NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is getting more than a million dollars in seed money to develop an early childhood education facility. 

 

The $1.2 million in funding comes out of some $14 million that U.S. Rep. Richard Neal was able to obtain for community projects. 

 

"I am proud to have secured more than $14 million in Community Project Funds to support the needs of western and central Massachusetts. As we continue to see attacks on congressional spending power, this is an important reminder of why our Founding Fathers entrusted the power of the purse to Congress," said Neal in a statement announcing the funding.

 

"From North Adams to Oxford, I partnered with community leaders throughout the district to explore different funding opportunities that will best serve the needs of my constituents. These investments will strengthen our infrastructure, expand educational opportunities, and improve quality of life for families and businesses across the district for years to come."

 

The college is exploring a facility that would provide a learning lab for students and child care for the campus and local community.

 

Bernadette Alden, the college's director of communications, said the $1.2 million provides "foundational funding for the project."

 

"We'll be engaging community partners and other funding sources to help bring this important facility to fruition," she wrote in an email. "The project would help address the need for additional child-care capacity in the region while also enhancing our academic programs."