Governor Deval Patrick focused on the Western Mass economy Friday, hosting events across three cities in the Pioneer Valley. But, while Governor Patrick was talking about job creation and business growth, another budget shortfall is threatening the state's economy.

Governor Deval Patrick, (D) Massachusetts, says: "This economy will turn around, but right now its doing a lot of damage."

From contractors to police officers, Springfield residents gathered to tell Governor Deval Patrick how the Bay State's $4.3 billion in stimulus funds have impacted their lives.

One of those speaking up was a young Springfield mother of three who took advantage of help from the stimulus program through the YWCA Youth Build program.

Aedlin Villalba, Springfield Resident, says: "Since I joined the place I made a big progress in my life I have my GED, I did some construction but now I'm a painter and I'm very independent at the moment."

Now she's working to make sure those doors open for others behind her.

Aedlin Villalba, Springfield Resident, says: "I'll pass it on to other youth so they can go and get to where I am today. Because it's hard to struggle and get to where you want to be in life."

But even with the billions of federal stimulus dollars flowing into Massachusetts, new estimates show the state budget is nearly $300 million in the red. That could mean another round of cuts before the fiscal year ends in June.

Governor Deval Patrick, (D) Massachusetts, says: "We're gonna deal with this the way we've dealt with every budget gap so far, which is to face up to it and come up with a series of solves. Which is going to be a little more difficult because we're late in the fiscal year but we'll get it done."

The governor says more people need state services because the economy is bad, and they've used some stimulus funding to maintain those. The rest goes into proposals for next year.

Governor Deval Patrick, (D) Massachusetts, says: "There are more people out of work who are having to rely on MassHealth for their healthcare, and that's a consequence of the times we're in."

No decisions on cuts have been made, and today the focus was fully on those working because of government spending.