Stansbury secures funding for three Sandoval County projects

SANDOVAL COUNTY — Funding is secured for three projects within Sandoval County.

Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury announced via social media Feb. 21 that she secured millions of dollars for two water projects and a behavioral health initiative in the county.

“We are delivering for New Mexico — in spite of the chaos. Deeply proud to have helped secure funding for 14 Community Projects across NM-01 this year!” she wrote on X.

In order for these projects to get this funding, which Stansbury has to request from Congress each session, entities participate in a competitive request process each fiscal year.

“Community Project Funding (CPF), also known as Congressionally Directed Spending in the Senate, are specific local community project requests by governmental or other eligible non-profit entities. Projects similar to CPFs have been called ‘earmarks’ in the past, though the request and vetting process for these projects have changed significantly. Please note that this is a highly competitive process, and all requests will be subject to considerable scrutiny,” her website states.

She thanked the community partners for helping the funding come to fruition. The three projects account for about $3 million out of the $12 million total.

A Sandoval County Behavioral Health Center project accounts for just over $1 million. Stansbury initially requested $8 million for the project.

A description on Stansbury’s website details the project.

“A broad set of local, tribal, and county stakeholders in Sandoval County are working to build a comprehensive behavioral health and resource center in the Town of Bernalillo to address increasing community needs related to addiction, housing, mental health and family services,” it reads. “This center will serve a large number of rural and remote communities across Sandoval County, providing a first-of-its-kind regional hub for urgent and ongoing medical and behavioral health needs.”

There is also a Bernalillo Wastewater Project she is supporting with funds of just over $1 million. Stansbury requested $20 million for it.

“The Town's current Wastewater Facilities have been in place for a substantial period, and the rehabilitation of the treatment plant will mean proactively addressing the future needs of our community. This plan focuses on extending the service life of infrastructure, while considering the future growth (residentially and commercially) of the community,” the description reads.

Lastly, also receiving just over $1 million, is the expansion of the Corrales Wastewater Treatment Facility project. Stansbury also requested $20 million for this project.

“The proposed project will expand the Village of Corrales' wastewater collection system into residential areas and install an advanced treatment facility to produce high-quality recycled water for irrigation use. This project will protect local groundwater by reducing septic system contamination, conserve water resources by recycling treated wastewater for park and field irrigation and support long-term sustainability in the face of severe drought conditions,” the website reads.

Applications are open for Fiscal Year 2027 as well. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration ; Commerce, Justice, and Science; Financial Services and General Government; legislative branch; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; and National Security and Department of State (formerly State-Foreign Operations/SFOPS) Defense (HACD) appropriations requests are due March 6, according to Stansbury’s website.

Energy and Water Development; Homeland Security; Interior and Environment; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; Transportation and Housing and Urban Development appropriations requests are due March 11.