Posts by DIFDESIGN
First Round of Grants Announced for Amherst Businesses
AMHERST — The Downtown Amherst Foundation’s grant review committee has selected the successful applicants from the first grant-giving cycle with businesses representative of several sectors, including restaurants and cafés, bars and pubs, retail establishments, and services. Nearly $150,000 was awarded to businesses in amounts up to $10,000. Read the source article at BusinessWest
Read MoreDavis Foundation Names Paul Belsito New Executive Director
The directors of the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation announced the appointment of Paul Belsito as executive director of the foundation, succeeding Mary Walachy, who has served in the position for the past 23 years. Belsito will begin his new role on June 1. Belsito most recently worked for the Hanover Insurance Group…
Read MoreInterscape Donates Over $20,000 Worth of Furniture to Charitable Organizations
Interscape Commercial Environments welcomed the new year by teaming up and donating over $20,000 worth of furniture to 2 local charities. One of the charities chosen was The Hole in the Wall Gang, a camp that was founded by Paul Newman to provide opportunities for children with serious illnesses. The other local charity was Journey…
Read MorePioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards Presented to 113 Educators
School districts across the region participated in a rigorous process to select the winners of the 2020 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards. The program, which is in its 18th year, celebrates outstanding educators who make a significant impact on their colleagues and school community. This past winter, the announcements were made in surprise visits…
Read MoreGo Fresh Mobile Farmer’s Market Pivots to Emergency Food Distribution
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Go Fresh Mobile Farmer’s Market project has pivoted to providing free fresh-produce boxes to older adults at housing and senior-center locations in Springfield. Funded by the Trinity Health Transforming Communities Initiative, Tufts Health Plan Foundation, Beveridge Family Foundation, and Health New England, the Go Fresh emergency food-distribution program is a…
Read MoreGov. Charlie Baker Details First Phase of Economic Reopening
Today, the Baker-Polito administration released “Reopening Massachusetts,” the Reopening Advisory Board’s report, which details a four-phased strategy to responsibly reopen businesses and activities while continuing to fight COVID-19. The Administration also released a new “Safer at Home” advisory, which instructs residents to stay at home unless engaging with newly opened activities, as a way to…
Read MoreMassachusetts restaurants may open as early as June, state officials announce
Restaurants will not be among the first industries to reopen in Massachusetts. Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced Monday the state’s four-phase approach to restarting the Massachusetts economy following the two-month shutdown of all non-essential businesses. Restaurants will be part of the second phase in Baker’s four-phase plan. Phase two, according to…
Read MoreUnited Way of Pioneer Valley’s Project Toybox Donates 1,000 Toys
To help relieve the boredom of Hampden County’s children during a difficult time, the United Way of Pioneer Valley has partnered with numerous community organizations to deliver more than 1,000 educational, age-appropriate to families hit hard by COVID-19. The United Way’s Joe Mina moves a pallet of donated toys. Thanks to its partnership with Good360,…
Read MorePhase one of Massachusetts’ coronavirus reopening plan includes places of worship, construction and manufacturing – masslive.com
A portion of the Massachusetts reopening plan has been revealed ahead of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s planned announcement Monday. MassLive has learned that places of worship, construction and manufacturing will be among the first to reopen. The plan was discussed with city and town leaders on Sunday. More details are expected to be shared by…
Read More‘More closed storefronts and an economically depressed downtown’: Coronavirus pandemic causes concern about future of Northampton businesses
Tim Fisk, owner of Salon Herdis, Northampton, was expecting to make more than $1 million in revenue this year – that is, until the coronavirus pandemic hit. Now, the Pioneer Valley salon owner, who has lost roughly $22,000 per week in revenue due to the public health crisis, is forecasting a 20% to 25% decrease…
Read More