SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Lieutenant Governor candidate and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll campaigned in Springfield Monday where she discussed plans for economic empowerment in Latino communities.

Local leaders, nonprofits and small businesses voiced their concerns to Driscoll at the Latino Economic Development Corporation in downtown.

Driscoll said many small businesses suffered during the pandemic and a lot of minority owned businesses are still struggling. She said some had trouble accessing PPP loans.

Driscoll said there are many Latino-owned small businesses in Springfield and western Massachusetts, so supporting their development will help minority communities as well as the entire state.

"There is a recognition that we need to make sure that we're delivering capital to places that have typically always had a harder time of getting capital," Driscoll said. "And ensuring that we're breaking down those barriers for the type of technical assistance that you provide here so individuals not only are not getting taken advantage of but more importantly have the opportunity to grow."

Driscoll said a long-term goal is to improve downtown areas across the state so storefronts will receive regular activity and locals will have better walking access to places like grocery stores or where they work.