2026 grant recipients stand with the Eastern States Exposition’s check to West Springfield for $351,742.
Reminder Publishing photo by Peter Tuohy
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Eastern States Exposition has continued its 32-year relationship with the town of West Springfield by presenting a check for $351,742 to the Eastern States Exposition-West Springfield Trust, providing assistance to a number of local businesses and organizations each year.
ESE has donated 1% of its annual gross operating revenue each year since the trust began in 1994, contributing over $6.1 million in total to the town. Local organizations can receive assistance through this donation by applying for the “Big E Grant.”
ESE President and CEO Gene Cassidy and West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt presented the check with this year’s recipients in the audience for a cake-cutting ceremony on June 25.
Funds from ESE are directly tied to The Big E’s success each year, “which has grown to be the fourth largest fair in North America,” the press release said.
The grant application states that it “specifically targets projects that enhance community development and economic growth, with a particular focus on initiatives that positively impact town programming and support community groups.”
Eastern States Exposition CEO and President Gene Cassidy presents the 2026 check with Mayor William Reichelt behind him.
Reminder Publishing photo by Peter Tuohy
Cassidy, Reichelt and Mary Paier Powers make up the trust’s board, which reviews each grant application.
“On behalf of the town, I want to thank Gene Cassidy,” Reichelt said. “They’re giving us a lot of money, and we got a lot of requests this year so it’s always difficult to whittle down what we’re able to give money to. Congratulations to all of you that received the grant.”
Cassidy grew up in West Springfield and his office is just a short walk away from the house he was born and raised in. He said “it’s a point of great pride to be here and deliver the good news.”
“When we started, there weren’t that many applications,” Cassidy said. “Now it’s really quite difficult going through them.”
He said ESE expenditures to West Springfield totaled over $2.2 million in 2025 across services, licensing and real estate taxes but that this is something he loves to be involved with. He cited the $2.2 million as just the “cost of doing business.”
“It’s a great investment in the health of the community and the welfare of the people that live in it,” Cassidy said. “With appreciation, I thank the mayor and Mary for your help.”
2026 grant recipients include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Mass., West Springfield Wildcats Youth Baseball, West Springfield Public Schools, American Legion Post 207, The Parish Cupboard, Inc., The American Legion, Local parishes, The West Springfield High School Italian Cultural Club, West Springfield Parks & Recreation, WSHS Boys Basketball, West Springfield Veterans Memorial Fund, WSHS Hockey Booster Club, WSHS Field Hockey Booster Club, West Springfield Garden Club, WSHS Varsity Girls Cross Country, Track and Field Program, West Springfield Public Library, West Springfield Girls Youth Lacrosse, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, Ramapogue Historical Society, Center for Human Development: Cancer House of Hope, First Robotics Team, West Side Neighborhood Rehab, Inc., West Springfield Boys & Girls Club, West Springfield Tree Committee and West Springfield Music Parents Association.
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