Overview:
Located in the heart of the Pioneer Valley, Holyoke is rich in natural and cultural assets, including an American Heritage River, hundreds of acres of parkland, two museums, and a Victorian-style downtown. It is all here, along with the great businesses and industries that have made Holyoke a major employment center since it was developed as the first planned industrial City in the nation.
Ideally situated near the crossing of two major interstate highways, I-90 (The Massachusetts Turnpike) and
I-91, Holyoke is only 90 miles West of Boston, 150 miles North of New York City, 30 miles from Hartford, 84 miles from Providence, 20 minutes away from New England’s second largest airport (Bradley International) and less than 15 minutes away from Springfield. Since its founding in 1850 Holyoke has always used location to its advantage. As it harnessed the power of the Connecticut River and accepted immigrants from all over the world, it developed into a city of history, diverse cultures and extraordinary opportunities. Today, as always, it is a treasure for all who visit and reside within its borders. “Holyokers” are amongst the most fiercely loyal, proud and welcoming to be found in any community in America.
History of Holyoke
Photos of Historic Holyoke
Current Events:
Telltale signs point to Holyoke's urban revival and bright economic outlook. While the US suffers from rising energy costs, Holyoke is finding itself rich in resources for the development of a local clean-energy economy. As it once helped usher in the Industrial Age, the power of the Connecticut River is again being harnessed - this time in service of hydroelectric power.
In fact, it is for this very reason - the abundance of clean hydropower - that a consortium of elite Massachusetts universities and high-tech corporations have partnered to create a $163 million green high-performance computing center. This center, currently in development, will support both Massachusetts' tech sector as well as its academic institutions. Yet the benefits for Holyoke and the Pioneer Valley are much larger. This computing center will not only create new high-tech jobs, but will also help foster an environment for the growth of other such businesses. The net effect will be to diversify Holyoke's economic base, while bringing an "innovation economy" to Western Massachusetts.
In keeping with this notion, Holyoke officials have recently launched an ambitious strategy to create a downtown "innovation district," where they envision the refurbishment of abandoned mills to house entrepreneurial start-ups, coffee houses, eateries, and a newly invigorated town center.
Opened in 1929, the landmark Victory Theatre in Holyoke center is also set to recapture its former glory. Derelict since 1979, the theatre is undergoing a massive $28 million dollar restoration and is planning to re-open in grand style on December 31, 2012. The Victory Theatre, in offering diverse live performances, will have a regional draw.
For those seeking a more modern setting for their entertainment, a casino will also be coming to Western Massachusetts. Hard Rock International recently announced its intention to build a proposed casino and hotel on the site of Holyoke's Wyckoff Country Club. Such a venture will not only create thousands of new jobs, but will also bring significant tourism to the Pioneer Valley.
And to help all those new tourists reach Holyoke, Amtrak will be returning rail service to the city with the planned re-routing of its Vermonter line. Amtrak hopes to complete this project sometime during 2013.
The signs are there - Holyoke is poised for an economic and cultural resurgence. Smart investors will get in early as these projects move towards completion.
Recreation and Attractions:
History, culture, sports and recreation all come together at Holyoke Heritage State Park. There, under the theme, “Lark in the Park”, enjoyable experiences abound for the whole family in buildings bordering a beautiful two-block state park in the heart of downtown. Between City Hall and the third-level canal, visitors can experience one of the top children’s museums in the country, take a ride on an antique merry-go-round, view exhibits in the Volleyball Hall of Fame (volleyball was invented in Holyoke on February 9th, 1895 by William G. Morgan a YMCA physical education director) and learn about Holyoke’s beginnings in the industrial revolution at the Heritage State Park Visitors Center.
Another sample of the city’s heritage can be found at the Wistariahurst Museum. Home of the Skinner Silk Mill family, the 1874 structure is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mount Tom State Reservation, an 1800 acres state park, has 30 miles of scenic trails for hiking and picnicking. Every March, Holyoke plays host to more than 300,000 people who line the streets to see the second largest St. Patrick’s Parade in the nation. A whole month of special activities makes for a festival that is more than a half century tradition in Holyoke.
Every month PassportHolyoke highlights the new and exciting cultural attractions the City has to offer while ValleyVisitor shows a calendar of events including academic, cultural and sporting events that are upcoming for the whole Pioneer Valley.
Education – “The Knowledge Corridor”:
Education thrives in the Pioneer Valley. There are 14 colleges and universities convenient to the city which cooperate to provide skilled graduates to the area. Holyoke is at the center of New England’s Knowledge Corridor, which extends from the Vermont border to just below Hartford and is home to 32 Colleges and Universities and over 120,000 students. Locally employers have available the Dean Technical High School that partners with business to supply both skilled workers and customized training programs.
Area Colleges and Universities:
- Amherst College
- American International College
- Bay Path College
- Elms College
- Hampshire College
- Holyoke Community College
- Mount Holyoke College
- Smith College
- Springfield College
- Springfield Technical Community College
- University of Massachusetts – Amherst
- Western New England College
- Westfield State College
- Williams College
Employment/Demographics:
With a population of 39,838 (2000 US Census) and year over year increases every year since, Holyoke is in the middle of a demographic rebirth. Since 1990 there has been a 54% increase in per capita income and a 46% increase in median household income.
Holyoke is the second largest employment center in the Valley, importing thousands of workers daily for jobs in its large manufacturing sector, its retail center and the hundreds of service businesses that thrive within its borders. Paper converting industries make up the largest share of Holyoke’s manufacturing base, while The Holyoke Mall at Ingleside, the second largest indoor mall in New England, provides the most retail jobs. The entire service industry, including jobs in the hospitality sector, is growing as well, creating a balance in the economy that makes Holyoke an ideal community in which to work, as well as live.
Important Phone Numbers/Websites:
| City of Holyoke | (413) 322-5510 |
| Holyoke Gas & Electric | (413) 536-9300 |
| Police Department | (413) 322-6900 |
| Fire Department | (413) 534-4515 |
| School Department | (413) 534-2000 |
| Events & Activities | (413) 322-5511 |
| Public Library | (413) 322-5640 |
| Office of Economic Development | (413) 322-5655 |
| Parks & Recreation | (413) 322-5620 |
| Holyoke Water | (413) 536-0422 |
| Sewer Department | (413) 322-5645 |
