MassDevelopment Bond Finances Renovations for Chicopee's Sunshine Village
February 28, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Meggie Quackenbush, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2011 & 857-208-2777 (cell)
mquackenbush@massdevelopment.com
Gina Golash Kos, Sunshine Village, 413-592-5142
gkos@sunshine.us
MassDevelopment has issued a $2 million tax-exempt bond on behalf of Sunshine Village Inc., a Chicopee human services nonprofit. Sunshine Village is using bond proceeds to make interior and exterior renovations to its Davis and Casey buildings. Renovations include redesigning the front entryway and installing new windows and mechanical, engineering, and plumbing systems in the Davis Building; and installing new insulation, painting, and flooring in the Casey Building. The organization is also using proceeds to reconfigure its parking lot; install new lighting, signage, and walkways; and buy office equipment and furnishings. Westfield Bank purchased the bond.
“Sunshine Village provides invaluable services for adults with disabilities through a diversity of programs,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “MassDevelopment is pleased this financing will allow the organization to expand its programming and better serve clients and families throughout western Massachusetts.”
Sunshine Village Inc. was founded in 1967 and its mission is to improve the lives of people with disabilities, including people on the autism spectrum. With its main campus on Litwin Lane in Chicopee, the organization also offers programs throughout the Pioneer Valley, including in Chicopee, Westfield, Three Rivers, and Springfield. The nationally-accredited agency serves more than 425 adults through programs that include community and life engagement programs and employment services.
“MassDevelopment proved to be invaluable to Sunshine Village as we planned the renovation of these buildings to accommodate agency growth,” said Gina Kos, Executive Director of Sunshine Village. “The application process was efficient and requirements and timelines were easily met with assistance from MassDevelopment’s professional representatives.”
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2016, MassDevelopment financed or managed 352 projects generating investment of more than $4 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create about 8,200 jobs and build or rehabilitate about 4,200 residential units.
