Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council

Featured News
1. 2020 Western Mass Developers 3D Virtual Conference
  
  Explore From the EDC Oct 28 2020 Business Development
  
  Western Mass professionals! If you missed the Western Mass Developers Conference, presented by MassMutual, the conference is still open until November 20th. Register by clicking the link below for access to the fully virtual Developers Conference - you can view the exhibit hall, watch all of the dynamic panel discussions in the auditorium, catch the keynote from Governor Baker, experience the lightning presentations, download resources, and more.
  
  Register today: developwesternmass.vfairs.com
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  Mentions: MassMutual
2. 2020 Western Mass Developers Conference Slated for Oct. 21
  
  Explore BusinessWest Oct 20 2020
  
  The Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC) invites the community to join its annual developers conference, presented by MassMutual. The 2020 Western Mass Developers Conference will feature a keynote address from Gov. Charlie Baker and a welcome address from Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, and will connect business leaders, developers, real-estate professionals, site selectors, economic-development professionals, and public officials from Western Mass. and across the Northeast.
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  Mentions: Domenic J. Sarno MassMutual Springfield
3. 2020 Virtual Western MA Developers Conference
  
  Explore From the EDC Oct 7 2020 Business Development
  
  Join us to explore the many development opportunities on the horizon in Western Mass! The 2020 Virtual Western MA Developers Conference will connect business leaders, developers, real estate professionals, site selectors, economic development professionals, and public officials from Western MA and across the Northeast.
  
  WHO: Economic Development Council of Western MA (EDC) and Economic Development Partners (EDP)
  What: The Western MA Developers Conference
  When: Wednesday, October 21, 2020 9am - 3pm
  
  Click Here to Register
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4. Entrepreneurs, college presidents, politicians discuss a better business collaboration between eastern and Western Massachusetts
  
  Explore masslive.com Aug 19 2020 Education , Entrepreneurship
  
  Business leaders, college presidents, politicians and state economic development leaders joined in an online seminar to discuss better ways the entire state can come together to share resources and produce products. More than 350 people signed on to listen to or participate in the first EastWest Exchange on Wednesday. The event covered ways to localize supply chains and better share business and innovation from the eastern part of the state with that being done in Western Massachusetts.
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  Mentions: Holyoke Community College Springfield Technical Community College Springfield
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From the EDC
1. Landmark at Monastery Heights sold for $11.9M to new entry in assisted living industry
  
  Explore From the EDC 16 hours, 57 min ago by Jim Kinney (Jkinney@Repub.Com)
  
  Landmark at Monastery Heights is now Prosper at Monastery Heights after being sold earlier this month to a startup Prosper Life Care for $11.95 million. Prosper — a partnership among two businessmen from western New York and the owner of home care agencies based in Westborough, Massachusetts — also bought the former Landmark property in Fall River for $14.1 million, according to records at the registry of deeds there.
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  Mentions: West Springfield Springfield
2. Chicopee’s McKinstry Market Garden to be replaced with bigger, better farm store
  
  Explore From the EDC 16 hours, 59 min ago by Jeanette Deforge | Jdeforge@Repub.Com
  
  One of the most iconic farm stores in the area has been torn down to make way for a bigger and better business that will reopen in the spring. The McKinstry family is replacing its McKinstry Market Garden, which has been standing in the same spot at 753 Montgomery St. since the 1950s. The new building will be about 7,000 square feet — more than twice the size of the former store.
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  Mentions: Chicopee
3. Massachusetts casinos report stronger December revenue; MGM Springfield gross gambling revenue up $900K from November
  
  Explore From the EDC 17 hours, 2 min ago by Jim Kinney (Jkinney@Repub.Com)
  
  Business at MGM Springfield and the state’s other two resort casinos rebounded in December, according to figures released Friday by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission — but revenue still remains well below pre-COVID levels. Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor generated about $50 million in gross gaming revenue in December 2020, according to the Gaming Commission, which releases updated revenue figures on the 15th of each month.
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  Mentions: Springfield MGM
4. Going for a new PPP loan? SBA revises rules on employee and owner salaries, bonuses
  
  Explore From the EDC 17 hours, 4 min ago by Andy Medici - Washington Business Journal
  
  The Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program is now up and running — at least for some lenders — and it comes with new rules on how much small businesses can pay their employees and still get full forgiveness. Small businesses are still limited to $100,000 salary caps, annualized over the period during which the business spends the PPP loan proceeds. But the covered period, which used to be a choice between either eight weeks or 24 weeks, is now any number of weeks between eight and 24, which means every small business will have to carefully watch its spending.
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Western Massachusetts Business News
1. HCC Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series Returns Jan. 27
  
  Explore BusinessWest Jan 18 2021 Education
  
  Luz Lopez, executive director of MetroCare of Springfield, and Annamarie Golden, director of Community Relations for Baystate Health, will be the featured presenters on Wednesday, Jan. 27, for the first Holyoke Community College (HCC) Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series of 2021. The spring Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series will be held from noon to 1:15 p.m. over Zoom on the last Wednesdays of January, February, March, April, and May. Once a month, participants will join a group of women leaders to discuss current issues and ideas to help their leadership development. They will also have the opportunity to ...
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  Mentions: Holyoke Community College Baystate Health Springfield
2. Big Y Announces Third-generation D’Amour Family Appointments
  
