The state economic development bill that cleared the Senate late Thursday night includes provisions that could impact Franklin County, according to Senate Senate President Stanley Rosenberg.
The only Franklin County earmarks project in the Senate bill is $250,000 in funding complete a freezer project at the Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center in Greenfield.
But a Senate provision also calls for at least 20 percent of money distributed by the MassWorks Infrastructure Program to go to towns with populations of 30,000 or under. That program, which the Senate bill provided with $330 million in funding, is what Rosenberg said could help Greenfield with its plans to build a $10 million parking garage.
The town has applied unsuccessfully applied four times for the project — most recently for $2.5 million in funding — but Rosenberg said the carve-out for towns with populations of 30,0000 “certainly wouldn’t hurt” in getting Greenfield money for the garage.
Mayor William Martin has said the town needs $7.5 million for a garage, which has been planned as a three- or four-level structure for 300 cars off Olive Street and is seen as critical, with completion of a new courthouse scheduled for early next year.
The grant program, for which the House version of the economic development bill allocated $500 million, according to Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru, provides one-stop support for cities and towns and other public entities seeking infrastructure funding to support economic development and job creation.
The House version of the economic development package that passed earlier this month also earmarked $100,000 for rebuilding the Hurricane Irene-damaged Clesson Brook Road bridge, a project that was also earmarked in the Senate version.
The Franklin County Community Development Corp.’s freezer project, which had a $396,000 earmark in the House, is about a year behind because it proved to be more expensive than originally planned, says CDC Executive Director John Waite.
“We can’t take on any more debt,” he said, so a grant is needed. for the 2,600-square-foot freezer building, funded with the $250,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture loan as well as $90,000 in grants from that agency.
The freezer-warehouse will be large enough to store 180 pallets stacked three high, for use by not only the Wells Street food processing center, but also Artisan Beverage Cooperative, Real Pickles as well as area farmers to store their frozen fruits and vegetables.
Although it’s called the Greenfield Food Processing Center, Waite said, the facility serves users from around the state.
The economic development bill, which must be reconciled with the House version, also expands eligible uses of the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund to include demolition. Brownfields are properties that are typically abandoned, have been used for commercial or industrial purposes, and may have hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants present.
“With loans and grants from the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund included in this legislation, abandoned and derelict properties can be repurposed and become vital sources of economic growth in western Massachusetts,” said Rosenberg. “When towns rehabilitate properties that have been unproductive and gone into disrepair they will make an important step forward for their local economies.”
The bill also includes $125,000 in funds for the Academy of Music in Northampton, to be used to improve public safety by replacing the stage curtain, as well as conservation of the original curtain.
You can reach Richie Davis at: rdavis@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 269