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 2026 – 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:
Charlemont Fire Truck Procurement
Town of Charlemont
157 Main Street, Charlemont, MA 01339
$798,480
Currently, the town of Charlemont only has one pumper which was originally purchased in 1996. As the sole pumper, this vehicle alone services the 1,185 residents of Charlemont, as well as four other communities, totaling 4,320 residents served. Additionally, Charlemont serves as the second alarm for two other communities, servicing an additional 3,552 residents. The acquisition of a new vehicle that meets current National Fire Protection Association standards will replace the sole current pumper and enhance the overall effectiveness of the Fire Department. The new vehicle will have features such as an engine equipped with a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS), a “deck gun” to be in conjunction with the CAFS for exposure protection, and a 35-foot extension ladder and 16-foot roof ladder. The increased communication capabilities of the proposed vehicle will not only benefit the town of Charlemont but also contribute to a more coordinated and efficient multi-jurisdictional response, enhancing the overall resilience of the local community.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Updates and Renovations to Town Facilities
Town of Middlefield
188 Skyline Trail, Middlefield, MA 01243
$2,000,000
Middlefield, Massachusetts is historically significant on the national level, as it is the hometown of Elijah Churchill, the very first recipient of the Purple Heart, awarded by General George Washington. The town of Middlefield has a total population of 426 residents. Middlefield is primarily rural containing one small/medium-sized business and several small home-based businesses. The Town tax rate for 2024 is one of the highest in the state of Massachusetts, currently at $19.84 per thousand. The Middlefield Town Hall, Senior Center, Highway Department Garage and Fire Station are all in need of updates and renovations, highlighting the pressing need for community investment and support to maintain and enhance local infrastructure. The loss of any of these buildings would be catastrophic to the Town.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Berkshire Innovation Center Security Operations Center
Berkshire Innovation Center
45 Woodlawn Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201
$735,000
The Security Operations Center (SOC) at Berkshire Innovation Center will constitute the next phase of the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC)’s Manufacturing Academy. The Manufacturing Academy is an industry-led educational hub that seeks to close the knowledge gaps of local supply chain capabilities and the needs of larger manufacturers through ongoing education, training, and technology assistance. As one piece of a larger educational module, the SOC will serve as a centralized hub for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cybersecurity threats within manufacturing facilities, with a focus on enhancing resilience and safeguarding critical assets. The SOC will provide essential monitoring of systems, networks, and applications for supplier chain manufacturers serving the defense industrial base while allowing for workforce development to strengthen cybersecurity in other local industries and municipalities.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Knowledge Corridor Positive Train Control
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116
$2,000,000
The Knowledge Corridor Positive Train Control (PTC) Project will install a Positive Train Control system along the 49.5 mile corridor between Springfield and Northfield, MA. The Amtrak Vermonter and Valley Flyer currently operate along the corridor without PTC under an FRA issued main line track exclusion addendum. The installation of PTC along the corridor will enhance safety along the corridor while also enabling the expansion of passenger and freight services along the line.
Signed disclosure HERE.
West Brookfield Water Department Facility
West Brookfield Water Department
2 East Main Street, West Brookfield, MA 01585
$5,000,000
The West Brookfield Water Department (WBWD) is a key source of drinking water for West Brookfield.
As a result of a February 2, 2022 Sanitary Survey, MassDEP issued the WBWD a Notice of Noncompliance stating that the levels of manganese and iron are increasing, and corrective action must be taken. West Brookfield Water Department proposes to construct a new water treatment facility at the Leland Road Wellfield site, adding filtration vessels for iron and manganese removal.
Signed disclosure HERE.
River Terrace Sewer Separation Design and Permitting
City of Holyoke
536 Dwight Street, Holyoke MA 01040
$800,000
The River Terrace Sewer Separation Project is a major renovation of the City of Holyoke’s Combined Sewer Overflow system and will eventually include the implementation of a new sewer and rehabilitated gravity sewer system and storm drains, as well as a separation of the city’s stormwater and sewage systems. Funding will be used to obtain consultant services to complete the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office (MEPA) Permitting Process for the City's CSO Long-Term Control Plan, as well as to complete the design portion of the project, of which 30% has already been completed.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Chicopee Sewer Separation
City of Chicopee
17 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA 01013
$3,000,000
The Chicopee Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) discharges 15.5 million gallons per day to the Connecticut River, which is tributary to Long Island Sound, an Estuary of National Significance impaired by nitrogen pollution. The Plant will require a $60M upgrade to comply with new Nitrogen removal requirements set by EPA and the State. This stand-alone project can be accomplished within one year and will improve existing process tanks and equipment at the WPCF necessary to implement the larger upgrade. The project will provide immediate measurable nitrogen reductions at the plant to benefit the community environs, the Connecticut River, and the Long Island Sound. The project will also improve energy efficiency at the facility, stabilizing operating costs and taxpayer burden.
Signed disclosure HERE.
Blandford Water Treatment & Distribution System Upgrades
Town of Blandford
1 Russell Stage Road, Blandford, MA 01008
$3,000,000
The Blandford Water Treatment & Distribution System Upgrades project includes comprehensive upgrades to the Water Treatment Facility and distribution system to achieve permit compliance, provide safe, reliable drinking water, and provide fire protection for the serviced portions of Town. The primary goal of this project is to achieve permit compliance and provide safe drinking water for the citizens of Blandford and visitors relying on Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass DOT) Service Plaza on I-90 located in Blandford, MA.
Signed disclosure HERE.
North Wing Expansion for Community Wellness & Education
Berkshire South Regional Community Center
15 Crissey Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230
$1,225,000
The expansion to the northern wing of the Berkshire South Regional Community Center is Phase One of a two-part project aimed at enhancing wellness, fostering social connections, and bolstering early childhood services. After 22 years of operation, the increased demand on the facility underscores the essential role the of center in the community. The construction will increase the building size by 15% (6,000 square feet), and includes expansion of the current fitness center, adding two additional open space rooms, and upgrading the HVA system. This expansion to the facility not only addresses the need for increased capacity but also enhances accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, it will provide space for community programs and administrative offices, further enriching the services offered.
Signed disclosure HERE.
