Washington, D.C. -Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly voted for the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010, which passed the House with bipartisan support. Included in the bill is funding that he requested for two north central Indiana projects: The Mount Zion Dam in Rochester and Innovation Park at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend.

“I was pleased to learn that the Mount Zion Dam and Innovation Park will both be approved for funds as a result of the bill we passed today,” Donnelly said. “By investing in our infrastructure and jobs-creating enterprises, we’re also investing in our cities and towns and their economies.”

The bill directs the Army Corps of Engineers to use $225,000 to help with necessary repairs of the Mount Zion Dam in Fulton County. It is owned by a government agency, but the agency does not have sufficient funds for the needed repairs.

The dam holds back 27 to 55 acres of water, depending on rainfall and flooding, and is currently in failing condition.  If the repairs are not made and the dam fails, water would flow into Lake Manitou, causing a flood in mere minutes. In addition, 62 percent of the entire tax revenue for the county comes from houses and businesses located on the lake. As a result of previous efforts by Donnelly, the Corps of Engineers has begun the repairs process, but this additional funding is necessary to help them continue the job.

Innovation Park at the University of Notre Dame will receive $575,000 to construct a demonstration dry lab and also implement an energy-management system designed to make the facility energy efficient and lower energy costs. These improvements will continue the development of Innovation Park and help draw more technology and next-generation research and development initiatives that will drive new job creation in the South-Bend area.

The legislation is now pending before the Senate.

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