Some Small Businesses in Springfield are angry at the City- WWLP.com
October 3, 2007 7:08 p.m.
SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS (WWLP) Madelyn Arce started her own business, a car repair shop, 15 years ago. She says achieving success has been difficult.
"To be there for 15 years---its a long long way, because we need to get to get more support, how to do better business and how to get more money," said Arce, the owner of Express Repair.
It's a sentiment echoed by other small business owners in Springfield. They gathered at the Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce office, showing their frustration with the city for allegedly failing to support them.
"The city's missing the point in making a real viable comeback," said chamber President Carlos Gonzalez.
The group claims the city has received almost $13-million dollars over the last three years for economic development, but they say they're not seeing any of the money.
These business owners want the city to provide them with financial and technical assistance they say they deserve.
The city's Chief Development Officer, David Panagore, says economic development funds are frozen by HUD until the city finishes conducting a study on how to improve their handling of contracts and audits. He expects this to be resolved early next year.
Written by 22News Reporter
Veronica Cintron |
