In the News

CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass.gov) – Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means met with Chicopee Mayor John Vieau to announce the awarding of $300,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the city to continue assessing and cleaning its brownfields sites. The event took place at the Central Maintenance Garage, one of the sites to benefit from this funding.

“As Chicopee continues to revitalize its former industrial sites across the city, this funding from the EPA will be imperative,” said Congressman Neal. “These properties across the city of Chicopee hold a tremendous amount of potential for economic development. I have long been a supporter of projects of this kind and I commend the mayor and his staff for their dedication to this issue.”

Mayor Vieau said, “The recently awarded U.S. EPA Brownfields Assessment grant will allow the City to fully expand its Brownfields Program to Willimansett. This expansion will provide needed resources to address the environmental legacy of this third Industrial Village within the City. Further, the Assessment Grant will ensure future cleanup and redevelopment of the neighborhood Brownfields to benefit the residents and visitors to Willimansett. With the support of Congressman Neal, the City is thrilled to move forward with this project. ”

This grant will be used to conduct environmental site assessments, develop cleanup plans, and support reuse planning and community outreach activities for various sites to be selected throughout the grant to develop an area-wide plan for the Willimansett neighborhood and to support community outreach activities. Assessment activities will focus on the historic industrial communities of Chicopee Center, Chicopee Falls, and Willimansett. Chicopee Falls includes a Qualified Opportunity Zone. Priority sites include a 13.5-acre former sports equipment manufacturing facility and the North Chicopee Street Corridor, both in Willimansett.

Chicopee is one of only six projects in Massachusetts to receive this funding. More information on the grant can be found HERE.