Southwick is currently served with DSL service by Verizon as well as Broadband cable service from Comcast. Additionally other providers offer service at varying speeds. The Mass. Broadband Institute (MBI) is in the process of providing fiber optic service from an Internet backbone in Springfield to more than 120 communities in western and central Mass. This service is expected to be in place in 2013 with various providers offering the "last mile" to area home and businesses. This is expected to make available both additional providers, higher speed and more price competition.
According to a meeting of local officials held in Northampton on March 19, 2011 more than 1,300 town halls, schools, hospitals and other community anchor institutions will be connected to the fiber system. Locally plans call for the system to travel through Southwick on Route 57.
Other Utilities
The Town provides public water and sewer to some portions of the community. Natural gas is also available in some parts of town through Columbia Gas of MA. (previously known as Bay State Gas). Telephone service is available from both Verizon and Comcast. Other third party providers may also be available. For more information contact the respective providers.
Data on Southwick
The official 2010 population as issued by the U.S. Bureau of the Census on March 22, 2011 can be viewed here. Click here for the data for all communities in Hampden County. The official Southwick population as of 2010 is 9,502.
The U.S. Census Bureau released detailed data on Southwick in December 2010. To view or print this data click here.
Why you should consider Southwick
CNBC the business cable television network in 2010 ranked all 50 states as best states for business. Massachusetts ranked number 5 as best place for business. Southwick ranks in the Greater Springfield as one of the communities with the lowest real estate tax at $ 14.23 per thousand residential/commercial/industrial (new rate November 2011) versus nearby communities with rates in the $ 30+ range per thousand. This includes Westfield at $ 16.13 residential and $ 30.36 commercial and industrial. The new rate in Agawam is $ 14.40 residential and $ 28.46 commercial and industrial. This indicates the local real estate tax rate is less than 50 percent of most other communities in the Springfield area. For specific information on the commercial, industrial and residential tax rates in other communities click here for updated information from the MA. Dept. of Revenue.
According to the December 2010 data from the U.S. Census Bureau 30% of adults age 25 and over have a college degree or higher. Southwick has 3 eighteen hole golf courses and 1 nine hole course. The Town is home to the Congamond Lakes with swimming and a Town public boat launch area. Southwick also has a range of homes from less than $ 200,000 to more than one million dollars. Southwick is within 12 miles of Bradley International Airport (BDL) which is served by a number of airlines with destinations nationwide as well as Canada and Mexico. Connecting service to Europe, Asia, and Latin America. For more information on the advantages of Southwick click here.
Quality of Life:
A number of factors go into the quality of life equation. The area around Southwick includes a large number of colleges and universities. Click here . For information on the Knowledge Corridorclick here. The Town of Southwick has miles of trails for walking, hiking, and bicycles. Click here for information on the multi use rail trail (more than 6 miles in length). In December 2011 a local resident donated more than 60 acres of land for use as a park with athletic fields, etc. It is expected to be available for public use in 2013. For more information contact the Southwick Park and Recreatin Commission or the Board of Selectmen.s Office.
How does Mass. compare to other states for taxes paid?
According to a recent article in the Buffalo News (newspaper) real estate taxes, sales tax, etc. cost less in Mass. than it does in New York State. Click here for the article.
Data
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