This follows $141,690 in grants to help West Springfield with tornado cleanup efforts and $286,110 to help Wilbraham with tornado debris cleanup efforts.
Camping trailers are seen damaged in Brimfield a week after three tornadoes swept through the region in this photo from June 2011.
BRIMFIELD — State Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan, along with state and local officials, presented $786,100 in grant monies on Wednesday to assist Brimfield and Sturbridge with tornado cleanup and restoration efforts.
This follows $141,690 in grants announced on Tuesday to help West Springfield with tornado cleanup efforts and $286,110 to help Wilbraham with tornado debris cleanup efforts.
In Brimfield, $500,000 will go toward drainage improvements and roadway reconstruction. Sturbridge will use its $286,100 grant to buy equipment and remove stumps and debris from roads and trails, including the town barn recreation area and ball fields.
The grants are from $4 million in funding Gov. Deval L. Patrick released to help impacted communities on the one year anniversary of the tornadoes – June 1, 2012.
“These funds demonstrate the administration’s continued commitment to the communities impacted by the tornadoes. Together, we are improving the quality of life in our communities by rebuilding, restoring and replanting so residents can enjoy their neighborhoods for generations to come,” Sullivan said in a statement.
The $4 million in funding is available to the communities of Agawam, Brimfield, Charlton, Monson, Southbridge, Springfield, Sturbridge, West Springfield, Westfield and Wilbraham.
Brimfield and Sturbridge also have received $50,000 for tree planting and $5,000 for their fire departments’ needs from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. The state department will use an additional $154,000 to help clean up Brimfield State Forest.
“The communities that were affected by this storm have already made great strides towards rebuilding, but we are not there yet,” said Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre. “This money will have a tremendous impact on the lives of the families living in these neighborhoods that are reminded of the destruction every day.”
The $4 million in funds are the next phase in recovery assistance, which began on June 21, 2011, when Patrick signed a supplemental budget bill that provided $15 million to support costs incurred in response to the June 1, 2011, tornado.