Eric T. Nakajima
Photo credit: City of Holyoke
HOLYOKE — Mayor Joshua Garcia appointed Amherst resident Eric T. Nakajima to head the city’s Office of Planning and Economic Development.
Nakajima succeeds Aaron Vega, who has been appointed president and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council.
Nakajima, 59, is an economic development consultant. He has had policy and innovation positions with the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and is the former director of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute.
From 2020 to 2024, he was the Director of Government Relations for the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
Nakajima earned a Bachelor of Arts Cum Laude degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts of Amherst and a master’s degree in city planning from the University of California at Berkeley. He also participated in a yearlong fellowship for working professionals at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.
Reminder Publishing reached out to Nakajima to discuss his thoughts on the new role.
“I’m honored and excited about my appointment as director of Planning and Economic Development for Holyoke, a city I have grown fond of over the years,” Nakajima stated. “Holyoke is a city on the rise. I am excited to join such an outstanding team to support the economic growth, vitality and livability of the city.”
Nakajima explained that it is early for him to outline his plans since he is still mid-transition and doesn’t officially start until Jan. 5.
“After I’ve put in a few weeks, I expect to have a clearer sense of mission and priorities,” he said.
Nakajima explained that Garcia wants him to simplify the process of development in Holyoke while remaining in compliance with laws and local plans, such as the city’s Comprehensive Plan and the Center City Renewal Plan.
“So, high on my to-do list is investigating how we can make the development process much more efficient, responsible and sensible, while remaining transparent and in line with the direction the city is going,” Nakajima said.
Garcia said Nakajima’s credentials and experience put him at the top of the list for the OPED director’s position.
“We’re fortunate to have attracted a professional whose skills and knowledge are so relevant to Holyoke’s prosperity path,” Garcia said. “The growth that Aaron Vega and his team brought about will continue and expand under Eric’s leadership.”
