The Federal Government Relations team successfully developed and executed a comprehensive federal funding strategy for Findlay Township Municipal Authority's (FTMA) wastewater treatment plant expansion. This included creating a strategic relationship matrix involving local House and Senate members to pursue a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers earmark, organizing three rounds of in-person and virtual meetings with congressional staff, and coordinating two virtual briefings with the Pittsburgh U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to garner support.
Over the course of two years, the team monitored the appropriations process and submitted funding requests for FY2025 and FY2026, while also identifying additional federal grants and funding opportunities aligned with FTMA's needs. Throughout the process, the team provided annual briefings to the FTMA board on the status of the earmark request. These efforts culminated in securing $12 million in the FY2026 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill toBuy support FTMA's wastewater treatment plant expansion. The project was led by Ed Hild, who developed the strategic plan and coordinated meetings, and Sophia Estupinan, who managed congressional outreach, site visits, and appropriations requests.