State and local government leaders were in Pittsfield Thursday afternoon to call for the passage of the proposed FORWARD bill in the state legislature. It would provide funding for several development projects in the city.

Pittsfield would receive nearly $12 million, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Some of the projects covered include the redevelopment of the former GE plant, known as Site 9, repairing the old Bel Air Dam, and recovery grants for businesses in downtown.

Mayor Linda Tyer said each of these projects will play an important role in the future of the city.

"With Site 9, the benefit is the future economic growth of the William Stanley Business Park," Tyer said. "When it comes to repairing a dam that is in disrepair, it is protecting the neighborhoods around that dam from future flooding, and of course the downtown recovery for all of the things that we enjoy is important for Pittsfield."

The state’s legislative session ends at the end of July, and Tyer said if the bill isn’t passed, then the projects could either be delayed or not funded at all.