On April 26, we welcomed Rep. Jim McGovern and Regional Manager Koby Gardner-Levine to town. Co-op General Manager John Williams gave a tour of the former Wilson’s Department Store building, followed by a conversation in our community room at 170 Main St. about the Green Fields Market Relocation and Expansion Project.
Others included Anne Gobi, director of Rural Affairs; Elena Cohen, district director of the Office of Sen. Jo Comerford; Jesse Lederman, regional director from the Office of Sen. Ed Markey; Christine Kimball, USDA’s Rural Development business loan & grant analyst; Winton Pitcoff, MDAR deputy commissioner & legislative & policy director; Greenfield Mayor Ginny Desorgher and her Chief of Staff Keith Barnicle; Amy Cahillane, Greenfield’s Community & Economic development director; Anna Meyer of Hart Farm; Eric Debbink of Lombrico Farm; A.J. Bresciano of Greenfield Savings Bank; Greenfield Business Association Director Hannah Rechtschaffen; Clare Higgins, Pioneer Valley Community Action director; and Franklin Community Co-op board and building committee members.
Presentations described how the project will invigorate the local economy and help revive Greenfield’s downtown by occupying the basement and first floor of the former Wilson’s Department Store. Farmers Anna Meyer and Eric Debbink emphasized how important the expansion will be to our significant local farming economy.
The Co-op is building our relationship with Rep. McGovern and other stakeholders in order to garner federal support and to create potential opportunities for federal and Commonwealth funding resources; we’re in the process of applying for federal funding from both McGovern’s and Senator Markey’s offices.
Said our manager John Williams, “We were excited to show everyone the Wilson’s space and tell them what our member-loaners already know: that this project will be transformational for Greenfield and surrounding areas, and the Commonwealth should follow the lead of the generous people who stepped up during our capital campaign and help bring the project to fruition. We appreciated the enthusiasm of the group and Rep.McGovern’s words, ‘I’m all in.’ “
We extend our deep appreciation to all of our member-loaners for being all in!