Gluesenkamp Perez Delivers More Than $6.3 Million for Critical Local Projects Across Southwest Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), announced that she has secured more than $6.3 million for five local projects in communities across Southwest Washington through the Community Project Funding (CPF) program. Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez requested this funding and it was included in the Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA funding bill that passed alongside the bill to reopen the government. These five projects were included in the Rural Development title of the bill. Congresswoman Perez voted in support of that legislation. 

The remaining CPF requests that Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez submitted will be under consideration as Congress continues to deliberate funding bills for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026. 

“Folks across Southwest Washington are leading the charge to look out for their neighbors and strengthen their communities — whether it’s by bringing up the next generation of tradespeople, training first responders and law enforcement, making it easier to find a doctor no matter where you live, or keeping our drinking water clean. Bringing federal dollars home is the best way for me to support their work,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “These projects are the nuts and bolts of good government, and I’ll keep pushing as a member of the Appropriations Committee to deliver funding for more of the great projects that are already underway in our communities.” 

Below are the five CPF awards secured by Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, listed by county alphabetically and dollar amount:

Lewis County
$1,015,000 — Napavine Agriculture Facility Construction

The funds will be used for the Napavine School District to construct a multi-function lab facility for the high school’s agriculture program. Student interest in trades is expected to exceed the school district’s infrastructure capabilities in the next five to seven years. The project will help more students participate in trades programs, including apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and other workforce development opportunities that will contribute to the Napavine economy.

“We are so excited about this grant and the impact on our Agriculture Program,” said Dave Rutherford, Career and Technical Education Director at Napavine Schools. “This will allow our students to train in a dedicated facility that meets industry standards and prepares them for their futures. We have a great community working with us to provide the best Career and Technical Education possible to our students.”

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s funding request can be found here, and community letters of support can be found here.

$1,000,000 — Lewis County Regional Fire Service Training Center

The funds will be used for Lewis County Fire District No. 15 to purchase land and develop a combined fire service training facility to train regional agencies on the complexities of changing fire behaviors created by new technologies, including electric vehicles. It will allow different fire districts, regional law enforcement, and other emergency management entities to train together locally in real-life situations, saving taxpayer dollars otherwise spent on out-of-area training.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s funding request can be found here, and community letters of support can be found here.

Pacific County

$1,015,000 — Willapa Medical Clinic

The funds will be used for the Pacific County Hospital District #2 to construct and equip a replacement Primary Care Clinic, a designated Rural Health Clinic, at the Willapa Harbor Hospital. The current facilities, built more than 70 years ago, cannot accommodate additional providers to keep up with growing demand, and the project will improve access to timely health care in the community. 

“Willapa Medical Clinic is proud to serve North Pacific County as a Rural Health Clinic dedicated to accessible, local care,” said Matt Kempton, CEO of Willapa Harbor Hospital. “With this funding, we can expand our space, bring in more providers, and offer additional services, improving access to healthcare for the community we’re honored to serve.”

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s funding request can be found here, and community letters of support can be found here.

$950,000 — Raymond Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant

The funds will be used for the City of Raymond to retrofit the Raymond Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is aging and in need of critical repairs related to the plant settling in the soil by up to 13 inches in some locations. Without federal support, the burden of the project would fall directly on ratepayers, substantially increasing utility bills. The plant is critical infrastructure for the community’s 5,100 residents, and the timber and aquaculture industries.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez visited the plant earlier this year to survey the damages and discuss federal funding needs.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s funding request can be found here, and community letters of support can be found here.

Skamania County

$2,400,000 — Underwood Water Rehabilitation Project

The funds will be used for Skamania PUD to upgrade water sources and booster pump stations critical to drinking water, agriculture, and fire protection. Existing water facilities were constructed in the 1970s and are reaching the end of their useful life.

In 2023, the Underwood community endured the Tunnel 5 Fire, which ran the town’s existing water infrastructure dry due to firefighting efforts. The absence of available water not only hampered fire control efforts but also created hardship for residents as it caused a lack of safe drinking water and a water boil advisory.

“Skamania PUD appreciates Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez’s commitment to understanding and supporting public utilities. With her backing, the PUD has secured Community Project funds to expedite critical improvements to the Underwood Water System, allowing outdated infrastructure to be replaced, capacity to be expanded, and resilience to be strengthened against future emergencies,” said Randy Payne, General Manager of Skamania PUD. “This investment reflects responsive leadership, and the PUD looks forward to sharing the project’s success with its customers and Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez.”

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s funding request can be found here, and community letters of support can be found here.

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