Project Photo Gallery

December 6, 2023 Home Owner Opportunity

Feeling shut out of the homeownership market? The City's Community Development Department has provided financing to create this affordable opportunity.  Moderate income households who have downpayment savings and the ability to obtain a private mortgage are encouraged to attend an Open House! City representatives will be there to explain the process.

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October 22, 2023 Revitalizing one block at a time

The City was pleased to provide federal Community Development Block Grant funds to Revitalize CDC.  Four Homeowners benefited from the efforts of 100's of volunteers who came into the Williamansett neighborhood!  Special thanks to DPW and Fire Department for lending their assistance.

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August 21, 2023 EforALL 

The Office of Community Development is pleased to support the expansion of the EforALL program in Chicopee, In partnership with the Chicopee Chamber, EforAll will be hosting a pitch contest for Chicopee businesses at the Chicopee Library !

Additional information is available at:https://eforall.org/programs/pioneer-valley-fall-2023-all-ideas-pitch-contest  


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July 17, 2023 Technology for Seniors

Federal Community Development Covid funds were provided to the Council on Aging to purchase iPads and other equipment for use by Chicopee Seniors.  These one-time pandemic recovery funds also support a Technology Instructor.

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June 24, 2023 Healthy Homes

The Office of Community Development sponsored a Moderate Risk Certification program to enable Chicopee Rental Property Owners to become certified.  Sixteen landlords participated in this one-day program held at the Chicopee Library.


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June 12, 2023 Center Fresh

The Community Development department is pleased to once again support Center Fresh. CDBG funding to the Chamber of Commerce will support vendor expansion and development. The Center Fresh Market operates Thursdays from 1-6PM.  More information on the Market and other Chamber programs can be found at www.chicopeechamber.org



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May 19, 2023 River Mills Fitness Stations

Community Development Block Grant funds were utilized to create outdoor fitness stations along the River Mills walk.  Now the federal funds are supporting fitness classes on the equipment.  Classes are currently held Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays at 9AM but please check the COA calendar for updated information on all Senior Center activities.

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May 2, 2023 Rental Property Training

A full house at the City sponsored Rental Property Owners Training.  Two more sessions-May 9th and 16th! Call 413-594-1490 for additional information on these as well as our upcoming Lead Remediation Training scheduled for June 24th.

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April 5, 2023 Rental Property Series

The Office of Community Development is sponsoring series of three rental property owner sessions. The sessions will be held on consecutive Tuesday evenings, May 2, 9, and 16 . Each workshop has a specific agenda.  

Workshop 1.  The Rules of the Game 

Topics:   Strategies for applicant screening. Sample ads, applications, and rental agreements or leases.  Fair Housing do’s and don’t s

Workshop 2.  Avoiding Code Problems. 

Topics:  The Implied Warranty of Habitability.  Complying with the State Sanitary Code, other building codes; Massachusetts lead paint requirements. Importance of pre-occupancy inspections, ongoing inspections, and of documenting conditions.

Workshop 3.  Rights and Responsibilities and Evictions. 

Topics:  Mutual expectations and requirements; Strategies to a successful landlord- tenant relationship; and the eviction process  

The sessions are free to Chicopee property owners.  To register call the Office of Community Development at 413-594-1490 or electronically to jdias@chicopeema.gov   

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February 27, 2023 EforAll

The City through its Office of Community Development is pleased to support the partnership of EforAll and the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce in the provision of business skills trainings.

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December 15, 2022 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

The City's Buyer Assistance program was able to assist this family to purchase their home.  Congrats on their first holiday season as HAPPY HOMEOWNERS! Our program uses federal HOME program funds.  Information is available on our webpage or by calling our office at 413-594-1490.

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December 8, 2022 Homeowner Rehab

The Office of Community Development is administering an ARPA-funded Homeowner Resiliency Program.  Elderly homeowners can receive funding to improve exterior conditions on their homes.  Roofing, Siding, stairs, ramps? give us a call 413-594-1490.


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September 29, 2022 Melvin Street Clean-up

Pleased to support the Revitalize CDC' Green-n-Fit program in efforts to improve housing conditions in the Melvin Street area.  CDBG funds were committed to make housing improvements for a low-income Veteran in Willimansett.

