Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges will receive $655,000 in federal funding secured by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla as part of a $32 million package of federally directed spending for San Diego County projects, the senator announced this week.

The money is designated to expand access to workforce training and strengthen child care and basic needs support for students at both East County community colleges. Grossmont College is located in El Cajon; Cuyamaca College sits in nearby Rancho San Diego — both serve thousands of students from Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa, and surrounding East County communities.

The funding was part of a broader Fiscal Year 2026 federal appropriations package. In total, Padilla secured more than $241 million in congressionally directed spending for California this fiscal year. Six other San Diego-area projects also received money, including $26 million for flood control along the San Luis Rey River in Oceanside, $2 million for pediatric mental health services at Rady Children's Hospital, and $1.2 million to improve SPRINTER commuter rail platforms in North County.

For East County students, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca funding arrives as community colleges across California have grappled with rising costs and strains on student support services. Workforce training programs at both campuses connect students to careers in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades.

"I am proud to help secure millions in federal funding to support transformative projects across the region that will deliver lasting improvements for San Diego County residents," Padilla said in a statement announcing the package.