All Articles from Peter Goonan, The Republican -Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council

Articles from Peter Goonan, The Republican

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1. Massachusetts School Building Authority announces full funding of 2 tornado-damaged Springfield school construction projects
  
  Explore masslive.com Jan 29 2014 Education
  
  The Massachusetts School Building Authority, as pledged by its chairman, State Treasurer Steven Grossman, on Wednesday announced approval of full reimbursement of funds for the $27.9 million Elias Brookings Elementary School project and the $15.2 million Mary Dryden School project in the aftermath of severe damage from the tornado of 2011.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno West Springfield Springfield
2. Standard & Poor's raises Springfield's credit rating to AA-, citing improved finances
  
  Explore masslive.com Jan 28 2014
  
  Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has raised Springfield’s credit rating from “A” to “AA-,” a reflection of continued improvements in financial stability and management, city officials announced Tuesday. The improved credit rating reflects some of the city’s strengths, including “strong budgetary flexibility,” strong cash levels to cover both debt service and expenses, strong reserve fund levels, and a stable outlook, according to city officials and a separate news release from Standard & Poor's.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield The Republican
3. State transportation bond proposal includes $26 million for Union Station, other projects in Springfield's North and South Ends and riverfront
  
  Explore masslive.com Jan 24 2014 Transportation
  
  The state Legislature is considering passage of a transportation bond bill that includes $26 million for Springfield projects, ranging from funds to aid redevelopment of Union Station to safety improvements along the 3.7-mile Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway. State Rep. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, D-Springfield, announced this week that the House Ways and Means Committee has granted its approval for the Springfield projects, located in her district, to be included in the statewide bond bill. She is assistant vice-chairman of the committee.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield The Republican
4. Springfield Central Cultural District launched; will promote arts, culture, tourism
  
  Explore masslive.com Jan 21 2014 Tourism
  
  The newly named “Springfield Central Cultural District” was formally launched on Tuesday, with the state designation designed to help promote and expand upon the historic, artistic and cultural assets in the downtown area. The name of the district was revealed during a press conference at One Financial Plaza in the downtown, attended by many advocates for the arts and culture and downtown business leaders.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield The Republican
5. Springfield College faculty, administrators collaborate with local officials, organizations on making city a better, safer place
  
  Explore masslive.com Jan 21 2014
  
  The event, sponsored by the Springfield College Faculty Institute, took place at the Museum of Springfield History, and included participation by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and Mayor Domenic Sarno. The majority of the attendees were from the college, but with the mission of interacting with city stakeholders. Both Neal and Sarno were among officials pointing out Springfield’s rich history, including its many inventions and innovations on display at the museum, and the need to work cooperatively to make the city safer and more vibrant.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield College Springfield
6. Springfield announces final tornado federal aid settlement of $25 million to fund major projects including senior center
  
  Explore masslive.com Jan 13 2014
  
  Local officials announced Monday that Springfield has received a final settlement of $25 million in federal disaster aid for the 2011 tornado, with the money set to be used for major projects, including a new senior center at Blunt Park and a new South End Community Center. In addition, funds will be used for the renovation and expansion of the Clifford Phaneuf environmental center at Forest Park and for major renovations to the former Arthur MacArthur Army Reserve Center at 50 East St., for various Police Department uses.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield Congressman Richard E. Neal
7. Historic Old First Church at Court Square in Springfield to get short-term, long-term improvements
  
  Explore masslive.com Jan 12 2014
  
  The city, having purchased the historic Old First Church at Court Square nearly six years ago, is making short-term and long-term plans for repairs and improvements. The improvements to the church and to the attached brick parish house are needed to continue preservation efforts and to bring more activity to the property, said Patrick J. Sullivan, the city’s director of parks, buildings and recreation management.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield Kevin Kennedy
8. Springfield's Putnam Vocational Technical Academy staff, students take pride in new school, student achievement
  
