“Amtrak would, at first, extend two trains a day from Hartford to Springfield, and then to Worcester and Boston, eventually expanding to the west as far as Albany, New York.
“We are full steam ahead on building west-east rail, and this latest federal funding win brings us one step closer to delivering this for Massachusetts,” said Gov. Maura Healey in a statement.
West-east rail has benefited from more than $200 million in funding so far.”
Read More“The city was able to go from the patchwork of repairs to a complete renovation because of a $3 million federal earmark from a 2022 U.S. Housing and Urban Development omnibus package.
“What a great tribute this is to the people of Springfield,” Neal said.
He called the renovations tasteful and said they celebrate the future, while remembering the players and events of the past, such the American Legion baseball team from Springfield that withdrew from a national tournament in protest when their Black teammate was not allowed to play in segregated Gastonia, North Carolina.”
Read More“U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal (D – 1st Massachusetts District) joined Carrie Greene, president of the Williamstown Meetinghouse Preservation Fund, to announce $500,000 in federal funding for the Williamstown Meetinghouse.”
Read More“Those dreams took another step forward on Friday with the announcement of $17.3 million in federal funding for the "Adventure to Ashuwillticook Trail," a 9.3-mile section from the Mohican Path at Williamstown's Spruces to Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and to connect to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail in Adams.
"This is a major success because it connects Williamstown and Adams and North Adams," said U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, who was instrumental in obtaining the funding as chairman of Ways and Means Committee. "It's a big deal, and we're going to hear from experts, but I want to thank the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Great work on this. I can be helpful to you, for sure, as Eddie and Elizabeth were [U.S. Sens. Markey and Warren], but I can't be helpful to you unless you have a good product, and you had a good product."
Read More“U.S. Rep. Richard Neal said the bill President Joe Biden signed into law Sunday afternoon that increases Social Security payments for some public employees will affect more than 100,000 residents in Massachusetts.”
Read More“The state received a $36.8 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. The funding will bring the designs for the Springfield Track Reconfiguration Project, part of the planned Boston-to-Albany Compass Rail component known as East-West Rail, to 100% completion. Massachusetts Department of Transportation West-East Rail Director Andy Koziol said the reconfiguration will create efficiency for the trains to travel in all directions and implement accessible platforms.
“Improved passenger service on rail … unifies everybody in central and Western Massachusetts,” said U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts). The 18-term member of the House of Representatives and former Springfield mayor added, “It’s what I was always able to foresee.”
Read More“$850,000 in federal funds will help further establish the “Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems” at Western New England University – a center focused on training students on the latest manufacturing technologies, from robotic welding to automation and more.”
Read More“U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, who obtained a $1 million earmark for the project combined with $2.9 million in federal funding toward the project, said it was one of his favorite projects.
"It has the best intentions of Washington policy, state policy and local governance. It's significant largely because it unites passive recreation with active recreation," he said, adding, "There's always a great deal of competition for a limited number of federal dollars. But what's important about it is that the application has to be sustainable.
"It has to be really good. It has to stand up under the scrutiny of some really, I think, critical eyes, and the fact that it was so well done, I think, is a great credit and testament to the Board of Selectmen, to the town administrator and to those of you who have participated. “
Read More“The town’s $36.7 million public safety complex and DPW project gained a $1 million boost from Congress on Wednesday.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, announced the federal earmark for Lee during a ceremony at Town Hall on Wednesday.
The federal money — which was part of the fiscal year 2024 spending bill signed into law on March 9 by President Joe Biden — will go toward one of Lee’s biggest municipal projects in the past 20 to 25 years, Town Administrator Christopher Brittain said.”
Read More“The grant, which must be spent over three years, covers roughly half of the city, or 14 census tract areas in the South End, Six Corners, Metro Center, North End, McKnight, Bay, Upper Hill, Old Hill, Brightwood and Memorial Square neighborhoods, where income levels met the federal state guidelines for economically disadvantaged communities.
The money came from “legislation that changes lives,” said U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield.
