Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) has submitted 15 Congressionally funded community projects totaling $158,450,000 for communities across New Mexico in the upcoming 2026 budget process.
As the U.S. House of Representatives begins marking up appropriations bills this week, these proposals aim to address critical needs in public safety, housing, healthcare, education, and environmental protection.
Stansbury’s funding requests include $1.8 million for public safety support for the Albuquerque Police Department and Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and $4.7 million to address housing insecurity in Albuquerque.
Stansbury said Community Project Funding is a tool used to “deliver necessary investments for lasting change in New Mexico.”
“I came to Congress to support the needs of New Mexico using every tool available,” Stansbury said. “As the Administration targets funding and resources our communities depend on, Community Project Funding is one of the most powerful tools we have.”
Since taking office, Rep. Stansbury said she has secured funding for 37 projects focused on addressing the state’s biggest challenges. This year’s submissions are restricted to specific federal programs and eligible entities such as state, local, and Tribal governments.
The 15 projects Stansbury submitted are:
Lincoln County, Regional Wildfire Mitigation Public Safety and Training Complex – $3,000,000
Funding will support building a new Regional Public Safety and Training Center to help address wildfires and boost the region’s ability to hire, train, certify, and retain firefighters.
Fort Sumner, Fire and Rescue Fire Station – $ 1,300,000
Funding will support building a new fire station in Fort Sumner to serve the community on the West side of the Pecos River, allowing timely emergency response and a new community hub in the Sunny Side subdivision.
State Police Department, Technical Capabilities Improvements – $1,650,000
Funding will enable NM State Police to improve wireless and other technical capabilities statewide. This includes improving 5G technologies, cellular routers, and Automated License Plate Readers, increasing real-time situational awareness and allowing for more informed and rapid decision-making for first responders.
Albuquerque Police Department, Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Mobile Lab Vehicle – $800,000
Funding will enable the City of Albuquerque to add a new CSI Mobile Lab vehicle to update its current fleet and help meet expanded public safety needs across the Albuquerque metro area.
Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Public Safety Vehicles – $1,000,000
Funding will support BCSO’s replacement of an aging fleet of vehicles to enhance operations and reduce maintenance costs to meet public safety needs across the Bernalillo County area.
Valencia County, Acute Care Hospital – $8,000,000
Funding will support construction of a state-of-the-art acute care hospital in Los Lunas, designed to meet the healthcare needs of the growing rural communities of Valencia County. This hospital will be a critical lifeline for local residents increasing access to both emergency and inpatient care.
Sandoval County, Behavioral Health Clinic – $8,000,000
Funding will support the construction of a comprehensive behavioral health and resource center in the Town of Bernalillo, in partnership with a broad set of local, tribal, and county stakeholders to address community needs related to addiction, housing, mental health and family services. This center will serve a large number of rural and remote communities across Sandoval County, providing a first-of-its-kind regional hub for urgent and ongoing medical and behavioral health needs.
Bernalillo County, Affordable Housing – $2,000,000
Funding will provide housing for low- and moderate-income families in Downtown Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. This project will provide safe and stable temporary housing for seniors and families in need of housing support.
Albuquerque, Transitional Housing for Families – $1,000,000
Funding will support the purchase and rehabilitation of transitional housing for vulnerable families experiencing crisis. This project will help families grow out of emergency and short-term shelters and into longer term housing while they continue to get back on their feet.
Albuquerque, Senior Stability Shelter – $1,700,000
Funding will support building a new permanent shelter for seniors who are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in Albuquerque. This project will provide safe and stable permanent housing in a vulnerable part of the city.
Middle Rio Grande Pueblos, Rio Grande Pueblo Irrigation Infrastructure – $82,700,000
Funding will provide long-overdue support for improving acequia and irrigation infrastructure for the six middle Rio Grande Pueblos and addressing deferred maintenance, repairs, and upgrades needed for improvements in agricultural irrigation on Pueblo lands.
City of Santa Rosa, Drinking Water Pipelines Project – $4,000,000
Funding will support construction of a major project for improving drinking water supplies in the City of Santa Rosa and replacing aging infrastructure impacting drinking water pipelines.
Town of Bernalillo, Wastewater Project – $20,000,000
Funding will support the rehabilitation of the Town of Bernalillo’s aging wastewater treatment plant, extending the service life of its infrastructure and future growth in the community to protect water supplies.
Village of Corrales, Wastewater Treatment Facility – $20,000,000
Funding will help install a treatment facility and expand wastewater collection across the Village of Corrales to protect local groundwater from septic system contamination, conserve water resources by recycling treated wastewater, and supporting long-term sustainability.
Estancia and East Mountains, Estancia Town Hall Renovation – $3,300,000
Funding will support planning and capital improvement repairs of the historic Estancia Community Center. The community center serves as a vital hub, offering access to essential services, educational programs, and support for generations of New Mexicans.
These projects will now be considered by the House Appropriations Committee as part of the FY 2026 appropriations process. Approval by the committee and passage in both Chambers of Congress are required before the projects can be signed into law, a process expected to extend into the fall, with Fiscal Year 2026 beginning on October 1.
“These 15 projects will help deliver vital healthcare and behavioral health services in rural communities, help seniors and families experiencing homelessness, help tackle the fentanyl crisis and public safety issues, protect our cultural heritage, and deliver water to communities across the state,” Stansbury said. “I am proud to work with the state, local, and tribal leaders who are working every day to address these needs on the ground.”
How about support for a floundering community water system, Tranquillo Pines Water Users Co-op on S337 in the Manzanos? The only water system left in the area is dying.
There seem to be quite a few buildings in these proposals. Who are the contractors who will line their pockets? I wonder what the actuality of safe and stable “temporary” housing looks like. $1,000,000 for traditional housing seems cheap?? What’s the median price for a house in Albq? Where’s DOGE when you need it? In fact where is DOGE when the country needs it? haha.