  Explore masslive.com Jan 6 2014 Education
  
  In the span of just four years, Putnam has transformed from a school with serious discipline problems and struggling academic performance to a school with dramatically improved behavior and rising test scores and graduation rates, said Principal Gilbert E. Traverso. His sentiment were echoed by many others during recent visits to the school by The Republican/MassLive.com. Traverso and others raved about their new, $114 million school that opened in August 2012 on State Street, replacing the adjacent, deteriorated building. The former school was subsequently demolished.
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  Mentions: Smith & Wesson Corp. Springfield The Republican
9. Springfield seeking buyer to redevelop apartment building along tornado-damaged Central Street corridor
  
  Explore masslive.com Dec 11 2013
  
  The city is seeking a developer to purchase and renovate a tax-foreclosed apartment building at 263 Central St. as part of a revitalization effort along that corridor in the Maple High-Six Corners area. Proposals are due by 2 p.m. on Jan. 6, at the Procurement Office at City Hall. The city is selling the four-story, eight-unit apartment building at the corner of Central and Pine streets, as well as a small lot behind the building.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield
10. Downtown Springfield merchants, local leaders praise plans for UMass satellite campus at Tower Square
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 26 2013 Education , Retail
  
  “It’s a big day for Springfield,” said Kevin Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer. “It’s very important to the revitalization, the vitality of downtown, to bring college-aged students down here. It will do a world of good for the downtown. We’re very excited.
  
  “Springfield is on the way back and this is really a big step,” Kennedy said.
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  Mentions: University of Massachusetts Springfield
11. Massachusetts School Building Authority approves $4.9 million in grants for four school roof projects in Springfield
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 24 2013 Education
  
  The Massachusetts School Building Authority recently approved grant funds totaling an estimated $4.9 million for the replacement of roofs at four local schools under the authority’s “accelerated repair” program. The funds will target roof projects at the Springfield High School of Science and Technology, Margaret C. Ells School, South End Middle School, and Springfield Public Day High School. The replacement of the four roofs has an estimated cost of $6.8 million, with the city needing to cover any cost not reimbursed by the state.
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  Mentions: Springfield
12. Western New England University professor prepares clinical tests for new, painless diabetes monitoring equipment | masslive.com
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 19 2013 Education , Health Care
  
  Western New England University Professor Ronny Priefer said last week that he hopes his newly invented medical “breathalyzer,” scheduled for an extensive clinical study, will someday serve as a painless alternative to continuous finger-prick blood monitoring by diabetics.
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  Mentions: Western New England University Baystate Health Springfield
13. Urban centers strive to prepare students for 21st Century jobs under newly released vision
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 13 2013 Education
  
  New data show that fewer than one in four Gateway City graduates are well prepared for economic success, according to the newly released report from the mayors and education leaders titled: “The Gateway Cities Vision for Dynamic Community-Wide Learning Systems.” Meanwhile, 70 percent of all jobs in the state will soon require some form of post-secondary education, according to the report. In Springfield, just 10 percent of ninth graders from 2001-02, met that criteria for a post-secondary education a decade later, and the rate was 13 percent in Holyoke, according to the report.
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  Mentions: Springfield Chicopee Holyoke
14. Massachusetts Cultural Council approves new cultural district in Springfield as suggested names are narrowed
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 9 2013
  
  The Massachusetts Cultural Council on Friday approved the city’s request to create a cultural district in the heart of Springfield, geared to promote local attractions and expand opportunities. “I’m just thrilled,” said Kay Simpson, vice president of the Springfield Museums, a participant in the cultural district effort. “It’s really exciting and I am looking forward to what this will mean for the arts and culture of Springfield.”
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield Amherst
15. Springfield officials announce start of $7.4 million Boston Road reconstruction project along shopping mall stretch
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 8 2013
  
  City officials on Friday announced the start of a $7.4 million road reconstruction project on Boston Road, aimed at improving traffic flow and safety after years of discussion and planning. Ludlow Construction Co., was recently selected as the contractor for the project after submitting the low bid of $7.4 million. Boston Road will be reconstructed from Pasco Road to the Wilbraham town line, a distance of 1.2 miles; a commercial corridor that includes the Eastfield Mall and other shopping areas.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Palmer Springfield
16. Springfield considers 2 sites as new home for tornado-damaged South End Community Center
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 4 2013
  
