The Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded a $1.1 million Project Grant to the Sierra Sands Unified School District of Ridgecrest, CA under the Impact Aid (CFDA 84.041) federal grant program. The five-year grant, awarded February 22, 2023, will provide financial assistance to the school district through September 30, 2028 due to impacts from federal activities that reduce the local tax base. Specifically, Impact Aid funding supports education programs for students where the presence of federal property, such as a military base, affects the district's tax revenue and ability to fund schools. The grant will deliver these services to the Sierra Sands Unified School District through September 2028 to address reduced local funding from federal activities within the district.