By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – Fresh off his successful re-election bid, U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R, CD-6) flew from Washington D.C. back to Arizona on Thursday and then traveled to Safford on Friday to join the presentation of nearly $1.1 million for natural gas distribution infrastructure.
Joining Ciscomani at the podium to speak about the historic moment was the U.S. Department of Transportation and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant Program Manager Shakira Mack, Safford Mayor Richard Ortega, and Safford Utilities Director Jason Brimhall, with Safford Assistant City Manager Eric Bejarano serving as Master of Ceremonies. Those in the audience included Safford City Manager John Casella and Safford City Councilpersons Michael Andazola Sr. and Dusti Brantner, as well as various city employees and others.
Ciscomani praised the local government officials and city staff for procuring the funds from the grant program and said those in Washington, D.C., could learn something from how local politicians get things done.
“I always say that if more of the country behaved like rural Arizona, we would be in a much better place as a nation,” Ciscomani said. “And I think elected officials all across the country have a lot to learn from mayors of these kind of towns that just get things done. And make sure that the government is working on behalf of the people; that the government is working for the things that actually matter to the people they represent. And if more of the country, again, more of the elected officials acted like that, I think we would be in a much better place.”
The $1.6 million grant is from the U.S. Department of Transportation and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant Program, which is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Shakira Mack, Director of PHMSA’s Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant Program, said her department has been tasked with investing federal dollars into local communities like Safford.
“Our goal is to repair and modernize America’s aging, leak-prone, and in some cases dangerous natural gas infrastructure,” Mack said. “This award represents your federal government doing the work, sometimes behind the scenes or below the ground, to truly make a difference where it matters most, right here in Safford and communities like it all across the country. So far, we’ve announced nearly $800 million in local infrastructure grants to address critical needs in communities.”
After the ceremonial check presentation, Ciscomani presented Mayor Ortega with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition “in honor of your commitment to improving the quality of life for residents in the city of Safford,” he said.
Ortega thanked Rep. Ciscomani and expressed his appreciation for the grant and its acknowledgment of the vital role community-owned utilities play.
“This grant represents a significant step towards our commitment to creating a safe, more sustainable future for our community,” Ortega said. “This grant empowers us to modernize our infrastructure, create new jobs, opportunities, and support our hardworking staff who are committed to serving our city. Most importantly, it will help reduce the cost for our citizens. And ensure a stronger and more efficient future for our community.”
City of Safford Utilities Director Jason Brimhall said the city serves more than 3,500 customers. Due to the grant, all of the city’s gas meters that are more than 10 years old will be replaced. That equates to roughly 2,300 meters (most of which are 20 – 30 years old), which will be replaced with new temperature-compensated gas meters at no cost to the customers.
Brimhall said the city had three objectives when submitting for the grant: to improve the safety and reliability of the system, protect the environment, and create high-quality jobs. With the meter replacement, every meter will be leak tested, and the job will require the addition of two new meter replacement technicians to the city staff, who will be paid for by grant funds for two years. Brimhall said grant funds will also finance some of the current staff during that timeframe as well.
“These projects will provide good paying wages, good health insurance, and Arizona State retirement benefits for those who are employed,” Brimhall said. “We appreciate everybody’s hard work in this process and looking forward to moving forward.”
The nearly $1.1 million grant is the latest federal funding that Rep. Ciscomani has helped allocate for Graham County. These include millions of dollars for Graham County’s water and wastewater system, the Gila River Linear Park and Trail Project, and projects in Pima for a new fire station and a roadway from Highway 70 to connect the new Pima High School, which is currently under construction.
