Holyoke MA

the extra mile to ensure it meets future growth, Holyoke is poised to enjoy a ripe future. GOING GREEN “The assets that built this city 150 years ago – land, energy incentives, green technology, our location, our workforce - are the same things that are rebuilding the city,” says Director of Planning & Economic Development, Aaron Vega. “Today,we’re trying to capitalize on those technologies, those innovations of 150 years ago that captured and harnessed the power from the Connecticut River. So, we’re focused on attracting companies that are either energy producers or producers of a product that reduces the carbon footprint or energy use.We’re working to capitalize on being a green community.” One of the new, green industrial residents of Holyoke will be Sublime Systems, developers of a fossil-fuel- free, scalable, drop-in replacement for traditional cement used to make concrete. The company was given an $87 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy and will eventually produce tens of thousands of tons per year of its low-carbon cement on a 16-acre property that formerly housed paper mills and is powered by Holyoke’s robust hydroelectric resources — critical infrastructure for Sublime’s fully electrified cement manufacturing process. Sublime intends to create dozens of high-quality, benefits-bearing jobs throughout the construction and operation phases of its first commercial plant. Another newHolyoke firm is Clean Crop Technologies, which specializes in advanced treatment for foods and seeds that reduce the molds, pathogens, and bacteria that destroy 500 metric tons of food and are responsible for 7% of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, every year. It is headquartered in a state- of-the-art, 14,000-sq.-ft. facility with several high- tech laboratories. Clean Crop’s proprietary technology combines food- grade gasses and electricity to remove contaminants from seed and food surfaces without harming either and is ten times more energy efficient than incumbent technologies like chemical treatment and hot water. GOVERNMENT HELPS BUSINESSES THRIVE Mayor Joshua Garcia believes that to attract new businesses to Holyoke, the city government has to operate smoothly and efficiently. “Whether you are someone trying to start a business, or move a business here, it depends on a functioning government,” he claims.“So, we’ve done a lot in trying to make our local government competitive. We’re retaining our talent and building up departments 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 07 HOLYOKE, MA