Archive for September 2025

Community Spotlight Christal Russo acknowledged that Wilbraham hasn’t historically enjoyed a reputation for being ‘open for business,’ as communities like to say. And that’s understandable given its rural nature and status as one of the more desirable of Springfield’s bedroom communities. But it has always welcomed businesses that enhance the quality of life there and…

Sullivan came to the EDC as an already-seasoned leader in Massachusetts, and in his 11-year tenure, he focused on growing the organization and its influence with statewide leaders and policy makers. Programming has greatly expanded, and membership has doubled. “I’m proud of the work that we’ve done,” Sullivan said. “I’m always very mindful of the…

They’re calling it VVM 2.0. And that nickname for a new initiative called Innovate413 says a lot, said Paul Silva, who will be leading this effort to spark new, tech-based startups in the region, while not repeating some of the mistakes of the original VVM, Valley Venture Mentors. Chief among them is getting into the…

The Western Massachusetts Literacy Collaborative (WMLC) recently received a $190,000 Early Literacy Consortium (ELC) grant from the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The collaborative, through which local colleges and schools work together to address teacher preparation, boost student literacy, and enhance classroom practices, was created three years ago. It…

State Sen. Adam Gómez joined the Executive Office of Economic Development in announcing a grant award through the Community Workforce Partnerships Grant Program (CWP) for Springfield WORKS in the city of Springfield. This program is a re-imagining of the Urban Agenda grant, which supported local economic priorities and collective problem solving for 10 years. The…

The Springfield Thunderbirds enter their 10th season next month riding a series of highs — soaring attendance that has the team selling out the MassMutual Center on a regular basis and season ticket sales that have exceeded expectations, a robust program of community outreach, the opening of a new parking garage and event space outside…

As dignitaries gathered for a celebration of the recently opened Convention Center Carpark in downtown Springfield — and a ribbon cutting for the Landing, a neighboring plaza that will host gatherings, activities, and performances directly across Bruce Landon Way from the MassMutual Center — Nate Costa took it all in and considered what it means…

UMass Amherst and the Tech Foundry announced a new collaboration enabling staff and community members of the Springfield workforce development nonprofit to complete their undergraduate degrees through the university’s flexible, customizable online program. Tech Foundry members can take classes, receive academic counseling, and map their educational pathway through UMass Amherst’s University Without Walls Department of…

To explain why the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center and the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board merged their operations in July, Maura Geary first explained how the MassHire network is set up. “There are 16 workforce areas in the state of Massachusetts, and every area has one workforce board and at least one career center,”…

Work of Arts As he talks about Hope for Youth & Families (HYF), the foundation he created in 2022 after selling his Pride chain of gas stations and stores, Bob Bolduc will inevitably reference the “three legs of the stool,” as he puts it, meaning its main focus points. One is literacy, where the family…