Gándara Center Expands Services

MassDevelopment has issued a $1,256,000 tax-exempt bond on behalf of Gándara Mental Health Center, Inc., which is using proceeds to renovate and equip a 9,610-square-foot building at 85 St. George Road in Springfield where the organization will expand to provide additional culturally sensitive behavioral health services to children, adults, and families. Renovation began in May 2024 and is expected to be completed early 2025. The tax-exempt bond, purchased by CSB Colts, Inc., an affiliate of Westfield Bank, helped Gándara Mental Health Center, Inc. achieve a lower cost of capital. The project also received a grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration.

“Providers like Gándara Mental Health Center deliver essential services that strengthen individuals, families, and entire communities,” said MassDevelopment Deputy Director and Senior Executive Vice President Marcos Marrero. “We are pleased to be a continued resource for them as they evolve to expand their reach and impact, and we are happy to be a partner in helping Springfield’s North End thrive.”

“Supporting the best of our communities is one of our core values as a regional community bank,” said Westfield Bank President and CEO James C. Hagan. “Gándara Mental Health Center is a crucial behavioral health care resource, one that provides hope to people of all ages and lifts up the entire community. That is why we are proud to assist with the tax-exempt bond for their needed renovation.”

“Once again, I thank MassDevelopment for their continued and dedicated economic development efforts – they’ve been a solid partner for our City of Springfield,” said Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. 
“Congrats and thanks to Chief Executive Officer Lois Nesci and her Gándara team. Gándara has been a valued partner to our City of Springfield community, especially leading the way in delivering culturally sensitive mental health services to those in need,”

Founded in 1977 to advocate and provide for equal services in the Hispanic community, Gándara Mental Health Center delivers quality bilingual behavioral health, substance use, and preventative services for a diverse clientele of nearly 17,000 children, adults, and families each year in 100 locations across Massachusetts.

MassDevelopment has previously supported Gándara Mental Health Center. In 2022, the agency issued a $4.3 million tax-exempt bond to help the organization buy and renovate a 13,200-square-foot office building at 933 East Columbus Ave. in Springfield to anchor its corporate offices.

“We are excited to expand our St. George Road, Outpatient Clinic, increasing our capacity to serve more individuals and families,” said Gándara Mental Health Center CEO Lois Nesci. “This additional space will enable us to provide even greater access to culturally sensitive treatment, creating a welcoming environment where our community members can find the support they need to thrive.”

MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2024, MassDevelopment financed or managed 349 projects generating investment of more than $3.5 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 22,426 jobs and build or preserve 1,754 housing units.