In looking closely at some of the downtown revitalization and economic efforts in the region, Reminder Publishing spoke with officials from Holyoke and Chicopee to see how they have managed their unique community challenges while also finding common ground in their growth.
While there is no question that Massachusetts is considered one of the bluest states in the nation, voter registrations in Western Massachusetts over the last 20 years indicate that both major parties are losing voters while the number of independent or unenrolled voters continues to increase.
Bridge infrastructure often goes unnoticed in our day-to-day commutes. The maintenance of these connectors of communities and highways is crucial in maintaining traffic flows and quite literally bridging gaps of access for people in the region.
CHICOPEE — With the increased capacity of its new location on 25 Carew St. in Chicopee, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is better able to confront the 44% increase in food insecurity brought on by inflation and the end of coronavirus pandemic-era funds, according to Executive Director Andrew Morehouse.
In early 2020, the coronavirus pandemic was beginning to fracture parts of daily life. On March 13, 2020, former President Donald Trump declared a national emergency. Two days later, shutdowns began across the country, impacting schools, businesses and restaurants, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
For Illyse Levine-Kanji, an executive committee member of the Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, the Blue Envelope Program is a “game changer” for those within the autism community.