Check out the Investing in Massachusetts Map of all 160 community-based projects funded across the Commonwealth

Boston (February 2, 2023) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Jim McGovern (MA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), and Richard Neal (MA-01) today touted their successful efforts to secure more than $20 million in federal funding in the end-of-year omnibus spending package, passed in December, for 16 community-based projects across Central Massachusetts.

“Central Massachusetts community groups and local leaders are at the forefront of our shared efforts to promote health, environmental, and economic justice across our Commonwealth,” said Senator Markey. “These 16 projects will use federal dollars to add beds and improve systems at regional hospital campuses, promote educational resources and programming for immigrant communities, and enhance critical water infrastructure for our cities and towns in Central Massachusetts.”

“I fought alongside Senator Markey and Representatives McGovern, Neal, and Trahan to secure more than $20 million to fund projects in Central Massachusetts,” said Senator Warren. “Federal investments like these will help fortify our aging water infrastructure, provide critical resources for immigrants and veterans, and advance health equity across this region. I’ll keep pushing to ensure the federal government is a strong partner to communities across the Commonwealth.”

“Central Massachusetts is a fantastic place to live and work and these new federal investments will make our region even better,” said Congressman McGovern. “In the latest omnibus spending package, I secured funding for important community projects from health care and education to affordable housing to veterans’ services. These projects will effect real change, like expanding patient bed access and making our health system more equitable. They will also make sure no one is left behind, like providing services for immigrant and refugee communities. For me, public service has always been about listening to and helping people, and after working with so many community leaders to move these projects forward, I’m proud we are delivering results and I look forward to seeing the impact these investments have on the Second District.”

“Delivering for our state and our communities has always been my top priority in Congress. I’m proud of all that the Massachusetts delegation has achieved together in securing funding that will make the Commonwealth an even better place to call home,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “From expanding water access for residents to assisting those in recovery from substance use disorder and mental health challenges, these federal funds will make a real difference in the lives of Central Massachusetts families.”

“The more than $20 million in federal funding secured for central Massachusetts will undoubtedly go a long way in making many of these long-awaited projects a reality,” said Congressman Neal. “Congress has the fundamental responsibility to oversee the expenditure of the public purse, and I firmly believe that these projects are worthwhile investments for the people of central Massachusetts. This funding will help create good-paying American jobs, providing a lifeline for working families while addressing the needs of our communities.”

Central Massachusetts is home to 16 projects that have received funding in the FY23 spending package, including:

• $1,000,000 for the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester to add 87 inpatient beds that expand capacity and address challenges to health care access across Central Massachusetts.
• $3,000,000 for African Community Education Program, Inc. in Worcester to renovate the agency’s community center to better serve the city’s African refugee and immigrant communities through youth and family educational programming, case management, and immigration services.
• $3,000,000 to Veteran’s Inc. to renovate the historic former Massachusetts National Guard Armory in Worcester into a One-Stop Veterans Resource Center that supports homeless, at-risk veterans, military services members and their family members, as well as the community.
• $450,000 for HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital’s Fitchburg Campus to acquire and install a digital breast tomosynthesis that will expand access to life-saving screenings.
• $1,500,000 for the Harrington Hospital's Southbridge and Webster campuses to modernize electronic health records system, improve community health services, and fully integrate into the UMass Memorial Health system that ensures records and services between hospitals are connected, improving health outcomes, and reducing inequities.
• $1,000,000 to replace a 141-year-old water transmission main line in Gardner, MA, to maintain the public health and safety of residents.
• $491,000 to enhance the town of Northborough’s water/wastewater detection and data collection monitoring systems that supports sustainability and the safety of operators.
• $2,000,000 to Fitchburg State University’s Theater Block Revitalization Project to build a learning laboratory and black box theater to strengthen Fitchburg’s cultural and educational infrastructure.
• $1,500,000 to towards the Greendale Revitalization Initiative to increase sustainable economic development opportunities in the Greendale neighborhood in Worcester, MA.
• $1,300,000 to the Town of Medway to restore 95 town-managed stormwater structures to improve flooding resiliency and water quality for residents.
• $1,000,000 for North Star of Leominster to develop 15 units of affordable housing that support low-income families in need of secure shelter.
• $580,000 for Community Servings of Jamaica Plain to expand stockpiling medically-tailored meals in case of emergencies and support the preparation and delivery of more than three million meals over the next three years to 4,000 clients experiencing chronic illness or food insecurity.
• $2,500,000 for Community Health Connections, Inc. to establish an 8,000 square foot facility to meet the growing need of mental and behavioral health services for children, including outpatient therapy services, psychiatry, in-school therapy, therapeutic case management, peer mentoring, and parenting classes.
• $413,000 for Grow Northampton to redesign a 121-acre organic Community Farm to address long-term food security in Florence, MA. 
• $494,000 for the Central Street Water Main Replacement and Upgrade Project to replace approximately 900 feet of century-old sewers and expand water access for town residents.
• $200,000 for GAAMHA, Inc. to support a new program that offers individuals in North Central Massachusetts struggling from substance use disorder and mental health challenges with alternative approaches to recovery.

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