Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) and the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2023 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill and report today, including three Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Congresswoman McCollum to benefit Minnesota’s Fourth Congressional District:
“Minnesota’s Fourth District is home to a thriving arts and humanities community,” Congresswoman McCollum said. “The Ordway and Playwrights’ Center provide significant cultural value, and I’m proud to advance this federal funding that will help these institutions thrive. Additionally, the North End Community Center will be a fantastic space for young people to build community and engage in healthy and fulfilling activities.”
“The North End Community Center will be a hub of activity and service in the most deeply diverse and statistically young community in Saint Paul,” said Saint Paul City Council President and Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen. “Representative McCollum has been a leading advocate for this state-of-the-art, eco-conscious, deal-changing investment in her district. The building design is forward-thinking with green construction and energy efficiency from the in-ground geothermal heat to the massive solar array on top. The design is unique also in its ability to orient toward sports that are traditionally dominated by girls and women (e.g. badminton and volleyball); this flexibility makes it accessible and welcoming for more of the community, and creates a regional setting to host these sports’ tournaments. We can’t wait to start this major construction project in the North End!”
“This investment in Playwrights’ Center’s future is an investment in not only the art of storytelling, but a public commitment to entrust artists to see our world forward together,” said Playwrights’ Center Producing Artistic Director Jeremy B. Cohen. Managing Director Robert Chelimsky added: “We’re grateful to Rep. McCollum for her deep support for this vibrant new home for Playwrights’ Center, which we know will have a transformational impact on this corner of Saint Paul, and the larger community.”
“This funding would provide critical support for much-needed capital improvements at our venue, including replacing a roof that is past the end of its life and upgrading an aging lighting system,” said Ordway President and CEO Chris Harrington. “These funds would ensure that the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts continues to be a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient gathering place where everyone can experience the wonder of the performing arts.”
For 2023, the T-HUD bill provides funding of $90.9 billion, an increase of $9.9 billion – more than 12 percent – above 2022. This includes an increase of $8.9 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and $837 million for the Department of Transportation. In total, the bill provides $168.5 billion in total budgetary resources, an increase of $11.5 billion above 2022.
The bill next heads to the floor of the U.S. House Floor for debate and approval.
A summary of the bill is here . The text of the bill is here . The bill report is here . In keeping with the Appropriations Committee’s commitment to transparency, information on Rep. McCollum’s Community Project Funding requests is available here .