1. Featured News

    1. The Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint

      Explore From the EDC Workforce
      The Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint

      As you know, the Workforce Skills Cabinet (WSC) is requiring a Mid-Point Report be submitted to the WSC by December 15, 2018.  We have been given a template to follow and are aggressively assembling the required collateral to form our narrative.  We are excited about sharing with the WSC the progress that has been made since we began the Implementation phase in the late spring, 2018.  As with the Blueprint, we expect the Secretary’s and/or their staff and others will review the Mid-Point Report and share their thoughts with us.  We continue to believe that as we begin ...

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    2. UMass water technology lab could spur new developments

      Explore masslive.com Education
      UMass water technology lab could spur new developments

      Thirty companies are in the pipeline, waiting to use a $3.9 million water technology demonstration center that could be built at the University of Massachusetts in as soon as two years. About 250 people attended the "Innovations and Opportunities in Water Technologies" conference Monday at the Amherst campus. Now the job is to get the money, already called for in a 2014 state bonding bill, and include it in a state spending budget, said Richard K. Sullivan Jr., president and CEO of the Economic Development of Western Massachusetts.

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      Mentions: University of Massachusetts Amherst Clean Energy Center

    3. MassHire: Employment boards, job centers take on new name, statewide brand

      Explore masslive.com Workforce
      MassHire: Employment boards, job centers take on new name, statewide brand

      What used to be the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County is now the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board. The former CareerPoint in Holyoke is now the MassHire Holyoke Career Center, and the former FutureWorks is now the MassHire Springfield Career Center. It is all part of a statewide rebranding of Massachusetts' 29 career centers and 16 workforce boards, which used to go by 45 different names. They're now part of the unified MassHire brand, with a consistent logo and themed website addresses and social media handles. It's statewide, so the Franklin Hampshire Regional Employment Board is now ...

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      Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield Holyoke

    4. Pre-opening VIP party underway as MGM Springfield poised to launch $960 million casino resort

      Explore masslive.com Tourism
      Pre-opening VIP party underway as MGM Springfield poised to launch $960 million casino resort

      Glitzy slot machines, expectations and the chatter of thousands of suited and gowned guests filled the gaming floor Thursday as the "MGM Springfield VIP preview party" got underway. Local officials like Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, the face of the seven-year pitch behind the project, and representatives of international giant MGM attended the celebration before the Friday opening of a $960 million casino resort. The development of 2 million square feet in the South End of the City of Homes is scheduled to open at 11 a.m. Friday.

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      Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno Springfield The Republican
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  2. From the EDC

    2. The Economic Development Council/Springfield WORKS seeking full-time Commonwealth Corp Service Members

      Explore From the EDC Workforce by Anne Kandilis
      The Economic Development Council/Springfield WORKS seeking full-time Commonwealth Corp Service Members

      The Economic Development Council Western Mass/Springfield WORKS to host two full-time Commonwealth Corps service minded interns to serve as Community Alignment Specialists for the Springfield WORKS Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Working Cities Challenge initiative.  The Commonwealth Corps Community Alignment Specialists will build and align partnerships to promote two generation and whole family approach to jobs with residents, employers, education institutions, City and community leaders.  

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      Mentions: Springfield Boston Fed

    3. AMHERST AREA CHAMBER TO HOLD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PANEL & RECEPTION

      Explore From the EDC by Claudia Pazmany
      AMHERST AREA CHAMBER TO HOLD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PANEL & RECEPTION

      The Amherst Area Chamber presents its first Economic Development Panel discussion on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 4-6PM at The Old Chapel at UMass Amherst. The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with Bobrowski and Vickery, LLC and the University of Massachusetts Amherst and to make this event possible.

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      Mentions: University of Massachusetts Amherst Ann Burke

    4. Governor Baker to Brief Business Leaders on June 11, 2019

      Explore From the EDC by Mary Walachy
      Governor Baker to Brief Business Leaders on June 11, 2019

      Springfield Business Leaders to Host Education Briefing with Governor Baker. I’d like to invite you to join Springfield Business Leaders for Education for a session with Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday, June 11 at 10 a.m. on the Center Court of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame where he will discuss public education and pending legislation on school finance reform with area business leaders.

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      Mentions: Springfield Holyoke Basketball Hall of Fame
    5. See all From the EDC articles

  3. Western Massachusetts Business News

    1. Municipal Utilities Support State Initiatives, Integrating Emerging Technologies

      Explore BusinessWest Energy
      Municipal Utilities Support State Initiatives, Integrating Emerging Technologies

      Massachusetts municipal utilities are leading the way in integrating carbon-free technologies into their power portfolios, contributing significantly to achievement of the Commonwealth’s energy goals, according to speakers at a State House event sponsored by the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), the joint action agency for Massachusetts municipal utilities.

