BOSTON – Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, with Congressman John Tierney, today announced that the omnibus appropriations bill approved by Congress contains $38,439,000 in federal assistance for the North Shore of Massachusetts. Statewide, Massachusetts initiatives received a total of more than $236 million.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 will fund more than a dozen cabinet agencies and other federal agencies for Fiscal Year 2008.  It includes the following appropriations bills: Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-State, Energy-Water, Foreign Operations, Interior, Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, Legislative Branch, Transportation-Treasury, and Veterans Administration-Housing and Urban Development.  The bill now goes to the President’s desk for his signature.

“This is a victory for crucial economic development projects throughout the region. >From transportation to health care to social services to education, this money will help make a difference in the quality of life of those who live and work on the North Shore,” said Senator Kerry. “By making these investments in our communities, we are investing in our state’s economic future, and that is why Senator Kennedy and Congressman Tierney and I fight each year to secure federal funding for these initiatives that make a real local impact.”

"In Massachusetts, we're enormously proud of our world-class hospitals, research centers and universities. They lead the nation and the world in improving the lives of our citizens," said Senator Kennedy. "These federal investments are vital to the people of the North Shore, and our whole Commonwealth, so that Massachusetts will stay at the forefront of the global economy, and future generations can reach their full potential.”

"I am pleased these critical local projects will receive funding this fiscal year. Among other things, help address transportation and flood control priorities, expand health services for those in need, better equip our workforce and educate our kids about drugs," Tierney said.

The North River project in Peabody is one of the projects set to receive funding. The North River flows through the downtown area of Peabody, which is subject to periodic flooding.  Downtown Peabody has recently experienced several significant flooding events.  The funding will be used to complete a feasibility study which has been initiated to identify possible ways to reduce flooding.

“I thank both Senator Kerry and Senator Kennedy, as well as Congressman Tierney for all they do for Peabody. This is terrific news. This new funding will greatly help the revitalization of the downtown area of Peabody,” said Mayor Michael Bonfanti of Peabody.

Federal assistance in the omnibus bill for the North Shore includes:

Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report
$3.1 million for Shrimp Aquaculture for Massachusetts and a number of other states

Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Commerce Justice Science Appropriations Conference Report
$282,000 for the Essex County Oxycontin program
$235,000 for the berthing area for the NOAA Ship Bigelow
$976,000 for the berthing of the NOAA Ship Bigelow
$2.679 million for the New England Multi-Species Surveys & Development (SMAST) fishery information program
$1.786 million for the Mass Fishery Institute’s Scallop Fishery Initiative program
$13.395 million Massachusetts fishing disaster funding

Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations Conference Report
$98,000 for North River, Peabody
$98,000 for Coastal Massachusetts Ecosystem Restoration

Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Labor-HHS Appropriations Conference Report
$282,000 for the Essex County E-Team
$243,000 for the Children’s Friend and Family Services Center in Salem
$165,000 for Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers

Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Conference Report
$12 million for the Renovation of the Acquisition Management Facility at Hanscom AFB

Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Transportation, HUD and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report
$400,000 for the I-93 P&D Construction in Andover, Tewksbury and Wilmington
$250,000 for the Amesbury Bus Facility
$250,000 for the Beverly and Salem Intermodal Centers
$2 million for the North Shore Corridor Blue Line Extension
$200,000 for the Town of Wakefield

###