U.S. Small Business Administration provides loan assistance following Longmeadow fire
The U.S. Small Business Administration is assisting businesses affected by the 4 alarm fire that happened in the Town of Longmeadow in late November. SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman made loans available in response to a letter from Governor Baker requesting a disaster declaration by the federal agency SBA. The loans are intended to assist through…
Pride Stores Owner Bob Bolduc Sells Chain to Arclight Capital Partners
Eight months after announcing plans to sell the chain, Pride Stores CEO Bob Bolduc announced a sale to Arclight Capital Partners. The 31 stores — with several more in development — will keep the Pride name, and the company’s customers and 525 employees will see little change in day-to-day operations, Bolduc told local news outlets,…
GCC merging downtown center with main campus
Greenfield Community College (GCC) is moving the GCC Downtown Center to the main campus. The GCC Foundation voted to sell the building at 270 Main Street in an effort to fund investments, scholarships, student life programs, and strategic initiatives. The move will also integrate programs and activities at one location, making them more convenient and…
Western New England University Again Earns Top National Rankings for Online Programs
In newly released rankings by U.S. News & World Report, Western New England University (WNE) was again recognized among the 2022 Best Online Programs. Among online MBA Programs, WNE made significant gains, jumping 71 places and ranking 153rd (up from 224th in 2021); among Online Graduate Business Programs (Non-MBA), the university ranked 110th (up from…
State Treasurer, Citizens Launch Worth and Wealth Seminars to Empower Women
State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg’s Office of Economic Empowerment and Citizens have launched registration for their new Worth and Wealth Seminars. These free virtual trainings will equip Massachusetts women with financial skills and knowledge to build confidence in their economic futures. Participants can choose to enroll in one of the two English-speaking sessions taking place in…
STCC partners with AMR to offer EMT training
In partnership with American Medical Response Inc. (AMR), Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will offer a free EMT training course starting Tuesday. “The workforce right now is hurting for EMTs and paramedics so it benefits AMR not only to sponsor students to become EMTs but then in return, they work for us when they become…
State legislature to address “Cliff Effect” and impact on low income families
The state legislature is working on a bill that would help families rely less on public assistance programs. Senator Eric Lesser held a Facebook LIVE interview on Monday to discuss this legislation and its impact on the CLIFF EFFECT. The Cliff Effect occurs when a family’s income increases enough that they lose eligibility for public…
Western New England University Debuts Oscar Sort Intuitive Trash Robot
Western New England University (WNE) is the first U.S. institution of higher education to feature Oscar Sort, an AI-driven, intuitive, trash-sorting robot. This intuitive robot educates the campus community at the point of recycling and disposal and helps them to better understand how waste is measured, reduced, and eventually eliminated. Oscar Sort is a signature…
BusinessTalk with Cheryl Malandrinos, president of the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley
On this installment of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively, wide-ranging discussion with Cheryl Malandrinos, president of the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley. The two talk about the still white-hot housing market in the region and the forces behind it — everything from soaring demand to historically low levels of inventory. She also offers her…
MassDevelopment’s $106.7 Million Bond Catapults Springfield College Projects
MassDevelopment has issued a $106,675,000 tax-exempt bond on behalf of Springfield College, which will use proceeds to fund several capital projects. The college will use $45,095,000 to build and equip a new environmentally friendly and sustainable, 76,000-square-foot health sciences building; this portion of the financing received the Green Bond designation by Kestrel Verifiers, which are…
Baker-Polito administration awards grant money to MassDEP to improve air quality
The Baker-Polito Administration is awarding grant money to MassDEP to help improve air quality. 22News found out what the money will be used for. The money will be used to provide air sensors to communities all across the state. 292 sensors will be given to 39 communities across the state including a number of cities…
HCC Spring Women’s Leadership Series Begins Jan. 26
Holyoke Community College (HCC) will begin its spring 2022 Women’s Leadership Series on Wednesday, Jan. 26 with Dawn DiStefano, president and CEO of Square One in Springfield, who will give a presentation titled “What’s the Worst That Can Happen?” All sessions run from noon to 1 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month over…