New England Public Radio moving to downtown Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The University of Massachusetts Amherst wants to have a bigger presence in Springfield.

Wednesday UMass Amherst Chancellor and the CEO of New England Public Radio (NEPR) revealed their plan to move NEPR's headquarters to downtown Springfield.

They say it's the first step toward partnering with other companies, businesses and programs in the city.

According to Kumble Subbaswamy, the chancellor of UMass Amherst, “Our students and our faculty get to engage real-world problems close to home, and for the city it is bringing the resources of a research university.”

CEO of NEPR Martin Miller told 22News, “Springfield is actually the geographic center of our listening area, and we think it's going to be a much greater connection to the community.”

The construction for NEPR's new building will begin next week. The new studio and office will be at Bridge and Main Streets.