LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A project to build a new library and senior center in Middletown is getting a boost through newly acquired federal funding.

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) reported Monday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding $50,000 in federal funding to help construct the combination library and senior center in Middletown.

The funding is part of a nationwide, $3.4 million Economic Impact Initiative Grant through the Rural Development division of USDA, Thompson's office reported.

“By constructing this needed county library and senior center, the project will create jobs and improve the quality of life in Middletown,” said Thompson. “Once complete, the new center will bring critical services to our local community like access to high speed Internet, community meeting rooms, and other needed tools to keep our community a great place to live.”

Construction on the 12,377 square foot facility – which was bid at about $3.6 million, according to Board of Supervisors documents – is expected to begin soon.

In addition to a brand new library with up-to-date technology and a full-service senior center, the new center will also include a space for community meetings and events. The project has been planned for years and has the support of the full community.

“The budget for this project is very tight and the $50,000 being provided by the USDA will be of great help in furnishing the new building with bookshelves, tables, chairs and other essential equipment,” said Lake County Administrative Office Kelly Cox.

Cox added, “We are very appreciative of Congressman Thompson’s support of this project and assistance in securing the USDA grant. It’s also important to remember that without his extraordinary efforts to restore geothermal royalty revenues to local government, this much needed project would not be happening.”

Thompson represents California’s First Congressional District, which includes Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, and portions of Sonoma and Yolo counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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