Community Project Funding Requests for Massachusetts' First Congressional District
Congressman Richard E. Neal has submitted funding requests for important community projects in Massachusetts' First Congressional District to the House Appropriations Committee.
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 15 projects in their community for fiscal year 2024 – although only a handful may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Additional information on the reforms governing Community Project Funding is available HERE.
In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Congressman Neal has certified that he, his spouse, and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects he has requested.
Projects Requested:
Southbridge Fire Station Construction
Town of Southbridge
41 Elm Street Southbridge, MA 01550
$2,500,000
The Southbridge fire station was first constructed 124 years ago and has outlived its useful life. The current station cannot house modern firefighting apparatus and does not provide important safety features that protect firefighters from fumes, particulates, and contaminants. A 2018 feasibility study showed that constructing a new facility would be the most cost-effective solution, and the town has borrowed $25.7 million for this project. These funds address unintended budgetary gaps and ensure this project moves forward.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Lee and Stockbridge Combined Public Safety Building
Town of Lee
32 Main St, Lee, MA 01238
$2,500,000
The Lee fire station was built more than 120 years ago, back when firefighters were still using horse-drawn vehicles to fight fires. As a result, the current building is inadequate to support modern-day firefighting equipment and lacks important safety features for firefighters. In addition, the Lee Police Department has outgrown its current station in the historic Lee Town Hall. The proposed new combined public safety facility would house both the Lee Fire and Police Departments, as well as the neighboring Stockbridge Fire Department. The effort to regionalize these services will provide better emergency services for constituents.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Spencer Sewer Collection Upgrades
Town of Spencer
157 Main Street, Spencer, MA 01562
$1,850,000
Spencer’s sewer collection systems transport wastewater away from homes, businesses, and other facilities to treatment plants for processing and disposal, helping to prevent the spread of diseases and other health hazards. Maintaining a sewer collection system is essential for protecting public health, the environment, and property, as well as ensuring efficient operation and compliance with regulations. In 2018, the Town of Spencer developed an Infiltration and Inflow (I/I) Control Plan as part of a comprehensive strategy to identify and reduce I/I in sewer collection systems. This funding addresses priority areas of upgrades needed in Spencer’s sewer collection systems.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Belchertown Mobile Community Water Project
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
60 Congress St, Springfield, MA 01104
$928,000
Sportshaven Mobile Home Park is a year-round residential mobile home park with a population of approximately 73 people. The 52.9-acre facility has 38 closely located mobile homes, all utilizing on-site septic systems. Overall, infrastructure conditions at the park are in extremely poor condition. This is especially true for the park’s water and septic systems. Because of the failures of individual septic tanks in the park, the drinking water well has been contaminated and a boil water order has been in place since 2019. These funds will complete the water conveyance system which will provide water from this new well to the residents of the Sportshaven Mobile Home Park. Upon completion of construction, the Sportshaven Infrastructure Improvement Project will provide improved water quality, flow, and pressure, as well as a system free of leaks and a modern functioning septic system.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Easthampton Water Infrastructure Upgrade
City of Easthampton
50 Payson Avenue, Easthampton, MA 01027
$2,800,000
Undersized and aging underground utilities currently provide water and sewer services to the Northampton Street business district in Easthampton. The City of Easthampton has undertaken the design of a project to replace these aging utilities, which will ensure adequate domestic supply, fire flow, and sanitary sewer service for this area for generations. This project will also support commercial and housing developments in Easthampton’s 40R smart growth zone.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Pittsfield Fire Training Facility
City of Pittsfield
70 Allen St., Pittsfield, MA
$4,000,000
The Pittsfield Fire Department is seeking funding for a Nation Fire Protection Association compliant regional fire training facility for Berkshire County. The current training facility is over 70 years old and is structurally deficient. The new fire training building would incorporate many of the design features that help train today’s firefighters in modern tactics. The building would also be used by all fire departments in the region to provide training in other related topics, including fire investigation, hazardous materials response, and high-angle rescue.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Center for Financial Literacy and Economic Prosperity
American International College
1000 State Street Springfield, MA 01109
$2,000,000
The project would fund the rehabilitation and renovation of a building located on the campus of American International College to house the new Center for Financial Literacy and Economic Prosperity. This center is designed to benefit the economically disadvantaged residents and families of Springfield. The Center will offer programs, services, educational tools, and resources to underprivileged residents to help them develop the financial skills necessary to create pathways to financial success, thereby enabling them to become economically secure and independent.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Construction and Renovation for Boston Road Facility
Caring Health Center
1049 Main St, Springfield, MA 01103
$2,000,000