  Explore BusinessWest Jan 18 2021
  
  The board of directors of Big Y Foods Inc. announced the promotion of two third-generation D’Amour family members. Colin D’Amour has been named senior director of the Big Y Express Gas & Convenience Stores division, and Christian D’Amour is director of E-commerce. Both appointments represent new and expanding divisions within the company. Colin’s responsibilities include oversight of store operations, site selection, site acquisition, and day-to-day responsibility for product procurement, including fuel for the division. Currently, there are 12 Big Y Express locations, with four more planned for the coming year.
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  Mentions: Big Y Foods West Springfield Springfield
3. BusinessTalk with Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council
  
  Explore BusinessWest Jan 18 2021
  
  BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien talks with Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council. The two discuss the state of the economy and the outlook for the balance of 2021. The two also discuss the pandemic, its impact on the local business community, and the possibility that it might provide some opportunities for the region in terms of attracting new businesses — and new residents — who might view Western Mass. as a viable option to higher-cost urban centers like Boston and New York. It’s must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by ...
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  Mentions: Rick Sullivan
4. Beveridge Family Foundation Donates $50,000 to MHA to Keep Residents Warm
  
  Explore BusinessWest Jan 18 2021
  
  The building at 157 Pine St. served the people of Springfield for generations as a fire station, before being retired from service 25 years ago and converted into 16 studio and one-bedroom apartments. Today it’s home to people with developmental disabilities who receive support services through MHA. During the conversion to apartments, the building’s heating system received some upgrades, but time has taken its toll. “Our facilities team has managed to keep the heating system afloat, but Band-Aid fixes can only do so much for so long,” said Kimberley Lee, vice president of Resource Development & Branding for MHA ...
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  Mentions: Springfield
5. ESE President and CEO, Eugene J. Cassidy, Elected Chairman of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions
  
  Explore From the EDC Jan 15 2021
  
  Eugene J. Cassidy, president and CEO of Eastern States Exposition, was elected Chairman of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) during the organization’s annual business meeting, conducted virtually Dec. 8, 2020. Cassidy said, “I am excited to be leading our trade association during this crucial, unprecedented time. We have recently embarked on the first year of a new decade, and with it, we will have new approaches to our business. We will find creative new ways to conduct our business and we will struggle through the end-days of this pandemic, carrying on with our missions intact, and ...
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  Mentions: West Springfield Western New England University Springfield
6. Springfield Water and Sewer Commission in line for $251M federal loan for major improvement projects
  
  Explore From the EDC Jan 15 2021
  
  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has invited the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission to apply for a $251 million low-interest loan for capital improvements including long-awaited upgrades to the West Parish Filters water treatment plant. The loan would save ratepayers approximately $60 million in borrowing costs over the next 20 years, said commission spokeswoman Jaimye Bartak.
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  Mentions: Springfield Westfield
7. Baystate, Boston children’s hospitals strengthen Western Massachusetts access to specialized pediatric care
  
  Explore From the EDC Jan 15 2021
  
  Dr. Charlotte Boney, who chairs the department of pediatrics at Baystate Children’s Hospital, was “over the moon” Thursday. Baystate Health had just announced it has formalized its long-term relationship with Boston Children’s Hospital to provide Western Massachusetts residents with easier access to highly specialized pediatric care in neurology, dermatology and other areas.
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  Mentions: University of Massachusetts Baystate Health Springfield
8. Tree House Brewing buys former Channing Bete headquarters in Deerfield; event space project announced in November
  
  Explore From the EDC Jan 15 2021
  
  Tree House Brewing Co. bought the former Channing Bete headquarters, manufacturing and warehouse space on Route 5 in South Deerfield for $4.25 million. The transaction, recorded Dec. 30 at the Franklin County Registry of Deeds, follows Tree House’ November announcement that it plans to open a tap room and more at the location sometime in the summer of 2021 depending on COVID-19 restrictions.
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9. New Study Finds Tax Policy Drives Connecticut’s Ongoing Fiscal & Economic Crisis
  
  Explore From the EDC Jan 14 2021
  
  Multiple rounds of tax increases aimed at high earners and corporations triggered an exodus from Connecticut of large employers and wealthy individuals, according to a new study published by Pioneer Institute.
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10. Economic bill offers greater Springfield small business and housing relief
  
  Explore From the EDC Jan 14 2021
  
  Small businesses in Greater Springfield and across the state of Massachusetts have been decimated by the 2020 economic crisis. Some small businesses and restaurants are in ‘hibernation’ to wait out the crisis and reopen sometime in the future while far too many have already permanently closed. Hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts citizens remain unemployed, renters are being evicted, and many homeowners are unable to pay their mortgage. The federal relief bill finally signed by President Trump is welcomed relief albeit not nearly enough.
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  Mentions: Springfield Holyoke MGM
Picture Gallery

Landmark at Monastery Heights sold for $11.9M to new entry in assisted living industry From the EDC

Chicopee’s McKinstry Market Garden to be replaced with bigger, better farm store From the EDC

Massachusetts casinos report stronger December revenue; MGM Springfield gross gambling revenue up $900K from November From the EDC

Going for a new PPP loan? SBA revises rules on employee and owner salaries, bonuses From the EDC

2020 Western Mass Developers 3D Virtual Conference From the EDC

2020 Western Mass Developers Conference Slated for Oct. 21 BusinessWest

2020 Virtual Western MA Developers Conference From the EDC

Entrepreneurs, college presidents, politicians discuss a better business collaboration between eastern and Western Massachusetts masslive.com

HCC Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series Returns Jan. 27 BusinessWest

Big Y Announces Third-generation D’Amour Family Appointments BusinessWest

BusinessTalk with Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Mass. Economic Development Council BusinessWest

Beveridge Family Foundation Donates $50,000 to MHA to Keep Residents Warm BusinessWest
Western Massachusetts- It's Your Move