TURNERS FALLS — U.S. Sen. Ed Markey visited the Strathmore mill complex alongside Environmental Protection Agency representatives and local officials on Thursday to celebrate the combined $10 million in funding for the complex’s demolition and site restoration.

Markey used his time speaking to express gratitude for local, state and federal efforts to secure funding. His message centered on hope for the future of Montague, describing the mill demolition and site redevelopment as “a new chapter” for the town.

“What we say to the people of Montague is that we are going to create a brighter, cleaner, safer future for them and for their families using this federal money [and] the $5 million [from the state] in order to make sure that we look at that past in a rearview mirror,” he said. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is the source of $5 million, which is being added to the $4.92 million awarded to the project by the EPA.

Markey added that he’s been involved with environmental causes throughout his 48 years in Congress, and has had Montague in mind for the Brownfields Program created by the EPA to assist in environmental projects of this caliber. The money will go toward the demolition of the complex and the redevelopment of the 1.3-acre riverfront site.

“It was Montague that I was thinking [of], because they know what the problem is and in their minds, they actually have a plan to do something about it,” Markey said.

Other speakers present at Thursday’s event included Montague Town Administrator Walter Ramsey, EPA New England Regional Administrator David Cash, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bonnie Heiple and Nolumbeka Project President David Brule.

Ramsey offered a brief history of the mill, along with details as to the plans following demolition. He noted that this mill has become a source of “disinvestment” in Montague for its potential environmental dangers if it were to collapse into the Connecticut River.

With the funding now secured, “The project is going to directly benefit an environmental justice community that’s seeing an increased demand for passive and active outdoor recreation,” Ramsey stated. He expressed his gratitude for the work being done on local, state and federal levels to see this project through.

Cash echoed Ramsey on the environmental benefits of the project, along with the possible economic development.

“The Brownfields Program’s … job is to turn blight into might, exemplifying that environmental protection and economic development are not mutually exclusive,” Cash said. “They go hand in hand, and so the potential for Brownfields sites like this one is huge.”

Brule provided context surrounding the Native American land that was impacted by the region’s colonial history, and the development of industry along the Connecticut River. He expressed his appreciation for work done to improve the town, but also acknowledged the Native history.

“We are really pleased that the building is not going to collapse into the Connecticut River. We are anticipating that the plan to create an open space, green space behind us here will become a park. It’ll be facing the 10,000-year-old village site of Wissatinnewag,” Brule said. “This is an incredible project that is going to benefit all of us, but certainly the Native people.”

During the discussion with press that followed, Markey said he keeps the region in mind while securing funding for environmental projects.

“I was working hard to create that funding,” Markey said. “It was actually with western Massachusetts in mind, because of their advocacy for the Green New Deal, their advocacy for environmental justice, their advocacy for not allowing the legacy of the past to continue to haunt the future of families in western Massachusetts.”

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.