CHICOPEE — Mental Health Association will be moving its headquarters to Chicopee.
MassDevelopment issued a $6.5 million tax-exempt bond on behalf of Mental Health Association, Inc., to buy and renovate an approximately 78,378-square-foot building at 350 Memorial Dr. in Chicopee.
MHA will relocate its headquarters from Springfield and house its mental health programs and residential and support services there.
Construction began in November 2023 and is expected to be complete in February.
Renovations to the building will include interior wall reconfiguration, office construction, HVAC and sprinkler system updates, added reception area security, and painting, flooring and information systems improvements.
The building originally housed the Charles River West Psychiatric Hospital and most recently served as the MassMutual Learning and Conference Center.
The move is said to allow MHA to keep pace with growth and locate its staff in one office.
Planning Director Lee Pouliot talked about how this move to Chicopee can also be helpful to the city.
Pouliot said, “MHA is a very reputable known entity in the region. They do manage a number of properties in the city and their services are very critical. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the city to welcome them and their very large staff to the city. Thinking through an economic development lens, that’s a lot of new people in the city on a regular basis that will be looking for goods and services consistently so I think overall it’s a very positive opportunity for us and I’m glad to work and collaborate with them in any way that would be helpful.”
Since being founded in 1960, Mental Health Association, Inc. provides access to therapies for emotional health and wellness; services for substance use recovery; developmental disabilities; acquired brain injury; and services for housing and residential programming.
Mental Health Association, Inc. President and CEO Cheryl Fasano added, “We are thrilled to announce our move to this new facility. This move represents a significant investment in our mission and demonstrates our commitment to providing quality services to the people in our care.”
MHA also expects to create 45 full-time jobs and 20 part-time jobs over the next three years.
MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera said, “Mental Health Association, Inc. will soon be able to seamlessly transition its headquarters and programs into a renovated space in the Gateway City of Chicopee, expand services for the community, and create dozens of new jobs. Access to mental health care is an essential part of helping people thrive personally and professionally and this leading nonprofit has a long history of delivering services for individuals and families across Western Massachusetts.”
Florence Bank purchased the tax-exempt bond, which helped MHA achieve a lower cost of capital.
Florence Bank President and CEO Matt Garrity said, “We were pleased to partner with MassDevelopment on the purchase of a $6.5 million tax exempt bond to assist Mental Health Association, Inc. with the purchase and renovation of a 78,000 square foot building in Chicopee that will serve as their new headquarters. Mental Health Association is a longtime and highly valued customer who plays a pivotal role in providing behavioral health services in the communities we serve.”
![](https://www.thereminder.com/images/New-Mental-Health-Association-HQ-2.jpg")
