WASHINGTON -- Omnibus appropriations totaling $331 million bring the funding for the Department of Homeland Security headquarters to more than $1 billion, according to Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton.
The stimulus package released this month contained $650 million for the project.
"These new funds put us well beyond the first building for DHS by funding the Ward 8 construction for at least one-third of what is required to house four agencies at the DHS compound on St. Elizabeth’s West Campus," said Norton, who chairs the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management and has oversight of the DHS construction.
A forum sponsored by Norton and the General Services Administration and scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday will help residents qualify to bid for contracts for DHS, for D.C. stimulus funding and for the federal stimulus construction projects under Norton's subcommittee jurisdiction.
D.C. also got $39 million to help pay for security costs from President Barack Obama's inauguration and other national events, according to Norton.
The Tuition Assistance Grant Program, which gives up to $10,000 per academic year to District students attending public colleges nationwide as well as funding for local private colleges, was awarded $35 million.
D.C. schools also benefited, with $54 million for school improvements and $20 million to improve the public school system.
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Norton is still compiling her list of earmarks in the bill, including infrastructure funds for the city.
