Community Project Funding
**For Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, Rep. Bob Onder (MO-03) submitted the following community project funding requests to the House Appropriations Committee:
Leading-Edge Radioisotope Processing Equipment
Provide a funding level of $6,700,000 for Leading-Edge Radioisotope Processing Equipment as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is The University of Missouri, located at 105 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. The funding would be used for the acquisition of equipment necessary for radioisotope processing laboratories specifically designed to produce critical short-lived radioisotopes for medical and research applications. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because these radioisotopes are used to treat various types of cancer and support research and scientific advancements in nuclear science, material testing, and reactor technology, while contributing to the broader field of scientific discovery and innovation. The new equipment will help secure and ensure the domestic supply of these critical cancer-fighting radiopharmaceuticals.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Washington County Central Dispatch 9-1-1 Public Safety Infrastructure Project
Provide a funding level of $3,500,000 for Washington County Central Dispatch 9-1-1 Public Safety Infrastructure Project as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is Washington County Central Dispatch 9-1-1, located at 12252 N State Highway 21, Cadet, MO 63630. The funding would be used to modernize Washington County Central Dispatch’s more than 20-year-old 9-1-1 Systems Infrastructure, finish updating their public safety radio communications system, and replace their Computer Aided Dispatch system. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide mission critical upgrades for first responder communications systems, which will improve public safety.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Mississippi River between Missouri River and Minneapolis (MVS Portion)
Provide $122,041,000 for Mississippi River between Missouri River and Minneapolis (MVS Portion) as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is the United States Army Corps of Engineers, located at 1222 Spruce Street St. Louis, Missouri 63103.
The funding would be used for the deferred maintenance for navigation on the Upper Mississippi River. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it supports critical navigation infrastructure that facilitates commerce, strengthens supply chain reliability, and drives economic growth throughout the Midwest.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Reconstruction of Harry S. Truman Boulevard
Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for the reconstruction of Harry S. Truman Boulevard as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is the City of St. Charles, Missouri, located at 200 North Second Street, St. Charles, MO 63301.
The funding would be used to raise the roadway above the 100-year base flood elevation, along with the continuation of a 10-foot-wide multi-use trail, and drainage improvements. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will greatly reduce the risk of flooding which has previously occurred, to ensure continual access between I-70 and Highway 370. This will provide overdue safety infrastructure improvements.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
High Street Viaduct Replacement
Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for High Street Viaduct Replacement as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is the City of Jefferson, located at 320 E. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. The funding would be used to replace a bridge that was built in 1949 and is reaching the end of its life.
The bridge is deteriorating to the point that a hole developed in the deck in the fall of 2022. That hole was repaired, but rehabilitating the bridge as a whole is not feasible due to its condition. The proposed replacement will allow for the direct connection of Missouri Boulevard with W. High Street. The proposed project includes pedestrian underpasses to increase the safety of pedestrians. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will significantly increase the safety of pedestrians and motorists in this downtown, high pedestrian traffic location.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Route N Expansion
Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for Route N Expansion as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is St. Charles County, located at 100 N 3rd Street, St. Charles, Missouri, 63301. The project is located along Route N from the I-64 corridor to Boone Trail Elementary School Drive in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, 63367. The funding would be used for right-of-way acquisition for Phase 1 of the Route N corridor expansion.
The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will improve safety, reduce congestion, and support continued economic and population growth in western St. Charles County. Rapid development in the region has significantly increased both local and regional traffic along Route N, resulting in unsafe conditions and documented fatalities. The proposed expansion will enhance roadway capacity while incorporating important safety features, including a raised median, improved intersection design, traffic calming measures, and dedicated infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists. These improvements will provide safer and more efficient travel for motorists while also improving connectivity for non-vehicular users and supporting long-term infrastructure planning for the region.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
The National Center for Conservation and Water
Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for the National Center for Conservation and Water as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, located at 330 S. Commerce Street, Jefferson City, Missouri, 65109. The funding would be used to establish and support a national center focused on applied conservation science, water stewardship, and workforce development.
The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will create a national hub for research, education, and practical solutions addressing water quality, watershed health, agricultural sustainability, and ecosystem conservation. Developed through a partnership led by the University of Missouri and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, the Center will support interdisciplinary collaboration among conservation practitioners, universities, agricultural producers, and public agencies. It will advance science-based strategies to improve water management, protect aquatic ecosystems, and strengthen resilient landscapes. The Center will also support workforce development through internships, fellowships, and field-based training programs that prepare the next generation of conservation professionals and strengthen the talent pipeline for state, federal, and nonprofit conservation organizations.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Jefferson City Memorial Airport (JEF) Snow Removal Equipment Building
Provide a funding level of $2,750,000 for Jefferson City Memorial Airport (JEF) Snow Removal Equipment Building as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is the City of Jefferson, located at 320 E McCarty St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
The funding would be used to build a new snow removal equipment building. The current building is in need of repair and is in a poor location. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will ensure safe and efficient winter operations at the airport, protect equipment, provide storage materials, and facilitate rapid response to winter weather events at the airport.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Jefferson City Missouri Police Headquarters Addition
Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for Jefferson City, Missouri’s Police Headquarters Addition as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is the City of Jefferson, Missouri, located at 320 E. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, Missouri, 65101. The funding would be used for the expansion of the Jefferson City Police Department Headquarters to provide the necessary space for emergency response operations and expansion for the foreseeable future.
The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it would expand the Jefferson City Police Department (JCPD) Police Headquarters (HQ) for the first time since its original construction in 1978. In the 47 years since it was built, the facility footprint has remained unchanged, while today’s staff has grown to 128. This is significantly higher than the staff population of 74 when the building was first designed. The expansion of the JCPD HQ would provide the necessary space and resources required to adequately serve the emergency response needs of the growing community and surrounding area.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
State Technical College of Missouri Airport Terminal
Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for State Technical College of Missouri Airport Terminal as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is the State Technical College of Missouri, located at 1 Technology Drive, Linn, MO 65051.
The funding would be used for the construction of a 30,000 square foot Aviation Workforce Training Facility at State Technical College of Missouri. The facility will house aviation maintenance classrooms and laboratories, expanded hangar space, and dedicated instructional areas that will position the College to pursue an FAA Part 141 pilot training program. The project will significantly expand Missouri’s capacity to train aviation mechanics and future professional pilots. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will expand high-skill, high-wage career pathways, strengthen Missouri’s aviation workforce pipeline, and enhance the state’s long-term economic competitiveness.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS) South Airfield Reconstruction
Provide a funding level of $10,000,000 for the Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS) South Airfield Reconstruction as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, located at 18270 Edison Avenue, Chesterfield, MO 63005.
The funding would be used for the reconstruction of Runway 8R-26L and associated taxiways at Spirit of St. Louis Airport to address pavement deterioration and improve safety. It also includes access improvements and the relocation of navigational aids. The South Airfield Reconstruction Program is a critical initiative to address pavement conditions, safety imperatives, and compliance with modern standards. Spirit of St. Louis’s airfield pavement shows advanced structural deterioration, and its pavement condition index (below 60) necessitates reconstruction. These pavements must be improved before unplanned closures are needed, which would impact not only SUS but also the broader system that serves as a National Reliever Airport. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will accelerate the construction timeline, mitigate risks, minimize operational disruptions, and help maintain uninterrupted service at this high-activity airport.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
**For Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, Rep. Bob Onder (MO-03) submitted the following community project funding requests to the House Appropriations Committee:
Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Expansion
Provide a funding level of $1,000,000 for telehealth equipment expansion as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment located at 205 Portland Street, Columbia MO 65201. The funding would be used to purchase equipment to enable telehealth visits at Missouri County Extension Offices, to expand access to the specialized autism and neurodevelopmental services in rural communities throughout the region. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will significantly expand specialized care to families dealing with autism or other neurodevelopmental challenges. Of the 20 County extension Offices and Missouri's Autism Centers that will benefit from this telehealth equipment, many are in extremely rural communities with fewer than 20,000 residents. Without this equipment, families will either not have access to these services or be forced to travel long distances to receive this specialized care.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Lake Regional Healthcare Equipment Modernization
Provide a funding level of $3,187,500 for external beam radiation equipment modernization as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is Lake Regional Health System located at 54 Hospital Drive, Osage Beach, MO 65065. The funding would be used to replace Lake Regional Health System's Cancer Center's linear accelerator, which is the primary equipment used for external beam radiation to treat cancer. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide access to cancer treatment in a rural area. There is no other facility that provides radiation therapy within a 50- mile radius. Failure to replace this machine would result in significant care disruption for cancer patients who rely on local treatment.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Leading-Edge Radioisotope Processing Equipment
Provide a funding level of $11,000,000 for Leading-Edge Radioisotope Processing Equipment as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is The University of Missouri, located at 105 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. The funding would be used for the acquisition of equipment necessary for radioisotope processing laboratories specifically designed to produce critical short-lived radioisotopes for medical and research applications. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because these radioisotopes are used to treat various types of cancer and support research and scientific advancements in nuclear science, material testing, and reactor technology, while contributing to the broader field of scientific discovery and innovation. The new equipment will help secure and ensure the domestic supply of these critical cancer-fighting radiopharmaceuticals.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Child Exploitation Technology Project
Provide a funding level of $620,000 for the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Child Exploitation Technology Project as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is the St. Charles County Police Department, located at 101 Sheriff Dierker Court, O’Fallon, Missouri 63366. The funding would be used to purchase investigative technology and software to enable the St. Charles Police Department to better investigate internet crimes against children. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because St. Charles Police Department is designated by the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency and Prevention as the lead-agency for the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. St. Charles Police Department is responsible for providing the necessary equipment, resources, forensics, and other resources to help law enforcement agencies in Missouri investigate online child exploitation.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Washington County Central Dispatch 9-1-1 Public Safety Infrastructure Project
Provide a funding level of $4,500,00 for the Washington County Central Dispatch 9-1-1 Public Safety Infrastructure Project. The entity to receive funding for this project is Washington County Central Dispatch 9-1-1, located at 12252 N State Highway 21, Cadet, MO 63630. The funding would be used to modernize Washington County Central Dispatch’s more than 20-year-old 9-1-1 Systems Infrastructure, update their public safety radio communications system, and replace their Computer Aided Dispatch system. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide mission critical upgrades for first responder communications systems, which will improve public safety.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Callaway County Emergency Operations Center Relocation
Provide a funding level of $3,648,737 for Callaway County Emergency Operations Center Relocation as a community project funding request. The entity to receive funding for this project is Callaway County Emergency Management located at 4968 County Road 304, Fulton, MO 65251. The funding would be used to construct a new, modern Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that meets current standards for interoperability, security, and resiliency. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will enhance regional public safety, strengthen disaster preparedness, and ensure continuity of operations during emergencies. This relocation will provide adequate space for coordinating all-hazard responses and improve operational capability for both planned and unplanned events impacting the county and the surrounding region.
Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Letter
Upper Mississippi River Deferred Maintenance (MVS Portion)
Provide $122,041,000 for the MVS Portion of the Upper Mississippi River Project as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers located at 1222 Spruce St, St. Louis, MO 63103. The funding would be used for the deferred maintenance for navigation on the Upper Mississippi River. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it supports critical navigation infrastructure that facilitates commerce, strengthens supply chain reliability, and drives economic growth throughout the Midwest.
