The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday approved nearly $16 million in funds for Hawai’i projects, including $500,000 for the second phase of the West Kaua’i Technology and Visitors Center. Another half a million dollars for a wastewater plant in Waimea
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday approved nearly $16 million
in funds for Hawai’i projects, including $500,000 for the second phase of the
West Kaua’i Technology and Visitors Center.
Another half a million dollars
for a wastewater plant in Waimea also got a thumbs-up.
The federal money
for the second phase of the technology and visitor center was approved for the
Kaua’i Economic Development Board, through an Economic Development Initiative
Grant, according to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawai’i).
Phase II’s
construction of a second technology facility “will provide the critical mass
needed to ensure the success of Kauai’s growing dual-use technology industry,”
Inouye said.
Dual-use refers to technology with both military and
commercial applications.
The second phase, along Kaumuali’i Highway in
Waimea, will be fully occupied once built. Tenants in the first phase include
Textron Systems Division, Trex Enterprises, Oceanit Laboratories and Solipsys
Corporations.
The funds are part of the fiscal year 2001 Departments of
Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
Appropriations Bill, which has been sent to the full Senate for
consideration.
If passed by the Senate, the spending measure will face a
joint House-Senate conference, then final, separate House and Senate votes
before it goes to the White House for the president’s signature.
In the
same legislation, Kaua’i County stands to get $500,000 for the Waimea
wastewater treatment plant interim expansion.
The funds will be used to
meet the needs of the growing community of Waimea.
The county plans to
apply for a loan from a state revolving fund to match the federal
funds.
Staff writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at 245-3681 (ext.
224) and pcurtis@pulitzer.net
