A $1 million federal grant aimed at reducing asthma in Western Massachusetts has been terminated, causing outcry from local officials and community organizations. The grant, awarded by the EPA to the state Department of Public Health, was intended to improve ventilation and remove mold in homes in Chicopee, Holyoke, and Springfield. The termination of the grant, which had about $900,000 left to spend, has left organizations like the Revitalize Community Development Corporation devastated. Springfield has been ranked as one of the top cities for asthma prevalence and emergency room visits. The decision to cancel the grant has been met with criticism from local mayors and health officials who argue that the funding was crucial in addressing asthma risks and triggers in underserved communities. The state Department of Public Health has submitted a formal dispute over the grant’s termination, hoping for a reversal of the decision to continue their work in mitigating asthma in the region.
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