FY26 Community Project Funding Requests
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman has submitted funding requests for Community Projects in New Jersey's Twelfth Congressional District to the House Appropriations Committee
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 15 projects in their community for fiscal year 2026. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Additional information on the reforms governing Community Project Funding is available here.
In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Rep. Watson Coleman has certified that she, her spouse, and her immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects she has requested.
Plainfield Center of Excellence Project
Project Recipient: City of Plainfield
Recipient Address: 515 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for a community center. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because, in addition to providing a wide variety of recreational amenities, the Center will also be utilized as a site for educational outreach, workforce development, and health monitoring. Funds will be directed toward architectural, engineering, planning, legal, financial, inspection, permit fees, or other professional services.
Coalport Neighborhood Revitalization Implementation Project
Project Recipient: Kean University
Recipient Address: 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Amount Requested: $2,278,885
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for renovating an existing vacant city-owned building and establishing a mixed-use facility that will advance economic opportunities by supporting the workforce and small business development through vocational skills training, education, and entrepreneurship. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide new economic and employment opportunities for 1,600 residents, maker space for entrepreneurs, nonprofits and small businesses, and new and affordable housing options.
Assunpink Greenway
Project Recipient: City of Trenton
Recipient Address: 319 E State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for a recreational development project that would transform former industrial sites within a floodplain in an economically distressed, environmental justice neighborhood, into an active recreational asset. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will permanently transform this neighborhood and increase its resilience to climate and economic challenges.
Cedar Brook Park Road and Pedestrian Bridge Improvements
Project Recipient: Union County
Recipient Address: 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Amount Requested: $2,400,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for the design and construction of a roadway bridge and pedestrian bridge on Cedar Brook Street at Cedar Book Park in Plainfield, New Jersey. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will significantly improve vehicular and pedestrian access through the park even during rain events.
Route 522 Realignment Extension Project
Project Recipient: Township of South Brunswick
Recipient Address: 540 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
Amount Requested: $4,000,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for the construction of approximately 1.5 miles of new roadway and infrastructure upgrades including storm drainage improvements, water line installation, retaining wall construction, construction of infiltration basins, installation of curbs and sidewalks and roadway pavement. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it would reduce congestion in an area where backups are common and improve safety.
Otto Kaufman Community Center
Project Recipient: Montgomery Township
Recipient Address: $5,000,000
Amount Requested: 100 Community Drive, Skillman, NJ 08558
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to replace the failing HVAC system, expand social services, and upgrade the infrastructure at the Otto Kaufman Community Center. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it ensures continued access to recreation, senior programming, and essential support services for residents, enhancing the facility’s long-term sustainability and ability to meet growing community needs.
Route 28 Streetscape Phase 2
Project Recipient: Borough of Middlesex
Recipient Address: 1200 Mountain Avenue, Middlesex, NJ 08846
Amount Requested: $1,500,000
Explanation and Justification: The project aims to redesign and enhance the historic main street along Union Avenue and Bound Brook Road. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it would improve safety and accessibility, reducing vehicular speed and revitalizing business districts. This initiative involves collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Middlesex County, and local municipal entities, and is critical for promoting pedestrian, cyclist, and transit rider safety.
Bound Brook Memorial Library Renovations
Project Recipient: Bound Brook Borough
Recipient Address: 230 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, NJ 08805
Amount Requested: $1,468,891
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used to complete critical ADA renovations and essential infrastructure improvements to the Bound Brook Memorial Library. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will address necessary repairs both internally and externally to the library so that it may reopen to the public for community use.
Hillsborough Recreation Center
Project Recipient: Hillsborough Township
Recipient Address: 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for renovating and repurposing a vacant township-owned building into a community and recreation center. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the center will provide programming for youth, seniors, and families while reusing a vacant municipal building to maximize cost-effectiveness.
North Brunswick Community Resilience Hub
Project Recipient: Township of North Brunswick
Recipient Address: 710 Hermann Road, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for the creation of a multi-hazard, multi-purpose Community Resilience Hub in the Municipal Complex. The hub will provide immediate shelter to residents during extreme weather events and other emergencies and a venue to facilitate effective emergency decision-making by Local, County and State leaders. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will assist in risk reduction through sheltering and direct relief to residents from several natural hazards to include flooding, extreme heat, extreme cold and transportation disasters.
Delaware River Basin Commission
Project Recipient: Delaware River Basin Commission
Recipient Address: P.O. Box 7360, 25 Cosey Road, West Trenton, NJ 08628
Amount Requested: $715,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for several Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) programs that result in water security and clean water for our rivers, streams, reservoirs, groundwater. These include: DRBC leading research and monitoring on PFAS and other contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and support for the states PFAS action plans, DRBC water quality monitoring programs, DRBC programs that provide special protection for waters of exceptional value, DRBC programs to clean up legacy pollutants (like PCB) that impact water quality, DRBC programs to control pollution from wastewater discharges, DRBC programs to make improvements to aquatic life habitat, and DRBC supports for state of the art modeling of water quality and flow. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the Basin spans 13,539 square miles, includes parts of four states, all or portions of 42 counties, 868 municipalities, multiple government entities and jurisdictions, and twenty-two congressional districts.
Old Bridge Food Bank Building Improvements
Project Recipient: Township of Old Bridge
Recipient Address: 1 Old Bridge Plaza, Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Amount Requested: $500,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for both expanding and make necessary improvements to the building that houses the Township’s food bank program within the Township’s municipal complex. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will enable the Township to provide increased food provision services to residents most in need, all of whom are considered low-income and have previously qualified for SNAP benefits.
New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Technology Support
Project Recipient: New Jersey State Police
Recipient Address: PO Box 7068, West Trenton, NJ 08628
Amount Requested: $675,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for the purchase of new hardware and digital forensic licensing software for the task force and affiliated agencies statewide. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the new hardware and software will allow state law enforcement to increase its ability to examine digital evidence of internet crimes against children and provide faster and more accurate results.
Manville Law Enforcement Radio Replacement
Project Recipient: Borough of Manville
Recipient Address: 325 N Main Street, Manville, NJ 08835
Amount Requested: $230,900
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for the replacement of twenty-six outdated portable radios for law enforcement personnel to enhance emergency communication and officer safety. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the new radios will ensure seamless interoperability with regional emergency responders, reducing response times and improving coordination during multi-agency operations, including disaster response and public safety incidents.
Rocky Hill Municipal Water Infrastructure Improvements
Project Recipient: Borough of Rocky Hill
Recipient Address: PO Box 188 15 Montgomery Avenue, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553
Amount Requested: $4,000,000
Explanation and Justification: The funding would be used for replacing aging water infrastructure. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because water main breaks are affecting residents’ water supply and impeding traffic on roadways.