U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.8 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Infrastructure and Workforce Development Projects in Massachusetts

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $3.8 million in American Rescue Plan funds in the state of Massachusetts to support infrastructure and workforce development. These grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan.

The EDA investments announced today are:

• Massachusetts Bay Community College, Wellesley, Massachusetts, will receive a $2 million grant to help procure instructional equipment needed for the college’s new learning and training laboratory. The new facility will prepare students for good-paying jobs in the health sciences, early childhood education, and human services sectors.  The project will be matched with $504,676 in local funds and is expected to create 135 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

• The city of Newburyport, Massachusetts, will receive a $1.8 million grant to support the repair and rehabilitation of the bulkheads that protect the city’s central waterfront park, boardwalk, boating facilities, and associated businesses. The project will be matched with $439,394 in local funds.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to American communities as they work to build a better America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “These EDA investments will help communities in Massachusetts build stronger, more robust local economies.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-developed strategies designed to create economic opportunity,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “EDA is pleased to assist Massachusetts Bay Community College and the city of Newburyport as they work to provide the infrastructure and other resources needed to support good-paying jobs.”

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is grateful to receive this federal funding for the Massachusetts Bay Community College’s learning and training laboratory and the City of Newburyport’s waterfront,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Investments in areas like workforce training and waterfront infrastructure are critical to supporting our state’s economic recovery.”

“I’m thrilled about the EDA’s two new investments in the Commonwealth, which will support training a new generation of students for well-paying jobs at Massachusetts Bay Community College and help the city of Newburyport bolster its infrastructure by protecting its waterfront park, boardwalk, and businesses,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “I’m grateful for local, state, and federal partners who have fought for these American Rescue Plan investments in our communities.”

“From supporting the education and training of Massachusetts Bay Community College students to rehabilitating the Newburyport Waterfront Park, these EDA investments are critical for the health and wellbeing of the communities of Wellesley and Newburyport,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “I am thankful this Administration is working to ensure American Rescue Plan funds are reaching Massachusetts and supporting our Commonwealth’s vibrant local economies and public spaces."

“I’m thrilled to see the Department of Commerce utilize American Rescue Plan funding to not only improve the Commonwealth’s water infrastructure but also bolster resources for students pursuing careers in industries like early childhood education and health sciences, right here in MA-5. Mass. Bay Community College has long been a leader in educating a diverse student body, and I have been proud to support their expansion with this new Center in Framingham,” said Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-05). “This investment will open doors of opportunity for countless Massachusetts residents and make good on our promise of building an economy where everyone has a fair shot at success.”

“The bulkhead that runs along the edge of the Merrimack River in Newburyport structurally supports the central boardwalk and seasonal floats for visiting boats, tour boats, and fishing boats. Unfortunately, the existing steel bulkhead is disintegrating,” said Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06). “The Economic Development Administration’s investment will ensure that the bulkhead can continue to support the local fishing industry and the festivals and attractions that draw residents and visitors alike. It was my honor to advocate for this investment and I’m grateful to the EDA for supporting the local economy in Newburyport.”

These projects are funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

The Newburyport project was made possible by the regional planning efforts of the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. EDA funds the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.