The Department of War announced that it has awarded $90 million in infrastructure grants to ten communities near military installations.
The funding will upgrade everything from fiber optic cables in Alaska to fire stations in California. The grants represent a growing recognition that military readiness depends on surrounding communities having modern infrastructure.
When combined with $59.9 million in local matching funds, the federal investment totals nearly $150 million.
“Enhanced partnerships with state and local communities are critical to the success of our installations and their missions,” said Dale Marks, Assistant Secretary of War for Energy, Installations, and Environment. “The Defense Community Infrastructure Program continues to play a vital role in building and maintain[ing] these successful partnerships.”
Alaska secured the largest share with three projects totaling $29.6 million. North Slope Borough will receive $14 million to install high-speed fiber optic cables to the Point Barrow Long Range Radar Site.
Golden Valley Electric Association won two grants: $2.6 million for electrical infrastructure at the Murphy Dome radar site and $13 million to build a new switching substation near Eielson Air Force Base.
California‘s North County Fire Protection District has earned $7 million toward a $13.9 million fire station project. The facility will protect Marine Corps Camp Pendleton and Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach from increasingly severe wildfires.
On the East Coast, Connecticut received $5.7 million to replace aging water mains near Submarine Base New London. Virginia‘s Chesapeake secured $11.9 million for new water lines supporting Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads.
The Pacific theater wasn’t forgotten. Guam‘s Port Authority won $4.8 million for critical pier repairs serving Joint Region Marianas.
Oklahoma grabbed $10 million to reconstruct a highway segment and bridge near McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. The $35.8 million project addresses long-standing transportation bottlenecks.
Washington state communities claimed two grants. Kitsap County received $20 million for a waste treatment facility near Naval Base Kitsap, while Everett got $300,000 for a police boathouse supporting Naval Station Everett.
The Defense Community Infrastructure Program operates under congressional authorization requiring competitive rankings. Projects must demonstrate clear benefits to military operations, training capabilities, or the quality of life of service members.
Construction cannot begin until the environmental reviews are completed. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will oversee the implementation of all ten projects.