U.S. Rep. John James, right, who visited the Shelby Township Senior Center Aug. 10, is trying to get $1.5 million in Community Project Funding for the center in the 2024 federal budget.
By: Kara Szymanski | Shelby-Utica News | Published August 21, 2023
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — U.S. Rep. John James met with seniors and employees at the Shelby Township Senior Center Aug. 10 to discuss potential improvements to the facility that could be funded by $1.5 million in Community Project Funding that James advocated for in the U.S. House appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024 for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and for related agencies.
The funding, if it is included in the final approved federal appropriations, would go toward the proposed construction of an 8,700-square-foot gymnasium, as well as additions to program and activity spaces at the center.
Community Project Funding requests made by members of Congress are allocated within their respective federal agency program accounts and do not raise overall spending levels, according to a press release from James.
The funding is not a done deal. Both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate appropriations committees have passed their different appropriations bills, which will now require negotiations to reconcile and eventual approval by both houses of Congress and the president’s signature. The 2024 fiscal year will begin Oct. 1.
“It was a delight to meet with residents and staff at the Shelby Senior Center today. Our seniors deserve quality care and environments in which they can thrive. I’ll always work to improve conditions for our seniors and deliver for our communities,” James said in a prepared statement.
Rick Stathakis, the township supervisor, said the seniors had a good time meeting James to discuss the possible plans.
“He saw firsthand the amazing environment Joe Youngblood and his team have for our seniors. Hopefully, the funding for improvements to our Shelby Township Activities Center comes through so Joe and his team can make the best senior center in Macomb County even better,” he said.
Shelby Township Parks, Recreation, Maintenance, Nature Center and Senior Center Director Joe Youngblood said he hopes that the bill works out and that the senior center does get the funding.
“It was great to welcome Congressman John James to the Shelby Township Activities Center last week, and we greatly appreciate his support of the township and our seniors. Hopefully, the funding makes its way through the House Appropriations bills,” he said.