CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - The Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation (WMDC) celebrated 50 years on Thursday night. Massachusetts ranks last in election competitiveness Westover generates more than $2 billion annually for western Massachusetts, and Thursday night's celebration marked a milestone for the corporation. Those involved continue to find ways to re-purpose the Air Force base. Businesses surrounding Westover employ more than 3,600 people. The goal? To continue to redevelop the former military property for the general public. "It's a big factor in connecting not only Chicopee but also the airport to the world as well and a huge economic engine within this community," says President of the Westover Metropolitan Airport Andy Widor. The event was held in one of the hangars that was built in the 1950s but was recently refurbished. Those with the WMDC hope to continue to push for community engagement, while also connecting the airport to the world. Local News Headlines BusinessWest honors 2024 ‘Healthcare Heroes’ Greater Springfield NAACP hosts Freedom Fund dinner Three honored with William Pynchon Medal in Springfield Westover Development Corp. marks 50 years of growth WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.