In the News

Springfield’s rail lines were once the crossroad of New England and for two hours yesterday — from Boston’s South Station to Union Station here — Gov. Charlie Baker, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal and the head of Amtrak got a mile-by-mile look at what needs to be done to bring those rail connections back. “All tracks lead through Springfield,” said Neal, D-Springfield, said following a news… Read more »

Governor Charlie Baker arrived in Springfield Tuesday afternoon by train. He and other officials are working to highlight the East-West rail, which would connect Boston with Pittsfield and Springfield. That project is now on track to move forward after the governor signed an infrastructure bond bill earlier this month. Baker was joined by Congressman Richard Neal, Amtrak CEO Stephen… Read more »

The City of Springfield welcomed Governor Charlie Baker from a Boston train ride to Springfield’s Union Station, to promote the East-West rail link in the state. Funds allocated to East-West Rail project in state infrastructure bill With only a few months left as Governor, Baker is trying to keep the momentum going to make sure the East-West trail project is on track for the next… Read more »

New York state is backing Massachusetts’ request for Amtrak to add two more trains from Boston through Springfield and on to Albany in what could be a transitional step toward increased east-west passenger rail service. “We are still not talking commuter service,” said Dana Roscoe, principal planner and transportation section manager for the Pioneer Valley Planning… Read more »

An additional $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding is coming Pittsfield’s way, to the Berkshire Innovation Center. The U.S. Department of Commerce will give the center $914,465 over two years to establish a “manufacturing academy” that’s meant to spur growth, and jobs, in that business sector. The center opened in 2020 and is located at the William Stanley Business… Read more »

Federal officials (figuratively) lifted their glasses and toasted Vanished Valley Brewing Co., recognized on Monday morning as a small business success story. The Ludlow brewery welcomed U.S. Small Business Administration officials, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, and local dignitaries as the SBA marks its 69th anniversary this month. Having first brewed its beers in a… Read more »

The Small Business Administration is celebrating 69 years of helping small businesses grow, expand and recover from disasters. One local brewery’s doors have stayed open thanks to the Small Business Administration and support from Congress. Vanished Valley Brewing Company in Ludlow has seen continued success even through the pandemic. Vanished Valley received PPP and COVID-19 Economic… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal joined President Joe Biden and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh Wednesday on Air Force One on a trip to Cleveland touting the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act and its protection of pension plans.   The Butch Lewis Act was the first piece of legislation introduced by the Springfield Democrat as chairman of the House Committee… Read more »

The Springfield building will house all the agency's social service programs One neighborhood in Springfield, Massachusetts has longed for a community center for decades. Now, it is just a little more than a year away. The groundbreaking ceremony in the North End neighborhood Monday for the $15 million project spearheaded by the New North Citizens Council drew well over 100… Read more »

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged his British counterpart to continue "good faith" talks with the European Union as the latest post-Brexit row over Northern Ireland flared up. In a call with U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Blinken urged the U.K. foreign affairs chief "to continue good faith negotiations with the EU to reach a solution that preserves the gains of… Read more »