On Thursday, October 13, 2022, the City of Modesto, Stanislaus County, and State Senator Susan Eggman celebrated the announcement of a county island infrastructure project in Modesto with a ceremonial groundbreaking. Senator Eggman presented the City of Modesto with a check for $5 million dedicated to county island infrastructure improvements in Modesto.

The City of Modesto and Stanislaus County are pooling their resources to make major infrastructure investments into a county island known as Colorado-Rouse inside Modesto’s sphere of influence. The project includes the installation of sewers, storm drains, sidewalks, and streetlights to bring the neighborhood’s infrastructure up to City of Modesto standards. State Senator Susan Eggman presented the City of Modesto with a ceremonial check for $5 million that the city will use to invest in these infrastructure improvements. Stanislaus County will be using $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help kick-start the project. alt=""

“I am pleased to announce an unprecedented investment into the Colorado-Rouse area, which has been underserved for far too long. The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors worked together to identify areas for needed improvement and these investments will update and create infrastructure that is desperately needed to create a safer and stronger community,” said Stanislaus County Supervisor Mani Grewal. “With this investment and by leveraging other funding opportunities, we will continue to work towards a better Stanislaus County for everyone.”

A county island is an unincorporated area of land surrounded by a city or town. County Island happens when a town grows and acquires land from the county, but a particular area is omitted during the annexation process. These areas sometimes lack many of the infrastructure amenities that the incorporated communities around them enjoy.

“I am so incredibly grateful for Senator Eggman and the funds she has brought back to our community for these vital infrastructure investments,” said Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen. “The City cannot do it alone, and it will take partnerships with the county and state to bring these communities to the same standard as their neighbors in the City of Modesto.”alt=""

The City and County will begin planning the next steps of the project and there is no timeline for completion. Projects funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds need to be completed by the end of 2026, so residents in this neighborhood will begin to see infrastructure improvements in the next 4 years.