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    2. STCC Slates ‘College for Kids’

      Explore BusinessWest Education
      STCC Slates ‘College for Kids’

      Springfield Technical Community College is currently registering young people for its ‘College for Kids’ program. The summer program exposes participants between the ages of 11 and 17 to learning opportunities available in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Some of the available programs focus on arts and sports. The “Summer of STEM” will give young people the chance to learn about architecture, lasers, fidget spinners, and more.

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    3. Dressbarn shop in Springfield Five Town Plaza closes; only Massachusetts location on immediate closure list

      Explore masslive.com
      Dressbarn shop in Springfield Five Town Plaza closes; only Massachusetts location on immediate closure list

      The Dressbarn store in Springfield’s Five Town Plaza closed forever Tuesday, employees there said. The Springfield location is the only Massachusetts store on a list of 28 Dressbarn locations where closing dates have been announced. The New Jersey-based chain plans to close all 650 locations by 2020. On the list, released earlier this week on Dressbarn’s website, are Connecticut stores in Southbury and Mansfield, both of which will close by the end of June.

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    5. PeoplesBank Is Writing a New Chapter in History of Yankee Pedlar Property

      Explore BusinessWest
      PeoplesBank Is Writing a New Chapter in History of Yankee Pedlar Property

      Tom Senecal says PeoplesBank first looked at the historic Yankee Pedlar property as the potential site a future branch roughly three years ago. ‘Looking’ didn’t advance to anything further, though, said Senecal, the bank’s president, because at the time, the efforts to ‘save the Pedlar,’ as the campaign concerning the beloved restaurant and gathering spot came to be called, was ongoing, and hopes to keep that landmark in its long-time role were still somewhat high. Fast-forward a year or so, after many restauranteurs had looked at the Pedlar and essentially passed on it, deeming it too large and ...

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    6. Springfield City Council approves White Lion brewery plans at Tower Square

      Explore masslive.com Entrepreneurship
      Springfield City Council approves White Lion brewery plans at Tower Square

      The City Council approved a special permit on Monday night that allows White Lion Brewery Co. to move forward with plans to open a brewery and tap room at Tower Square. The permit was approved by unanimous vote. The business will be located in the former Spaghetti Freddy’s restaurant on the Bridge Street side of Tower Square at 1500 Main St. downtown.

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      Mentions: Springfield

    7. Mural Festival Presents Positive Image of Springfield

      Explore BusinessWest
      Mural Festival Presents Positive Image of Springfield

      Britt Ruhe is a huge fan of public art, specifically mural art. After attending what have come to be called ‘mural festivals’ in cities such as Worcester and Salem and seeing the many benefits they bring to those communities, she lobbied hard to bring a concept known as Fresh Paint to the City of Homes. Wanting to find a way to give back to the community, Ruhe, a financial strategist for startups and small businesses by trade, began meeting with festival organizers in other parts of the state to gather input and essentially learn how it’s done.

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      Mentions: Springfield

    8. VentureWell Seeks Global Impact Through Entrepreneurship

      Explore BusinessWest Entrepreneurship
      VentureWell Seeks Global Impact Through Entrepreneurship

      Katya Cherukumilli has a big idea with potentially bigger impact. Her nonprofit startup, Seattle-based Global Water Labs, is developing a scalable and affordable fluoride-removal technology that aims to reduce the incidence of irreversible diseases as a result of consuming excess naturally occurring fluoride in groundwater — a risk common to some 200 million people worldwide. She credits Hadley-based VentureWell with helping her move her big idea beyond the headspace into something tangible and, hopefully, impactful.

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      Mentions: Hampshire College

    9. Colorful Path to Economic Development

      Explore BusinessWest
      Colorful Path to Economic Development

      We’ve written on many occasions in the past about how the phrase ‘economic development’ means much more than trying to lure an Amazon — or an MGM Springfield, for that matter — to your town or filling a business park with distribution companies. Indeed, this kind of work extends to such realms as workforce development, improving public education, public safety, infrastructure, marketing of a given region, and promotion of arts and culture. And, sometimes, economic development is art itself.

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      Mentions: Springfield

    10. Smith & Wesson parent American Outdoor Brands warns of China tariff impact; says it might raise prices on accessories, outdoor products

      Explore masslive.com Manufacturing
      Smith & Wesson parent American Outdoor Brands warns of China tariff impact; says it might raise prices on accessories, outdoor products

      Smith & Wesson parent company American Outdoor Brands said this week that tariffs on Chinese goods could cost it as much as $3 million in the next three months alone. And the company said it might raise prices on its outdoor products and accessories imported from China, passing the costs on to consumers. Jeffrey D. Buchanan, the company’s chief financial officer, described the tariffs’ potential impacts in an earnings conference call this week.

