In the News

PITTSFIELD — For much of the next two years, the Pittsfield branch of the Berkshire Family YMCA will be an active construction zone as the facility undergoes a $12.4 million renovation. Officials for the nonprofit say the final product will be worth the wait. On the other side of the project: an expanded child care center, modernized fitness center, and the county’s first public… Read more »

U.S. Representative Richard Neal of Springfield said Wednesday he's pushing Governor Charlie Baker to invest some new federal infrastructure funds in passenger rail expansion for western Massachusetts. The White House said Massachusetts could receive $12 billion under the legislation, which is awaiting the president's signature. That could help a proposal to expand service between… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Now that the major infrastructure bill passed through Congress last week, what does that mean for our transportation needs here in western Massachusetts? The more than $1 trillion bill passed Friday. Now, billions of dollars are coming to Massachusetts to help improve our aging infrastructure. The new law will add, on average, 2 million jobs a year over the… Read more »

LEE, Mass. (WWLP) – A historic Berkshire County paper mill will soon become mixed-use housing. For more than two centuries, the building has stood on the edge of the Housatonic Tiver and has been empty for decades. Now, the Eagle Mill will soon be transformed into affordable apartments and other community space. “We’ve been in the middle of a housing crisis for more than a generation in… Read more »

Congressman Richard Neal said one way to understand what is happening – and not happening – in the House of Representatives concerning legislation reflecting President Joe Biden’s agenda is to look at the math. Neal explained during an interview on Oct. 18 with Focus Springfield and Reminder Publishing, “The dilemma highlights the arithmetic of the House. At the moment we have a… Read more »

The Eastern States Exposition has been awarded a large grant from the federal government.  Just weeks after nearly 1.5-million people visited the Big E fair, the exposition is receiving $9-million to invest in the grounds. “It's a good day for the Exposition, a good day for West Springfield, a good day for Western Massachusetts,” said Congressman Richard Neal. Officials gathered on… Read more »

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – An announcement by the Small Business Administration was made at Eastern States Exposition Monday afternoon. The Small Business Administration Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), that provides emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by COVID-19, awarded Eastern States Exposition $9 million. The program was developed by the Economic… Read more »

The Big E received a $9 million grant from the federal Shuttered Venues Operators Grant Program, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, the Eastern States Exposition and the U.S. Small Business Administration announced on Monday. “Knowing that they will eventually embrace what we call the trampoline effect,” said Neal at a media event in the fairgrounds’ Coliseum. “They’ll hit it and bounce right… Read more »

CHICOPEE — More than $57 million in improvements will move hundreds of Westover Air Reserve Base employees out of the cold, rain, snow or blazing sun and allow them to do many of their jobs more efficiently and comfortably. Military officers joined with federal and local officials Tuesday to break ground on a hangar designed for the inspections base personnel perform on the country’s… Read more »

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – An event was held at Westover Air Reserve Base for the start of a new aircraft maintenance hangar and the completed indoor small-arms firing range. Breaking ground on a new airplane hangar took place at Westover Air Reserve Base Tuesday. The hangar is for maintenance of C-5 aircrafts and the inspection program for them that takes place at Westover. The current… Read more »