Fall River receiving piece of $138 million in federal funding for Urban Renewal Plan at waterfront

Washington (March 11, 2022) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Chairman Richard E. Neal (MA-01), Chairman James P. McGovern (MA-02), Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-05), Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06), Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), and Congressman Bill A. Keating (MA-09) announced Massachusetts will receive an estimated $138 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) in the Fiscal Year 2022 spending bill for 120 important community projects throughout Massachusetts. The projects focus on areas such as energy and water development, transportation, agriculture development, housing and urban development, environmental protection, homeland security, and labor, education, health and human services.

“This federal funding for Massachusetts means we can initiate, strengthen, and expand community-based projects that serve our families, businesses, and cities and towns every day,” said Senator Markey. “These projects will spur our economy, strengthen our resiliency, expand access to important health care, promote clean energy and climate solutions, and help feed and house our most vulnerable in every region of our Commonwealth. I am proud that my delegation partners and I were able to secure this critical funding, and I will continue to fight for the resources Massachusetts communities need to thrive and grow.”

“The Massachusetts delegation and I have been fighting hard for additional federal investments for the Commonwealth, and I’m glad we secured nearly $138 million to help tackle our communities’ most pressing needs. These funds will deliver critical projects and services across the Commonwealth that will improve our infrastructure, spur the economy, and enhance clean energy, housing, education, and social service initiatives. I will keep fighting to deliver federal resources to help Massachusetts families,” said Senator Warren.

“In this pivotal moment, the Congress has risen to meet some of the most pressing challenges at home and abroad by passing the omnibus legislation,” said Chairman Richard E. Neal. “I fought hard to secure nearly $8 million in Community Project Funding that is heading to western and central Massachusetts to address some of its most pressing needs. These investments support and foster economic development, making a real difference in the lives of so many in our community.”

“I am celebrating alongside so many essential organizations in our community whose efforts will be recognized with a collective investment of more than $11.3 million in federal funding to the Second District,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “As Chair of the House Rules Committee, I fought hard for the inclusion of community projects to deliver vital support to worthwhile causes across Massachusetts and the nation, and I am proud that this money will make a real difference in our Commonwealth.”

“In partnership with outstanding local organizations, I’m proud to have secured nearly $8 million in funding for vital community projects in the funding package signed into law by President Biden today,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “By investing in economic development and education, shortening our road to recovery post pandemic, and bolstering working families, this funding will support projects working to make our communities even better places to live. I look forward to continuing our work with local stakeholders to get these important projects done for all who call the Third District home.”

“I am thrilled to announce that I have secured federal funding for ten Community Projects throughout the Fifth District in this year’s budget package. These investments are a direct response to the needs of our local community. We are improving our climate readiness through green infrastructure, investing in higher education for underserved youth, expanding accessibility for community health care services, and much more. These projects will undoubtedly improve the lives of residents in the Fifth District and the long-term welfare of our community. Democrats are listening to leaders on the ground, delivering results, and rebuilding a better America for everyone,” said Assistant Speaker Clark.

“It is an honor for us to fight for the funding that benefits the people of Massachusetts,” said Congressman Seth Moulton. “I am thrilled to have secured $10 million to increase access to healthcare, public transportation and affordable housing in northeast Massachusetts.”

“These community-supported and community-driven projects will improve the lives of people across the Commonwealth and in the Massachusetts 7th, supporting investments in our schools, our infrastructure, our health care, and most importantly, our people,” said Rep. Pressley. “These robust investments will provide critical support for our most vulnerable communities who have suffered throughout the pandemic. I’m proud to have secured this federal funding alongside Senator Markey, Senator Warren, and our Massachusetts delegation to deliver resources for a just and equitable recovery that leaves no one behind.”

“I am very pleased to have secured over $11.5 million in funding for community projects in my district,” said Rep. Lynch. “This money will be used to make critical investments in our seniors, our veterans, affordable housing, education, substance abuse treatment, climate/change resiliency efforts and better transportation infrastructure. I am proud to serve alongside such dedicated Massachusetts colleagues who worked together to ensure our cities and towns received this necessary financial assistance.”

“The people of Southeastern Massachusetts and the Commonwealth as a whole stand to benefit tremendously from these federal funds, which come as a direct result of the close working relationship of the Massachusetts delegation,” said Congressman Bill Keating. “I am deeply grateful to Speaker Pelosi and Chairwoman DeLauro for leading a transparent process that was able to deliver funding to all ten projects I requested in my district, and I am also grateful to Senators Warren and Markey for their work to support and build on the requests of the House delegation. These projects will benefit the people of Massachusetts directly through job creation, environmental sustainability, improved healthcare access, and so much more – and that is something we can all be proud of.”

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The $1,500,000 will be used by the City of Fall River for capital improvement to the Battleship Cove Waterfront District. The city plans to relocate two existing Salt Sheds located on state property, combine that property with city-owned property to create and additional 200 off-street parking spaces and a pedestrian access corridor to abutting public and private attractions and provide cathodic protection to a recently remediated waterfront pier facility that will be open for passive recreation and transient dockage/boating purposes.

Under guidelines issued by the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, members of Congress requested CDS funding for projects in their state for Fiscal Year 2022. CDS requests were restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities were permitted to receive CDS funding.