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Date: 3/17/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The town of West Springfield was awarded $825,000 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
The CDBG provides annual grants on a formula basis to cities and towns to develop feasible communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment by expanding residents’ opportunities.
The town will use the funding to upgrade the community and assist more community members.
Some of the funding will be used to complete phase two of the renovations being done at the Boys and Girls Club.
Phase two of the project is designed to address the kitchen area, cafe seating, storage, and additional program space and restroom facilities at the club.
The Boys and Girls Club currently prepares and provides daily snacks and lunches when school is not in session to members who are between 2 and 18 years old. The improvements will allow for adequate food and equipment storage, preparation, and proper equipment to serve the members’ needs.
When the project is completed, it will allow additional seating to meet the increasing number of kids attending the Boys and Girls Club.
The CDBG funding will also be used for Chapin Street infrastructure improvements. Community Development Director Stephanie Welch said the upgrades are necessary over the years.
A portion of the funding will be used for the first-time homebuyer program and down payment assistance programs the Way Finder hosts.
Funding will also be used to support the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at the West Springfield Public Library, Path to Employment training classes through the Multicultural Resource Center, and Translation Services provided by Head Start.
In a press release, Mayor William Reichelt said, “We are extremely fortunate in West Springfield to receive funding during these uncertain times. We are grateful that we can use the federal dollars to continue to funding local organizations and projects that directly benefit our residents.”
If you need services, please contact the Community Development office at comdev@tows.org or 263-3045.
To learn more, visit www.townofwestspringfield.org/government/departments/planning-development/community-development-division.