Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council

Featured News
1. The Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint
  
  Explore From the EDC Nov 30 2018 Workforce
  
  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 Oct 15 2018 Education
  
  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 Sep 7 2018 Workforce
  
  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 Aug 23 2018 Tourism
  
  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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From the EDC
1. FORM FOR QUESTIONS ON THE PLAN
  
  Explore From the EDC 22 hours, 28 min ago by Mike Kennealy
  
  The State is working through inquiries submitted regarding Reopening Massachusetts. Please note that every form containing comments is being reviewed and compiled, but only questions will receive a response. If businesses have reviewed the available guidance and have additional questions, they may submit an inquiry form here. Please share this link with businesses in your communities that have questions about reopening in Phase 1.
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2. Interscape Donates Over $20,000 Worth of Furniture to Charitable Organizations
  
  Explore From the EDC May 20 2020 by Rick Sullivan
  
  Interscape Commercial Environments welcomed the new year by teaming up and donating over $20,000 worth of furniture to 2 local charities. One of the charities chosen was The Hole in the Wall Gang, a camp that was founded by Paul Newman to provide opportunities for children with serious illnesses. The other local charity was Journey Home, an organization that provides shelters for the homeless in the Hartford area.
  
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3. Eversource Reminds Customers to Remain Vigilant Against Scams
  
  Explore From the EDC May 15 2020 by Joe Mitchell
  
  As part of Eversource’s efforts to support its customers and communities during the pandemic, the energy company is reminding people to remain vigilant and protect themselves against scams. The COVID-19 outbreak has led to an increase in scam activity, with sophisticated scammers finding unique and intimidating ways to exploit people and steal their money during these uncertain times.
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4. MASSACHUSETTS PHASED REOPENING ANNOUNCED
  
  Explore From the EDC May 13 2020 by Mike Kennealy
  
  Today, Governor Baker announced a four-phased approach to reopening the Massachusetts economy, and published Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards that will apply universally to all workplaces that are open in Phase 1, and are designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission to employees and customers. As the Lt. Governor and I have mentioned on our weekly calls, this phased reopening (driven by public health indicators and guidance) charts a course to allow some businesses, services, and activities to resume, while protecting public health and limiting a resurgence of new COVID-19 cases.
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Western Massachusetts Business News
1. MassMutual’s Roger Crandall, heads of 3 other Massachusetts companies named to ‘Best CEOs in world’ list
  
  Explore masslive.com 23 hours, 37 min ago
  
  Roger W. Crandall, chairman, president and CEO of insurance giant MassMutual, is among four Massachusetts business leaders included on a list of the “Best CEOs in the World For 2020” published by the trade publication CEOWorld Magazine. Crandall ranks 39th on the list of 100 chief executives, which includes Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg at number 12, Warren Buffet of Berkshire Hathaway at number 5, Apple’s Tim Cook at number 3 and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon at number 1.
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  Mentions: MassMutual Springfield Roger W. Crandall
2. UMass report: More than half of major employers are not altering their hiring plans
  
  Explore masslive.com May 27 2020 Workforce
  
  Findings by the University of Massachusetts Amherst career development office provide modestly encouraging news for new job seekers. The numbers nonetheless reflect the profound impact of the coronavirus pandemic on hiring. They paint a picture of jobs becoming available, but delayed in many situations as companies use staff for remote work or, in some cases, freeze hiring. According to Career Development and Professional Connections findings, 80 percent of employers in April said they were honoring full-time offers, though some said they have delayed start dates. A follow-up survey in May showed that 52.6% said they had no plan to ...
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  Mentions: University of Massachusetts Liberty Mutual Amherst
3. Rising Food Insecurity Prompts Big Y to Make Second Round of Donations
  
  Explore BusinessWest May 27 2020 Financial Services
  
  With regional food banks experiencing unprecedented demand, Big Y is providing an additional $125,000 in support to address the rise in food insecurity. With the donations made in March, Big Y has provided $250,000 in financial assistance to area food banks in addition to the healthy surplus food it provides to them on a weekly basis. Using the estimate that every dollar donated provides four meals, the Big Y financial assistance amounts to 1 million meals. “Our goal, our mission, is to feed families,” said Charlie D’Amour, president and CEO of Big Y. “We have people in ...
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  Mentions: Big Y Foods Springfield
4. Bacon Wilson Donates $10,000 to YMCA of Greater Springfield
  
