From October 26, 2022 post
Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means joined Adams Town Administrator Jay R. Green, members of the Adams Selectboard, and local officials for the announcement of a $1,000,000 earmark for the town’s Greylock Glen Outdoor Center project.
The allocation was made possible through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Congressman Neal submitted funding for this project in the Fiscal Year 2022 spending bill that was signed into law earlier this year.
“Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts and a true treasured asset here in Berkshire County,” said Congressman Neal. “With countless visitors per year, especially during this peak foliage season, the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center will be a multi-faceted space to welcome visitors while supporting the strong and still-growing outdoor recreation economy.”
“Responsibly developing the Greylock Glen to unlock its economic potential has been a team effort,” said Administrator Green. “We’re grateful for Congressman Neal’s support and the investment of Federal resources to help bring this critical project to fruition for our Town and our region. Outdoor recreation is a central component to our revitalization and the Outdoor Center is the heart of that effort from which the private investment will flow.”
The 10,000 square foot Outdoor Center will welcome visitors to Greylock Glen and serve as a “basecamp” for exploration. The facility will include a central gathering area with a large stone fireplace, classrooms, exhibit space, a café and a retail space for outdoor recreation gear. The Center will capture views of Mount Greylock, while taking advantage of passive solar and natural lighting opportunities. Designed by Maclay Architects of Vermont as a net-zero building, it will be sensitively integrated into the site and employ natural materials to appear almost seamless with the environment.
Under guidelines issued by the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, members of Congress requested CDS funding for projects in their state for Fiscal Year 2022. CDS requests were restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities were permitted to receive CDS funding.
This project is one of ten CDS projects submitted by Congressman Neal, totaling over $9 million in investments throughout the First Congressional District of Massachusetts.
The Outdoor Center is one of four building components of the Greylock Glen Master Plan. The other components are a hotel/conference center, four season campground with traditional and glamping options and an amphitheater. These other components are designed for private investment and compliment a substantial muti-use trail system. The Town of Adams is currently soliciting proposals (RFPs) for the Campground. More information can be found HERE.
This announcement comes on the heels of a $2.9 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant from the American Rescue Plan to go toward water infrastructure improvements at Greylock Glen that Congressman Neal advocated for.
“The American Rescue Plan was instrumental in driving our nation’s historic economic rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Neal. “The funds that were allocated through Congress are part of our long-term plan for recovery. This EDA funding for the water infrastructure improvements at Greylock Glen project in Adams will immediately stimulate the economy with jobs, and provide lasting support through tourism, recreation, and educational opportunities for years to come.”
This project will expand tourism and outdoor recreational activities in Berkshire County through the development of the Greylock Glen Resort. The EDA investment will be matched with $1.2 million in local funds and is expected to create 476 jobs and generate $42 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC). EDA funds BRPC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
Original source can be found here
