Haverhill’s legislative delegation says the state’s pending $61 billion budget replaces lost federal food aid and sets aside $650,000 for several familiar nonprofits in addition to paying for some city projects and backing increases in public school aid.
In a joint release, state Reps. Andy X. Vargas and Ryan M. Hamilton and Sens. Pavel M. Payano and Barry R. Finegold said the spending plan put before Gov. Maura T. Healey gives $500,000 to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank to support food distribution across Essex County. They said it helps restore more than 400,000 meals lost to federal cuts.
The largest local earmark goes to Historic New England, as WHAV reported in May when it was first proposed, is $250,000 for a third year in a row. The money is aimed at a proposed mixed-use downtown district, possibly featuring a hotel, retail and artist live-work space and anchored by a new Center for Preservation and Collections. Hamilton outlined his support in an interview this spring with WHAV.
“My friends at Historic New England who, as we know, are trying to pursue a project that is going to once again transform the downtown for the better and really connect the entirety of downtown together which I am extremely excited for,” he said.
The next biggest grant, $75,000 is directed to Pinnacle, the local group, as WHAV reported first in February, that is trying to keep the former UMass Lowell Innovation Hub afloat in downtown Haverhill.
Legislators also gave $50,000 each to the Haverhill Promise grade-level reading program; Cogswell ArtSpace, planned in the former George S. Cogswell School on South Main Street in Haverhill; Somebody Cares New England, for its food pantry meal delivery expansion; Community Action’s MakeIT Haverhill jobs program; and Team Haverhill, to “support climate resilience programs and for overall community improvement in the City of Haverhill.”
The spending plans also earmarks $25,000 each to Girls Empowered Means Success, known as GEMS; Greater Haverhill Foundation; and Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce. Other awards include $20,000, Ruth’s House; $15,000, Haverhill Boys and Girls Club for its proposed new building; $10,000, Build Boston for a year of entrepreneurship programming at the city’s Gateway Academy; $10,000, Ray of Hope for Haverhill youth participation in the Hoops and Handles program; $10,000 for Urban Bridges for women entrepreneurs; and $10,000 to Veterans Alliance of Greater Haverhill.
Money for public projects includes $55,000 for Haverhill backstop fencing at Riverside Park and $25,000 for a pedestrian crossing at the city-owned Clement Farm, off upper Main Street on the Plaistow, N.H. border. Finegold said the allocation is “reinforcing municipal services.”
Haverhill is set to receive $94.2 million in state education aid, known as Chapter 70, an increase of $6,251,583 from last fiscal year, and $12. 2 million in unrestricted local aid, an increase of $133,120 over last year.
“This budget delivers real wins for Haverhill—more funding for our schools, safer streets, support for working families and investments that will grow our local economy,” Vargas said in a statement.
Payano added, “With funding for workforce development and the restoration of over 400,000 meals lost to federal cuts, we are bringing critical resources directly into our community. I am proud to work alongside a state delegation that remains focused on equity, opportunity, and the long-term well-being of our city.”