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. Gateway City Innovation Awards & Summit
  
  Explore From the EDC Nov 8 2019 by Dr. Tracy Corley
  
  MassINC is getting ready for its Seventh Annual Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Summit and Awards. This year’s theme focuses on catalyzing transformative transit oriented development in our Gateway Cities. The event will be held on November 20th at the DCU Center in Worcester. Please see the attached program for full details and a list of honorees.
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2. What is YOUR VISION for the future of Valley Venture Mentors?
  
  Explore From the EDC Oct 22 2019 Entrepreneurship by Kristin Leutz
  
  Valley Venture Mentors, a Springfield based nonprofit resource center for entrepreneurs and startups, is engaged in a planning process to transition from our Current to Future State.
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3. Opportunity Zone Presentation
  
  Explore From the EDC Oct 10 2019 Business Development by Brian Connors
  
  Opportunity Zone Presentation by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Advisor to the Assistant Deputy Secretary Alexander Stowe.
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4. Rosie Robotics of Agawam Fundraiser
  
  Explore From the EDC Sep 26 2019 by Kristin Maier Carlson
  
  On October 9 from 6-9 pm at Agawam Axe House, we will be holding a fundraiser for Rosie Robotics of Agawam in the form of Axe Throwing! If you haven’t had the pleasure of throwing axes, it is a lot of fun and a great stress reliever! Rosie Robotics has gotten Mayor Sapelli of Agawam, Mayor Reichelt of West Springfield and The Agawam Axe House Summer League Champ Brandon Simmons all to participate as the “celebrities.” Plus some surprise throwers from what they have told me.
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Western Massachusetts Business News
1. Free ‘Get on Board!’ Event to Connect Nonprofit Boards with Potential Volunteers
  
  Explore BusinessWest 15 hours, 42 min ago
  
  For people seeking greater community engagement and for nonprofit boards hoping to add fresh talent and diversity to their membership, the sixth biennial “Get On Board!” event happening Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Basketball Hall of Fame offers an opportunity to accomplish both goals. OnBoard is a volunteer-led nonprofit that connects talented individuals with organizations seeking to increase diversity on their boards and committees by expanding their governance capacity and enlisting women, people of color, and other underrepresented populations.
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2. Nominations Sought For Difference Makers Award
  
  Explore BusinessWest 15 hours, 42 min ago
  
  Eleven years ago, BusinessWest created a new recognition program called Difference Makers. That carefully chosen name sums up what this initiative is all about — identifying and then celebrating individuals, groups, and agencies in this region that are making a difference in our communities. And now, it’s time to nominate candidates for the class of 2020.
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3. Springfield tax levy set at $216.3M; rates to be determined
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 20 2019
  
  The city’s tax levy — the total amount of real estate and personal property taxes it expects to bill in the current fiscal year — will be $216.3 million. That’s up from $205.3 million last year, said Springfield Assessor Richard J. Allen. The 5.4% increase is driven by a $5.9 million jump in the total value of all the real estate and taxable personal property in Springfield, including business and industrial equipment and tools, Allen said.
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4. Deborah Bitsoli named president of Mercy Medical Center and affiliates
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 19 2019 Health Care
  
  Deborah Bitsoli has been named president of Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates, effective Dec. 2. “Deborah is a respected, visionary leader with extensive experience in health care operations. Her dedication to our Mission and tremendous enthusiasm, in combination with her focus on quality, safety and growth, will serve Mercy and the greater Springfield community well,” Paul Mancinone, the hospital’s board chairman, said in an announcement.
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5. United Personnel Named Among Top 100 Women-led Businesses In Massachusetts
  
  Explore BusinessWest Nov 19 2019 Workforce
  
  United Personnel announced it has been named one of the top 100 women-led businesses in Massachusetts by the Commonwealth Institute, a nonprofit that supports female business owners. The list, published in the Boston Globe, was developed based on revenue, number of full-time employees in the state, team diversity, and innovation. The rankings feature a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, business services, healthcare, education, human services, and retail. United Personnel was number 75 on the list, and was one of only two companies based in Western Mass. represented.
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6. Wilbraham Looks to Revive Key Parts of Town - BusinessWest
  
  Explore BusinessWest Nov 19 2019
  
  Revival by its very definition suggests an improvement in the condition or strength of something. It means giving new life to what already exists, an upgrade of sorts. This is what elected officials in Wilbraham plan to do in several places around town, for a number of reasons. One of the most valuable assets the town of Wilbraham has to offer both residents and visitors is the array of businesses and attractions on Route 20, and Jeff Smith says that artery is getting a serious upgrade.
  
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7. Breakthrough Worship Center opens at former Melha Shriners building in Springfield
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 18 2019
  
  Breakthrough Worship Center plans to show off its new location at the former Melha Shrine Center on 133 Longhill St. with a ribbon cutting ceremony Sunday, Nov. 24, at 10:30 a.m. "The BWC community is excited about the grand opening of this building as it will allow us to expand our ministry to the Lord and add more activities that will serve the community we live in, said Pastor Dmitriy Mozolevskiy in a news release.
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8. ‘We just don’t think it is fair’: Businesses speak out ahead of annual Springfield commercial vs. residential tax argument
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 17 2019
  
  Springfield officials are deciding how much of the city’s property tax levy — the total amount in taxes it will bill for the fiscal year — will be paid by owners of residential property and how much will be paid by businesses. The city relies on money from taxes on residential property and from businesses in taxes on commercial property, industrial property and what’s called “personal property” owned by businesses, such as tools and equipment.
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9. Springfield office buildings, including landmark at State and Main streets, don’t sell at auction; now in hands of mortgage lender
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 15 2019
  
  Three downtown office buildings — including a copper-towered landmark at the corner of State and Main streets — failed to attract minimum bids at a foreclosure auction Friday afternoon. Instead, the office buildings passed into the hands of mortgage lender Freedom Credit Union.
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10. Legion Paper plans distribution hub at former Canson Paper plant in South Hadley
  
  Explore masslive.com Nov 15 2019 Paper Manufacturing
  
  Legion Paper announced this week that it has opened a new distribution center for its fine art paper business at the former Canson paper converting plant at 21 Industrial Drive. Canson Inc., a maker of fine papers for art and photo printing, closed its plant and laid off 67 people earlier this year as operations were consolidated in Wisconsin. Canson’s owners — Italian conglomerate Fabbrica Italiana Lapis ed Affini S.p.A., or FILA — purchased Pacon Corp. of Wisconsin in 2018.
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Picture Gallery

Gateway City Innovation Awards & Summit From the EDC

What is YOUR VISION for the future of Valley Venture Mentors? From the EDC

Opportunity Zone Presentation From the EDC

Rosie Robotics of Agawam Fundraiser 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

Free ‘Get on Board!’ Event to Connect Nonprofit Boards with Potential Volunteers BusinessWest

Nominations Sought For Difference Makers Award BusinessWest

Springfield tax levy set at $216.3M; rates to be determined masslive.com

Deborah Bitsoli named president of Mercy Medical Center and affiliates masslive.com
Western Massachusetts- It's Your Move