Western Massachusetts Business News

1. Gov. Charlie Baker signs $623 million life sciences bill

   Explore masslive.com 3 hours, 8 min ago Life Sciences

   

   Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday signed into law a $623 million life sciences bill. The bill authorizes the state to borrow and spend up to $473 million over five years and provide tax credits of up to $150 million. "This bill demonstrates the Legislature's commitment to economic development and workforce training by providing the tools and resources to allow for the continued investment in our people, our infrastructure, and our Massachusetts-based companies," said Rep. Joseph Wagner, D-Chicopee, House chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, in a statement.

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   Mentions: Governor Deval L. Patrick University of Massachusetts Massachusetts Life Sciences Center

2. SJC knocks millionaires tax off November ballot - CommonWealth Magazine

   Explore CommonWealth Magazine 5 hours, 3 min ago

   

   THE SUPREME JUDICIAL ruled that a proposal to raise taxes on high earners in Massachusetts cannot appear on the November ballot because it violates a constitutional provision requiring that all the elements of such a question be “related” or “mutually dependent.”

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3. Massachusetts Senate passes ambitious clean energy bill

   Explore masslive.com Jun 16 2018 Energy

   

   Massachusetts would run on 100-percent renewable power by 2047 under comprehensive energy legislation passed by the state Senate Thursday night. The idealistic goal would be reached by increasing the state's renewable portfolio standard by 3 percent every year, instead of the current 1 percent. The RPS dictates how much renewable energy electrical utilities such as Eversource and National Grid must buy.

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   Mentions: West Springfield Springfield

4. MGM Springfield, city officials prepare for deluge of casino visitors, traffic in opening week

   Explore masslive.com Jun 15 2018

   

   Representatives of MGM Springfield and the city said Friday they are discussing ways to cope with the potential record numbers of people and traffic that will visit the downtown area during the opening days of the $960 million resort casino. The logistical plans and strategies for the deluge of traffic is not yet finalized, but communication with the public and local businesses will be critical in advance of the casino's grand opening on Aug. 24, said MGM and city officials. The issue was discussed Friday at a meeting of the City Council Casino Oversight Committee at City Hall.

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   Mentions: Springfield MGM

5. Craft breweries popping up across Greater Springfield

   Explore masslive.com Jun 15 2018 Entrepreneurship

   

   When you think of Wilbraham, Massachusetts -- birthplace of Friendly's Ice Cream and where Timothy Merrick was immortalized in song after dying from a rattlesnake bite up on "Springfield Mountain" -- beer may not be the first thing that pops into your mind. But craft breweries are suddenly popping up all over Greater Springfield, including two here in Wilbraham, Springfield's eastern neighbor, and one apiece in neighboring Ludlow and Hampden. Talks are also in the works to bring independent brewers to West Springfield, according to Mayor Will Reichelt, who has been trying to make West Side more appealing to millennials ...

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   Mentions: West Springfield Springfield Chicopee

6. First CTrail commuter train leaves Springfield for Hartford

   Explore masslive.com Jun 15 2018 Transportation

   

   U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal and other local dignitaries made the ceremonial first trip south Friday on CTrail from the renovated Union Station to Hartford. "This was a wise expenditure of the public purse and those of us who voted for it had ought to defend it," Neal said upon reaching Hartford. Reminiscent of driving the golden spike that completed the transcontinental railroad, the party from Springfield headed south to Hartford where they met up with Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy and a party of Connecticut officials headed north from New Haven.

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   Mentions: Amtrak Springfield Northampton

7. UMass Amherst Lauds $47 Million in Capital Authorization For New Biotechnology and Precision Manufacturing Initiative

   Explore University of Massachusetts Amherst Jun 15 2018 Life Sciences

   

   Legislation signed today by Governor Charlie Baker will provide nearly $463 million in capital and reauthorize a tax incentive program to continue to grow Massachusetts’ life sciences industry. Included in the capital authorizations is $47 million for UMass Amherst to build and equip a Biotechnology and Precision Manufacturing (BPM) research and training facility. “This legislation will greatly benefit the Massachusetts economy and provide exciting new opportunities for our students to prepare for successful careers in the life sciences,” said UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy. “This is yet another aspect of partnership with the state to position the Commonwealth and ...

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   Mentions: University of Massachusetts Amherst Northampton

8. Gov. Charlie Baker praises 130-unit North Amherst housing project at groundbreaking

   Explore masslive.com Jun 14 2018 Business Development

   

   Gov. Charlie Baker and other officials were among nearly 100 people who filled a tent and spilled out onto the lawn Thursday afternoon to celebrate the groundbreaking for North Square at the Mill District, a 130-unit housing project that includes 26 affordable homes. Beacon Communities, the project developer, secured state low-income tax credits in December, necessary to help finance the project.  "This is a complete re-imagination of how this site at this point in time and into the future should be designed to support this community and its future," Baker said. "These are the kinds of things that we as ...

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   Mentions: Amherst Congressman John W. Olver

9. Historic B-29 plane, others coming to Westover Municipal Airport in Chicopee

   Explore masslive.com Jun 14 2018 Tourism

   

   A historic B-29 Superfortress bomber plane, one of only two in the world that still fly, will be on display at the Westover Metropolitan Airport next week and will even be open for rides. The Commemorative Air Force will be bringing three historic aircraft to the airport on 255 Padgette St., from June 20-24. The B-29 will be joined by two other planes, a C-45 Expeditor and a T-6 Texan. People will be able to view all three aircraft between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. all five days at a cost of $10 for adults, $5 for youth ...

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   Mentions: Chicopee Chicopee Chamber of Commerce

10. Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield unveils $1.6 million entrance and lobby improvements

    Explore masslive.com Jun 14 2018 Health Care

    

     Baystate Noble Hospital officials unveiled their new $1.6 million front entrance and lobby as well as the theme of the 2018 Baystate Noble Ball: "It's Magic!" The entrance improves access and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Automatic sliding doors, re-grading of the circular driveway and walkways to create a level surface, and a protective drive-under canopy improved the exterior.

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    Mentions: MassMutual Center Baystate Health Springfield
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