Westover is a positive impact in the local economy

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Chicopee and other western Massachusetts communities felt the continued, positive economic impacts of one of their largest neighbors this past year.

Westover Air Reserve Base poured $238 million dollars into the local economy in the fiscal year 2012, an increase from the year before. There was a decrease in payroll, mostly due to fewer 'extra days' worked.

Eli Brambila, the assistant manager at Frontera Grill, told 22News they just opened in June, but have already enjoyed the benefits of Westover just down the street. “From 11 to 2, we see a lot of them from the base. It gets really packed. Parties of 8, parties of 10. That's been working very well. It's a lot of word of mouth. Usually Sunday brunch, that's the biggest day for people from the base.”

The 439th Airlift Wing employs around 39-hundred people. Airlift Wing Commander, Colonel Steven Vautrain says Westover's success is western Massachusetts' success.