Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council

Featured News
1. Baystate Health Awards $1 Million in Better Together Grants
  
  Explore BusinessWest Apr 15 2022
  
  Baystate Health has awarded $1 million in Better Together Grants to five community initiatives with partner organizations as part of its Community Benefits Program.  “Baystate Health is proud to invest our Determination of Need (DoN) Community Health Initiative (CHI) funding in the communities served by our four hospitals. It is an honor to partner with these very deserving local non-profit organizations over the next three years,” said Annamarie Golden, director, Community Relations for Baystate Health
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  Mentions: Baystate Health Springfield
2. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Moves Closer to a New Home
  
  Explore BusinessWest Apr 11 2022
  
  While it manages an impressive flow of food from numerous sources to the people who need it most, in recent years, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has been doing that job in a space that’s not sufficient for the work. That will change with the opening, in 2023, of a new headquarters in Chicopee that will more than double the organization’s space and allow it to serve more people with more food and more nutrition and educations — in effect, expanding the menu of what’s possible at a time when the need is great.
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  Mentions: Chicopee
3. Now Part of the Edc, Vvm Continues to Evolve and Grow
  
  Explore BusinessWest Apr 11 2022 Business Development , Entrepreneurship
  
  Valley Venture Mentors has long had a singular but multi-faceted mission — to promote entrepreneurship in the region and provide various forms of assistance to help business owners take their venture to the next stage. Through a new and broader affiliation with the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, the agency has an opportunity to become, in the words of its director, even more of an advocate, a champion, and a “convener” within the region’s broad, and growing, entrepreneurship ecosystem.
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  Mentions: University of Massachusetts Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Berkshire Bank
4. Program launches to help small businesses in Springfield
  
  Explore WWLP 22 News Springfield Mar 1 2022 Entrepreneurship
  
  A business development program aimed at small business owners started Tuesday in Springfield. More than 20 percent of small businesses fail in their first year and nearly half within the first five but through this program entrepreneurs receive help. “Rise Up Springfield” is a partnership between the City of Springfield’s Office of Planning and Economic Development, Valley Venture Mentors, and Interise.
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  Mentions: Springfield Valley Venture Mentors
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From the EDC
1. Hyundai Hope and Gary Rome Hyundai Donate $25,000 to Combat Hunger at Dealership's 25th Anniversary Celebration
  
  Explore From the EDC May 18 2022 by Dara Davignon
  
  Hyundai Motor America’s corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, and Gary Rome Hyundai recently donated a total of $25,000 to two local food banks in Holyoke, Massachusetts to combat food insecurity in the surrounding communities during Gary Rome Hyundai’s 25^th anniversary celebration. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts received $10,000 and the Thrive Center of Holyoke Community College received a $5,000 donation from Hyundai Hope. Gary Rome Hyundai donated an additional $5,000 dollars to the Thrive Center of Holyoke Community College and two lucky guests received $2,500 each to donate towards the ...
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  Mentions: Holyoke Community College Holyoke
2. Celebration of Life - William J. Wagner
  
  Explore From the EDC May 6 2022 by Rick Sullivan
  
  Please Join Us for A "Celebration of Life'
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  Mentions: West Springfield Springfield Eastern States Exposition
3. Western Mass Universities to host Massachusetts STEM Summit 2022
  
  Explore From the EDC Apr 26 2022
  
  Westfield State University and the UMass Amherst Donahue Institute to host the Western Mass locations for the Massachusetts STEM Summit 2022, held on Thursday, April 28, 2022.
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  Mentions: University of Massachusetts Westfield State University Amherst
4. Baker-Polito Administration Announces $120 Million Investment in Public Colleges and Universities to Modernize Buildings to Further STEM
  
  Explore From the EDC Apr 15 2022 by Terry Maccormack
  
  The Baker-Polito Administration today announced investments totaling more than $120 million to four public colleges and universities to renovate and expand campus facilities that further students’ skills in STEM fields. Salem State University, Massasoit Community College, Springfield Technical Community College, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell will each receive $30 million for major capital projects that will modernize campus facilities to support STEM instruction and expand the number of skilled workers in key STEM occupations in the Commonwealth.
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  Mentions: University of Massachusetts Springfield Technical Community College Springfield
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Western Massachusetts Business News
1. For Landscapers, Growth Opportunities Mix with Persistent Challenges - BusinessWest
  
  Explore BusinessWest May 19 2022
  
  For area landscapers, the pandemic created a boom in business as consumers working at home and unable to go on vacations decided to improve their surroundings and invested accordingly. There is still some of that going on, but noticeably less, with consumers enjoying more spending options, while also experiencing considerable anxiety over sky-high inflation. While there is still plenty of work, landscapers confront a host of challenges, from workforce issues to shortages of materials to soaring gas prices.
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2. UMass System Research Hits $752 Million
  
  Explore BusinessWest May 19 2022
  
  The five-campus University of Massachusetts system research enterprise grew to $752 million in fiscal year 2021, compared to a previous high of $687 million set in 2020. “Research is a critical component of the UMass mission,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “The discoveries being made on each of our campuses today will power the Massachusetts innovation economy of tomorrow while confronting challenges ranging from public health to climate change.”
  
