In the News

SPRINGFIELD — The American Rescue Plan includes nearly $90 million for colleges, universities and community colleges in Massachusetts’ First Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal announced Tuesday. The funding included in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan COVID relief package is meant to help institutions cope with the severe financial fallout from… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD – A new study concludes the return on investment on east-west passenger rail would be $10 for every dollar spent on the development of the new service. The study by the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) – in consultation with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC)  – was released on May 6. The study furthered reported a direct link… Read more »

A report released this week by two regional planning agencies makes a business case for proposed passenger rail improvements in Massachusetts and Connecticut. An analysis projects that by making upgrades to the Hartford Line and building east-west rail in Massachusetts, the metro Hartford-Springfield area would gain 20,000-40,000 professional jobs over 30 years with a corresponding… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) –  Congressman Richard Neal announces the findings of a report on the Economic Benefits of Regional Rail Investment in Metro Hartford-Springfield Thursday afternoon. Congressmen Richard Neal joined with John B. Larson (CT-01), and the heads of the two agencies at Springfield Union Station announced the new report showing nearly 10 to 1 economic… Read more »

U.S. Reps. Richard Neal of Springfield and John Larson of East Hartford made the case Thursday for an investment of between $6.7 billion and $9.7 billion in the infrastructure needed for regional rail service that could link Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Hartford and New Haven to New York City and beyond. The Interstate 91 corridor congressmen are touting the findings of a new… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield/Hartford area has missed out on 130,000 new jobs since 1990, jobs that could have come here if the region had the commuter rail service enjoyed by other East Coast cities. “That’s the major differentiating factor, the availability of rail,” said Jessica Jones, senior analyst for the engineering firm AECOM. Improving rail service from… Read more »

Rep. Richard Neal discussed President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan, focusing on rail service improvements in Massachusetts. He also talked about his plan to make the child tax credit expansion permanent. Neal, a Democrat, is chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. He represents Massachusetts’ 1st Congressional District. Listen HERE.  Read more »

More financial help is available now for a sector of businesses that were among the hardest hit by the pandemic shutdowns – food service establishments.  Online applications became available Monday from the U.S. Small Business Administration for eateries to tap into the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The program provides grants up to $10 million with a minimum… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – More relief is coming to our country’s restaurants as many continue to struggle during the pandemic. A report last year showed that 20 percent of Massachusetts restaurants have closed for good. Now, more money is on the way to help the struggling restaurant industry. The nearly $29 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund designated for restaurants,… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — The U.S. Small Business Administration started taking applications Monday for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, $28.6 billion in federal money available to eateries affected by the coronavirus pandemic. “Restaurants and places of business, they have really had a tough run in the pandemic,” said U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield. Neal,… Read more »