From the Office of Senator Kerry

Monday, November 22, 2004

U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA), U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) today announced that they have secured over $4 million in federal funding for projects in Attleboro, Franklin and Seekonk.

The funding announced today is included in the Fiscal Year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which passed both the House and Senate over the weekend.

Projects funded through the lawmakers’ efforts include:

$2 million for the Attleboro Intermodal Transportation Center. This project, which will address the regional transportation needs in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, improve overall access to public transit, and serve as a catalyst for the City of Attleboro’s downtown urban renewal. To date, this project has received a total of $5.45 million in direct federal assistance. $270,000 for the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority for the Authority’s Manufacturing site remediation and redevelopment of the Swank Property in Attleboro. This project has the potential to create hundreds of new, high-paying jobs in the Attleboro area. $150,0000 for Dean College in Franklin to improve services for students with disabilities $600,000 for the town of Seekonk for law enforcement technologies within the new police and fire facility in Seekonk. Funds will provide for the installation and equipping of an emergency radio dispatch system and additional equipment and technology for the emergency operations center. Seekonk Police Chief Vito Scotti was instrumental in bringing the project to Congress’ attention.

“I’m very pleased that we were able to secure this funding,” Rep. McGovern said. “The federal money announced today will go a long way toward improving the education, safety and economic development for the communities of Attleboro, Franklin and Seekonk. I’m particularly pleased that we were able to obtain funding for the new Seekonk police and fire facility, and I want to thank Chief Scotti and his team for their incredible work on behalf of the residents of Seekonk.”

“I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to make such progress on these critically important efforts,” Senator Kennedy said. “The Attleboro projects are bold and imaginative, and Dean College has emerged as a leader within Massachusetts higher education community. I’m gratified too, that we’ve been able to assist Chief Scotti with the great work his department is doing for the people of Seekonk and our state. And we will hope to continue our work together.”

“These investments in Attleboro, Franklin and Seekonk will create jobs, ease traffic congestion, reduce pollution, improve services for students with disabilities and give local police and firefighters access to the latest technologies,” Senator Kerry said. “I am honored to have worked with Congressman McGovern and Senator Kennedy to help secure funding for these important projects.”

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