Four-year regional public universities in distressed areas could receive federal grants of up to $50 million for economic and community development efforts under newly introduced bipartisan legislation. The grants would go to institutions for projects to address healthcare challenges, seed early stage businesses, modernize broadband networks and improve critical infrastructure. As many as 174 institutions across the country would qualify under the proposal. Rep. Jim Costa, a California Democrat, promoted the legislation at a press conference Tuesday at Fresno State University. The bill is cosponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman, an Arizona Republican.
