FY 2015 budget earmarks for New Bedford

Senator Mark Montigny has amended the Senate FY 2015 budget to include major funding to boost tourism and enhance the arts & cultural renaissance on the South Coast.

“Securing local funding to aid in the growth and promotion of our communities economic, historic, and creative development, continued to be a top priority of mine in this budget. By securing funding for our innovative cultural and historical assets, in addition to unique opportunities for financially disadvantaged youth in the area, I believe our local economy continues to advance in a promising direction,” said Senator Montigny, who has been a longtime leader in transforming downtown New Bedford into a arts & cultural district.

This year funding attained by Senator Montigny in the FY15 budget includes:

• $75,000 to AHA! Art, History & Architecture New Bedford to put on its cultural nights, the first time this program has received designated direct funding in the state budget;
• $100,000 for the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center;
• $75,000 to the Frederick Douglass House to further its efforts to tell and highlight the story of Frederick Douglass in New Bedford;
• $75,000 to the New Bedford Ocean Explorium to establish outreach and educational programs for financially disadvantaged children in the Greater New Bedford area;
• $25,000 to New Bedford Theatre Festival;
• $50,000 for the Community Boating Center of New Bedford to provide financial aid for applicants to its summer youth boating programs;
• $50,000 for the Dennison Memorial Community Center for its upkeep and to aid in program funding;
• $50,000 to Buttonwood Park Zoo;
• $ 50,000 to Town of Dartmouth for its 350Th Anniversary

The funds secured by Senator Montigny in this year’s budget highlight his longtime support in developing local arts and culture in downtown New Bedford and his efforts to spur economic development in the region.