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3. Invitation-only 40 Under Forty Meet-and-Greet Event Slated for Friday
  
  Explore BusinessWest May 19 2022
  
  Mercedes Benz of Springfield will host a meet-and-greet event Friday for members of BusinessWest’s Forty Under Class of 2022 — as well as the alumni of the 15 previous classes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el0wDEuYbWU The festivities, which will include food and beverages provided by Log Rolling Catering, begin at 5 p.m. with a networking hour for members of the Class of 2022, which was introduced in BusinessWest’s May 2 edition: https://businesswest.com/issues/may-2-2022/#p=1.
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  Mentions: Springfield
4. United Way of Pioneer Valley to Stage 100th Anniversary Luncheon
  
  Explore BusinessWest May 18 2022
  
  In honor of its 100th anniversary, United Way of Pioneer Valley will be recognizing area businesses at a luncheon to take place on June 2, from noon to 2 p.m., at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel. The luncheon will serve as a thank-you to the businesses and individuals of Pioneer Valley who have helped United Way fulfill its mission to serve the Commonwealth through services like feeding the hungry, youth development programs, mental health and substance use treatment, and more. Awards will go to the following companies and individuals:
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  Mentions: Big Y Foods MassMutual Springfield
5. Marcus Camby, White Lion Expand Partnership
  
  Explore BusinessWest May 18 2022
  
  In January, UMass and NBA star Marcus Camby and Springfield’s White Lion Brewing Company formed a strategic partnership and launched Marcus Camby New England IPA. This fall, Camby and the team at White Lion will focus efforts on downtown Amherst, bringing White Lion’s strong community culture to the greater Amherst community. “Our brand is built on the community’s fabric, creating a diverse, inclusive, and fun place to be in downtown Springfield,” said White Lion Brewing Company business partner and head brewer Mike Yates. “We look to replicate much of that exciting vibe in downtown Amherst. As a ...
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  Mentions: University of Massachusetts Springfield Amherst
6. I Found Light Against All Odds teams up with Monson Savings Bank for Build-a-Bike event
  
  Explore WWLP 22 News Springfield May 18 2022 Financial Services
  
  10 lucky children will be pedaling their brand new bikes home Tuesday evening. I Found Light Against All Odds teamed up with Monson Savings Bank for a Build-a-Bike event. This fun and exciting event will benefit 10 children from the Springfield Housing Authority. “I just so happy for the kids and the families here in the Springfield housing authority and I’m just so proud to see the kids smile and be kids on this beautiful day,” said Stefan Davis of I Found Light Against All Odds.
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  Mentions: Springfield Monson Savings Bank
7. Successful Food Product Development for New Food Businesses Virtual Course Tickets, Wed, Jun 22, 2022 at 9:00 AM
  
  Explore Eventbrite May 17 2022
  
  Eventbrite - CommonWealth Kitchen presents Successful Food Product Development for New Food Businesses Virtual Course - Wednesday, June 22, 2022 | Thursday, June 23, 2022 - Find event and ticket information.
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8. Paradise City Arts Returns with Spring Festival on Memorial Day Weekend
  
  Explore BusinessWest May 17 2022 Tourism
  
  Paradise City Arts is back again with its festival “Springtime in Paradise” on Memorial Day weekend. A collection of 220 artists and creators from 15 different states will be present at the three-day festival to show and sell original works in ceramics, painting, furniture, jewelry, and more.
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  Mentions: Northampton
9. STCC's College for Kids will offer youth programs for summer
  
  Explore WWLP 22 News Springfield May 17 2022
  
  Students between the ages of 11 and 16 can take part in fun STEM programs at Springfield Technical Community College this summer. Tweens and teens can take part in College for Kids at STCC and learn subjects such as public speaking, basketball, physics, acting, coding, and more. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs will also be available at STCC.
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  Mentions: Springfield Technical Community College Springfield
10. Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau hosts 25th annual Howdy Awards
  
  Explore WWLP 22 News Springfield May 17 2022 Tourism
  
  The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted their 25th annual Howdy Awards. Monday night’s event was the first in-person award ceremony GSCVB has had since the beginning of the pandemic, and they honored 10 different awardees in hospitality in western Mass. “We have close to 350 people here tonight we were ready to come back and we were ready to honor these folks,” said Michael Hurwit, Chairman of the Howdy Committee.
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  Mentions: Springfield Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau
Picture Gallery

Hyundai Hope and Gary Rome Hyundai Donate $25,000 to Combat Hunger at Dealership's 25th Anniversary Celebration From the EDC

Celebration of Life - William J. Wagner From the EDC

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $120 Million Investment in Public Colleges and Universities to Modernize Buildings to Further STEM From the EDC

Baystate Health Awards $1 Million in Better Together Grants BusinessWest

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Moves Closer to a New Home BusinessWest

Now Part of the Edc, Vvm Continues to Evolve and Grow BusinessWest

Program launches to help small businesses in Springfield WWLP 22 News Springfield

For Landscapers, Growth Opportunities Mix with Persistent Challenges - BusinessWest BusinessWest

UMass System Research Hits $752 Million BusinessWest

Invitation-only 40 Under Forty Meet-and-Greet Event Slated for Friday BusinessWest

United Way of Pioneer Valley to Stage 100th Anniversary Luncheon BusinessWest

Marcus Camby, White Lion Expand Partnership BusinessWest
Western Massachusetts- It's Your Move