CHICOPEE, Mass. - The City of Chicopee now has a better idea of what it will receive from the American Rescue Plan signed into law back in March.

Congressman Richard Neal (D), Chair of Ways and Means Committee and Chicopee Mayor John Vieau highlighted what the funds are going to be used for Friday and how they will help the city recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Chicopee is receiving $29.9 million from the American Rescue Plan and the Public Schools will be receiving $24.6 million. Both Neal and Vieau said Chicopee was hit hard, so the money will benefit residents. 

"This will give Mayor Vieau and his staff and the elected here in the city of Chicopee a chance to talk about some real legacy issues that ordinarily you wouldn't because you're always patching and piecing and putting together and stitching," said Congressman Neal. "This will give you a chance to take on some challenges that you have wanted to do for a long period of time, but you haven't been able to."

Vieau said he is very grateful for Neal and his committee for helping the city get back to the new normal, faster.

"This is going to be something we are really excited about. We are going to be fiscally responsible moving forward with this and work collectively together to do what is best for the residents of the city and the community. That is our goal," said Vieau.

In total, Massachusetts will receive $5.3 billion in state fiscal relief and $2.6 billion in local fiscal relief from the plan.