Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced the awarding of $400,000 in CARES Act funding for the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) of Haverhill, Massachusetts. The funding, disbursed by the U.S. Economic Development Administration's (EDA) CARES Act Recovery Assistance Program, will be used to support the small businesses and communities of the Merrimack Valley as they continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Communities throughout the Merrimack Valley continue to feel the economic burden of COVID-19. I’m proud to announce this CARES Act funding to support the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission efforts to fuel an economic comeback for small businesses and industries throughout the region. However, our cities and towns continue to be in desperate need of additional financial assistance to weather this crisis and re-open schools. The Senate must end their pause and come back to Washington to pass the Heroes Act without delay,” said Congresswoman Trahan.

“Federal support is vital for the Merrimack Valley. The economic fallout of COVID-19 has been devastating for the region, particularly for small businesses. This funding will support the important economic recovery and resiliency efforts necessary in building a stable and more equitable economy. Strong partnerships are necessary for building an economy that works for people. MVPC is proud to partner with the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support the region,” said Theresa Park, Executive Director of MVPC.

Trahan supported passage of the CARES Act in late March to deliver $2.2 trillion in relief to working families, emergency personnel, small businesses, and state and local governments. That critical legislation included $1.5 billion for economic adjustment assistance through the EDA to help revitalize local communities who have suffered losses because of the pandemic. EDA assistance can be used to help rebuild impacted industries such as tourism or manufacturing supply chains, capitalize local funds to provide low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes, and support other locally-identified priorities for economic recovery.

Trahan has also repeatedly called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to reconvene the Senate and immediately pass the Heroes Act to deliver an additional round of relief to those in need. The Heroes Act would build off of this funding awarded through EDA by providing an additional $1 trillion for state and local governments to continue paying their emergency workers and providing essential services. The Senate has not voted on legislation to deliver additional coronavirus relief since April.

Since 1959, the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, originally the Central Merrimack Valley Planning District, has been a leader in representing the residents of the Valley and its surrounding areas. By assisting in the planning of resources such as transportation, environment, and economic development, among many others, the MVPC aids in the growth and investment all across the Merrimack Valley.

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