurtis Dawson, President/CEO, YMCA of Southern Arizona. “These funds will purchase six 14-passenger buses that will transport children to and from our Mulcahy/City YMCA in South Tucson. At the Y, we provide quality youth development programs so that children of all ages, races and economic backgrounds can achieve their potential in a safe and supportive environment. Providing safe and reliable transportation will ensure the Y can continue to provide child care and enrichment programs so that working parents can provide for their families under our care. Thank you for your commitment to supporting the Y. Together, we will help our youth thrive while building a stronger community.”  

The twelve-bill government funding package will create good-paying American jobs, grow opportunity for the middle class and small businesses, and provide a lifeline for working families. Taken together, the funding for Arizona’s 3rd District and the funding increases for critical government programs will continue to reverse decades of disinvestment in our communities. 

A detailed summary of the bill is available here and the full list of projects can be found here.