Each year, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) distributes millions of dollars in grants from the Community Mitigation Fund (CMF) to eligible communities across the Commonwealth. Recently, Commissioners and staff from the MGC explored the impact these grants have at the Holyoke Community College (HCC) MGM Culinary Arts Institute.

The group – which also included local government officials, WorkReady program representatives, and other invited guests – toured the HCC’s state-of-the-art facility in downtown Holyoke and sat down for a briefing and overview of programs funded with CMF grants. The CMF, which is administered by the MGC, was developed by the legislature to help offset the impacts of the construction and operation of casinos on surrounding and host communities. The programs on display during this visit have been shining examples of the impact of the CMF.

The City of Holyoke has sought and been awarded with grants  a prime beneficiary, receiving nearly $605,000 in grants, with a recent allocation of $205,000 this past funding cycle.

The City of Holyoke has sought and been awarded grants totaling over $600,000 since the inception of the CMF to help fund the city’s local tourism initiative. The initiative helps the city fund tourism-related activities, including funding the city’s Explore Holyoke website. Part of the event featured a brief walk through the surrounding neighborhood led by the city’s Planning and Economic Development Director, Aaron Vega, who credited the CMF as a key part of the city’s efforts to increase tourism in the area and bolster the regional economy.

Positions available in the hospitality industry and the roles casino properties are looking to fill often require significant skill-based training. The culinary institute at HCC excels at preparing students for these roles through innovative workforce training opportunities. Featuring four full-service kitchens, a bakery, a hotel lab, and a student-run dining room, the facility is preparing the next generation of hospitality professionals. The WorkReady program, supported by CMF funding of nearly $2.7 million, offers comprehensive training beyond traditional education.

The current year’s program is particularly impressive:

• Seven cohorts comprising 84 participants will undergo line cook training
• Participants will earn a line cook certificate, ServSafe Food Manager certification, and an Allergen Certificate
• An additional four cohorts of 32 participants will complete Hotel Front Desk/Room Attendant training
• Graduates receive a certificate of completion and the Guest Service Gold Customer Service certification

During the tour, commissioners had the opportunity to observe live classes and engage directly with instructors, exploring how future CMF investments can further enhance the institute’s impact on the community. For more information on the CMF, please visit the Community Mitigation Fund page.

Photos of the day’s tour can be found below: