U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX), M.D., today announced over $6.5 million in federal money will go to local law enforcement, transportation, education, and flood protection in Denton County in 2008.

“These federal dollars are investments in our communities that will help us continue to create jobs, build safer roads, and improve the health of our families,” said Rep. Burgess.

In the City of Denton, $352,500 will go to provide equipment and technology for the new Denton Public Safety Training Facility. These tools will help enhance overall preparedness and first response capabilities for local law enforcement and emergency responders in Denton and across the region.

“Protecting people and saving lives are what law enforcement officers and first responders do best. This funding will help provide them with the training tools they need to continue doing just that,” Rep. Burgess said.

Denton Mayor Perry McNeill agrees. “Denton's growth necessitates continued training and upgrading of our outstanding police officers,” said Mayor McNeill. "Representative Burgess's leadership has provided an important head start for delivering this training in our new Public Safety Training Facility with state of the art equipment and technology,” he continued.

Lewisville will receive more than $4.4 million for operation and maintenance of the Lewisville Dam. These funds will help enhance the structural integrity of the dam and the strengthen flood protection capabilities for the cities of Lewisville, Coppell, Farmers Branch, and Dallas.

Local transit and airport projects will also receive federal funding. These include $245,000 for Denton County Transportation Authority to begin the design and engineering process for rail service connecting Denton County with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Additionally, Alliance Airport will receive $738,000 to extend the runway to allow cargo aircraft to conduct international flights.

“Increasing air service and transit options will help bring new jobs, new investments, and new opportunities to North Texas now and in the future,” commented Rep. Burgess.

Charles Emery, Chairman of the Board of the Denton County Transportation Authority, is pleased to hear federal funding is on its way. “We’re excited about having the federal government as a partner in this rail program,” he said.

On the education front, the Center for Advanced Scientific Computing and Modeling (CASCAM) at the University of North Texas will receive $738,000 to help fund a new, state-of-the-art facility that will help expand biological and environmental research. These funds will help UNT researchers address scientific problems of immediate interest to the nation, ranging from transportation, to medicine, and national security.

“The University of North Texas is rapidly emerging as a first-class research institution. CASCAM is an integral part of the reason why. We appreciate Congressman Burgess’ acknowledgement of our mission and his work to champion support for our research at the federal level," said Lee Jackson, UNT System Chancellor.

This federal funding is part of the 2008 omnibus spending bill President Bush signed on December 26, 2007.

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