Thompson Delivers $4.35 Million for Lake County Community Projects

Lake County, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced that three projects in Lake County will receive a total of $4.35 million in funding from his community project funding requests. Rep. Thompson secured $13,317,000 total for projects in California’s Fourth District in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

“These federal investments will make Lake County safer, stronger, and more economically resilient,” said Thompson. “By improving roads, expanding workforce and educational opportunities, and enhancing public safety infrastructure, we are delivering resources that directly improve quality of life for families across our community.” 

"This investment represents an opportunity for our Tribe and the greater Upper Lake community, creating an ecosystem that supports education, entrepreneurship, workforce development and tourism," said Danielle Cirelli, Chairwoman of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake. "We are especially grateful for the leadership of Congressman Mike Thompson for his instrumental support of the Tribe's request. Throughout his time representing our community, Congressman Thompson has been a steadfast advocate for the Tribe, and we deeply appreciate his years of dedication and partnership.

“The South Main Street/Soda Bay Road Widening and Resurfacing Project will make a section of road that is quickly becoming one of the most traveled in Lake County safer," said Lars Ewing, Director of Public Works for the County of Lake. "On project completion, it will provide for construction of a continuous center left-turn lane and bicycle lanes on both sides of the roadway. This $850,000 Congressional allocation, and the broader project it supports, will improve safety, and ease of access to businesses, for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicular traffic, alike.”

“The South Lakeport area serves as an important regional center for jobs, services, and commercial activity, and represents a significant opportunity for continued economic growth,” said Kevin Ingram, City Manager for the City of Lakeport. “The City of Lakeport and the County of Lake are committed to improving infrastructure along this critical corridor, and Congressman Thompson’s support has been instrumental in helping move this project forward. We appreciate his leadership and are excited to take this important step toward advancing the South Main Street/Soda Bay Road Widening and Resurfacing Project.”

“Lake County is very fortunate that Congressman Thompson continuously seeks to understand and fight for our priorities and most urgent federal funding needs,” said Brad Rasmussen, Chair of the Lake County Board of Supervisors. “The South Main Street/Soda Bay Road Widening and Resurfacing Project will help Lake County’s economy, while providing critical public safety benefits. We truly appreciate the United States Congress, with Congressman Thompson’s capable leadership, recognizing these crucial Lake County projects as a matter of Federal priority.”

"This $350,000 investment will make a real difference in keeping Clearlake safe," said Alan Flora, Clearlake City Manager. "By expanding our public safety camera system, we're strengthening crime prevention efforts, supporting our officers with better tools, and protecting the neighborhoods and businesses that make up our community. We thank Congressman Thompson for delivering critical federal resources that directly improve public safety here at home."

The projects are: 

• $3,150,000 for Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Community Center
• $850,000 for the South Main Street/Soda Bay road widening and resurfacing project.
• $350,000 for the Clearlake Public Safety Camera system.
  
   

Background on these projects can be found below. 

Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Community Center Project: Provides $3.15 million for the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe to build a comprehensive community center providing educational and workforce training opportunities, meeting and work spaces, conferences and other event spaces, and partnership programs with local and regional community members. The Tribe will use the funds to design, plan, construct and purchase land for the center. The center will function as a central gathering place for Lake County, with programs and opportunities designed to benefit the broader community.

South Main Street Project: Provides $850,000 to the County of Lake, Department of Public Works for the South Main Street Widening and Resurfacing Project. The South Main Street Project will enhance road safety and traffic efficiency by widening the roadway and adding a center left-turn lane. The project will incorporate complete street elements, including the construction of Class 2 bike lanes aimed at improving overall safety for both motorists and bicyclists. The project will also improve access to local businesses, rehabilitate aging pavement such as cracks and potholes on the roadway, improve roadway surface drainage, and underground existing overhead utility poles.

City of Clearlake Public Safety Camera System: Provides $350,000 for a camera system that would help monitor high-risk areas, providing real-time information to emergency responders and residents, thereby improving evacuation procedures and overall safety. The camera system would allow the Clearlake Police Department to monitor high risk areas as well as other locations that see high crime and public safety risks. As a rural and small police department, the enhanced public safety camera system would minimize response times, strengthen crime prevention efforts, and improve public safety.

About Community Project Funding (CPF)
 
Each year, Members of Congress may direct federal funding to a select number of Community Projects through the appropriations process. Under this process, each House member is permitted to submit 15 project requests to the Appropriations Committee on behalf of their Congressional District so long as the projects meet criteria set forth by the Committee. There are no guarantees that Community Projects will all be funded, and the projects are competitively evaluated by the Committee on Appropriations.
 
Project selection and submissions is the first stage of the process for Community Project Funding. The projects are subject to a strict transparency and accountability process before they may be selected for inclusion in the relevant appropriations legislation for the upcoming year.
 
Find more information on Rep. Thompson’s CPFs here.