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August 12, 2022 Heating System Replace/Repair Program

Last year, CDBG funds were utilized to assist 130 homeowners to repair/replace their inefficient heating systems. The program administered by the Valley Opportunity Council will be accepting applications starting September 1.  For more information, please contact VOC at 413-552-1548.

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June 21, 2022 River Mills Fitness Trail

Members of the Council of Aging Board of Directors, staff from Senior Center and representatives from Polish National Credit Union celebrate the completion of River Mills Walk Fitness Trail made possible with a grant from Polish National Credit Union and CDBG funds.


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May 23, 2022 Boys & Girls Club Expansion Project Update:

Boys & Girls Club Outdoor Expansion Project is complete ! In addition to the pavilion, the Club was able to install new benches and refurbish the outdoor stage. CDBG funds supported the project.

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March 21, 2022 Willimansett Heights Improvements

CDBG Funds enabled Revitalize CDC to work through the winter to complete exterior home improvements to six homes in the Willimansett Heights neighborhood.  The Willimansett Heights Improvement League not only coordinated the process for their elderly neighbors but also undertook clearing of brush and debris !

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January 11, 2022 Lincoln Grove Park Improvements

COMING SOON

The Improvements to Lincoln Grove Park are going out to bid!  The improvement funded with Community Development Block Grant funds will create the City's first Inclusive Play space and expand and improve the existing skate park.  The current schedule will have these improvements completed this summer.

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December 16, 2021 River Mills Fitness Court

We have broken ground for the next two pieces of outdoor Fitness equipment.  This second phase adds 2 structures with 6 circuit exercises to the existing equipment.  Excited to see the progress !

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November 16, 2021 It's POURING !

Today's the day- the Boys and Girls Club's General Contractor is pouring the floor to the new outdoor space ! Exciting to see this project move so quickly.

October 4, 2021 Groundbreaking Ceremony

Chicopee Boys & Girls Club's project to improve outdoor recreational space was funded with CDBG-CV funds.  The award of $250,000 will create safe, accessible,  year round space for Club members.

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August, 2021 Food Bank

Proud to attend the Food Bank of Western MA Capital Campaign kick-off.  Big Y and Mass Mutual Foundation each contributed 1.5 million.  Chicopee has committed to being the regional hub for Food Security.  The event was at the Moose Lodge-one of the Food Bank's sites in Chicopee.

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July, 2021 Riverwalk Fitness Trail

The next phase of the Riverwalk Fitness Trail has been designed and the equipment ordered.  Fingers crossed that the equipment will be installed before frost.

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June 21, 2021  SUMMER TIME !!

The new Lincoln Grove Spray Park which was funded with federal Community Development Block Grant funds is open for the season.

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June 17, 2021     CENTER FRESH !

The Center Fresh Market is being created through a partnership between the city and the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, with assistance from federal Community Development Block Grants that will double the amount of produce low-income people will be able to purchase with SNAP benefits.

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January, 2019 - Renovations at the former Chicopee Library continue.  The property is being converted into a child care site.

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February, 2018 - The reviews are rolling in !  If you haven't tried Goodworks Coffee House at 46 Center St, you definitely should !  The small business received start-up funding through the Community Development Block Grant Program.  The welcoming environment and great coffee are worth a stop.  Ample Free Parking across the street.  For more information, check out their website at https://goodworkscoffeehouse.squarespace.com/ or follow them on Facebook.

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February , 2018 -  Welcome to Homeownership! Our most recent homeowner is all SMILES in her new home which was made possible in part by the City of Chicopee's Buyer Assistance Program. For more information see link below.
  1. Homebuyer Assistance Program Application
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February, 2018 - The City invested HOME funds for the redevelopment of the Kendall Building in downtown Chicopee.  Owned and managed by the Valley Opportunity Council, the property is now efficiencies and one bedroom apartments.  To apply, download and complete this application below.
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January, 2018 - Community Development funds provided to construct a new ramp at Porchlght VNA
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January, 2018 - CDBG funding was provided to the Valley Opportunity Council to convert under-utilized space into a teaching kitchen for its Nutrition Program!
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