Chicopee

With a population of 54,653 residents, Chicopee (Hampden County) is the second largest city in Western Massachusetts.

Education- Seventeen schools, three of which are private. Two private institutions of higher education: The College of Our Lady of the Elms and the Porter and Chester Institute.

Government- Mayor Michael D. Bissonette and thirteen elected alderman govern nine wards.

Industrial Parks- Cabotville Industrial Park, Chicopee River Industrial Park, Westover.

Infrastructure- Westover Air Reserve Base and Westover Metropolitan Airport with the largest runway on the east coast at 11,597 x 301 feet. Two exits of Interstate-90 are located here as well as the bulk of Interstate-391, a connecting route of Interstate 91. 

Industry- Home to 2,924 companies. The largest employers include Callaway Golf Ball Operations Inc., Covidien, Dielectrics Inc., Avery-Dennison and John R. Lyman Company. 

Visit the City of Chicopee online for more info

Greenfield

Officially made the Commonwealth's newest city in 2003, Greenfield (Franklin County) is comprised of 18,168 residents.

Education- Eleven schools, three are private; Greenfield Community College.

Government- Mayor William F. Martin; ten town council members for nine districts.

Industrial Parks- The Interstate 91 Industrial Park.

Industry- Private businesses include 481 commercial and 88 industrial entities. The city's largest employers are Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility, GE Financial Employers Group, Buckley Health Care and Bete Fog Nozzle.

Visit the City of Greenfield online for more info

Holyoke

Famous for hosting the nation's second largest annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, Holyoke (Hampden County) is home to more than 39,000 people.

Education- Eighteen schools, six are private; Holyoke Community College.

Government- Mayor Elaine A. Pluta; 15-member city council representing seven residential wards.

Industrial Parks-  The Whiting Farms Road Industrial Area, Crossroads Development Park.

Infrastructure- Multiple exits, including the intersection of Interstates 90 (Masspike) and 91.

Industry- Manufacturing dominates this city's industries with 170 business and 4,800 employees. The largest employers include the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside, Holyoke Hospital Health Care, Holyoke Community College, ISO New England Electric Power Management, Providence Behavioral Center Health Care. 

HOLYOKE: "GREEN BUSINESS GROWS HERE"                           

The Office of Planning and  Development has developed a promotional Video/DVD titled, Holyoke: "Green Business Grows Here." To access the video click on the following link:  www.hged.com/video or contact The Office of Planning and Development at 413-322-5655.

Visit the City of Holyoke online  or www.innovateholyoke.com for more info.

Westfield

The City of Westfield (Hampden County) is noted for a strong arts culture, plentiful recreation areas, numerous warehousing centers and its Air National Guard Base. Within a population of 40,000, 15 percent of the city's residents are college students.

Education- A total of 19 schools, seven are private; Westfield State College.

Government- Mayor Daniel M. Knapik; 13 city councilors for 6 wards

Industrial Parks- Clark Industrial Park, Summit Lock.

Infrastructure- Westfield-Barnes Airport.

Industry- Largest employers include Westfield Bank, Connleaf's Inc., Beacon-Morris, Home Depot and Noble Hospital.

Visit the City of Westfield online for more info

*Population data courtesy of 2000 U.S. Census