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      Mentions: Smith & Wesson Corp. Springfield
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  4. Picture Gallery

    Manufacturing association to host event at STCC with Congressman Neal
    Manufacturing association to host event at STCC with Congressman Neal From the EDC
    The Economic Development Council/Springfield WORKS seeking full-time Commonwealth Corp Service Members
    The Economic Development Council/Springfield WORKS seeking full-time Commonwealth Corp Service Members From the EDC
    AMHERST AREA CHAMBER TO HOLD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PANEL & RECEPTION
    AMHERST AREA CHAMBER TO HOLD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PANEL & RECEPTION From the EDC
    Governor Baker to Brief Business Leaders on June 11, 2019
    Governor Baker to Brief Business Leaders on June 11, 2019 From the EDC
    The Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint
    The Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint From the EDC
    UMass water technology lab could spur new developments
    UMass water technology lab could spur new developments masslive.com
    MassHire: Employment boards, job centers take on new name, statewide brand
    MassHire: Employment boards, job centers take on new name, statewide brand masslive.com
    Pre-opening VIP party underway as MGM Springfield poised to launch $960 million casino resort
    Pre-opening VIP party underway as MGM Springfield poised to launch $960 million casino resort masslive.com
    Municipal Utilities Support State Initiatives, Integrating Emerging Technologies
    Municipal Utilities Support State Initiatives, Integrating Emerging Technologies BusinessWest
    STCC Slates ‘College for Kids’
    STCC Slates ‘College for Kids’ BusinessWest
    Dressbarn shop in Springfield Five Town Plaza closes; only Massachusetts location on immediate closure list
    Dressbarn shop in Springfield Five Town Plaza closes; only Massachusetts location on immediate closure list masslive.com
    South Hadley plaza owners to host forum on mixed-income, 72-apartment building plan
    South Hadley plaza owners to host forum on mixed-income, 72-apartment building plan masslive.com

  5. Western Massachusetts- It's Your Move

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    1. Industry Clusters:

      Aerospace/Defense, Business Development, Creative Economy, Education, Energy, Entrepreneurship, Financial Services, Green Region, Health Care, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Logistics, Manufacturing, Medical Devices, Paper Manufacturing, Plastics, Retail, Tourism, Transportation, Workforce

  3. Western Mass EDC Board Members in the News

    1. (8 articles) Carol A. Leary
    2. (6 articles) Kumble Subbaswamy
    3. (5 articles) Peter Rosskothen
    4. (3 articles) Kevin B. Vann
    5. (2 articles) Peter F. Straley
    6. (2 articles) Fran Cataldo Jr.

  4. Western Mass EDC Staff in the News

    1. (19 articles) Rick Sullivan
    2. (8 articles) Mary Kay Wydra
    3. (1 articles) Ann Burke

  5. Companies in the News

    1. (74 articles) MGM
    2. (43 articles) The Republican
    3. (41 articles) MassMutual
    4. (36 articles) Baystate Health
    5. (27 articles) MassMutual Center
    6. (22 articles) Peter Pan Bus Lines
    7. (19 articles) Eastern States Exposition
    8. (19 articles) Amtrak

  6. Business Leaders in the News

    1. (6 articles) Timothy W. Brennan
    2. (4 articles) Kathleen G. Anderson
    3. (4 articles) Nick Fyntrilakis
    4. (4 articles) Rick Lord
    5. (3 articles) John McCarthy
    6. (3 articles) Robert Bolduc

  7. Government Officials in the News

    1. (63 articles) Domenic J. Sarno
    2. (52 articles) Congressman Richard E. Neal
    3. (23 articles) Kevin Kennedy
    4. (9 articles) Governor Deval L. Patrick
    5. (5 articles) Alex Morse
    6. (4 articles) Dannel Malloy

  8. Organizations in the News

    1. (108 articles) University of Massachusetts
    2. (46 articles) Springfield Technical Community College
    3. (44 articles) Holyoke Community College
    4. (34 articles) Basketball Hall of Fame
    5. (31 articles) MassDevelopment
    6. (21 articles) Westfield State University

  9. Western Mass Cities in the News

    1. (624 articles) Springfield
    2. (203 articles) Holyoke
    3. (136 articles) Westfield
    4. (113 articles) Amherst
    5. (92 articles) Northampton
    6. (87 articles) Chicopee

  10. Recent Quotes

    1. This is a very exciting time for us.
      By Scott Goldman
    2. Western Massachusetts' ranges and landscapes are a treasured resource. Hampshire's partnership with local and state organizations will help conserve these vistas and habitats for future generations.
      By Jonathan Lash
    3. Hampshire College is leading the way to show how educational institutions can protect and care for their land as part of a commitment to environmental sustainability, not only on their core campus but in natural areas that are critical to the entire Pioneer Valley.
      By Kristin DeBoer