(WESTFIELD 6/25/2021) During the week of June 20th, Senator John Velis spoke at three different Chamber of Commerce meetings throughout Western Massachusetts. The meetings were held by the West of the River Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, June 22nd, the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce on Friday, June 25th, and the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, also on Friday, June 25th.
Due to the enduring adverse impact to the economy brought on by the pandemic, the work done by Chambers of Commerce to support local businesses is especially critical. On Tuesday, Senator Velis emphasized this importance: “We have to continue to look at how our Commonwealth is supporting businesses and a lot of good work happens right here within Chambers of Commerce.”
In the Senator’s accompanying comments to the West of the River Chamber of Commerce, he noted the Legislature’s commitment to supporting this economic recovery. Senate budget investments in the economy and workforce include $50M for adult education services for workforce skills, $23M for summer jobs and work training for at-risk youth, and $10M devoted to connecting workers with higher-paying jobs through the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund. Senator Velis personally sponsored additional amendments as well, including $100,000 to Holyoke Community College for a child-care program to help parents get workforce training and $800,000 to help individuals in recovery find and maintain work through RecoveryWorks.
Senator Velis was joined at this informative event on Tuesday by Senator Adam Gomez, Representative Michael J. Finn, Mayor Bill Sapelli of Agawam, and Mayor Reichelt of West Springfield. The West of the River Chamber of Commerce represents businesses from Agawam and West Springfield.
Senator Velis also served as the Keynote Speaker at the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce event on Friday. The event was held at the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club with businesses from the surrounding area present. Senator Velis updated the Chamber on legislative news and incoming federal funding.
The Chicopee event was the first of two Chamber events on Friday as Senator Velis later spoke at a luncheon held by the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. He was joined by Representative Patricia Duffy and Jeff Hayden, Holyoke Community College’s VP of Workforce Development. The three facilitated an engaging conversation with regards to workforce training, workforce obstacles, unemployment, and state resources.
During the conversation Senator Velis stressed the importance of expanding vocational and technical schools. “There are so many employers who are looking for skilled workers and so many students who are unaware of the opportunities open to them,” said Senator Velis. “We have fantastic technical schools in our communities, but their capacities are limited. We need to invest more into them.”
At all three events this week, Senator Velis informed Chamber members of legislation being passed in the Senate and encouraged them to reach out to his office with concerns or questions about state resources.
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