Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) announced the House approval of four Community Project Funding (CPF) requests benefiting Virginia’s First District. The projects include $1.6 million for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s Center of Excellence in Environmental Forecasting, $448,559 for upgrading Mathews County’s public safety radio system, $295,000 for physical and cyber security improvements to Williamsburg’s public water system, and $2 million for dredging Winter Harbor in Mathews County.
“Last week, I secured millions in Community Project Funding to bring federal dollars back home to Virginia’s First District — strengthening public safety, protecting drinking water, supporting working waterfronts, and boosting coastal resilience,” said Rep. Wittman. “These are real results for our communities. I am proud to support these projects and will continue working to see them across the finish line.”
The funding for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science will help develop advanced forecasting tools that assist coastal communities in preparing for flooding and storms. These resources aim to improve emergency planning and generate long-term savings for agencies at various levels.
Mathews County will receive funds to modernize its emergency communications infrastructure. The investment is intended to enhance coverage in rural areas and ensure interoperability with other localities during emergencies.
Williamsburg’s public water system will benefit from increased security measures against both cyber and physical threats. The funding seeks to protect access to clean drinking water by preventing disruptions caused by malicious actors.
Winter Harbor has experienced significant shoaling over the past 15 years, making navigation difficult. The allocated funds will support maintenance dredging efforts so that recreational and commercial vessels can safely access Chesapeake Bay waters.
Community Project Funding allows members of Congress to direct federal money toward district-specific priorities based on local needs rather than decisions made by unelected officials in Washington. According to Rep. Wittman, these projects address pressing issues within his district and have broad community support.
Rob Wittman has represented Virginia’s 1st District in Congress since 2007 after serving on the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors and in the Virginia House of Delegates. He was born in Washington, D.C., in 1959 and lives in Montross. Wittman graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in 1981.
