Senator Gómez Advances Community Priorities in Senate FY27 Budget Debate
State Senator Adam Gómez (D-Springfield) announced today the successful adoption of several budget amendments during the Massachusetts Senate’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget debate, securing targeted investments for community organizations and initiatives serving Springfield, Chicopee, and Western Massachusetts.
The amendments secured by Senator Gómez focus on expanding opportunity for working families, strengthening neighborhood-based organizations, supporting youth and educational initiatives, addressing food insecurity, and investing in long-term community wellbeing throughout the Hampden District.
“Every one of these investments reflects the voices and priorities of the people I represent. Our communities are strongest when we support the organizations doing the day‑to‑day work of lifting up families, creating opportunity, and building safer, healthier neighborhoods,” said Senator Gómez. “I’m proud to have secured funding that will make a meaningful difference for residents across Springfield, Chicopee, and Western Massachusetts, and I remain committed to ensuring that our state budget meets the real needs of the Hampden District.”
Among the amendments secured by Gómez were:
B-House - $100,000 to support housing stability and resources for homeless youth.
Parent Villages- $25,000 for youth outreach and family support programming.
United Way of Pioneer Valley - $25,000 to support organizations and community programs serving Springfield and Chicopee.
Hope CDC- $25,000 for community outreach initiatives in Springfield.
Gardening the Community- $25,000 to address food insecurity and expand access to healthy food.
Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry- $25,000 to support emergency food assistance and related community services.
Fresh Paint - $25,000 to support public art and mural programming.
Dinosaur Hall- $50,000 for an immersive educational dinosaur dig experience.
Baystate Brightwood- $50,000 to strengthen neighborhood outreach efforts.
Hampden C3 - $50,000 to support community policing and neighborhood engagement initiatives.
Seeding Ventures- $25,000 to support minority-owned and LGBTQ-owned small businesses in Springfield and Chicopee.
Square One- $50,000 to support at-risk youth, address learning gaps, and strengthen school readiness initiatives.
Suit Up Springfield- $25,000 to support workforce readiness and organizational operations.
The Senate’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal will now move to conference committee negotiations with the House of Representatives before a final budget is sent to Governor Maura Healey for consideration.