The visit highlighted the construction progress and the investment into creating a diverse and well-trained workforce of cybersecurity workers to close the talent gap in this growing sector. Congressman Neal had previously announced $3 million in Congressionally Directed Spending to establish the center and Mayor Sarno had committed $500,000 of local American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, along with $300,000 invested by the Springfield Redevelopment Authority (SRA) in tenant improvement dollars.
To honor the Congressman's legacy of supporting this vital and major transportation hub that is Springfield Union Station and the Cyber center's economic impact upon the region, the center will be dedicated and named the Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “Once a mayor always the heart of a mayor, Congressman Richard Neal continues to provide exemplary leadership on behalf of our city of Springfield and Union Station – the house that Neal built. This transformative and dynamic Cybersecurity Center of Excellent at Union Station, which supports my administrations workforce development objectives and where my administration invested $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which Congressman Neal also helped to secure direct funding to our communities, is a vital and intricate component and initiative to enhance and create more of that good four-letter word, jobs. I cannot think of a more deserving honor than dedicating the Cybersecurity Center to our Congressman Richard E. Neal. Congressman Neal, you continue to build upon your tremendous legacy and on behalf of the city of Springfield we thank you for your continued leadership and advocacy on the federal level.”
