AGAWAM – The Town of Agawam is using grant money to team up with the University of Massachusetts-Boston to conduct an economic development self-assessment and community readiness study.

While the town will work with the University’s Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management, the study will involve a comprehensive analysis of multiple significant data points, including the town’s employment data, local revenue sources and land usage. It will call for up to three public meetings to gather information on the town’s organizational structure, permitting processes, transportation accessibility, zoning, sewer and water availability and developable land availability.

“Because Agawam – like many communities – is business friendly, we want to bring new businesses and new industries into town. This is a way we are actually showing that we mean it,” said Mayor William Sapelli. “If we collect this data, it gives us a better picture of what businesses could be successful in our community. We can bring in the right types of businesses and utilize the right types of resources to have them come here and be successful – it’s good for them and it’s good for the community because it creates jobs and brings in revenue sources through taxes.”

The Commonwealth’s Department of Administration and Finance is underwriting the $18,500 economic development grant in conjunction with the Baker-Polito Administration’s Community Compact program – which is a voluntary, mutual agreement entered into between the Baker-Polito Administration and individual cities and towns of the Commonwealth. The first Executive Order, signed by the governor in January 2015, established Community Compacts. The Order created a Community Compact Cabinet that works to achieve mutual accountability, reduce red tape, promote best practices and develop specific Community Compacts with local governments. The compacts create clear mutual standards, expectations and accountability for both the state and municipalities. According to Mass.gov, the administration utilizes the compacts as a way to engage municipal leaders and hear their input.

In a Community Compact, a community will agree to implement at least one best practice they select from across a variety of areas. The chosen practice will be reviewed between the Commonwealth and the municipality to ensure that the best practice is unique to the municipality and reflects needed areas of improvement. Once approved, the written agreement will be generated and signed by both the municipality and the Commonwealth. The Compact also articulates the commitments the Commonwealth will make on behalf of all communities. Over a two-year period, the community participating in the Compact will implement the best practice they selected. Resources for technical assistance from the Commonwealth will be prioritized for those communities entered into a Compact seeking to implement their best practice.

Sapelli said he feels grateful for Baker-Polito administration, and is excited to move forward.
“We feel very lucky that the administration is pro-economic development – these people put their money where their mouth is. They come up with these types of grants that really assist communities like Agawam,” said Sapelli.