WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson announced that $7,987,643 in federal dollars could soon be headed directly to Ohio’s Sixth District, with $1,110,000 of that money going to support growth and recovery in Gallia, Lawrence and Scioto counties.

The federal funds are part of the $410 billion Omnibus spending bill which passed the House Wednesday and will wrap up Congress’ work on 2009 appropriations. The bill still awaits Senate passage.

This legislation works in harmony with the recently enacted economic recovery package, making investments that address the country’s immediate needs while investing in long-term economic strength.

The bill cuts and eliminates programs that haven’t performed the way they should, and includes strict accountability measures to ensure that American tax dollars are spent wisely, said Wilson, a Bridgeport Democrat. It invests in oversight efforts carried out by the Inspectors General and the Government Accountability Office. The bill makes great improvements in the following areas.

• Energy security: Increases funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts, to increase the production of clean, efficient, American energy key to our long term economic security.

• Scientific research: Makes investments into cutting edge science so that our nation will maintain its preeminence in the global economy.

• Healthcare access and affordability: Improves access to quality, affordable healthcare.

• Education to promote opportunity: Promotes future economic strength by investing in K-12 education and helping families send their kids to college.

• Workers: Helps American workers in the tough economy train for and find good jobs in safe workplaces.

• Safe and healthy America: Protects Americans by investing in programs to ensure clean air and water, and the safety of our food, medicine and consumer products.

• Regulation for an economy in chaos: Strengthens regulatory agencies that had been neglected, to beef up their efforts during the economic crisis.

In addition, earmarks have been further reduced by 5 percent below last year’s levels, building on last year’s 43 percent reduction.

“I’m proud of this spending bill,” Wilson said. “We’ve made responsible cuts, but are spending money where it needs to be spent. If there’s one thing I hear a lot from people all along the Ohio River and up into Mahoning and Columbiana counties is that they feel Ohio doesn’t always get its fair share.

“I’m proud to bring nearly $8 million back home in federal investment,” he added. “Each of these projects will help our district; these aren’t bridges to nowhere.”

For example, Wilson secured $475,000 for the Chesapeake Bypass in Lawrence County. The money will help to fund the property acquisition costs associated with Phase 2 of the State Route 7, Chesapeake Bypass project. This segment of highway, once completed, in conjunction with other Ohio and West Virginia segments that are either planned, under construction, or recently constructed, will form the Northern Outerbelt around the Tri-State Metropolitan Area of Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The Outerbelt, upon its completion, will alleviate local traffic congestion and provide alternative routing when I-64 is either jammed or closed.

In addition, Wilson, along with Rep. Geoff Davis of Kentucky and Ohio Sen. George Voinovich, also secured $335,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers’ project at Greenup Lock and Dams in Scioto County.

The funding will be used to improve and extend the current auxiliary lock. Other additions include an extended downstream guide wall, a supplemental filling and emptying system, the installation of a miter gate quick change out system, and a dry dock for off-site construction. These improvements will help to eliminate future costly delays resulting from closures of the main lock chamber.

Wilson also secured $250,000 for the Gallipolis Communication Interoperability Project and the development of a city-wide radio communication system. The project would allow for instantaneous voice and data exchange between the Gallipolis police and fire departments and additional public safety departments.

The funding will help pay for new equipment, including handheld radios for officers and firefighters, as well as mobile radios and data terminals for cruisers and fire trucks.

To increase the safety of its citizens and its officers, Wilson also made sure that the Scioto County Sheriff’s Department will receive $50,000 through this federal spending bill. With these funds, the department will each be able to purchase the following: two in-car digital eyewitness video systems, two radar units, 15 bullet-proof vests, 10 pairs of night vision goggles, and five laptop computers to be used in mobile command units and in the field.

“I believe our local law enforcement has had to do too much with too little for too long,” Wilson said. “I’m proud we’re reversing that trend, keeping our citizens and our officers safer.”

The bill is now headed to the Senate for passage, which is likely next week.