Southwick Economic Development Commission Approves Social Media Program and Dog Park Support

SOUTHWICK — March 18, 2026 — Southwick Economic Development Commission votes to launch weekly social media program and sends dog park support letter. The three-member commission, chaired by Greg Diley, voted unanimously at its March 18 meeting to begin weekly promotional posts through a social media vendor associated with the Southwick and Bloom initiative, with member Serena Fuller designated to approve content before publication. The commission also voted unanimously to send a formal letter of support for a proposed town dog park. In a discussion that dominated much of the meeting, Diley argued that Southwick receives state aid equal to roughly 4.9 percent of its municipal budget while the Hampshire County average is 41 percent, and presented a list of 25 state grant programs — led by the Massachusetts Complete Streets program, worth up to $1 million — as largely untapped. "Are we missing some grant opportunities that would be worth pursuing?" Diley said, proposing that the commission coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Parks and Recreation to build a strategic multi-year grant calendar. The commission also received written confirmation that the Southwick Conservation Commission had voted unanimously to endorse completion of master plan item 1.2, the town's economic development website.