New federal budget doles out millions for Central Mass. nonprofit projects

Central Massachusetts nonprofits will receive millions of dollars in federal funding in fiscal 2023 as part of the $1.7-trillion omnibus spending bill signed into law by President Joe Biden on Friday.

The earmarks in education, health, and human services organizations were announced in a Friday press release by Congressman James McGovern (D-Worcester) and a Wednesday press release from Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-Lowell), whose district includes North Worcester County and parts of MetroWest. Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield), whose district includes much of Central Mass. South, didn’t detail the earmarks in his district on his website.

The $19.8 million received by 13 Central Mass. nonprofits, according to the announcements by McGovern and Trahan, includes:

• African Community Education in Worcester will receive $3 million to renovate its education center, at the former site of Learning First Charter School at 51 Gage St.
• The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center in Worcester will receive $3 million to help with the costs of a facility and equipment for dental care in its new health center.
• Veterans Inc. in Worcester will receive $3 million for renovations to the National Guard Armory in Worcester to create a one-stop veterans resource center for veterans and their families.
• Fitchburg-based Community Health Connections will receive $2.5 million to establish comprehensive mental health services for children. 
• Fitchburg State University will receive $2 million to support its Fitchburg Theater Block project on Main Street in Fitchburg.
• Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging, Inc. in Worcester will receive $1.2 million to establish a Grandparents Raising Grandkids Resource Center.
• Anna Maria College in Paxton will receive $1 million to update its clinical simulation lab.
• Fitchburg-based NewVue Communities will receive $1 million for its Riverbend-Bigelow Schools project in Athol, which will provide 53 units of affordable housing in a preserved school building.
• North Star Family Services, Inc. in Leominster will receive $1 million for its Journey Home affordable housing project in Leominster, which will provide 15 units of housing with staff support to low-income or homeless families. 
• UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester will receive $1 million to add 87 inpatient beds, to address a shortage of beds in the area.
• Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition in Worcester will receive $416,275 for a summer learning program teaching leadership skills to women and girls of color.
• The Leominster campus of UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital will receive $450,000 to install a 3D mammography system.
• Human services nonprofit GAAMHA, Inc. in Gardner will receive $200,000 for a new program to support individuals with substance use disorder and mental health challenges.