Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) announced $1,253,500 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding was awarded to the City of Gardner to advance critical infrastructure projects across the downtown area.

“Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Nicholson and members of the City Council, Gardner is experiencing a tremendous economic resurgence that has benefited residents and small businesses,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This federal investment is critical to maximizing the impact of this progress by making the city’s downtown more accessible for residents and visitors to enjoy the incredible shops and restaurants that power the local economy. I’m grateful for the partnership of Mayor Nicholson, the Council, and our Senators all of whom were instrumental in making the case for this significant award.”

“Gardner is getting a well deserved upgrade,” said Senator Warren. “It’s great to support Mayor Nicholson and the city’s incredible transformation with these investments, bolstering the local economy and community of Gardner.”

“Gardner’s renaissance continues with this key federal investment in making the city’s downtown accessible, safe, and welcoming to pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and transit users alike,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “I’m grateful for the collaboration with Mayor Nicholson, Gardner city officials, Senator Warren, Congresswoman Trahan, and the Healey-Driscoll administration. The city has a beat in its step, and our partnership will continue delivering for the people of Gardner.”

“I want to thank Congresswoman Trahan, Senator Warren, and Senator Markey for their steadfast support of the City of Gardner and my vision to bring additional businesses and consumers to downtown Gardner,” said Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson. “The $1.2 million in funding through the RAISE grant program will make a tremendous difference in funding key infrastructure projects to enhance the downtown area for the City of Gardner.  Gardner has made great strides in improving our downtown region over the last 4 years and this funding is crucial for us to take the next step.”

Gardner was awarded this federal investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program, a competitive program that supports local infrastructure projects that will significantly improve communities. The $1.2 million in funding will support Gardner’s efforts to make the downtown area more accessible, including improving parking and safety infrastructure as well as the planning and engineering of a new four-story parking garage on West Street. The project complements the work that the City has done already to support 32 commercial storefront renovation projects and 225 new housing units, which are expected to be completed in the coming months and years.

“Federal support for growth in Gardner is critical. The city and state tax dollars and private investment in our city, which have resulted in new and improved infrastructure in downtown particularly, cannot stand alone. We can accomplish the most for Gardner together, and this is about as together as it gets,” said Gardner City Council President Elizabeth J. Kazinskas.

“The key piece to this is the engineering for the parking garage. This will bring significant opportunities to downtown. As we bring in more investment, more people are living, working and visiting downtown. This will allow that to continue, and help us pursue our goal of returning downtown to a hive of economic and community activity,” said State Representative Jon Zlotnik.

Trahan, Warren, and Markey supported passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. Massachusetts is slated to receive at least $9.5 billion in funding through the package between 2022-2027, and as of May 2024, $7.4 billion has been announced for 310 projects across the Commonwealth. Last year, the lawmakers secured $21.4 million in RAISE grant funding to support the rehabilitation of four bridges in Lowell.

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