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BOSTON – Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy today announced that the omnibus appropriations bill approved by Congress contains $7,547,000 in federal assistance for Western Massachusetts. Statewide, 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. 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 western Massachusetts,” 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 Olver 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 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.” The University of Massachusetts-Amherst is one of the programs that will receive funding. “I appreciate the strong support that the Massachusetts Congressional delegation has shown for the University of Massachusetts, in the case of this funding for programs at our flagship Amherst campus, and on so many occasions. As the Commonwealth’s public research university, I am incredibly proud that UMass offers our students and faculty world-class academic opportunities and in turn, their research and service provides critical discoveries, programs and economic development opportunities to the citizens of the Commonwealth and the nation,” said University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson. Two Holyoke projects are also set to receive funding. "It's not only great to see funding for these great Holyoke institutions themselves, but also great news because they are both so important to the Pioneer Valley as major regional employers,” said Mayor Michael Sullivan of Holyoke. “The stronger these institutions are, the stronger the community is. It's great to get the help we need to ensure the economic and social vitality of our City and of region. I strongly thank Senator Kerry, Senator Kennedy and Congressman Olver for all their hard work in securing this funding." Federal assistance in the omnibus bill for Western Massachusetts includes: Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report
$314,000 for the UMass-Amherst Safe Seafood Program Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations Conference Report
$853,000 for the Barre Falls Dam
$795,000 for the Birch Hill Dam
$673,000 for the Knightville Dam
$679,000 for Littleville Lake
$788,000 for Tully Lake Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Interior Appropriations Conference Report
$2 million for the Silvio Conte National Wildlife Refuge
$170,000 for Greenfield Community College Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Labor-HHS Appropriations Conference Report
$165,000 for Noble Hospital
$165,000 for Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
$165,000 for Holyoke Community College
$180,000 for Holyoke Hospital Massachusetts Projects in the FY 2008 Transportation, HUD and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report
$200,000 for the City of Pittsfield Downtown Redevelopment
$200,000 for the Mohawk Theatre in North Adams
$200,000 for the Westfield Boys and Girls Club ###
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