ACCGS Calls For Immediate Action

The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc., (ACCGS) urges legislators within the greater Springfield area to take immediate action on legislation that will allow the City of Springfield the funds and time it needs to recover from the situation it finds itself in and once again rise to a level of solid footing.

At a recent meeting of the ACCGS's Legislative Steering Committee, the Committee reiterated its call for action at the state level to assist Springfield in its time of need. The Chamber's Vice President, Government Affairs Jeffrey Ciuffreda says "as a regional entity, the ACCGS realizes that Springfield is clearly the ‘capital’ of this area, and if legislation is not enacted, and Springfield is left to default on its debts and unable to make other payments, the entire region will suffer."

"While the ACCGS realizes that there has been a great amount of work and discussion on this issue, some in closed door caucuses where details were not revealed, the message today," says Russell F. Denver, President ACCGS, "is the importance of immediate legislative action, so that some form of relief is given to Springfield."

Denver adds, "We believe that with the region's legislative delegation working with the Springfield Mayor and the Romney Administration, the relief given to the City can be the beginning of a period where Springfield can regain its solid footing and begin to prosper once again. We also realize that everyone in Springfield, all groups, all segments of the city, will have to work together to make this work."

The Springfield Chamber of Commerce is made up of 900 businesses within Springfield, and the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield is an organization representing 1800 businesses within several communities including Springfield as well as several of the neighboring communities.