CANDARAS, WAGNER TO ANNOUNCE $40,000 TOURISM GRANT FOR THE SPIRIT OF SPRINGFIELD

Press Release
From the Office of
State Representative
Gale D. Candaras

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Darlotte J. Gay
	413-599-4785
	617-722-2520
	dgay@galecandaras.org

CANDARAS, WAGNER TO ANNOUNCE $40,000 TOURISM GRANT FOR THE SPIRIT OF SPRINGFIELD

Springfield, MA – April 19, 2005 – Representative Joseph F. Wagner (D-Chicopee, Chair, Joint Committee on Transportation) and Representative Gale D. Candaras (D-Wilbraham) will announce the award of a $40,000 grant to the Spirit of Springfield on the steps of City Hall tomorrow, Wednesday, April 20, 2005, at 1:30pm. The grant is provided through the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority’s Tourism Grant program.

“The Spirit of Springfield organization has made great strides in attracting visitors to the city. This grant award is an investment in the future of tourism in western Massachusetts,” Wagner said. “In working closely with communities in western Massachusetts, the Legislature in partnership with the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, are able to offer this grant program with the goal of boosting tourism development and the overall economic growth of the area.”

“No organization does more to promote tourism for the City of Springfield than the Spirit of Springfield through programs like Bright Nights, the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast and the Fourth of July fireworks,” Representative Candaras said. “This is money that will be well spent and I thank Representative Wagner and Chair Matt Amorello and the Board for this grant.”

The Spirit of Springfield is a non-profit organization that coordinates community events and promotes civic pride, enhancing tourism and economic development in Massachusetts. This grant will help the Spirit of Springfield with the costs associated with the Bright Nights at Forest Park marketing campaign. The Spirit of Springfield’s goal is to heavily market this tourist attraction to the eastern part of the commonwealth with a comprehensive media campaign. This marketing strategy will provide an economic boost to the media and advertising industry across the state, which will provide a reciprocal increase in Western Massachusetts’ economy.