In the News

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and other public leaders announced the contractors for the $51.3 million Court Square Building renovation on Elm Street. The Fontaine Brothers will renovate the building into retail space and six floors of more than 50 market-rate apartments. MGM Springfield is a financial partner on the project. It was part of their host… Read more »

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) – Two graduate programs at Bay Path University received money to help students and faculty achieve the education they deserve. Nearly $3 million in federal grants were awarded to Bay Path University and will go directly to its healthcare programs. Congressman Richard Neal presented the grants Tuesday morning inside the Health Science Center on the East… Read more »

EASTHAMPTON — River Valley Co-op opens its doors to the public on July 1, bringing with it 83 new jobs and establishing itself as the city’s second grocery store.  The co-op, situated at 228 Northampton St., is the second location of the collectively owned grocery store, following the success of the original River Valley Co-op at 330 North King St. in… Read more »

NORTHAMPTON – The area’s public transit system will soon be home to eight new battery-electric buses, thanks to a $7.2 million federal grant. State and local officials announced this week that the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) received the grant to help it lower emissions by replacing some of its gas-powered buses. Once the new energy-efficient vehicles arrive in… Read more »

AGAWAM — After years of trapping motorists and neighborhood residents, the truck-sized rain puddles on Meadow Street have finally met their match: coronavirus relief. The town is slated to receive $8.55 million in funding from this year’s federal American Rescue Plan Act, and Mayor William Sapelli told the City Council this week that he wants to use all of it to address… Read more »

BOSTON (SHNS) – As Congress continues to work out an infrastructure bill that would direct billions of dollars to states, a high-ranking member of the Massachusetts delegation is pointing to challenges back at home that could be aided with federal dollars. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, used a virtual address to the Massachusetts High… Read more »

(WWLP) – More than $7 million is headed to the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority. Congressman Richard Neal announced the grant Monday alongside Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. It’s part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s new clean energy program. The multi-million dollar grant will go towards low or no-emission vehicles for the public transit group. Hopes are… Read more »

EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Final preparations are underway at River Valley Co-Op in Easthampton. The grocery store is getting ready for its grand opening later this week and Mayor Nicole LaChapelle and Congressman Richard Neal got a sneak peek. The community-owned food cooperative specializes in fresh, local, and organically grown food and drinks. The store is very… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — A $7.2 million federal grant announced Monday will allow the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to buy eight new electric buses and continue its efforts to promote clean emissions. The grant from the Federal Transit Administration is the largest grant in the nation for a regional transit authority this year under the Low and No-Emission grant program. U.S. Rep. Richard… Read more »

The Berkshire County Head Start Development Program has received a grant worth nearly $380,000 through the American Rescue Plan.  The federal funding is part of more than $2.4 million in grants that were award to Head Start programs in Massachusetts, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal's office.  “This investment will help our local Head Start… Read more »