Kiggans Visits Eastern Shore Projects to See Local Impact of Federal Investment

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Yesterday, Congresswoman Kiggans visited the Eastern Shore to see firsthand how the $1.5 million she secured in the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bills will be used to support the local community. Specifically, she visited the Hampton Roads Sanitation District in Onancock and the Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority in Exmore, where the federal dollars she secured are being used to support much-needed expansions and upgrades.

“I am proud to have secured funding for sewer upgrades and broadband expansion on the Eastern Shore to continue to increase access to these vital resources for residents,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “It was incredibly valuable to hear from the employees at these organizations and learn just how much these projects will help improve lives. In Congress, I will continue fighting to ensure the Shore is no longer overlooked by bureaucrats in Washington. I am committed to working with our communities to return federal tax dollars and support projects that will make substantial improvements in the lives of those I was elected to serve.”

Congresswoman Kiggans presents a check for $286,000 to Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority.

Congresswoman Kiggans takes a tour of Hampton Roads Sanitation District.

Congresswoman Kiggans takes a tour of Hampton Roads Sanitation District.

BACKGROUND: 

Congresswoman Kiggans secured $16,755,000 for 12 local projects across Southeast Virginia in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which was signed into law on March 9, 2024. More information about the two projects on the Eastern Shore can be found below:

Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD): $1,250,000

• Congresswoman Kiggans secured this funding to support HRSD’s publicly owned sewer and wastewater infrastructure in rural and disadvantaged communities on the Eastern Shore. Communities across the Shore will benefit from this construction and modification of municipal sewage treatment plants, which will help maintain the health of residents and tourists alike, as well as keep the environment clean by preserving water quality.

Rural Utilities Service ReConnect Pilot Program, Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority (ESVBA) Broadband Expansion Project: $286,000

• Congresswoman Kiggans believes that increased access to broadband not only helps communities meet new work, health, and education needs created by the pandemic, but also boosts economic productivity, creates good jobs, and helps our local economies generate savings. That’s why she secured this funding to help complete the Custis Neck portion of the Eastern Shore’s broadband expansion project.
• In total, ESVBA must build approximately 10.1 miles of fiber across several challenging areas to serve the residents of Custis Neck, Folly Creek Club, Henrys Point and Locustville. This funding will providing all of those rural communities on the Shore with much-needed wireless and connectivity services and upgrades.

Additional details about the other projects Congresswoman Kiggans secured in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, can be found here.

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