In the News

(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 »

SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal announced more than $2.4 million for Head Start programs in western and central Massachusetts on Thursday. The grants are through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that Neal, as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, helped write. “This investment will help our local Head Start programs continue preparing… Read more »

SPRINGFIELD — Meeting with a 4- and 5-year-olds at Square One in Springfield on Monday, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal said it’s these children’s families who will be most impacted by the expansion of the Child Tax Credit under the American Rescue Plan. “I think this addresses one of the most stubborn parts of economic reality in America, and that’s childhood… Read more »

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Governor Baker attended the groundbreaking for a new taxiway at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport Thursday afternoon. It was an exciting day at Barnes Thursday, as members of the 104th Fighter Wing were joined by Governor Baker, Congressman Neal and other state and federal leaders for the groundbreaking of the taxiway. Governor Baker said it was the… Read more »

WESTFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal on Thursday announced Westfield’s share of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan: $9.3 million for the city government, $11.5 million for its schools and $12.8 million for Westfield State University. Neal, D-Springfield, spoke at a press conference in Westfield City Hall with Mayor Donald Humason. It was the most recent in a series… Read more »

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Aerospace and defense manufacturing companies from around the state met to discuss how to strengthen the industry Monday. Massachusetts gets $15 billion in government defense and aerospace contracts every year and many of those go to manufacturing companies in western Massachusetts. The second EastWest exchange met to bring together and highlight small to… Read more »

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) – Train safety legislation is being re-introduced by Senator Ed Markey and Congressman Richard Neal, called ‘The Warren Cowels Grade Crossing Safety Act.’   The bill is named in honor of Warren Cowles, a DPW worker who died after being struck by a train while plowing at a railroad crossing in Longmeadow back in… Read more »