Congressman Richard E. Neal visited several businesses in the city yesterday in recognition of Small Business Week.
Neal took a tour of the Pinsly Railroad with Pioneer Valley Railroad President John Levine and Vice President Mike Rennike , co-hosted a technology roundtable at Westfield State University, and stopped by The Westfield News office, where he met with owner Patrick Berry and members of the staff.
Neal told Berry he is an avid newspaper reader.
“I pore through seven or eight papers every day,” said Neal. “I want to discern things.”
Neal said while the Internet provides news bites in a timely manner, he enjoys reading local stories in local papers.
While Neal has been in office for more than two decades, this year he is seeking re-election, of sorts. The state has redistricted many areas, and Neal’s current district will be changed. Right now, his district includes Springfield, Agawam, West Springfield and communities east of Springfield all the way to Milford. The new district will include all of Hampden County, as well as communities in Berkshire and Hampshire counties.
Neal said he is familiar with Westfield and touted WSU President Evan Dobelle’s vision, the revitalization of downtown Westfield, and Noble Hospital, in addition to small businesses.
Because of his assignments in the Ways and Means Committee, Neal has long been concerned with healthcare. He said Westfield has a real gem in Noble Hospital.
“Noble is really an important part of your economy,” he said. “Hospitals in general are the biggest employers in our area.”
Neal said Baystate Medical Center is the largest employer in his district, followed by MassMutual and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While talking about healthcare reform, Neal noted that most people don’t realize the effect Medicare has on hospitals.
“At Noble, half their revenue is from Medicare, and throw in Medicaid and it’s probably 65 percent,” said Neal. “When you talk about jobs here, a lot of them are at Noble Hospital.”
Neal described himself as a “Clinton Democrat” and said he believes “if you want to help the poor, you have to help the middle class.” He said supporting small business and creating jobs is one way to do that.
“Everyday, in the halls of Congress and across western and central Massachusetts, I speak about the importance of job creation – from small businesses to passing a robust transportation bill,” said Neal. “Entities like the Pioneer Valley Railroad have shovel-ready projects nationwide that can put thousands of men and women back to work overnight.”
Currently, Neal is advocating on behalf of the Pioneer Valley Railroad to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for funding. The Pioneer Valley Railroad is in need of upgrades along the Easthampton Mainline which will improve air quality, reduce congestion, enhance safety, and play a major role in economic develop by ensuring the rail line will be able to meet the increasing demand for service in the near future.
“Representative Neal has been a longtime supporter of the railroad industry in Massachusetts recognizing the unique role railroads play in increasing economic development opportunities, reducing traffic on our highways and aiding in the improvement of our regional environment,” said Rennike. “As a Shortline Railroad serving the western Massachusetts market we further appreciate the support that Richard Neal has given to the Federal Investment Tax Credit for small railroad such as ours so that we can continue to improve our rail infrastructure.”
At WSU, the discussion focused on spurring innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation – both in Massachusetts and nationally – in a 21st Century global economy.
Specific issues raised included policies impacting Massachusetts’ economy which are of importance to the technology industry and academia including tax, trade, talent, and other technology issues.
“Massachusetts is internationally recognized for our renowned academic institutions,” Neal said. “Globalization continues to expand so in order to compete on the world stage we need to ensure our college graduates are prepared. When speaking with Tech America I knew Westfield State University was the ideal location for the roundtable because under President Dobelle’s leadership, WSU is educating students to succeed in the global economy.”
Neal said he is “delighted” to have Westfield included in the district.
“It’s exciting that for the first time, Hampden County is consolidated into one district,” he said. “Westfield has a reputation for its quality of life.”
Neal has been spending time in the new communities that will join the district and recently toured Texon in Russell. Texon’s management has been vocal about the need to save energy costs and wants to burn efficient, inexpensive pellets made from wood pallets, but a new town bylaw prevents that option.
Neal said he was impressed with the company’s international presence and their export business in China and Brazil.
“I told the governor and lieutenant governor about them,” Neal said, adding that he hopes to help the company remain in the area.
Neal said he would continue to visit the communities of the district throughout his campaign and is considering participating in a candidates forum on August 28, sponsored by The Westfield News, in conjunction with the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce and Westfield State, with his challengers Bill Shein and Andrea Nucifero.
