The U.S. House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act today. With help from Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel), Central Coast projects got a boost from the funding bill.

Among the anti-violence beneficiaries:

• Silver Star Gang Prevention and Intervention Program: $1.5 million.
• Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force: $500,000.
• YWCA of Monterey County, for services to domestic violence victims and violence prevention programs: $250,000.
  

Local community groups were also slated for economic stimulus funds in the bill:

• Monterey County Food Bank: $150,000.
• San Benito County Food Bank: $150,000.
• Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association: $110,000.
• El Pajaro Community Development Corporation: $90,000. 
  

Central Coast science and education project also got a piece of the pie:

• Marine Meteorology Center: $10.24 million.
  
• West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health: $500,000.
  
• California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program: $2.5 million. 
• Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail: $800,000.

The U.S. Senate passed the bill Dec. 13.