{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1682", "Rep. Mark Alford Announces $18 Million Federal BUILD Grant for Belton Infrastructure Project", "2026-07-02", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Mark Alford", "A000379", "alford.house.gov", "alford", "https://alford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) announced that the City of Belton has been awarded an $18 million federal BUILD grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support the \u201cBelton to AMERICA\u201d infrastructure project.\n\nEarlier this year, Rep. Alford wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation expressing his strong support for the project and highlighting its importance to regional infrastructure, economic growth, and job creation.\n\nThe funding will be used to construct a critical last-mile, multi-modal freight connection linking the Kansas City Inland Port to the interstate highway system. The project includes completion of the Markey Parkway and Bales Avenue connections and will enhance freight mobility, improve safety, and strengthen the region\u2019s economic competitiveness.\n\n\u201cI was proud to support this project because it delivers exactly what our region needs\u2014stronger infrastructure, safer transportation, and more good-paying jobs,\u201d said Rep. Alford. \u201cThis investment will help position Belton and the entire Kansas City region as a national logistics hub while supporting American manufacturing and economic growth.\u201d\n\nThe project is expected to improve freight efficiency and expand access to markets, allowing goods to reach nearly half of the U.S. population within one day. It will also support future industrial development and job creation in the area, particularly at the Markey Business Park.\n\n\u201cWe are so proud and excited to receive this grant,\u201d said Greg Rokos, Assistant City Manager and Public Works Director.\u201cWe will use these funds to provide access to Markey Business Park that will help increase jobs in the City.\u201d\n\nIn addition to freight improvements, the project includes multimodal enhancements such as a multi-use trail and sidewalk to ensure safer access for pedestrians and cyclists.\n\n\u201cThis is a big win for Missouri\u2019s Fourth District. I look forward to seeing this project move forward and deliver lasting benefits for our communities,\u201d Alford concluded.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-03T08:00:00Z", "2026-07-03T08:01:30Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1682"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 3.0278279446065426, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}