Rep Auchincloss, Sen. Markey announce $1.6 million+ in funding for Pleasant Street Neighborhood Streetscapes project in Fall River, other state projects

BOSTON – The Massachusetts congressional delegation – 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), Congressman Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06), Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), and Congressman Bill Keating (MA-09) – announced the delegation secured an estimated $175 million in Congressionally Directed Spending in the first six Fiscal Year 2024 spending bills for projects across the state. 

“Community and civic leaders across Massachusetts are dedicated to making the state a healthier, cleaner, safer, and more just place to live. I am proud, with my Congressional delegation partners, to bring important investments directly to municipalities and neighborhoods across Massachusetts,” said Senator Markey. “These investments will improve our essential infrastructure, expand public transportation access, support the development of affordable housing, invest in clean drinking water, promote climate resiliency, and help build a more livable future.” 

“I fought for these federal investments to help make a real difference in local communities across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Warren. “A new fire station in Quincy. Cleaner water in Gloucester. Better protection against climate change in New Bedford. This is important work alongside local leaders to improve basic infrastructure and lower costs for working families.” 

“I am thrilled that the Massachusetts Delegation was able to secure a remarkable $175 million in Congressionally Directed Spending, an amount that will have an extraordinary impact on communities across the Commonwealth,” said Congressman Neal. “Congress has the fundamental responsibility to oversee the expenditure of the public purse, and these funds are a critical tool in ensuring regional equity. I am particularly pleased that nearly $15 million will be coming to western and central Massachusetts, funding that will further improve our region’s infrastructure, invest in our children’s education, and deliver for working families. These investments will have a tremendous impact throughout Massachusetts’ First Congressional District, spurring economic development and making a real difference in our communities.” 

“A new fire station for Bernardston. A new community center at the Double Edge Theater in Ashfield. A new senior center for Deerfield, Sunderland, and Whately. More space for after-school programing in Leominster. I am so proud to have secured $21 million for our district—but it’s about more than that. It’s about the impact these investments will have on our neighborhoods, and the difference these projects will make in people’s lives,” said Congressman McGovern. “I am proud to have fought for funding that will make our communities healthier, safer, and stronger. And I’m so grateful for the partnership of Senators Warren and Markey as we work together to deliver for Massachusetts families.” 

“Since the day I took office, I’ve fought for the communities in our district that have been left behind by Washington for too long. This government funding package is a significant federal investment in our collective future. I’m proud of the funding we secured for vital programs that working families depend on to make ends meet while also securing significant investments that will flow directly to the Third District,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Nearly $14 million in federal funding will support the completion of long overdue projects from Lawrence to Lowell and Gardner and down to Berlin, stimulating our local economy and making a real difference in the lives of so many families.” 

“Bay Staters want to build better infrastructure, and since taking office, I’ve brought home $35 million for clean water and $9.5 million for bridge repair,” said Congressman Auchincloss. 

“These investments will touch so many lives in our community,” said Democratic Whip Clark. “This federal funding will help clean our air and water, enable the construction of new community gathering spaces, and advance our work of building climate readiness and resiliency. I want to thank my partners in local and state government for helping me identify these critical priorities. This is how our elected leaders should operate: partnering together to deliver for families back home.” 

“The partisan gridlock in Washington, caused by Republican dysfunction, delayed this funding from passing and making its way to our communities for far too long,” said Congressman Moulton. “Nevertheless, I am thrilled that the people of Massachusetts will soon receive $175 million in funding for community improvement projects – including $13 million to support 15 projects across the North Shore. This is truly a collaborative effort. These projects were developed by our community members themselves and will directly address many of our most pressing local challenges.” 

“In this moment of layered crises for our Commonwealth and country, it’s imperative that we advance policies and budgets that are as intersectional as the challenges our communities face,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “I’m proud to have secured these critical resources for municipalities and grassroots organizations in the Massachusetts 7th, which will help change the lives of our constituents and continue building the just and equitable district we deserve. Together, we’ll continue delivering for our communities.”

The federal funding will support 159 community projects across Massachusetts, including more than $106.1 million to support transportation, infrastructure, community development and affordable housing, $47.6 million to support public infrastructure including clean drinking water and wastewater projects, $11 million for rural development, and $9.8 million for justice and science projects. Projects include:  

·         $5,000,000 for the MetroWest YMCA to build a Regional Early Learning Center for the communities of Ashland, Framingham, Hopkinton, Holliston, Sherborn and beyond. 

·         $4,642,000 for the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission to design a new drinking water treatment plant to serve 250,000 people in the lower Pioneer Valley, including vulnerable and Environmental Justice populations located in Springfield. 

·         $4,116,279 for Springfield Union Station Streetscape Upgrades 

·         $4,116,279 for a new Fire Station in Quincy 

·         $3,616,279 for rehabilitation of the Commuter/ADA Access Way at Gallagher Intermodal Transportation Center 

·         $3,500,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete necessary repairs and improvements to the hurricane barrier that protects New Bedford and Fairhaven 

·         $3,000,000 for the City of Gloucester to make critical upgrades to their primary treatment Water Pollution Control Facility 

·         $2,654,000 for CENTRO to acquire underutilized and blighted properties in Worcester’s lowest-income neighborhood for the development of 112 units of affordable rental housing and support 32 first-time homebuyers 

·         $2,000,000 for Coonamessett Farm Foundation, to provide Massachusetts fishers with the necessary equipment and training to further develop their ability to collect and disseminate oceanographic and fisheries data 

·         $1,666,279 for Fall River to implement a streetscapes improvement project along Pleasant Street 

·         $1,500,000 for St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children in Dorchester for renovations for their Young Parenting Living Program 

• ·         $959,752 Ferry Street Sewer Pump Station Rehabilitation Project, Fall River
•  ·         $959,752 Construction of Route 6 corridor sewer collection system, Swansea

The Fall River streetscapes funding will be used to improve or replace existing infrastructure in the Flint, which would support community activation and economic development. This project would repave roads that would make neighborhoods safer for new residents, repave sidewalks to improve pedestrian safety, replace streetlights to increase accessibility after dark, incorporate new signage, and improve stormwater mitigation in the area. 

The sewer pump funding will be used to rehabilitate the 60-year-old sewer pump on Ferry Street to meet the needs of residents for the next two decades. This funding will allow the region to further experience rapid economic development and roadway expansion. At the completion of the project, runoff from the sewer will also be more environmentally stable.

The Swansea funding will be used to construct a new sewer system on Route 6. Successful completion of Phase 1 of this project will allow for increased commercial activity and economic development opportunities within the main commercial/industrial center of Swansea.