It’s a piece of the $2 billion set aside for the EPA’s Community Change Grants Program, included in the Inflation Reduction Act signed in 2022. Neal, who was chairman of the Ways and Means Committee at the time, said the legislation created 350,000 jobs.”
Read More“Emphasizing his commitment to local government preservation of historic monuments, Neal suggested that “it’s fair to say even Republicans would give me great credit” for pursuing historic tax credits to cities and towns nationwide.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal credited state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, for urging him to pursue federal payback for the town as a historic restoration project.
“They incentivize people to do things they ordinarily wouldn’t do,” Neal said. “In the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) budget, at the request of Representative Pignatelli, we put in $750,000 for restoration of this spectacular building.”’
“The funds Neal helped secure will enable those improvements to take place much faster than anticipated, LaChapelle said. The proposed upgrades will prove essential for fire suppression, commercial businesses, and much more, she said.
These funds are part of an estimated $15 million in investments in Neal’s district this fiscal year.”
Read More“With trees to provide shade and enhance aesthetics, curb bump-outs to slow traffic and lighting for safety, the city is looking to improve the neighborhood around Union Station with a $4.1 million federal earmark from U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal.”
Read More“U.S. Rep. Richard Neal has secured $700,000 in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' budget to complete a feasibility study of the Hoosic River flood chutes.
The Corps of Engineers is in the midst of a three-year, $3 million study of the aging concrete flood chutes that control the passage of the river through the city. “
Read More‘“As a longtime supporter of Barnes and the capable airmen and women who support and defend the Commonwealth and this nation, I was thrilled to join Adjutant General Keefe and Colonel Halasi-Kun last May to announce the assignment of a new fleet of F-35A aircraft to Barnes. Just one year later, we are breaking ground on a project that will prepare Barnes to receive the new aircraft, guaranteeing the long-term viability of the base and ensuring the 104th Fighter Wing can continue its vital mission for years to come,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal. “Ensuring the sustainability of both Barnes Air National Guard Base and Westover Air Reserve Base has been a top priority of mine throughout my time in Congress. I am pleased to partake in the groundbreaking of yet another project, one that will play a vital role in improving airfield safety for civilian and military operations.”’
Read More“American International College says it will be able to offer free multilingual services to promote financial literacy and more with a new center.
A great deal of funding for the future home for the Center for Financial Literacy and Economic Prosperity made its way to Springfield thanks to a recent bill signed by President Biden.
Just over $1 million was earmarked by Massachusetts Democrat Richard Neal of the 1st district.”
Read More“U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal announced a $513,000 earmark Thursday to support Mental Health Association’s Best Life Center for Emotional Health and Wellness.”
Read More“Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal announced a $3 million earmark for the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence that is being built in Springfield Union Station.
“I think this is worthwhile investment and generations are going to enjoy the benefits of what we’ve done,” said the Springfield Democrat.
Cybersecurity is a big deal everywhere, said Neal.
“We talk about it in Washington all the time,” he said.
The center, which is expected to open next year, will provide services for a fee to small businesses and municipalities and train students from local colleges for careers in cybersecurity.
This latest funding for the project was included in the federal budget bill signed into law last month.'“
Read More“U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal announced Friday a $1 million federal earmark for a new operations building at the Westfield Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The project — which is not yet fully funded and is expected to cost $5 million — would separate the offices, labs and control rooms from the building where the city treats waste and applies chemicals, said Jeffrey Gamelli, deputy superintendent for wastewater at the Westfield Department of Public Works.”
Read More“The Greylock Glen project got a significant shot in the arm Wednesday — to the tune of nearly $4 million.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal stopped by Town Hall to announce an injection of federal funding to support the $50 million project. Included in the allocations are $1 million in earmarks for the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center and $2.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding.
The latter will help foot the bill for water infrastructure installation for all three phases of the Greylock Glen project, including a 350,000-gallon water tank and connections to the outdoor center, two campsites and a lodge. The installation is estimated to cost $4.1 million.
The $9 million outdoor center is the first phase of the project. Construction started in May and is expected to be completed in fall 2023.”
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