SPRINGFIELD – The city of Springfield has been awarded more than $17 million by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through its National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC).

Mayor Domenic Sarno, accompanied by Congressman Richard Neal and other officials, made the announcement on Jan. 22.

The funding will be leveraged to create a pool of $80 million to create an additional redundant power source for Baystate Medical Center; redevelop the hydropower at Lake Massasoit for additional electrical production; rehabilitate more one to four unit homes to restore affordable housing stock damaged by June 2011 tornado; help create the Springfield Innovation Center for job training; and the creation of the Citizen Tree Steward Program and the Community Based Citizen Science Initiative to involve the community in water quality and water conservation activities.

HUD Acting Regional Administrator Kristine Foye said that 67 applications for the funding were filed. Forty-eight were from states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 17 from municipalities. Of that number only 13 applications received part of a $1 billion funding pool and Springfield was one of four municipalities – the others being New Orleans, LA, New York City, NY, and Minot, ND.

Foye added the process was “one of the toughest competitions in HUD’s history.”

She said to Sarno, “You really should be proud.”

Neal called the announcement “really exciting news,” and added the projects involved in the grant may “not be necessarily glitzy,” but reflects long term investment in the city.  

Sarno was effusive in his praise of a host of city officials who contributed to the success grant application. He also explained the complete scope of the grant would not have been possible without the participation of a number of partners that include Baystate Medical Center, Develop Springfield, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Partners for a Healthier Community, Regreen Springfield, Regional Employment Board, Tech Foundry, Northeast Climate Change Center and the University of Massachusetts.

Sarno said the grant came out the planning process for rebuilding that involved 3,000 city residents.

Kevin Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer, said a timeline for the receipt of the funds and how much will be allocated to each project has not yet been communications to the city by HUD but will be.

He called the award “a very generous allotment.”