The Pine Point and Indian Orchard neighborhoods in Springfield, Massachusetts are designated as medically underserved areas. Pine Point and Indian Orchard have a critical need for accessible, affordable high-quality primary care, including pediatric, dental, and behavioral health services. Unfortunately, the area offers few health providers to its residents. Among these existing providers is Caring Health Center’s (CHC) facility at 860 Boston Road, which is outdated and has limited space. The neighborhood has no providers other than CHC accepting MassHealth, a primary provider for a majority of residents. As a result, many of the neighborhood’s low-income residents are forced to travel to downtown Springfield. To address this critical lack of healthcare access, CHC acquired an existing building at 1235 Boston Road. This site includes 14,000 square feet of space and is located on public transportation routes with ample off-street parking. The renovation will provide much-needed health services, as well as a pharmacy.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Springfield Jewish Community Center: Child Care Facility Improvements
Jewish Community Center
1160 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA 01108
$1,000,000
This project would provide funding for facility renovation and expansion of early childhood and school-aged childcare spaces at the Springfield Jewish Community Center (JCC). As a result of facility expansion, approximately 35 additional pre-school children, some of whom are from traditionally underserved communities, and their families/caregivers will be served. Facility renovation, which will incorporate recent research around best practices in childcare settings, will allow the JCC to provide even higher quality care to children.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Union Station Streetscape Upgrades
City of Springfield
36 Court St, Springfield, MA 01103
$13,000,000
Springfield Union Station is a vital transportation hub for western Massachusetts, serving local and regional rail and bus travel along the eastern seaboard, stretching from Washington, DC to St. Albans, VT. The proposed project aims to build upon the approximately $100 million in investments into the station by improving the surrounding streetscape and thus creating a gateway to downtown Springfield and its many amenities. The project aims to improve roadway safety for vehicular and pedestrian travelers through improved crosswalks, signage, and lighting. Additionally, elements of green infrastructure including street trees will provide beautification and increased sustainability of the improved streetscape.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Yankee Rowe Road Upgrade
Town of Rowe
321 Zoar Road, Rowe, MA 01367
$700,000
Rowe, Massachusetts is responsible for the maintenance of Yankee Road, the only road access to the former Yankee Rowe Nuclear Powerplant that currently houses 16 dry casts of nuclear waste. The road needs to be rebuilt and a retaining wall needs to be added. This funding would contribute to state funds that will complete the construction needs, making the road navigable and safe for the routine maintenance, inspection, and snow removal required at the site.
Signed disclosure HERE.
North Adams Adventure Trail
City of North Adams
10 Main Street, North Adams, MA
$1,500,000
The North Adams adventure trail is a 3.4-mile pedestrian and bike trail that would connect two of the larger communities in northern Berkshire County - Williamstown, MA and North Adams, MA - with a multi-use off road path. This key segment would significantly advance the establishment of the Berkshire Bike Path running the entire length of Berkshire County from the Vermont and Connecticut state borders. In addition to relieving traffic on the adjacent Route 2, this path would contribute to economic development by connecting two major internationally renowned attractions - the Clark Art Museum in Williamstown and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in North Adams.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Williamstown Meetinghouse Rehabilitation Project
Williamstown Meetinghouse Preservation Fund Inc.
73 Water Street, Williamstown, MA 01267
$2,000,000
The Williamstown Meetinghouse has served as a central meeting place for Williamstown since it was constructed in 1757. It brings both community organizations and non-profit events under one roof like senior center activities, youth job trainings, Red Cross Blood drives, Take and Eat, Buxton School graduation, and ABC Clothing Drives. The Meetinghouse is looking to expand the community center services it offers, however, the aging building needs critical infrastructure needs, and investment to bring the building up to ADA accessible codes and standards. This funding would contribute to that effort and is a good use of taxpayer funds because investing in this project will ensure that this important community center is accessible to all those who seek to use it - and therefore, will expand its outreach and footprint in the community.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Center For Next-Gen Workforce Development in Robotic Welding
Western New England University
1215 Wilbraham Rd, Springfield, MA 01119
$2,000,000
The City of Springfield has historically been known as a manufacturing hub for the State, and although there are currently 29,380 individuals engaged in manufacturing jobs, this has been significantly reduced from around 48,000 individuals in the early 2000s. To maintain its relevance and vitality, more diverse and state of the art manufacturing industries need to be recruited and have reason to open in Springfield, MA. Western New England University (WNE) will be a catalyst in developing innovative manufacturing processes and techniques in the newly conceptualized Center for Next-Gen Workforce Development in Robotic Welding. The overarching mission will be to support the local business bureau in recruiting more domestic and global companies to the City of Springfield
Signed disclosure HERE.
WOW Rural Healthcare Unit
Baystate Medical Center
759 Chestnut St, Springfield, MA 01199
$500,000
Baystate Health seeks Congressional support to expand its vibrant Wellness on Wheels (WOW) Bus and develop a Rolling Rural WOW Bus through a strong care team and community partnerships. The WOW Bus provides care to community members right where they are. With House Community Projects funding, Baystate will be able to continue and expand the successful and necessary work of the Rolling Rural WOW Bus, providing essential community services and care in a mobile facility.
Signed disclosure HERE.
