Hanford's federal lobbyist outlines recent grant wins and 2026 Washington priorities

Greg Burns, a Washington, D.C.-based consultant from Thorn Run Partners, told the Hanford City Council on Feb. 3 that the first half of the federal term has been unusually active and that the city has benefited from direct advocacy. Burns said the administration has issued hundreds of executive orders and that courts and Congress are actively responding to that activity.

Burns highlighted concrete federal wins secured in partnership with city staff. He said the city obtained roughly $550,000 in FY23 funding for veterans and seniors building renovations and more than $7 million in FY24 for the East Lacey Corridor Improvement Project. He also credited a competitive USDA grant of about $1,000,000 for the Hanford Forestry Program and a more than $15 million FAST-TRACK transportation award for a Grange Boulevard grade separation planning and construction pipeline.

"So that $2,000,000 for Grangeville, right-of-way acquisition and utility works is now law," Burns said, referencing a funding signature earlier the same day.

Burns said Thorn Run will continue working with city staff on FY27 federal funding requests and warned that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is set to expire in September; he said follow-on surface transportation legislation will likely be smaller and may eliminate some competitive programs the city has used successfully. He also noted the need to preserve programs that supported Grangeville planning, such as the railroad/highway grade separation program.

Council members thanked Burns for the update. Several council members and public commenters emphasized parks and a possible multi-generational facility as local priorities Burns could consider when pursuing federal resources.

The presentation closed with a short public comment period during which residents urged additional parks, multi-use trails and senior services.