Southbridge, MA — Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal joined Southbridge Town Manager Jack Jovan and town officials to highlight the impact of federal investments made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). More than $1.5 billion has been invested across the First Congressional District.
In Southbridge, $18.2 million was invested in projects and initiatives, with funding streams including:
- $11.5 million in ARPA funding, consisting of $5 million in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery funding and $6.5 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Funding
- $6.7 million in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act
“I am delighted to join with Town Manager Jack Jovan, members of the Town Council, and local residents to highlight the Town’s superb work in putting these once-in-a-generation investments to good use. Based on what we saw here today, I am pleased to see another community in the First District that benefited from these landmark laws and put these funds to work for its residents,” said Congressman Neal. “Whether it’s investing in the Town’s infrastructure, supporting food assistance and workforce development programs, or providing a lifeline for small businesses, the Town seized the opportunity to both address immediate needs and make investments for the future. It’s important that we take the time to show the public how these federal dollars were put to use and allow the public to judge for themselves the impact of these investments. That’s what this tour is all about.”
As a result of the ARPA, the Town of Southbridge was able to pursue more than 60 different initiatives that invested in the Town’s infrastructure, public schools, and local services, and provided critical support to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Among these initiatives are:
- $150,000 for the United Way of South Central Massachusetts Southbridge Resident Community Assistance Program
- $100,000 for the YMCA, including $50,000 for the YMCA “What’s for Dinner” food assistance program through the Southbridge Community Center, and $50,000 for the YMCA workplace development program for teens
- $300,000 for small businesses in the downtown district
- $250,000 for infrastructure improvements on West Street
- $29,490 for lights at the softball field
- $31,120 for playground equipment at Henry Street Playground
- $194,219 for a new DPW loader
- $27,925 for the Southbridge Senior Center catering services
- $270,723 for a new DPW hotbox for road repairs and paving
- $39,029 for a new generator at the Southbridge Community Center
- $44,972 for design and building phases of a new broadband network at the Jacob Edwards Library
- $50,000 for a feasibility study of the Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail. This project also received a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan, ultimately supporting completion of the project.
“The Town of Southbridge was fortunate to receive ARPA funding, and we have worked to use those resources in a thoughtful and responsible manner. These funds allowed us to respond to immediate needs while also investing in infrastructure, public safety, economic development, municipal facilities, and projects that will benefit Southbridge well beyond the life of the ARPA program,” said Southbridge Town Manager Jack Jovan. “The Rail Trail is a particularly good example of the value of strategic investment. The ARPA-funded feasibility work helped position the Town to pursue significant outside funding and ultimately deliver a major community asset. The Town appreciates the work of the Town Council, department heads, municipal employees, community organizations, and residents who contributed to the successful implementation of these projects. The Town remains committed to responsible stewardship of public funds and to making investments that strengthen Southbridge’s infrastructure, services, economic vitality, and quality of life.”
In addition to the ARPA, MassDOT has received $6.7 million from the IIJA for intersection improvements at Central, Foster, Hook, and Hamilton Streets. This is in addition to a $7.8 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant that Southbridge was awarded in FY24 for the reconstruction of Hamilton Street. As a major cut-through in the Town, this street will greatly benefit from added lighting and crosswalks to increase safety, drainage, improved traffic flow, new sidewalks, and paving. The IIJA increased funding for the RAISE Grant Program in FY24, awarding $1.8 billion to projects across the country and enabling communities like Southbridge to finally secure the necessary funding after years of pursuing this investment.
###
