Larsen secures $2,165,000 for community projects in Island and San Juan Counties

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN |||

 Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) secured a total of $2,165,000 in U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for three local projects in Island and San Juan counties. Since 2022, Larsen has secured nearly $64 million for 43 projects in Northwest Washington state through annual spending bills.

Larsen applauded the inclusion of earmarks in the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture spending bill and emphasized the importance of investing in local community projects.

“If you live in a rural part of Northwest Washington state, know that I am fighting for you,” said Larsen. “This $2.1 million for community projects is a great example of cooperation between congressional and local leaders that creates jobs, builds better infrastructure and improves vital services for folks in Island and San Juan counties.”

Larsen secured the following earmarks for Northwest Washington state communities: 

• Island County’s Recycling and Reuse Station: This project will build a new solid waste transfer station that will significantly enhance the efficiency of the county’s waste management processes, reducing costs for local rate payers and mitigating associated impacts to public health, safety and the environment. ($1,000,000) 

• Lopez Island Family Resource Center’s Food Center: This project will construct a mixed-use food center, including a community kitchen, shared farm stand, rental spaces, and gathering areas for pop-up shops, in addition to a home base for the San Juan Food Hub and local food bank. ($1,000,000) 

• Orcas Senior Center’s Roof Replacement: This project will repair the failing roof of the facility, ensuring seniors can continue to access services. ($165,000) 

What WA-02 Community Leaders and Stakeholders Are Saying

Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon on the Recycling and Reuse Station: “Island County is deeply grateful to Representative Larsen for championing this critical project. This investment in a modern recycling and reuse facility protects local public health, improves environmental stewardship, and supports long-term population and economic growth. In addition to lowering costs for local ratepayers, the station will give our island community the resilient infrastructure it needs for the next generation.”

Lopez Food Center’s Board of Directors on Lopez Food Center: “The funding for the Lopez Food Center will help build a centralized facility with a commercial kitchen, food storage, space for local food sales, pop-ups and food events, a recovery café, and much more. It will also house the inter-island local food distributor, San Juan Food Hub, and create a communal farm stand with the support of high school students. The Lopez Food Center will also provide a new home for the Lopez Food Share, a food pantry that serves 399 households increasing access to healthy, nutritious food. We believe the Lopez Food Center will assure a thriving, fair and sustainable local food system and strong economy which are essential to a healthy, sustainable life here on Lopez Island.”

Orcas Senior Center Board of Directors Acting President Suzette Lamb on Orcas Senior Center: “On behalf of the Orcas Senior Center’s members, staff, and board, we are deeply grateful for the support and advocacy of Representative Larsen and his staff and the funding included for our facility in the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2026. This investment will allow us to replace the roof on our recently acquired building, safeguarding a vital community resource and strengthening our ability to offer inclusive activities, services, and programs that help Orcas residents connect, learn, and thrive.”

Larsen Continues to Advocate for Twelve Other Northwest Washington Projects

Earlier this year, Larsen requested funding for fifteen community projects in Northwest Washington state as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 spending bills. Larsen will continue to work with his congressional and local colleagues to advocate for the remaining twelve projects in upcoming spending bills.