BOSTON – Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, with Congressman Richard Neal, today announced that the omnibus appropriations bill approved by Congress contains $17,534,000 in federal assistance for parts of western and central Massachusetts. Massachusetts initiatives received a total of more than $236 million.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 will fund 15 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 in the region,” 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 Neal 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 Western and Central Massachusetts, 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 delighted that these important projects in western and central Massachusetts will receive significant federal assistance this year. This appropriations bill provides millions of dollars for local hospitals, community colleges, health centers, transportation and environmental needs. These resources will directly invest in many of the critical priorities in our region. I commend my colleagues in the Massachusetts delegation who worked together as a team to secure this important funding,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal.

The I-91 Fiber and Conduit Program is one of the projects slated to receive funding.

“The I-91 fiber project is one of the first of its kind in the nation and will support transportation, economic development, and public safety in Western Massachusetts,” said Linda Dunlavy, Co-Chair of the Pioneer Connect Steering Committee. “We are particularly grateful that our federal delegation has supported this project and recognizes its importance and innovation.”

Federal assistance in the omnibus bill for parts of western and central Massachusetts includes:

Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations Conference Report
$1 million for the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Center
$394,000 for Milford Pond, Milford
$589,000 for the Buffumville Lake
$8.5 million for the Charles River Natural Valley Storage Area in Uxbridge
$259,000 for the Conant Brook Lake
$486,000 for the East Brimfield Lake
$609,000 for the Hodges Village Dam
$709,000 for West Hill Dam
$640,000 for Westville Lake

Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Labor-HHS Appropriations Conference Report
$204,000 for Caring Health Center
$200,000 for Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative 
$185,000 for Mercy Medical Center
$370,000 for the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Center
$312,000 for Baystate Health Care Systems
$165,000 for Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
$312,000 for Wing Memorial

Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Transportation, HUD and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report
$200,000 for the Mercy Housing Project in Holyoke
$200,000 for the Northampton State Hospital Redevelopment
$250,000 for the Urban League in Springfield
$1 million for the I-91 Fiber and Conduit Program
$750,000 for Edwards Street improvements in Springfield - Transportation
$200,000 for Northampton State Hospital site

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