10-21-2003

Page history last edited by myclob 3 yrs ago

October 21, 2003

ROMNEY INVESTS $19.3 MILLION IN LIBRARIES STATEWIDE

Capital budget allocates funds for 32 ongoing and new library projects

Governor Mitt Romney today announced $19.3 million to fund 32 new and ongoing library projects throughout the Commonwealth. Romney made the announcement at an event promoting literacy.

“Massachusetts has a long and proud tradition of supporting education and investing in our people,” said Romney. “Lieutenant Governor Healey and I are committed to ensuring that our libraries continue to be state-of-the-art resources for all of our citizens.”

The $19.3 million for the Public Library Construction Program comes out of the $1.278 billion capital budget for Fiscal Year 2004.

The Public Library Construction Program, created in 1990, provides grants to communities to help fund construction of new library buildings, additions, renovations and special projects.

Cities and towns are eligible for these funds only once every 20 years and the Board of Library Commissioners must approve all awards. The state reimburses towns between 20 and 60 percent of construction costs on approved projects (60 percent of the first $1.2 million in costs, 40 percent of costs between $1.2 million and $3.0 million, 30 percent of costs between $3 million and $6 million and 20 percent of costs over $6 million).

Romney added, “There is no denying the power that literacy unlocks in each individual. When we invest in your libraries, we are investing in our future.”

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Public Library Construction Program Recipients

CITY/TOWN FY04

Ongoing Projects

Blackstone $767,472

Brockton $310,116

Canton $258,557

Chicopee $1,111,737

Dracut $747,074

East Longmeadow $147,318

Easton $1,377,358

Gardner $1,034,417