  The city has long considered the Gemini property on Central Street as a future site for the South End Community Center but is also considering Emerson Wight Park. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who was executive director of the community center prior to serving as mayor, said the center is “near and dear to my heart” and will have a new home as soon as possible. The community center used the former state armory on Howard Street rent-free from the city to provide social and recreational programs for residents. “We want to do, obviously, what is in the best interest for ...
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield Kevin Kennedy
17. Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield and member groups endorse MGM Springfield casino proposal
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 1 2013
  
  Jeffrey S. Ciuffreda, president of the affiliated chambers, said MGM "has been transparent and forthcoming regarding its plans and has made every effort to understand our members’ needs and priorities, and in turn has designed ways for our members to capitalize on an $800 million investment in the urban center of our region."
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  Mentions: Mohegan Sun Palmer Springfield
18. TD Bank volunteers plant trees, shrubs, bulbs at Springfield's Riverfront Park in continued tornado recovery efforts
  
  Explore masslive.com Oct 30 2013 Financial Services , Green Region
  
  City and state officials, including Mayor Domenic Sarno, thanked the volunteers and TD Bank and the nonprofit organization Regreen Springfield for their replanting efforts. TD Bank donated labor as well as $20,000 for costs related to the tree-planting efforts.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno TD Bank Springfield
19. Springfield officials pursue 5-year program for new school roofs, windows and boilers
  
  Explore masslive.com Oct 29 2013
  
  On Monday, Sarno, Warwick and School Committee Building and Maintenance Subcommittee Chairwoman Antonette Pepe toured Kensington International Elementary, Daniel B. Brunton Elementary and the Hiram L. Dorman Elementary schools, all proposed for capital improvements including new roofs.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield
20. Springfield police to use $1 million Justice Department grant to combat crime in South End
  
  Explore masslive.com Oct 28 2013
  
  A $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice will be used by local law enforcement agencies to coordinate and concentrate anti-crime efforts in the Hollywood section of the South End, officials said Monday. The Police Department will be working in partnership with the state police, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, and with community partners in the South End to reduce crime, similar to a program in the North End, officials said during a press conference at City Hall.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield Congressman Richard E. Neal
21. $15 million expansion plan at Sister Caritas Cancer Center in Springfield touted for added patient care and convenience
  
  Explore masslive.com Oct 25 2013 Health Care
  
  Sisters of Providence Health System administrators said Friday that plans for a $15 million expansion of the Sister Caritas Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center will provide more comprehensive care and convenience for patients. The cancer center “has done a great job of taking care of many patients for many years,” said Daniel P. Moen, the health system’s president and chief executive officer. “We are certainly excited about the expansion of the Sister Caritas Cancer Center,” Moen said. “This expansion is going to let us take care of more patients in comprehensive ways.”
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  Mentions: Springfield Holyoke Sisters of Providence Health System
22. Live Well Springfield announces expanded educational effort to promote healthy eating, exercise
  
  Explore masslive.com Oct 24 2013
  
  Live Well Springfield, in conjunction with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and several community organizations, is promoting the “Eat Smart, Stay Fit” initiative. The commission and organizations received a two-year, $2 million community transformation grant a year ago from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to assist with the effort.
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  Mentions: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Springfield Timothy W. Brennan
23. Springfield developers prepare to build new homes on Central Street corridor in Maple High-Six Corners
  
  Explore masslive.com Oct 23 2013
  
  Under the program, each developer that qualified could receive up to $600,000 in federal HOME funds to assist with the development. City officials said the federal aid helps make the development possible in distressed neighborhoods, and helps make home ownership affordable. In addition, any excess profit, beyond the development budgets and administrative fees, can be reclaimed by the city for other federally assisted housing projects, officials said.
  The city received separate bids of $20,000 each from the other developers, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity and Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services.
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  Mentions: Springfield
24. Springfield Schools Superintendent Daniel Warwick touts students' gains in academics, attendance, behavior
  
  Explore masslive.com Oct 3 2013 Education
  
  Superintendent of Schools Daniel J. Warwick unveiled his annual report on the state of the public school system on Thursday, saying the statistics show significant improvements in academic achievement, attendance and behavior. “We feel the data proves we are moving in the right direction in every area,” Warwick said. “I think it speaks to the forward momentum of the school system. We are working very hard to execute our strategic plan and we will continue to move the school system forward.”
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield
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