Meramec River Basin Ecosystem Restoration
Provide $4,000,000 for Meramec River Basin Ecosystem Restoration as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is U.S. Army Corps of Engineers located at 1222 Spruce St, St. Louis, MO 63103. The funding would be used for the protection, enhancement, and restoration of degraded aquatic ecosystems along the Big River to improve habitat, reduce erosion, and enhance flood protection. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it enhances flood resilience, restores a critical fish and wildlife habitat, and protects water quality in one of Missouri’s most ecological watersheds.
Reconstruction of Harry S. Truman Boulevard
Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for the Reconstruction of Harry S. Truman Boulevard as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the City of St. Charles, Missouri, located at 200 North Second Street, St. Charles, MO 63301. The funding would be used to raise the roadway above the 100-year base flood elevation, along with the continuation of a 10-foot-wide multi-use trail, and drainage improvements. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will greatly reduce the risk of flooding which has previously occurred, to ensure continual access between I-70 and Highway 370. This will provide overdue safety infrastructure improvements.
High Street Viaduct Replacement
Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for High Street Viaduct Replacement as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is City of Jefferson, located at 320 E. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. The funding would be used to replace a bridge that was built in 1949 and is reaching the end of its life. The bridge is deteriorating to the point that a hole developed in the deck in the fall of 2022. That hole was repaired but rehabilitating the bridge as a whole is not feasible due to its condition. The proposed replacement will allow for the direct connection of Missouri Boulevard with W. High Street. The proposed project includes pedestrian underpasses to increase the safety of pedestrians. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will significantly increase the safety of pedestrians and motorists in this downtown, high pedestrian traffic location.
Jefferson City Memorial Airport (JEF) Snow Removal Equipment Building
Provide a funding level of $2,500,000 for Jefferson City Memorial Airport (JEF) Snow Removal Equipment Building. The intended recipient is City of Jefferson, located at 320 E. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. The funding would be used to build a new snow removal equipment building. The current building is in need of repair and is in a poor location. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will ensure safe and efficient winter operations at the airport, protect equipment, provide storage materials, and facilitate rapid response to winter weather events at the airport.
Jefferson City Missouri Police Headquarters Addition
Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for Jefferson City Missouri Police Headquarters Addition as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the City of Jefferson, Missouri, located at 401 Monroe Street, Jefferson City, Missouri, 65101. The funding would be used for the expansion of the Jefferson City Police Department Headquarters to provide the necessary space for emergency response operations and expansion for the foreseeable future. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it would expand the Jefferson City Police Department (JCPD) Police Headquarters (HQ) for the first time since its original construction in 1978. In the 47 years since it was built, the facility footprint has remained unchanged while today’s staff has grown to 128. This is significantly higher than the staff population of 74 when the building was first designed. The expansion of the JCPD HQ would provide the necessary space and resources required to adequately serve the emergency response needs of the growing community and surrounding area.
St. Charles Senior Center Construction
Provide a funding level of $500,000 for St. Charles Senior Center Construction as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the City of St. Charles, Missouri, located at 200 North Second Street, St. Charles, MO 63301. The funding would be used for construction of a new Senior Center. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will create an ADA compliant senior center which will provide adequate space for the city’s Meals on Wheels, health and wellness programs, and social engagement opportunities for seniors.
Centertown Central Wastewater Collection and Treatment System
Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for Centertown Central Wastewater Collection and Treatment System as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the Village of Centertown located at 1227 Broadway, PO Box 175, Centertown, MO 65023. The funding would be used to construct a centralized wastewater collection and treatment system in Centertown, Missouri, which does not currently exist. Residents of Centertown currently rely on ageing septic systems that are costly to maintain and pose public health risks. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it would provide critical infrastructure which is vital for Centertown’s sustainable growth, economic development, and housing expansion.
Jefferson City Fire Command Center
Provide a funding level of $2,311,943 for Jefferson City Fire Command Center as a community project funding request. The intended recipient is the City of Jefferson located at 320 E McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. The funding would be used to create a new fire department, state-of-the-art training center, and an emergency response center. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will reinvest in an underutilized city-owned property to improve community safety and economic vitality.