Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) announced $8,000,000 in federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for brownfield clean-up projects that will benefit communities across the Third District. Funding will support job-creating initiatives in Lowell, Lawrence, and Clinton as well as Methuen, Haverhill, and surrounding communities.

“I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make long overdue improvements in communities large and small across the Commonwealth,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This federal funding will give Lowell, Lawrence, Clinton, and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission the resources necessary to complete revitalization projects that will improve life for hardworking families, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen our local economy for years to come.”

“I’m over the moon that we’ll be able to invest in our communities, create jobs, and clean up sites across the Commonwealth with this funding,” said Senator Warren. “This is a great win for our environment, our communities, and our kids who are going to reap the benefits for generations to come.”

“It’s simple—we know that Brownfields grants unlock vital funding to free our towns and cities from dangerous pollution and toxic contamination,” said Senator Markey. “This historic investment will bring cleaner water, land, and air to communities across the Commonwealth and deliver a more livable future with green spaces to work, live, and play.”

Communities receiving funding include:

Lowell: $5,000,000 to clean up 5.7 acres along the Veterans of Foreign War Highway at the Beaver Brook site where the land was previously contaminated to build a flood control system. Lowell is receiving another $500,000 to assess five former mill and manufacturing sites in the Hamilton Canal Innovation District as part of the City’s JAM Urban Renewal Plan.

Lawrence: $1,000,000 to clean up four sites, including the Bennington Triangle and Florence Street Garage priority sites, as part of the effort to redevelop the Lawrence Manchester rail line into a rail trail, as well as conduct environmental assessments for four other projects.

Clinton: $500,000 to clean up the Rockbestos-Surprenant Cable Corp. facility located at 172 Sterling Street, an unoccupied 8.4-acre site that operated as a mill until the 1910s and then as a wire manufacturing facility until 2006.

Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC): $1,000,000 to support a number of clean-up projects across the Merrimack Valley, including the Searles Estate in Methuen, which will pave the way for historic preservation of the land, enhanced recreational value, and improved connection with abutting communities, and Dutton Airport in Haverhill, which will facilitate the development of a new commercial area with six total buildings creating over 100 new jobs. This funding is in addition to the $3,195,000 in EPA funds already awarded to the Commission.

“As Mayor of Lowell, I am thrilled that our city is receiving a substantial federal investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Lowell Mayor Dan Rourke. “These grants will be instrumental in our ongoing efforts to revitalize and enhance our city.”

“Today marks a significant milestone for the revitalization of Lowell.  We are grateful for the support our elected representatives, including Congresswoman Trahan, Senator Warren, and Senator Markey, whose advocacy has been instrumental in securing these critical resources,” said Lowell City Manager Tom Golden. “Receiving EPA Brownfields funding will allow the City to complete the remediation of critical open space located on the north bank of the Merrimack River. This funding is a significant step forward in transforming this section of the Centralville neighborhood into a regional destination park. EPA Brownfields funding will not only help to revitalize our community, but this project will serve as a model for climate resiliency, expanding and showcasing our commitment to sustainable and equitable urban development.”

“I am thrilled to announce that, thanks to our federal delegation, Trahan, Warren and Markey, we've been awarded an EPA Multipurpose grant for the cleanup and revitalization of three key sites in Lawrence! This funding will help address environmental issues, create safer neighborhoods, and provide economic opportunities. Lawrence is on the right track to advance our green initiative and address environmental concerns, continuing to uplift the quality of life. We are filled with hope for our community's future. We also want to thank Rick and Rip from Credere Associates for supporting Office of Planning and Development’s grant writer, Ilialis Reyes, who worked on this grant,” said Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña.

“We are grateful for support from EPA in selecting the Town of Clinton for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address contamination on the former Rockbestos-Surprenant facility located at 172 Sterling Street,” said Clinton Town Administrator Michael Ward. “This 8.4-acre site is a blighted property located along one of the gateways entering our community. These clean up funds will assist in giving us the opportunity to now pursue redevelopment of the property in order to provide an economic benefit for the region and beautification of this busy corridor into the community. Receipt of this grant award will truly be an impactful step towards the success of this project.”

“MVPC is thrilled to receive funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program,” said Jerrard Whitten, MVPC Executive Director. “This funding provides critical resources for rehabilitating key properties across the Merrimack Valley. We are grateful for the continued support of the EPA and our Federal legislative delegation in recognizing the importance of this funding in unlocking housing, community, and economic development opportunities across the cities and towns in our region.”

Trahan, Warren, and Markey supported passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which as of April 2024 has allocated $7.3 billion in federal funding for 293 projects across the Commonwealth. Earlier this year, members of the federal delegation announced $94.5 million in funding from the infrastructure package for five Third District-based clean hydrogen companies that are creating hundreds of good-paying jobs. Last June, Trahan, Warren, and Markey successfully secured $21.4 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to support four bridge projects in Lowell in addition to the $180 federal investment already allocated for the replacement of the Rourke Bridge in Lowell and $150 million for the replacement of the Basiliere Bridge in Haverhill.

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