Ludlow, MA – Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal joined Ludlow Select Board Member Anthony Alves, Ludlow Town Administrator Marc Strange, and state and local officials to highlight the impact of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in the First Congressional District of Massachusetts.
Signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021, the ARPA injected $1.9 trillion into the American economy, investing $14 billion for vaccine distribution and delivering more than $400 billion in Economic Impact Payments to low- and middle-income households. The law also delivered $350 billion in aid to state and local governments and $130 billion to elementary, middle, and high schools.
“The American Rescue Plan was instrumental in driving our nation’s historic economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds that we allocated through Congress, much of which were allocated by the Ways and Means Committee, put money into the hands of those who needed it the most, including low- and middle-income households, small businesses, and local governments. It was a critical piece of legislation that set the nation on a successful path towards long-term recovery,” said Congressman Neal. “Funding awarded to municipalities enabled local officials to invest in projects they otherwise would not have had the means to pursue. I am pleased to join the Town of Ludlow in highlighting the impact this funding has had on their community and the investments that have been made to strengthen our local economy and improve the quality of life for residents.”
The ARPA provided approximately $8.7 billion to Massachusetts through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, with cities and towns throughout the First District receiving more than $390 million. The Town of Ludlow received more than $6.3 million, allowing the town to invest in a number of projects, including the redevelopment of the sports complex at Ludlow High School.
“This project would not have been possible without the support of Congressman Neal and the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act,” said Anthony Alves, Ludlow Select Board Member. “For years, our facility remained unusable, and our young athletes missed the opportunity to experience home games surrounded by their community. ARPA lived up to its name—it truly rescued this space. I thank Congressman Neal for his commitment and look forward to partnering on future initiatives that support our youth.”
“We can’t thank Congressman Neal enough for helping to deliver these much-needed federal funds to our town,” said Marc Strage, Town Administrator for the Town of Ludlow. “With Ludlow’s federal ARPA funding allocation, the Select Board, along with the School Committee, was able to build a special new public facility that students, student-athletes, and the general public can enjoy for years to come.”
In addition to the sports complex at Ludlow High School, the Town of Ludlow has used ARPA funding to invest in the town’s facilities and parks. The ARPA also delivered $1.6 billion in funding to Massachusetts through a third allocation through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III). Ludlow Public Schools received more than $3.1 million through ESSER III, receiving a total of $4.9 million over the course of all three allocations.
“As we witness continued challenges to the congressional spending power under Article I of our Constitution, today is a reminder of why the power of the purse rests with Congress,” continued Congressman Neal. “Members of Congress know the needs of their districts and the communities they represent. That is why our Founding Fathers vested the power of the purse with the legislative branch, not the executive. The courts have consistently decided on this issue, reiterating time and again that the President does not have the authority to unilaterally cut funding. It is incumbent upon all members of Congress to stand up to instances of executive overreach, regardless of political party.”
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