Those of you with a good memory might remember the early 90's recession. When a rundown house in Holyoke could be bought for around $20K. At that time many States implemented their own economic stimulus plans. Massachusetts increased spending on the Big Dig.
Connecticut also invested in it's infrastructure. Thats when they put in those nice green sound barriers on 91 north of Hartford. They also widened the Highway, fixed bridges, side roads, and general infrastructure all over Connecticut.
Here in Western Mass we did the same. We spent even more money than Conn. On Boston... On the Big Dig.
Today that same rundown house in Holyoke can't be bought for love or money because of half a million in combined back taxes, water sewer, and other liens levied.
Virtually no money has been spent on the infrastructure of Western Mass since the Big Dig began, and estimates are that there is a back log of over 1 Billion in needed work here.
Now the Governor has announced a "growth district" in Chicopee. He won't help restore our local infrastructure funding, let alone get us the Billion in back funding. But he will give us a growth district. What the hell is that?
Patrick, said the administration wants to brand and market the region. The park will be high on the state's list for companies to locate or expand.
So He gave us: marketing, to attract companies to the worst State to do business in. Clearing land, where are the tree huggers when you need them. Expedite needed permits, And improving infrastructure to expedite development. And.. Thats it.
How about our existing infrastructure? What about Holyoke's brownfield sites? What happen to helping track down the companies responsible for the mess they left behind? How about we fix what's broken first?
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