Year: 2015

HOLYOKE — Marcotte Ford will celebrate the groundbreaking of its new commercial truck-repair facility on Monday, May 11 at 11 a.m.

Marcotte Ford acquired the property at 933 Main St. in the fall of 2014 and will construct a 16-bay, state-of-the-art truck-repair facility to accommodate the service and repair of all light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks. This project will add six to 10 new jobs in Holyoke.

“We believe in the Ford tradition of quality and service and want to deliver the best in product and service to our customers,” said Michael Marcotte, president of Marcotte Ford Sales. “We feel that this is an ideal time for a new commercial repair facility in light of the strong business momentum in the industry.”

Marcotte Ford a third-generation Ford franchise that gives back to the local community through involvement with the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club, Kate’s Kitchen, and Margaret’s Pantry, as well as the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce.

The new commercial building is located adjacent to Marcotte Ford at 933 Main St. and is scheduled to open this fall.

SPRINGFIELD — Effective May 1, STCU Credit Union is changing its name to Arrha Credit Union.

“To usher in the next era in financial services, we’ve evolved our name and our look. It’s all to provide the best, most innovative member experience ever,” the company explained in a statement. “We are excited to have a name that is reflective of the credit union we’ve become. While our name is changing, we are still the same strong credit union with the same board of directors, management, and employees.”

In 1929, STCU Credit Union was formed to serve the teachers of Greater Springfield. Since then, it has grown and expanded our membership to a much broader community.

“We’ve spent the past few years examining how to better serve all of our members and create a brand that truly represents who we are today,” the credit union noted. “Arrha, meaning ‘a pledge in earnest,’ is one of the oldest words in the English language and reflects our pledge to assist our members in reaching their financial goals by providing superior products and services in a personal manner.”

HOLYOKE — Having raised a half-million dollars on word of mouth alone, the Community First Fund is now publicly pushing to reach $1 million before the end of the year.

The fund is managed by Common Capital Inc., a nonprofit that finances and assists small businesses. The fund is comprised of loans by people in Western Mass. who utilize their savings to help launch or expand local businesses. Investors receive a 2% return over the three-year term of the loan and then have the option of rolling it back into the fund. An investor’s return is not tied to the repayment ability of Common Capital’s borrowers, but is a general obligation of the organization. The fund accepts loans ranging from $500 to $50,000.

“The key to creating more well-paying jobs and other opportunities is to put local money into the local economy,” said Chris Sikes, CEO of Common Capital, which has been financing small business for 25 years as well as providing hands-on help in accounting, human resources, marketing, and other business areas. “Much like we strive to buy from local farmers, we also see real, positive results when we partner with local businesses.”

HOLYOKE — The River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC), an affiliate of Holyoke Medical Center and member of Valley Health Systems, will hold its fourth annual 5K Run/1-Mile Walk fund-raiser on Saturday, June 13. Funds raised will support RVCC in providing mental-health and other supportive services to individuals, families, and groups in the Pioneer Valley.

The first 100 registrants for this year’s Run/Walk event for River Valley will receive a free T-shirt. The deadline for mail-in registration is Friday, June 5, with online registration accepted until Wednesday, June 11. An awards ceremony and festivities with food and entertainment will be held following the race, which will be held rain or shine. Download a registration at www.rvcc-inc.org or register online at www.accu-specracing.com.

This is RVCC’s premier fund-raising event and promotes the importance of exercise and wellness. “Research shows that people with mental illness have a lifespan 25 years shorter than that of the general population,” said Angela Lozano Callahan, fund-raising committee member and race co-chair. “There is a clear connection between mental and physical health, as sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition, smoking, and side effects of medications, so often a part of mental illness, lead to chronic conditions, from heart disease to diabetes. Funds that are raised through our corporate sponsors and community members allow RVCC to connect residents to the services they need.”

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank has been named the Small Business Lender of the Quarter by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for the first quarter of fiscal year 2015.

During the SBA’s first quarter — Oct. 1, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2014 — Berkshire had 22 SBA loan approvals in Massachusetts, tying it as the third-most-active lender out of 84 lenders. During fiscal year 2014, Berkshire had 26 7(a) loan approvals for small businesses in the Pioneer Valley and Berkshire County, totaling $2.139 million. Also, Berkshire was ranked 13th by the SBA across all of Massachusetts in its 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program in 2014.

“Congratulations to the entire Berkshire Bank team for being named our Small Business Lender of the First Quarter,” said Robert Nelson, Massachusetts SBA district director. “Our continued economic expansion is dependent on lenders such as Berkshire Bank supporting the small-business community — which is why we are so very happy to applaud the bank on this recognition.”

Berkshire Bank is a preferred SBA lender and is a participant in the Massachusetts Treasurer’s Office Small Business Partnership Program, offering a full suite of financial services for small businesses.

HOLYOKE — The HASHPPAC (Holyoke Adolescent Sexual Health Pregnancy Prevention Accountability Committee) community engagement subcommittee will host a series of positive engagement workshops called Project: CHOICES during Teen Pregnancy Prevention Week in May.

The three-day workshop series will be held at Holyoke High School on Wednesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 7, from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m., followed by workshops at Dean Technical High School during the school day on Friday, May 8. National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month is recognized throughout the month of May, with special recognition on May 6, which is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Day.

