EDC WELCOMES NEW BOARD CHAIR – TRICIA CANAVAN
The Economic Development Council of Western Mass (EDC) recently held its 2021 Annual Meeting at the Student Prince/Fort Restaurant in downtown Springfield. The in person meeting was a statement by the region’s business community that Western Mass is open for business. The highlight of the meeting was a heartfelt goodbye to outgoing Chair, Kevin Vann,…
EDC BOARD CHAIR, KEVIN VANN BIDS FAREWELL
The Economic Development Council of Western Mass (EDC) recently held its 2021 Annual Meeting at the Student Prince/Fort Restaurant in downtown Springfield. The in person meeting was a statement by the region’s business community that Western Mass is open for business. The highlight of the meeting was a heartfelt goodbye to outgoing Chair, Kevin Vann,…
Holyoke Mall Welcomes New General Manager
On July 12, Holyoke Mall welcomed Lynn Gray back to the shopping center as its new general manager. She brings more than 25 years of experience in the shopping-center industry. She has held various roles over her combined tenure with Pyramid Management Group, including customer service representative, receptionist, Marketing assistant, assistant Marketing director, Marketing director,…
Greenfield Makes Pitch as Destination for Remote Workers
At a recent briefing about potential east-west passenger rail service through Greenfield, state Sen. Adam Hinds talked about how infrastructure investments — not just in rail, but in broadband access and other realms — feels like a “build it and they will come” moment. “We’re keenly aware we are in a critical transition, a moment…
East-west Rail Along Route 2 Could Reap Myriad Benefits
While a proposed east-west rail line between Pittsfield and Boston has gotten most of the train-related press recently, another proposal, to incorporate passenger rail service on existing freight lines between North Adams and Boston, has gained considerable momentum, with a comprehensive, 18-month study on the issue set to launch. Not only would it return a…
Dr. Ann Errichetti joins Bay Path University as Associate Provost and Dean, School of Education, Human and Health Sciences
Bay Path University is pleased to announce Dr. Ann Errichetti has been appointed Associate Provost and Dean, School of Education, Human and Health Services and will begin her role on August 23, 2021. Dr. Ann Errichetti returned to New England in the summer of 2018, after successful careers in health care management and in cardiology.…
Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley August Sessions Open
The Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley (HRIPV) has announced the return of its in-person programming with space available for its August two-day signature HealingRacism trainings on Monday, August 16 and Tuesday, August 17; and on Thursday, August 19 and Friday August 20. Dates were also released for HRIPV’s new virtual seminars,currently underway.Sessions are 8:30…
Baker-Polito Administration to Invest $186 Million in Federal COVID-19 Funding for Critical Health Care and Workforce Priorities
The Baker-Polito Administration today announced it will invest $186 million of the Commonwealth’s direct federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) toward critical priorities including support for hospitals, health and human services, mental health, and workforce development. Utilizing these federal resources now will help further the Commonwealth’s economic recovery and provide relief for…
BusinessTalk with Massachusetts State Sen. Eric Lesser
George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Massachusetts State Sen. Eric Lesser, one of five finalists for BusinessWest’s coveted 40 Under Forty Alumni Achievement Award. The two tackle a wide range of topics, including high-speed rail, the new Future of Work Commission Lesser now sits on, and redistricting and what it might mean for Springfield…
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Available to Older Adults
As of July 4, more than 34,000 Massachusetts households have enrolled in the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages communities working to become age- and dementia-friendly to raise awareness about this program to help connect older…
Public Art to Be Installed in Pynchon Plaza
The Springfield Museums and Springfield Cultural Partnership announced the artists chosen to augment the newly renovated Pynchon Plaza. The SPark! Igniting Our Community call resulted in many quality applications. “We were very excited about the strength of the applications to participate in the public art program in Pynchon Park,” said Karen Finn, executive director of…
Massachusetts Unemployment & Job Estimates for June
The state’s total unemployment rate in June was down one-tenth of a percentage point at 4.9% following a revision to the May unemployment rate to 5.0%, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has revised its model to better capture the effect of the pandemic, resulting in…