Mayor David Narkewicz says Northampton is a city on the move, leading the way in arenas that range from its energy-efficiency programs to its effort to increase the number of daily Amtrak shuttles when high-speed passenger rail service begins next year, to $67 million of new projects expected to add $3.1 million to the tax base.

The awards — $95 million to UMass Amherst and $5.5 million to the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute in Springfield — are part of a $1 billion, 10-year investment on the part of the state designed to stimulate growth of its life-sciences supercluster, considered the largest in the country.  When asked what this latest investment would mean for the Western Mass. region and the state as a whole, Susan Windham-Bannister, president and CEO of the MLSC, said simply, “drive economic development and job creation.”

“This is a very significant investment into the infrastructure and long-term viability of the base. The $24 million upgrade will help Westover perform its mission more effectively. As one of the largest employers in the region, this contract will bring construction jobs and economic growth,” said U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, who represents the base.

As part of the continuing recovery from the June 1, 2011 tornado, city officials are seeking a developer to build four new houses on Central Street.  To sweeten the deal, the city is offering as much as $932,000 in federal funds to a developer willing to build attractive, high-quality, single-family homes consistent with existing styles in the neighborhood, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said.

"The business has really been great here," said owner Richard B. Rosenthal, a veteran of 28 years in the restaurant business here and in Connecticut. "Springfield is a good community and it has been very good to us. So have the outlying towns of Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Agawam. Springfield is really at the center of a lot of great communities. All those suburbs that center on Springfield have been great. We get customers from all of them."

Paul M. Stelzer, president of Appleton Corp., that manages the technology park, said the alterations occurred after communications with representatives of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, the Springfield Historical Commission and the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Susan Bennett has amassed many fond memories in her 20 years as cirector of marketing and communications for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
Bennett retired from the SSO on May 31, and shared some recollections of the rewards and challenges of two decades spent serving the symphony.

Despite opposition by opponents of development at the Three County Fairground, the Planning Board on Thursday granted site plan approval for a riding ring cover.  The 80-by-140-foot vinyl roof will protect equestrians as they warm up for events inside the fairground’s arena, according to General Manager Bruce Shallcross. The roof will provide cover for a variety of horse shows at the fairground.

The trends were revealed Thursday in population estimate data released by the Census Bureau that also revealed that the population of Hispanics in neighboring Connecticut has topped 500,000 for the first time.  And, also in keeping with national trends, diversity brings with it youth, said Susan G. Strate, a population estimates program manager for the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute in Hadley.

The Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council launched its VisitHampshireCounty.com web page last month.  Tony A. Maroulis, co-director of the council and executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, called it “a great virtual front door to visitors all over the world.”