Business Development
Food Processing Center Gives Clients the Right Ingredients
Launched in 2001, the Western MA Food Processing Center in Greenfield has become a powerful engine when it comes to economic development in Franklin County and beyond. The WMFPC has been instrumental in helping farmers and other food and beverage entrepreneurs to grow organically — in every sense. Caroline Pam gave the jar a half-turn. …
Read MoreBusinesses pledge $400K toward Springfield ‘image campaign,’ pending city’s contribution
A top economic development official told city councilors this week the business community is ready to contribute $400,000 toward a $1 million “image campaign” to promote Springfield if the city contributes $100,000. In addition, Richard K. Sullivan Jr., president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts, said he expects that combined total…
Read MoreSneak peek inside new $19.9 million Live 155 complex on Pleasant Street in Northampton (photos, video)
Way Finders, the Springfield-based housing agency that used to be HAPHousing, aimed for a niche market when it built Live 155, its new apartment building at the former Northampton Lodging site at 155 Pleasant St. And they’ve apparently hit that target, said Peter Serafino, project manager for Way Finders. Tenants have already claimed the 47…
Read MoreGreentown Initiative Links Startups with Manufacturers
Adam Rodrigues, manufacturing fellow with Greentown labs, says his job description can be smashed down to two words: Making matches. That would be matches between startups across the state, and especially those within the 413, and manufacturers in Western Mass. that can help bring a concept to the marketplace. He’s already made several of these…
Read MoreThere’s Certainly Growing Interest in Holyoke
Marcos Marrero says that if one were to have a machine running an optimization algorithm that would weigh a host of quantitative and qualitative factors to ultimately determine the very best spot in the region — and maybe the country — to locate a marijuana cultivation and distribution facility, it would, when done with its…
Read MoreMGM Springfield unveils further details of $960 million casino project, requests an extra year to develop housing at Elm Street property
MGM Springfield unveiled new details and some changes being proposed at its $960 million casino on Thursday, ranging from its plans for a free downtown shuttle bus system to a desire to have more table games and fewer slot machines to address millennial customer preference. The details were shared with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission at…
Read MoreThornes Marketplace to Renovate Front Entrance on Main Street
Thornes Marketplace will begin a major renovation of its front entrance on Main Street the first week in April to make practical improvements as well as aesthetic ones that are historically accurate. Richard Madowitz, Thornes owner and property manager, stressed that work on the entryway — one of the last phases of a multi-year capital-improvement…
Read MoreDietz & Co. Architects on ground floor of new Springfield
It makes perfect sense that Dietz & Co. Architects – a firm specializing in historic restoration – would become the first tenant to sign a lease for office space in the $92 million renovation of the long-derelict and dilapidated building. Founded in 1985 by Kerry L Dietz, the firm has made a name for itself…
Read MoreMass. Gov. Charlie Baker proposes $610 million economic development bill, including…
Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday filed a $610 million economic development bill. The bill includes a potpourri of initiatives meant to encourage local economic development projects, help coastal communities, and incentivize business hiring. The bill would also create a permanent sales tax holiday in Massachusetts. “This bill seeks to grow the economy for all regions…
Read More‘The Year of the New Springfield’ Is Underway
To say projects are coming to fruition in Springfield is a bit of an understatement these days, with a $950 million casino opening downtown in September, following right on the heels of the $90 million Union Station renovation and the $95 million CRRC MA plant on the former Westinghouse site, which is expected to begin…
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