Woburn Would Get $250K From MA House Coronavirus Recovery Bill

WOBURN, MA — Woburn would get $250,000 in investment in a coronavirus recovery bill passed this week by the Massachusetts House, the city's delegation said.

The bill allocates $3.82 billion in surplus funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and the state's Fiscal year 2021 budget. It passed the House unanimously this week and is now before the Senate.

"The bill addresses disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to facilitate recovery through one-time investments in housing, environment and climate mitigation, economic development, the workforce, health and human services, and education," according to a news release from state Reps. Richard Haggerty and Michelle Ciccolo.

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The state's $5.3 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds must be allocated by 2024.

"These investments are aimed at helping our community and the Commonwealth recover from the economic and social challenges of the past two years," Haggerty said. "I was pleased to be able to direct some of these resources to support the small business community by helping the city implement plans to improve the economic and physical atmosphere of downtown Woburn. I was also pleased to have successfully advocated for monies that will help make some of our playgrounds fully accessible for all children."

The city's direct funding would go to:

• "$125,000 for the installation of accessible and inclusive equipment at public playgrounds in the City of Woburn.

• $125,000 to implement the recommendations of the City of Woburn’s report from the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative Local Rapid Recovery Program to improve the economic and physical conditions of the downtown."

"We are fortunate to have a President and Massachusetts delegation in Congress that recognized the importance of investing in a strong recovery as we continue to dig out from the economic effects of the pandemic," Ciccolo said. "I am grateful to House leadership for their foresight in conducting such an open process around allocating these funds, and I am thrilled that Woburn is slated to receive a significant amount that will help ensure the recovery arrives here to our local community as quickly as possible."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.