  Explore BusinessWest May 27 2020 Education
  
  Bacon Wilson announced that the firm has recently completed a $10,000 contribution to the capital campaign for the YMCA of Greater Springfield. The pledge originated in the fall of 2019, as Bacon Wilson supported the YMCA’s transition from the former Chestnut Street location to the new Tower Square facility in downtown Springfield.
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  Mentions: Springfield
5. Developer renews plans for Dunkin’ donut shop in Springfield’s Hungry Hill
  
  Explore masslive.com May 26 2020
  
  A developer is again proposing to build a Dunkin’ doughnut shop on Liberty Street in the Hungry Hill area. The City Council first approved the plans in January of 2018, but the special permit expired as a result of construction not occurring within the mandated two-year period. A new council hearing took place May 18, and there was no public opposition.
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  Mentions: Springfield
6. White Lion Brewing getting ready to roar in downtown Springfield
  
  Explore masslive.com May 24 2020
  
  The coronavirus pandemic has of course caused immense large tragedies in numerous lives. But it also has caused minuscule twinges of pain, which although may be microscopic in comparison, still elicit a sigh or two. One such local mild annoyance for beer fans is the delay in White Lion Brewing’s opening of its brewery and taproom in downtown Springfield. The company, which is set to become Springfield’s first fully operational independent craft brewery, has seen its launch delayed by the pandemic’s reach.
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  Mentions: Springfield
7. In a coronavirus world, how will malls be able to operate? Massachusetts retailers look to reopen May 25 with curbside delivery
  
  Explore masslive.com May 24 2020
  
  As the coronavirus pandemic ramped up earlier this year, Springfield’s Eastfield Mall was left with empty halls, an “ugly” decrease in revenue and a “skeleton crew” of workers, according to property manager David Thompson. When management found out in March that brick-and-mortar retailers and other businesses deemed non-essential would be forced to close due to the public health crisis, they announced the shopping center’s staff would be reduced.
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  Mentions: Springfield Northampton Holyoke
8. Amherst planner warns of possibility of empty storefronts downtown
  
  Explore masslive.com May 23 2020
  
  The possibility that some downtown restaurants and shops may not reopen when the COVID-19 pandemic ends is a driving force behind the town’s effort to speed up the approval process to site new businesses.
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  Mentions: Amherst
9. As some Western Massachusetts colleges plan to reopen campus, others hold off
  
  Explore masslive.com May 22 2020 Education
  
  College students sometimes list their majors as “undeclared.” That applies to colleges and universities that are eyeing the fall semester with mixtures of hope and caution - and weighing the practicality and risk of reopening campus. Virtually every institution has expressed hope of reopening campus in the fall, but some speak with more confidence that it will. All say any reopening would be accompanied by dramatic changes and new regulations that will affect dormitory life, classroom settings and everyday student movement.
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  Mentions: Springfield College Springfield
10. Catholic Diocese of Springfield closes St. Francis Chapel downtown, puts building on the market
  
  Explore masslive.com May 22 2020
  
  The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield has closed St. Francis Chapel on Bridge Street in downtown Springfield and put the building up for sale. “We remember in prayer all who found spiritual comfort at St. Francis Chapel on Bridge Street, and we will be forever grateful to all who made this holy, special place possible,” said Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski in a statement. “Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us and for all who invoke your aid.”
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  Mentions: Springfield Valley Venture Mentors
Picture Gallery

FORM FOR QUESTIONS ON THE PLAN From the EDC

Interscape Donates Over $20,000 Worth of Furniture to Charitable Organizations From the EDC

Eversource Reminds Customers to Remain Vigilant Against Scams From the EDC

MASSACHUSETTS PHASED REOPENING ANNOUNCED From the EDC

The Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint From the EDC

UMass water technology lab could spur new developments masslive.com

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 masslive.com

MassMutual’s Roger Crandall, heads of 3 other Massachusetts companies named to ‘Best CEOs in world’ list masslive.com

UMass report: More than half of major employers are not altering their hiring plans masslive.com

Rising Food Insecurity Prompts Big Y to Make Second Round of Donations BusinessWest

Bacon Wilson Donates $10,000 to YMCA of Greater Springfield BusinessWest
Western Massachusetts- It's Your Move