Salazar Secures $3 Million in Federal Aid for Miami-Dade College

US Representative Maria Elvira-Salazar (R-FL) recently unveiled $3 million in federal funding she secured for Miami-Dade College. 

Representative Salazar presented the aid during a job fair she hosted at  Miami Dade College’s Padrón Campus in Little Havana. 

The money will fund Miami-Dade College’s (MDC) renovation efforts seeking to turn their newly acquired Dyer Federal Courthouse building into a new, cutting-edge workforce development, innovation, and culture center.

Salazar commended MDC for its integral role in the South Florida community. 

“Miami Dade College has been a leader in this community for over 60 years, helping cultivate the public sphere of education, innovation, and leadership that makes Miami the envy of the world,” said Rep. Salazar. 

Salazar’s funds are part of the recently passed Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024.

Aside from the MDC funds, Salazar obtained more than $23 million for other critical projects in Miami. 

Funds will be used for 14 distinct projects designed to improve Miami's coastal infrastructure and environment, water supply, workforce development efforts, and housing senior citizens.

Similarly, US Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) secured tens of millions of dollars in federal grants that will be given to multiple South Florida projects and entities. 

Among these are $7 million dollars for Miami-Dade transportation and roadway safety projects,  $4 million for  Florida International University, and $2 million for Doral’s police. 

Altogether, the funding obtained by Balart for South Florida authorities and public projects amounts to over $30 million. 

While Balart and Salazar lauded the Appropriations package that enabled them to divert federal funds to their constituents’ communities, other Republican lawmakers opposed it. 

In effect, the bill passed 339-85, with most “no” votes coming from Republicans (83).

Republicans who voted no include Representatives Matt Gaetz (FL), Chip Roy (TX), Cory Mills (FL), Troy Nehls (TX), and Byron Donalds (FL).

Rep. Gaetz highlighted what he believed to be “outrageous race-based projects” in the appropriations bill.