Grandees in Western Massachusetts have long seen the arts as key to bolstering the region’s economy. One endeavor, the restoration of the Victory Theater in Holyoke, seemingly scored big. It received a $2 million American Rescue Plan Act grant from the city. When Holyoke had to claw back the grant this month, it dealt a blow to efforts to build out downtown as an arts hub.
Amid the stream of mayoral photos on the misnamed City of Springfield Office of Communications Facebook page was a curious post. It was a meeting that would have been unimaginable 11 months ago. Mayor Domenic Sarno and members of his cabinet had met with government affairs staff from Amtrak. Last June, Sarno was at war with the railroad.
Weeks after reports appeared that MGM Resorts International is considering selling MGM Springfield, another blow has come to a city economic anchor. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportations Authority, or SEPTA, has cancelled a contract with CRRC.
SPRINGFIELD—The Eastfield Mall is no more. It closed Saturday, July 15, with little fanfare save a sendoff for its mall-walkers the day before. A week before the end, its glory days were clearly long gone. Many storefronts had been vacant for months if not years. The mishmash décor of post-war optimism and subsequent 80s renewal were a reminder—haunting?—from its past.
During a visit to the region earlier this year, Healey announced she would appoint a director of rural affairs within her executive office for economic development. On Monday, she named Spencer Senator Anne Gobi, whose sprawling district still includes a sliver of Hampshire County, to the position.
Not quite Santa Claus, but Lego was coming to town. The Danish toymaker known for colorful, interlocking pieces ably licensed both from and to blockbuster films, was relocating their offices and 740 jobs from Connecticut to the Hub. Further west, the news hit like a ton of bricks.
Holyoke at-large City Councilor Michael Sullivan has centered his pitch for mayor on his business background and six years on the Council. Sullivan’s businesses have not always exemplified the best of times.
Bill Galvin has many titles: secretary of the commonwealth; election administrator; former state rep; prince of darkness. But during a trip to the 413 two weeks ago, he added another: soothsayer. Speaking at Court Square, Galvin praised Mayor Domenic Sarno, City Clerk Gladys Oyola and
A Fifth of Hampden is a series of profiles of candidates for Holyoke’s Next Rep HOLYOKE—Patrick Beaudry almost ran for office last year. A longish time at-large city councilor was bailing. Beaudry, home for three years after a career in state politics, had the cred
SPRINGFIELD—Despite the novel coronavirus’ sudden economic upheaval, which has pummeled government tax revenues, the City of Springfield has prepared a budget without layoffs or cuts to services. Yet, the city’s first coronavirus fiscal year will be hard. A spending and hiring freeze dating to March