City sells land for new industrial park

Date: 3/18/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE -- The sale of 57 acres of unused land zoned for industrial purposes from the city to Westmass Area Development Corporation will create an asset unique to the region -- a 110-acre industrial park.

Allan Blair, executive director of the Economic Development of Western Massachusetts (EDC), explained at the signing of the sales agreement in Mayor Michael Bissonnette's office on Tuesday that parcels that size are difficult to find in the region and could attract a major tenant.

When the property is at full build-out, Blair estimated there could be 1,000 jobs created and $1 million in new property taxes generated.

With access to nearby highways and to the civilian side of Westover Air Reserve Base, Blair called the parcel "a significant piece of property with a good location."

Bissonnette said the site gives the city a property that will allow it to compete nationally for new businesses. He noted a "major beverage company" was looking to place a new site in Chicopee three years ago, but couldn t find a large enough property for its plans. If the company had found a suitable site, Bissonnette said the firm would have brought in 3,000 new jobs.

Bissonnette described the sale of the property as "long awaited."

The $1.45 million used to buy the property came through federal sound abatement funds for homes and businesses close to the air facility, Blair explained.

The city is expected to receive the funds in mid-April pending federal approval of the transaction.

Blair said that preparing the property for buyers -- including permitting, building roads and installing utilities -- would take from 18 months to two years. He added he hopes to begin the permitting process either later this year or in early 2010.