Lee Bank Foundation Distributes $50,000 in Second Grant Funding Round of 2023
Lee Bank Foundation awarded $50,000 to 12 Berkshire area organizations for its second round of 2023 community funding. Recipients were awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support their local programming. The following organizations received funding from Lee Bank Foundation: Becket Athenaeum, Berkshire Bounty, Berkshire Center for Justice, Berkshire Children’s Chorus, Berkshire Community Diaper…
‘Beyond Walls’ murals bring vibrancy and art to Chicopee buildings
Beautifying cities across the state with art is the mission of one non-profit group that is working on a piece in Hampden County. If you head to downtown Chicopee, you may catch a glimpse of artists painting murals on buildings near Chicopee City Hall. They are sponsored by the organization ‘Beyond Walls.’ Polish artist, Bezt…
The Markens Group Takes the Lead in a Business No One Knows About
Support Network When Lauren Zuber started with the Markens Group just over two years ago, she understood that she would be working for “an association-management company.” But she noted that it took her quite some time to fully understand just what that meant, what this now 35-year-old venture does, and, just as importantly, how it…
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital to Open in Holyoke This Summer
Specialized Approach As Dr. Barry Sarvet surveys Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital a couple months before its opening, he’s excited about what he sees. “We are extremely excited to be providing a brand new, state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital facility for our communities in the Pioneer Valley,” said Sarvet, chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Baystate…
Pioneer Valley listed as one of the “most underrated destinations in the USA,” according to CNN Travel
The picturesque Pioneer Valley region has been recognized as one of the “most underrated destinations in the USA” by CNN Travel. An accolade that shines a spotlight on the scenic beauty, vibrant culture, and unique hidden experiences that await visitors in this hidden gem of New England. CNN Travel’s recent article titled “25 of the…
BusinessTalk with Hubert Benitez, president of American International College
Colleges are in many ways at a crossroads, emerging from the pandemic years but still battling long-term trends toward fewer applications and heightened competition. On the next installment of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar talks with Hubert Benitez, president of American International College, about that institution’s holistic approach to standing out in a crowd, one…
HCC Foundation Awards $304,000 in Student Scholarships for 2023-24
The Holyoke Community College Foundation awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to students for the 2023-24 academic year. This year, the HCC Foundation awarded 259 scholarships worth $304,125 to 249 incoming, current, and transferring HCC students. Many students received multiple scholarship awards. The HCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that works to advance the college’s mission,…
Town of Amherst, UMass Amherst Announce New Strategic Partnership Agreement
The town of Amherst and UMass Amherst announced a multi-year strategic partnership agreement recognizing the shared interests and responsibilities of the town and the university. The total value of university contributions to the town over the five-year agreement is $5.5 million, nearly double the university’s previous investment. “For the past decade, I have had the…
Block Art Studio to assist youth, entrepreneurs in Springfield
Block Art Studio, a Black-owned and operated art center that focuses on neighborhood youth and entrepreneurs, is coming to Springfield. While the studio is not slated to open until April 2024, recent grants were awarded to assist in its establishment. Block Art Studio Managing Director Jasper McCoy explained that the Love Art Collective Inc. received…
Governor Healey Appoints 7 New Members to Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Board of Directors
Today, Governor Maura T. Healey appointed Emme Handy, Aisha Miller, Carlos Aramayo, Meg Mainzer-Cohen, Sheena Collier, Gwill York, and Xiomara DeLobato to the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) Board of Directors. The new appointees bring a range of experiences and are majority women and People of Color. Emme Handy, a senior leader at the Broad…
The Mason Square TDI Partnership Announces – Mason Square TDI Activation Grant
The Mason Square Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Partnership, a collaboration of local organizations, businesses and residents committed to the equitable and sustainable growth of the Mason Square district, is thrilled to announce the launch of its Small Business Activation Grant Program. The program has received $200,000 in total funding from MassDevelopment and the MassMutual Foundation.…
Sourcepass Donates $50,000 to Chamber of Greater Easthampton’s WorkHub on Union
The Chamber of Greater Easthampton announced a significant contribution of $50,000 from Sourcepass towards its ambitious co-workspace project, WorkHub on Union. The donation will support the development of a vibrant and collaborative co-working space, providing valuable resources for entrepreneurs and businesses in the Greater Easthampton region. “We believe in the power of entrepreneurship and are…