Congressman Derek Kilmer is cosponsored a bill that could increase investments in critical transportation projects on the Olympic Peninsula, including projects on Bainbridge Island.

The bill was introduced by U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, a Washington 2nd District Democrat.

Called the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery for Cities Underfunded Because of Size (TIGER CUBS) Act of 2017, the legislation would set aside 20 percent of the funds for smaller- and medium-sized cities made available through the popular Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program.

The reserved grants would be for cities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000 people.

“Investments in transportation mean jobs,” said Kilmer, a Gig Harbor Democrat and the House representative for Washington’s 6th Congressional District.

In Washington’s 6th District, the cities that could be eligible for TIGER CUBS grants include Bainbridge, Bremerton, Port Orchard, Port Angeles and Aberdeen.

“The TIGER grant program has put folks to work and allowed us to finish projects that ease congestion while making it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to get their products where they need to go,” Kilmer added.

“This legislation ensures that smaller and more rural communities get an equal chance to compete for this funding to improve their infrastructure and in the process, boost economic development and their competitiveness,” he said.