Press Releases

Chicopee, MA - Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chicopee Mayor John L. Vieau, members of the City Council, and Elected Officials gathered for a press conference Friday to highlight the funds that Chicopee will receive from the American Rescue Plan that was signed into law on March 11, 2021.

The City of Chicopee is set to receive $29.9 million from the American Rescue Plan and the Chicopee Public Schools will receive $24.6 million. 

“Economists agree that the American Rescue Plan’s targeted, evidence-based action was needed – both for struggling families and for the American economy,” said Congressman Neal. “The legislation’s provisions will generate $1.25 for every $1 of spending, will cut child poverty in half and will lift nearly 12 million people out of poverty. I am immensely proud of the aggressive course of action the Ways and Means Committee contributed to this package including putting money directly into Americans’ pockets, and helping them better afford childcare and health coverage. This is a big deal for our country and it’s a big deal for cities like Chicopee who will have the opportunity to use this funding to make bold improvements that will benefit the city and its residents for years to come.”

“Like many other areas, the City of Chicopee was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures implemented to protect our citizens, initially as a health crisis and subsequently as an economic crisis, have taken their toll. Through targeted Federal and State grants, FEMA funds, and Community Development Block grant funds, the City has been able to address specific needs. The financial strain placed upon the City has impacted all departments, municipal areas, and it has affected every resident. The American Rescue Plan Act, led by Congressman Neal, offers municipal recovery funds that will greatly enable the City of Chicopee to hit the ‘restart’ button by allowing us to further invest in our City, our school district, and address the many challenges brought about by COVID-19. For that, we are grateful to Congressman Neal and his committee for helping to get us back to the new normal just that much faster,” stated Mayor Vieau.

Massachusetts will receive $5.3 billion in state fiscal relief and $2.6 billion in local fiscal relief from the American Rescue Plan. Cities and towns across the western and central part of the state that comprise the First Congressional District will receive $241 million of that.

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