Even Without Race-based Admissions, Colleges Aim to Cultivate Diversity
Harry Dumay said he was disappointed, though perhaps not surprised, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the use of race-based criteria in college admissions on June 29. At the same time, he said the ruling wouldn’t change anything at Elms College, where he serves as president. “We do not use race-conscious policies in admissions,”…
Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation Issues Flood-relief Checks to Farmers
When the extent of the mid-July flood devastation on local farms in the Connecticut River Valley became evident, philanthropist Harold Grinspoon swiftly pledged $50,000 toward their relief. Joined by PeoplesBank, Chick and Audrey Taylor, and others, the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation has now distributed flood-relief checks to 50 farmers impacted by the floods. “Farmers are…
Baystate Health CEO Dr. Mark Keroack Announces Plans to Retire in July 2024
Dr. Mark Keroack announced his plan to retire as Baystate Health CEO in July 2024 after 10 years of leadership of the region’s primary health system. The board of trustees will launch a national search for his successor. “It has been and continues to be the privilege of a lifetime to serve as CEO of…
Cabotville Mill in Chicopee to be auctioned
Plans to renovate the Cabotville Mill property in Chicopee are heading in a new direction with the building now going up for auction. The Cabotville Mill building located at 165 Front Street will be auctioned off virtually next week between August 7th and 9th. Current property owner, Silverbrook Group LLC, had previous plans to transform…
Presentations at Gary Rome Hyundai & Baystate Health Foundation
On July 31, 2023, Hyundai Hope donated to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts ($10,000) and the Thrive Center of Holyoke Community College ($5,000), two local food sources combatting food insecurity in the greater Holyoke, Massachusetts area. They also made a donation to Baystate Health Foundation ($15,000). All donations were made as part of the…
31 days of free Massachusetts museums throughout August
The Highland Street Foundation will be offering free admission museums, zoos and educational centers throughout the month of August, including some right here in western Massachusetts. Local museums such as the Berkshire Museums, Historic Deerfield, Holyoke Children’s Museum and the Zoo at Forest Park are included in the list of places with free admission for…
PVPC Secures $500,000 for Regional Assessment and Cleanup Plan for Polluted Parcels
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently issued grants to organizations across Massachusetts to assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse contaminated properties. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) — the state-designated regional planning agency for the 43 cities and towns of Hampden and Hampshire counties — received $500,000 to carry out environmental-assessment and remediation-planning activities…
Greenfield Welcomes Amy Cahillane as Community and Economic Development Director
Former Downtown Northampton Assoc. Executive Director Amy Cahillane will begin as Greenfield’s new Community and Economic Development director today, July 31. She will be replacing MJ Adams, who retired in April. Cahillane graduated from Smith College in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in government. She then earned her juris doctorate in 1999 at Suffolk University…
$56.6M spent by Springfield visitors at MassMutual Center events
Downtown Springfield hosted several major events with hundreds of thousands of people boosting the local economy. In a news release sent to 22News from Jen Bryan at MassMutual Center, the events held in Fiscal Year 2023 (July 2022 through June 2023) brought an economic impact of an estimated $56.6 million to restaurants, bars, hotels, parking…
BusinessTalk with Chikmedia’s Meghan Rothschild
Even with a strong background in marketing, Meghan Rothschild had reservations about launching her own business. But once she took the leap in 2013, she had plenty of confidence in her vision for the company: one of fierceness, attitude, and constant learning in the service of helping clients — many of them women business owners…
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce brings business community together for “After Hours”
The business community in Franklin County using their time after hours this Wednesday evening to network and discuss the latest in their sector. A large turnout in Bernardston, with more than 200 people attending ‘After Hours’, the monthly event hosted by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. The meet-up took place at the newly reopened…
WMDC Executive Director Michael Bolton retires after 36 years of service
Longtime Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation (WMDC) top executive will officially retire at the end of this month. The building of the Westover Municipal Airport, along with fueling the economic success of the surrounding industrial park, are just a few of Michael Bolton’s career highlights. The contributions Bolton has made to the Westover and Chicopee community…