Business Development

Art for the Soul Gallery will host a book signing with Springfield native and award-winning costume designer to celebrate the launch of her book, The Art of Ruth E. Carter: Costuming Black History and the Afrofuture, from Do the Right Thing to Black Panther. The free event will take place on Friday, Sept. 8 at…

Rob DelMastro began serving as the new regional director for the Western Regional Office in August 2023. Prior to this role, Rob worked as a senior business advisor at MSBDC Central Regional Office, starting in January 2021. Throughout his professional journey, Rob has been committed to establishing and managing small businesses. He has gained valuable…

Interested in design work, either interior or exterior? Holyoke Community College (HCC) has two non-credit classes starting soon that might interest you. “Residential Interior Design I” is a seven-week program that meets on Wednesday nights from Sept. 6 until Oct. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the HCC Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce…

Matt Tarlechi says many people assume that he found a home for his fledgling brewery and then attached a name that spoke to that location. Truth is, he and friends had long before settled on the name Abandoned Building for this venture — he’s from Philadelphia, and, apparently, there were a lot of abandoned buildings…

Some renovations are underway at Court Square in downtown Springfield. These new renovations include some improved lighting, new sidewalks, and restoration of the center fountain. There will also be new landscaping, drainage, and electrical systems. On top of that, there be a new bike and bus shelter and an event plaza. This is all part…

Once the 17 days of the Big E Fair begin, Gene Cassidy settles into a routine he’s followed for years now. His day starts early, with a few minutes in his office in the Brooks Building, before he gets into a golf cart and proceeds to his ‘other office’ in the Hampden County building. Along…

Revitalize Community Development Corporation (RCDC) will be holding a press conference on Wednesday to announce the purchase of a new office and kick off a Capital Campaign. This capital campaign is to support the construction of a new warehouse/distribution center at their site, according to a news release from RCDC. It will also help meet…

The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce announced the return of its 43rd annual A+ Awards celebration to be held on Thursday, Nov. 16 at the UMass Student Union Ballroom, celebrating “Rooted in Community” in recognition of the region’s agricultural roots. Each year, the chamber bestows A+ Awards to individuals and organizations that enrich the life…

The Emerald Cities Collaborative (ECC), in partnership with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) and the Western Mass Economic Development Council (EDC), is pleased to announce the launch of the Western Massachusetts E-Contractor Academy’s Fall 2023 curriculum. This innovative program aims to enhance the capacity of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) in climate-critical trades…

Invitation to Equity in the 413: Western Massachusetts Racial Equity Summit, a day-long convening that the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts has been developing with the Western Mass Economic Development Council and several local partners. Equity in the 413 will support relationship-building across several industry areas on the topic of equity in the workplace. Attendees…