{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://neal.house.gov/2026/08/24/neal-makes-fifth-stop-on-landmark-laws-local-investments-tour-with-visit-to-pittsfield/", "Neal Makes Fifth Stop\u00a0on \u201cLandmark Laws, Local Investments\u201d\u00a0Tour with Visit to Pittsfield", "2026-08-24", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "MA", "Richard E. Neal", "N000015", "neal.house.gov", "neal", "https://neal.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Pittsfield, MA \u2014 On Monday, August 24, Congressman Richard E. Neal joined Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti and city officials at Zion Lutheran Church to highlight the impact of federal investments made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). More than $1.5 billion has been invested across the First Congressional District.\n\nIn Pittsfield, $87.3 million was invested in projects and initiatives, with funding streams including:\n\n$53.8 million in ARPA funding, consisting of $40.6 million in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery funding and $13.2 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Funding\n\n$33.5 million in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act\n\n\u201cAs the largest city in Berkshire County, Pittsfield plays a critical role in the economic vitality of the region. As a result, the impact of these investments will extend well beyond the city limits and deliver lasting benefits to residents throughout the Berkshires,\u201d said Congressman Neal. \u201cThanks to the leadership of Mayor Marchetti, former Mayor Linda Tyer, the city council, and city officials, investments that addressed immediate needs and improved quality of life were made across the board. From investments in city infrastructure and services to assistance for local non-profits and businesses, the City capitalized on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to make investments that will benefit the community for years to come.\u201d\n\nAs a result of the ARPA, the City of Pittsfield was able to invest $9.5 million in housing, which supported the development of 86 new housing units and the renovation of an additional 30 units. In addition, funding supported the development of 37 new permanent supportive apartments, with 28 located in a newly constructed building at 111 W. Housatonic Street, and nine located on the second floor of the Zion Lutheran Church. The City was also able to fund a 7,700-square-foot Housing Resource Center, The First, located in the basement of Zion Lutheran Church. The First provides a place for individuals who are housing insecure to receive assistance with basic needs, including access to laundry, showers, and phone chargers.\n\n\u201cEvery federal dollar that is invested into the City of Pittsfield provides us with more opportunity to improve infrastructure, create new housing and support our residents in their day-to-day lives,\u201d said Mayor Peter Marchetti. \u201cWe have a strong partnership with Congressman Neal and all members of our federal delegation and appreciate their continued support for this community.\u201d\n\nIn addition to housing, the City of Pittsfield allocated ARPA funds for a variety of projects and initiatives, including:\n\nPreparing 16.5 acres of land for development\n\nAvoiding $15 million in City borrowing\n\nProviding 130 small businesses with financial assistance\n\nInvesting $9 million in 38 non-profits, including:\n\nBerkshire County Arc\n\nBerkshire County Head Start\n\nChild Care of the Berkshires\n\nPittsfield Community Food Pantry\n\nSoldier On\n\nInvesting $5.9 million towards city infrastructure, including:\n\nUpgrades to the Berkshire Athenaeum\n\nUpgrades to the Pittsfield Fire Station and purchasing new equipment\n\nRenovations to Old Town Hall\n\nTaconic High School track and baseball field backstop\n\nWater and wastewater system upgrades\n\nIn addition to the ARPA, MassDOT has received $33.5 million from the IIJA and the IRA to support infrastructure projects that will benefit the City of Pittsfield, including:\n\n$11.3 million for the reconstruction of East Street (Route 9)\n\n$2.9 million for the bridge replacement on East New Lenox Road over Sackett Brook\n\n$1.7 million for the Ashuwillticook Bike Trail Extension from Crane Avenue to Merrill Road. This is in addition to the $17.3 million RAISE Grant that Congressman Neal announced in January 2025 with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, the municipalities of Adams, North Adams, and Williamstown, MASS MoCA, and TOURISTS Hotel.\n\n$3 million for the Superstructure Replacement on Holmes Road over the Housatonic Railroad\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://neal.house.gov/2026/08/24/neal-makes-fifth-stop-on-landmark-laws-local-investments-tour-with-visit-to-pittsfield/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4636050909757614, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}