State gives $1 million in grants

By Bea O'Quinn Dewberry

SPRINGFIELD - With a backdrop of antique motorcycles and cars in the new Museum of Springfield History, area legislators gathered yesterday to celebrate the release of more than $1 million in state funds for cultural facilities in Springfield and Holyoke.

Among those attending were Anita Walker, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Robert Culver, chief executive officer of MassDevelopment, Joseph Carvalho III, chief executive officer of Springfield Museums Association, and Mayor Charles V. Ryan.

Speakers said the economic and social merits of cultural facilities made them worthy of continued public funding and preservation.

Walker said for every $1 in state funds awarded, an additional $38 in private or foundation contributions are secured.

Legislators who spoke were state Sens. Stephen J. Buoniconti, D-West Springfield; Gale Candaras, D-Wilbraham; Michael Knapik, R-Westfield, and state Reps. Thomas M. Petrolati, D-Ludlow; Ben Swan, D-Springfield; Sean F. Curran, D-Springfield; Angelo J. Puppolo Jr., D-Springfield; James T. Welch, D-West Springfield; Mary S. Rogeness, R-Longmeadow, and Rosemary Sandlin, D-Agawam.

The cultural council and MassDevelopment awarded $17 million for 63 projects statewide. Hampden County recipients were Springfield Museums, $675,000 for the estimated $7 million renovation of the former Verizon building on Edwards Street for the Museum of Springfield History, slated to open in fall 2008; the City of Springfield, $478,000 for the renovation of Springfield Symphony Hall, and Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke, $414,000 for rehabilitation of the carriage house.

Culver said the cultural facilities in the region strengthen the economy by serving as tourist attractions.

"We have close to 30 million visitors a year to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that's an annual $15 billion in revenue. That generates 15,000 jobs, for a $400 million a year payroll. That speaks easily to why this should be funded," Culver said.

David Starr, president of The Republican, and a member of the Cultural Council's Advisory Committee, which selected the recipients from a pool of 201 and $80 million in requests, said the Western Massachusetts delegation of the Legislature worked together to ensure funding for regional facilities.

"They have demonstrated our region is not a series of individual places," Starr said.

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