Rep. Bass backs $4m
NASHUA – Projects at Daniel Webster College, St. Joseph Hospital and the Senior Activity Center are in line to receive more than $4 million in federal funds.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass is advocating for the projects, which have won early support in Congress.
A funding bill for the 2004 fiscal year includes a total of $4.19 million sought by Bass for Nashua projects, according to a written statement from the congressman’s office.
The money is not a sure thing yet, as the House is expected to vote on the spending bill next week.
St. Joseph Hospital, on Kinsley Street, is seeking $1.5 million for the construction of “a comprehensive cancer center,” which Bass said would expand the local treatment options for cancer patients. Thirty-three percent of patients from the Nashua area travel out of state to seek treatment for cancer, according to the statement from Bass’ office.
Daniel Webster College is in line for $1 million to update its technology. The college hopes to open a new digital laboratory focusing on flight and air traffic simulation.
The simulators would be the only ones of their kind in New England, fulfilling a regional demand, said Bass, a Republican.
Another $900,000 is earmarked to help the city pay for a federally mandated project to overhaul the sewer system. This would bring to $5.7 million the total federal money secured for the project, which is authorized to receive a total of $20 million.
Bass also said he worked with Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., to include $790,000 in the bill to renovate the Senior Activity Center. The proposed $2.95 million facility will include a library and resource room, a computer and learning center, a fitness center, and a medical resource room.
The bill that the House is expected to vote on next week would provide federal funding for the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, State, Justice, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as the District of Columbia.
