Nakajima to lead Holyoke’s economic development efforts

HOLYOKE — The city has hired Eric Nakajima of Amherst to lead its Office and Planning and Economic Development.

The Amherst resident was named to the director position last week. He will succeed Aaron Vega, who has accepted a new role as the President and CEO of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council.

“Holyoke is a city on the rise,” said Nakajima following his appointment. “I am excited to join such an outstanding team to support the economic growth, vitality, and livability of the city.”

Mayor Joshua Garcia touted Nakajima’s record as an economic development consultant for the state, saying that his experience put him as a top choice to fill the position.

“We’re fortunate to have attracted a professional whose skills and knowledge are so relevant to Holyoke’s prosperity path,” Garcia said. “The growth that Aaron Vega and his team brought about will continue and expand under Eric’s leadership.”

Nakajima, 59 , has held policy and innovation positions with the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and is the former director of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. From 2020 to 2024, he was the director of government relations for the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

Nakajima earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a master’s degree in city planning from the University of California at Berkeley.

He held a yearlong fellowship for working professionals at MIT in Cambridge.

The mission of Holyoke’s Office of Planning and Economic Development is business recruitment and retention, short- and long-range planning, and providing staff support to the Planning Board, Redevelopment Authority, Economic Development Industrial Corporation, Licensing Board, and Tourism Advisory Committee, among other boards and commissions.

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