In the News

Mayor Meets with Federal HUD and SBA Officials

MAYOR DOMENIC J. SARNO MEETS WITH U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL DIRECTOR RICHARD A. WALEGA AND U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR JEANNE A. HULIT IN SEPARATE CITY HALL MEETING

June 7, 2010 – Mayor Domenic J. Sarno hosted a series of meetings today in his City Hall Office meeting first with United States Department of Housing and Urban Development New England Regional Director Richard A. Walega. In a second meeting, Mayor Sarno met with United States Small Business Administration Regional Administrator Jeanne A. Hulit and SBA Springfield Branch Office Manager P. Edgardo Tarrats.

Mayor Sarno discussed with HUD Regional Director Richard A. Walega the need for more federal financial assistance to address some of the City’s housing issues. Mayor Sarno stated “Regional Director Walega understands what urban Mayor’s need and I look forward to any opportunities that may arise that will allow Springfield to obtain additional federal financial assistance to address some of the pressing housing issues facing Springfield.” “Springfield, like many cities across America, was hit hard by the recent housing foreclosure crisis and we’re going to move forward on a road to recovery,” stated Sarno. “I discussed with HUD Regional Director Walega, Springfield’s desire to serve as a national model and pilot for the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative so that we can continue to transform the City’s Southend Neighborhood and target Lower Forest Park,” said Sarno. “The City will also be seeking additional funding to demolish
dilapidated structures throughout the City and we will go after any funding that is available to us,” added Sarno. [obtain more information about the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative at http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/ph/cn/]

Mayor Sarno was joined in the meeting with U.S. HUD Regional Director Walega by Sarno’s Chief of Staff Denise Jordan, City Housing Director Gerry McCafferty, the City’s Community Development Department Director of Administration and Finance Cathy Buono, Chief Development Officer John Judge and Raymond Jordan, HUD New England Faith Based and Community Initiative Liasion.

In a separate City Hall meeting today, Mayor Sarno met with U.S. Small Business Administration Regional Administrator Jeanne A. Hulit and SBA Springfield Branch Office Manager P. Edgardo Tarrats to discuss what funding may be available to assist existing and new small businesses. Mayor Sarno stated “the good news is that there is money available to assist new small businesses in the City of Springfield.” “The City and our economic development team are willing to work with potential small businesses that may be looking to start-up here,” added Sarno. 

Mayor Sarno also visited with Karen Moore, the new C.E.O. of Kindred Hospital Park View, (1400 State Street) today as part of his ongoing business outreach meetings. Mayor Sarno stated that he was “very impressed with the new initiatives this Fortune 500 Company has in place.” Kindred Hospital employs a large number of Springfield residents.

Mayor Sarno stated that he found the meetings with Walega, Hulit and Tarrats extremely productive and looks forward to continued relationships with their respective agencies.

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(L to R) Chief Development Officer John Judge, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. U.S. HUD New England Regional Director Richard A. Walega and Raymond Jordan, HUD New England Faith Based and Community Initiative Liasion.
(L to R) Chief Development Officer John Judge, Springfield’s Community Development Department Director of Administration and Finance, City Housing Director Gerry McCafferty, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. U.S. HUD New England Regional Director Richard A. Walega, Raymond Jordan, HUD New England Faith Based and Community Initiative Liasion and Chief of Staff Denise Jordan.
(L to R) Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, U.S. Small Business Administration Regional Administrator Jeanne A. Hulit and SBA Springfield Branch Office Manager P. Edgardo Tarrats.
Page last updated:  Tuesday, March 1, 2022 01:32 pm