In the News

LOWELL — U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan and U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey recently announced $8 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be used for projects within Trahan’s district, including a significant portion that is going to Lowell.

The $8 million will be used for brownfield cleanup projects in communities across the 3rd Congressional District. Brownfields are pieces of land that have previously been somehow contaminated.

“I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make long overdue improvements in communities large and small across the Commonwealth,” said 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.”

The city of Lowell will receive $5 million from that pool to cleanup a 5.7 acre area along the VFW Highway that had been contaminated.

Lowell City Manager Tom Golden said the cleanup of that area would allow the city to “complete the remediation of critical open space” along the Merrimack River’s north bank.

“This funding is a significant step forward in transforming this section of the Centralville neighborhood into a regional destination park,” said Golden. “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.”

Another $500,000 will be given to Lowell to assess the sites of five former mills and manufacturing facilities in the Hamilton Canal Innovation District for the city’s JAM (Jackson/Appleton/Middlesex) Urban Renewal Plan.

The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission will receive $1 million to support cleanup projects across the Merrimack Valley.

“MVPC is thrilled to receive funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program,” said MVPC Executive Director Jerrard Whitten. “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.”

Other funding includes $1 million to clean up four sites in Lawrence, as well as $500,000 to clean up the Rockbestos-Surprenant Cable Corp. facility in Clinton.

Warren called the funding from the infrastructure bill “a great win” for the environment.

“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 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.”

Markey called it a “historic investment.”

“It’s simple — we know that Brownfields grants unlock vital funding to free our towns and cities from dangerous pollution and toxic contamination,” said 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.”