Tighe & Bond Continues Impressive Trajectory
To say Tighe & Bond is a growing company would be an understatement. From 2006 to 2016, the Westfield-based engineering firm increased its workforce from 170 to 270, but since then, the tally has expanded to 450, due to a combination of geographic expansion across the Northeast, enhancements to specialized services, and organic growth. “We…
Big Y’s Downtown Springfield Project Is a Different Kind of Venture
Big Y Foods will soon begin the process of transforming the former CVS location in Tower Square into its latest market. The chain has been operating for nearly 80 years now and has expanded its footprint well beyond its roots at that now-famous intersection in Chicopee where the converging roads formed a ‘Y.’ But this…
New Downtown Mural Connects Springfield’s History with Its Future
Khali Hernandez descended the wall, stood back, and reflected on his long day’s work. “This mural is more than just a mural because of the things that are associated and attached to it,” said Hernandez, a local painter who got involved with the mural painting at 241 Worthington St., facing Stearns Square. “A big part…
Springfield’s Puzzle Pieces Are Coming Together
‘Good traffic.’ That’s the phrase used by Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno — who acknowledged that it is somewhat of an oxymoron — to describe traffic that is, well, positive in nature. This would be traffic generated by vibrancy, by people coming into a city from somewhere else; traffic indicative of progress, as opposed to insufficient…
Affordable housing units coming to Springfield, Holyoke
The Baker-Polito Administration and MassHousing announce funds to help provide affordable housing in Springfield and Holyoke. The Neighborhood Stabilization Program Capital Grants awards $4.6 million to eight community-based organizations and municipalities to address neighborhood blight and create new homeownership opportunities across Massachusetts. The new program provides the funds to address blight, abandonment, and disinvestment in residential neighborhoods, by providing grants…
BusinessTalk with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno
BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien has a lively discussion with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. The two discuss everything from the city’s new parking garage, to COVID-relief efforts, to a number of new developments — in the city’s downtown and its many neighborhoods. It’s all must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest…
State Program to Help Formerly Incarcerated Citizens Receive On-the-job Training
The Baker-Polito administration announced $1.68 million in Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grants awarded to 14 organizations, including one in Western Mass., Community Action Pioneer Valley in Greenfield. Funds will place formerly incarcerated citizens re-entering the workforce into new occupations, where they will receive on-the-job training. “The efforts of these community organizations, which includes their…
Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Melissa Breor as Executive Director
The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce announced Melissa Breor as its new executive director. “It brings me great joy to return to the city where I grew up, sharing my passion and skills to continue to create new opportunities for and strengthen the Chicopee business community,” Breor said. “I have always been confident that, in…
Massachusetts Gaming Commission Awards $10.6 Million in Community Grants
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) recently approved awards of more than $10.6 million in Community Mitigation Fund grants to numerous municipalities and other eligible entities across Massachusetts. Since 2015, the MGC has awarded approximately $37.7 million in grants from the Community Mitigation Fund. The fund, established by the state’s gaming law, helps host and surrounding…
City Mosaic brings a Springfield building back to life with mural
Local artists are bringing ghost images back to life on Worthington Street in Springfield. The resurrection aims to showcase the history of the City of Firsts.Stearns Square is where this mural is on full display for all to see thanks to the Nonprofit City Mosaic’s efforts. This project was brought to life by Artist John…
$4.1M awarded to Springfield businesses affected by the pandemic
The City of Springfield Thursday issued its seventh round of funding totaling $4,164,607 through the American Rescue Plan Act. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno held a conference at City Hall to celebrate those who had been awarded funding. One recipient, The Children’s Study Home, says they hope to use the funding to help kids and teens…
Help Stuff the Bus by Filling the Fiat for United Way of Pioneer Valley
United Way of Pioneer Valley announced the return of the Fiat at 1441 Main St., Springfield, in the interior rotunda. This time, anyone interested can stop by and make donations of school supplies to fill the Fiat as part of United Way’s Stuff the Bus initiative. Stuff the Bus provides backpacks filled with school supplies…