Central Mass. organizations slated for $23M in federal money to support 20 projects

A one story building with a flagpole in front

Image | Courtesy of Google Maps The MetroWest YMCA in Framingham

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Clark University, the Leominster East Side Community Center, and the MetroWest YMCA Regional Early Learning Center are among the 20 Central Massachusetts entities slated to benefit from $23.09 million in federal funding pending final approval by the U.S. Senate and President Joe Biden.

The funding, secured through the fiscal 2024 appropriations process, would benefit a number of projects in Central Massachusetts. The legislation providing this funding is expected to be signed into law in early March, according to a press release issued by Congressman Jim McGovern (D-Worcester) office on Wednesday.

“I am so proud to have secured $21 million for our district, but it’s about more than that. It’s about the impact these investments will have on our neighborhoods, and the difference these projects will make in people’s lives,” McGovern, who represents municipalities in Central and Western Massachusetts, said in the release.

Funding has also been secured in the legislation by other representatives of Central Massachusetts communities, including Congresspeople Richard Neal (D-Springfield), Lori Trahan (D-Lowell), Jake Auchincloss (D-Newton), and Katherine Clark (D-Malden).

“This federal funding will help clean our air and water, enable the construction of new community gathering spaces, and advance our work of building climate readiness and resiliency,” Clark said of the $11 million in funding she secured for projects in her district in a press release issued Wednesday.

There are two Central Massachusetts entities earmarked to receive $2 million or more of federal funding:

The MetroWest YMCA Regional Early Learning Center in Framingham is expected to receive $5 million in funding to construct a regional early learning center to serve the communities of Ashland, Hopkinton, Holliston, Sherborn, and Framingham.
Worcester’s Mill Street Complete Street Design Project is expected to receive $2 million to support a transformation of the 2.5-mile street on the city’s west side to include a linear park and green infrastructure.

Other projects or municipalities in the region scheduled to receive funding include:

The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in Framingham ($1.67 million) to fund construction of the trail.
The Oriol Drive Permanent Supportive Housing Project in Worcester ($1.6 million) supporting the conversion of the former Quality Inn & Suites in Worcester into 90 permanent supportive housing units for people who have previously experienced homelessness.
The Greendale Revitalization Initiative in Worcester ($1.5 million) to fund the redevelopment of the former Saint Gobain campus.
WHEAT Community Connections in Clinton ($1 million) to support the fight against food insecurity.
The construction of a new fire station for the City of Southbridge ($1 million).
The town of Uxbridge ($959,752) for the design and construction of a new elevated water tank to provide additional capacity and pressure for customers in Uxbridge and Millville.
The Town of Bellingham ($959,752) for a new PFAS treatment system for the Town’s water supply.
The Town of Spencer ($959,752) for sewer collection system upgrades.
The City of Gardner ($922,832) for renovations of the James Street Pump Station.
South Middlesex Opportunity Council’s Child Care Center in Framingham ($900,000) for HVAC upgrades.
Franklin Ridge Senior Affordable Housing Project ($850,000) to help fund the construction of the 60-unit development.
The Blackstone Valley Boys and Girls Club ($850,000) for its Stone House Renovation Project in Blackstone.
The Leominster East Side Community Center ($750,000) to build a 2,500-square-foot center in an environmental justice neighborhood.
The YMCA of Central Massachusetts ($700,000) to construct a covered outdoor recreational facility in Worcester’s Greendale neighborhood.
The Town of Ayer ($700,000) to replace a bridge on West Main Street.
Worcester’s Regional Environmental Council ($500,000) to create a regional Center for Urban Farming and Food Security in Worcester.
The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Community Engagement Center at Clark University ($500,000) for a new 5,000-square-foot center on Main Street in Worcester.
The Town of Berlin ($400,000) to upgrade public safety radio equipment.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated how much several organizations or municipalities are slated to receive, stating figures that were originally requested rather than actual amounts allocated in the current legislation. The total for Central Massachusetts organization and municipalities is $23.09 million, not $34.88 million as originally stated.