Easthampton Mayor Touts Economic Strength in State of the City Address

Daily Hampshire Gazette: Mayor Nicole LaChapelle’s state of the city speech touted the city’s fiscal strength and touched on housing, environmental conservation and the local tax rate, and finished with a call to enjoy local milk and homemade cookies.

“It’s infectious — this love for our home, this willingness to invest and grow together for the good of everyone who works and lives here,” she said. The mayor said economic development has exceeded expectations, and that the number of women-owned enterprises in the city have increased in particular. She also announced that the National League of Cities has awarded the city $25,000 for the creation of Blueprint Easthampton, a project that seeks to map an ecosystem in Easthampton for entrepreneurship.

“Through this initiative, we will map innovation resources for locally owned businesses. If you choose to do business in Easthampton, we will help you thrive,” LaChapelle said. LaChapelle praised Easthampton’s financial health. “Today we are in the strongest fiscal position this city has ever seen,” the mayor said. “Our bond rating rose to a historical high of AA+. We increased tax abatement for our most financially at-risk seniors.”