There is no hope for Springfield. There were many companies from Springfield that left. IIRC Springfield had Smith & Wesson, Indian Motorcycles, Springfield Armory, Duryea Motors and even some Rolls Royce, Miriam Webster Dictionary, Friendlies Ice Cream, and Barney & Berry ice skates - the first metal ice skates, and was the birthplace of Basketball. George Washington choose the site of the Springfield Armory. The place is now usually on the list of the most dangerous cities to live in.
You are correct that Springfield MA has problems typical of an urban area with shrinking employment and liberal government.
The Springfield Armory is open as a National Historical Site and a visit is well worth the time if you are in Western Massachusetts.