Page 10 - BusinessWest July 7, 2021

Community Spotlight
Easthampton Is Getting Down to Business
By Mark Morris
While grateful that Easthampton is reaching the other side of COVID-19, Mayor Nicole LaChapelle under- stands there is still plenty of work ahead.
Even though her city came through the pan- demic in better shape than many communities, she has prioritized building up the Public Health department to help the city move forward.
“Having centrally located services for our residents is a real strength of Easthampton, and we need to pursue those things we do well.”
“We’re looking at public health as a part of public safety,” LaChapelle said. To that end, the mayor hopes to add more clinical staff to the department as well as encourage other city departments to collaborate with Public Health.
“I’m concerned about the deeper effects of COVID, from people who had COVID and sur- vived to the mental-health aspects of it on so many people,” she went on. “In Easthampton, we
need to support those with medical needs as well as mental-health needs.”
There may be some help on the way. Recently, the Center for Human Development (CHD) pur- chased the former Manchester Hardware store on Union Street. While CHD currently has a small presence in Easthampton, moving to the nearly 18,000-square-foot building will allow it to expand its services.
Right now, plans include outpatient mental- health counseling services for all ages and pri- mary medical care at the site. LaChapelle said CHD could go a long way to filling the gaps in behavioral-health services in the city.
“CHD has been a good partner, and they are listening to the needs of our community mem- bers,” she said. “I feel good about what they will bring to Easthampton.”
After 125 years in business, Manchester Hard- ware closed its doors late last year. Owner Carol Perman had tried to sell the business to a region- al hardware chain, but when that and several other possible suitors didn’t pan out, she decided
to retire and just sell the building.
7/16/2019
Some in Easthampton were critical of LaCha- pelle for not trying harder to locate a for-profit Tro business at the Manchester property. Yet, “East- hampton has historically had community-based
THE BO
Wilbraham
&Monson
Academy
At Home. In the World.
Trouble See
ing this
Em
ail? Try
view
ing it
in a web browser. CLOSET
7/16/2019
THE BOOGEYMAN THEISBNO’OTGINEYMOAUNRICSLNO'TSIENTYOUR
TAG National Ad Campaign Preview
CLOSET
HE'S IN YOUR NETWORK
HE’S IN YOUR NETWORK
HE'S IN YOUIR NETWOR
(413) 585-9950
liTEClif NBLDGY
You have received this email because you provided your email address to Hogan Technology most likely in the
413) 585-9950
www.teamhogan.com
10 JULY 7, 2021
Hogan Technology
(www.teamhogan.com
course of a business activity. If you do not want to receive any more mailings, unsubscribe.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
You have received this email because you provided your email address to Hogan Technology most likely in th
81 East Street
Easthampton, MA 01027
course of a business activity. If you do not want to receive any more mailings, unsubscribe. (413) 585-9950
Hogan Techhnttopslo://gwwyw.tagnational.com/internal/ads/details.aspx?c=Cyber Security14&g=Cyber Security
K
Easthampton at a glance
YEAR INCORPORATED: 1785
POPULATION: 16,059
AREA: 13.6 square miles
County: Hampshire
RESIDENTIAL TAX RATE: $17.46
COMMERCIAL TAX RATE: $17.46
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $45,185
MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME: $54,312
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: Mayor, City Council
LARGEST EMPLOYERS: Berry Plastics Corp., INSA, TAG National Ad Campaign Preview
Williston Northampton School, National Nonwovens Co.
uble Seeing this Email? Try viewing it in a web browser. * Latest information available
OGEYMAN ISN'T IN YOUR
BusinessWest
e