Legislation includes $6 million for UNI's Project SOAR, $2 million for Rock Island Arsenal

Washington, DC - Today Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) voted for the FY2010 Defense Appropriations Act (HR 3326), which includes $8 million secured by Braley for two eastern Iowa programs. The bill includes $6 million for the University of Northern Iowa's Project SOAR, and $2 million for the Arsenal Support Program Initiative (ASPI) at the Rock Island Arsenal. The bill passed the House this afternoon, 400-30.

Project SOAR (Student Online Achievement Resources) helps children from military families receive a better education by providing a common set of assessment and instructional tools to be used by all military families as they transition from one school to another. The program provides additional support for military families and increases students' academic achievement. The $6 million will help fund the continuation of the program. Braley secured $5 million for Project SOAR in 2007, and $4.75 million in 2008.

"Project SOAR helps improve educational opportunities for children in military families," Braley said. "Military families make sacrifices every day in service to our country. This funding helps provide a more stable learning environment for military children growing up."

The Arsenal Support Program Initiative (ASPI) renovates unused office and manufacturing space at Rock Island Arsenal to lease to commercial firms. It currently has 30 tenants, generates $700,000 per year in revenues, and has created or retained an estimated 500 jobs. Last month, Braley and Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL) successfully added an amendment to the FY 2010 Defense Authorization Act extending the ASPI program for an additional year. The funding secured today will fund the program for a year.

"The funding secured today for the ASPI program will help spur economic development in the Quad Cities, save taxpayers money, and maintain infrastructure at the Arsenal," said Braley. "The Arsenal has a tremendous impact on the Quad Cities' local economy. Investing in this program will help create and maintain jobs at the Arsenal."

The Defense Appropriations bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

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