DOVER -On Thursday, the House unanimously approved a $1.1 billion capital budget that will fund investments in roadway enhancements, school construction, state building renovations, economic development initiatives, and various projects to protect Delaware’s natural resources.
House Bill 475, known as the Fiscal Year 2025 Bond Bill, is the product of multiple hearings held by the Joint Capital Improvement Committee, a 12-member panel of Senators and Representatives from both parties charged with drafting the state’s capital spending plan.
“The capital budget touches every corner of our state, and these investments have a real, tangible impact on people’s lives, whether it’s students attending new and upgraded schools, roads that are easier to travel, or clean water projects moving forward,” said Rep. Debra Heffernan, chair of the Joint Capital Improvement Committee, commonly referred to as the Bond Committee.
“This capital budget addresses immediate needs such as school improvements, roadway enhancements, and environmental protections, while also serving as a catalyst for job creation and economic growth across Delaware. For several years now we’ve been fortunate to make significant investments in the infrastructure improvements that Delawareans want and need to strengthen our state. I look forward to continuing this important work by passing HB 475.”
The Bond Bill includes $40 million for the Community Reinvestment Fund, which will provide funding for capital projects throughout Delaware community nonprofit and municipal organizations.
“This legislation represents a critical investment in Delaware’s infrastructure, Delaware’s job market and Delaware’s future,” said Sen. Jack Walsh, co-chair of the Joint Capital Improvement Committee.
“Every single project funded through the Capital Budget will help to put Delawareans to work building new schools, new libraries and upgrading our world-class parks, while also providing clean drinking water, preserving farmland and open space, and supporting the towns and nonprofits who provide the critical services that some of our most vulnerable neighbors depend on,” he said. “My Republican and Democratic colleagues on the Bond Committee deserve a lot of credit for putting together a strong job creation bill that continues our record of strong, sound investments in the infrastructure that keeps our communities running.”
Notable items in the FY 2025 Capital Budget include:
- $352.7 million to complete road projects statewide, including additional funds to address the roads in the poorest condition.
- $160 million for school construction projects in the Smyrna, Red Clay, Colonial, New Castle County Vo-Tech, Polytech, and Christina school districts.
- $9.1 million for the School Safety and Security Fund.
- $10 million for affordable housing program support.
- $37 million toward economic development projects through the Strategic Fund, Site Readiness Fund, Lab Space, the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Fund, the Sports Tourism Capital Fund, the Downtown Development District Program, and a new Social Equity Fund.
- $27.7 million in Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.
- $15.6 million for statewide park improvements including Bellevue State Park, White Clay Creek Nature Center, Killens Pond Water Park, Lums Pond, Fenwick Island State Park, and a feasibility study for the Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier.
- $7.6 million for beach and dredging needs throughout the state.
- $5 million for Volunteer Fire Service Loan Revolving Funds to allow all fire companies to finance equipment and debt service.
- $100 million in statewide deferred maintenance, roof replacement, and capital improvement projects throughout state facilities.
- $26 million for the new Troop 4 in Georgetown.
- $25 million toward the new Kent and Sussex Family Courthouses for the fourth year of funding.
HB 475 now heads to the Senate for consideration.
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