Project: CHOICES is a positive approach to working with adolescents to delay unintended pregnancies. The interactive workshops — on various themes such as science, environmental studies, creative writing, dance, art, criminal justice, and social-media literacy — encourage positive choices and provide teens with an alternative, progressive approach to delaying unintended pregnancies.

These workshops will be hosted by community members and volunteers from local agencies, who have donated their time to support the efforts of the HASHPPAC community engagement subcommittee. Community partners include Holyoke Health Center, Girls Inc., Tapestry Health, Head Start, Holyoke Youth Task Force, Holyoke Board of Health, Holyoke Police Department, Holyoke YMCA, and several others. Holyoke Public School Department officials have played a large role in supporting the efforts of the Project: CHOICES event.

AMHERST — The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce announced that Kim Alli has been hired as the chamber’s new marketing and membership coordinator, effective May 1.

Alli is a graduate of Westfield State University with a degree in marketing. She most recently served as marketing and promotions manager of Amherst Laser and Skin Center. She has a longstanding involvement with the chamber, serving as an ambassador for potential and new chamber members. She has also been an active member of several standing chamber committees, including the golf tournament, program, and Margarita Madness committees.

According to Donald Courtemanche, the chamber’s executive director, “Kim is an excellent fit for our team as we continue the work of building relationships and continuously strengthening the area economy. Her extensive experience with marketing and in creating membership connections will allow her to hit the ground running. Her extensive and intimate knowledge of the local business community will be a huge asset to the organization.”

Added Alli, “while I have enjoyed my engagement as a volunteer and supporter of the chamber on a number of different levels, I am extremely excited about the opportunity to work as part of the chamber team.”

SPRINGFIELD — St. Michael’s Academy, located at 153 Eddywood St. in Springfield, will hold its annual 5K run/walk, as well as its annual carnival, on Saturday, May 2.

The 5K registration will begin at 9 a.m. on the school campus, and there will be a free kid’s run at 9:45 a.m. The 5K event will officially begin at 10 a.m. with the runners kicking off the race, followed by the walkers. The St. Michael’s Carnival will also run from 10 a.m. to noon on the school campus, featuring food, games, and prizes. Race participants are encouraged to register early to ensure a T-shirt.

Race registration fees are $35 for adults and $15 for students. Spectators will have the opportunity to order T-shirts the day of the carnival and race. For further information or to register, visit www.smaspringfield.org or call the school at (413) 782-5246.

SPRINGFIELD — DevelopSpringfield announced it has awarded a $20,000 grant for facade improvements to 595 Main Street, the new location for Glory Inc., a family-owned South End department store. The grant is made possible under DevelopSpringfield’s Corridor Storefront Improvement Program, which provides grants of up to $10,000 per storefront for exterior improvements to first-floor businesses located on State and Main streets in Springfield.

Improvements to this space included renovations to multiple storefronts. The recently awarded funds were used to create larger window openings, as well as for new signage, lighting, and doors.

“DevelopSpringfield is pleased to support the Lee family in the rehabilitation of new space for their successful retail business and in helping to support the reuse of a vacant commercial building on Main Street in the South End,” said Jay Minkarah, president and CEO of DevelopSpringfield.

A $7,963 grant was also recently provided to Islazul Realty, LLC to support the substantial rehabilitation of a building located at 2547 Main St. in Springfield’s North End. The project included the installation of new, large windows, as well as a door, lighting, and an awning to convert a former commercial garage into professional office space that will attract additional service businesses to the neighborhood.

DevelopSpringfield’s Corridor Storefront Improvement Program was established in 2009. Funds are no longer available to support new projects except for properties located on State Street in the Mason Square area and on Main Street in the North End. For more information on the Corridor Storefront Improvement Program, go to www.developspringfield.com and click on ‘programs’ or contact Minkarah at (413) 209-8808 or [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD — Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV), now in the recruitment process for the fifth year of its ten-month leadership development program, has seen positive results in careers and community as a result of participation in the program. LPV, working with Denny Consulting has evaluated skills transfer, learning, and career and community impact of both program participants and alumni over the past four years. The overall satisfaction with the program has increased each year, with 100% rating the program as ‘good’ or ‘excellent (54%). The LPV curriculum focuses on developing leadership skills, creating broader connections, and increasing regional understanding leading to action. LPV’s evaluations reported attainment of these goals in each of these areas.
• Connections: Nearly all (99%) of LPV participants reported having made meaningful connections with fellow participants, and 64% reported having made meaningful connections with other leaders met through opportunities provided by the program;
• Leadership Skills: Participants reported statistically significant skill increases in collaboration, leading teams, creativity, confidence, managing conflict, and understanding personality types.
• Cultural Competency: 76% of participants increased their cultural competency;
• Career Advancement: 53% of alumni have a new leadership role at work, while 29% have taken a new job with increased responsibility.
• Community Engagement: 64% of alumni have joined a new board of directors and 31% of alumni have initiated a new community project.
“We are astounded to already be making such an impact in the region after only four years,” said Lora Wondolowski, executive director. “It is incredibly humbling to see the kind of changes that our alumni are making as a result of their participation in Leadership Pioneer Valley.”

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College has been awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities that will enable the college to incorporate Latino Studies material into humanities classes, a step faculty and administrators hope will lay the foundation for a full-fledged Latino Studies program at HCC. The $120,000 ‘Bridging Cultures at Community Colleges’ grant was the largest awarded this year by the NEH to any college or university in Massachusetts, putting HCC on a prestigious list of recipients that also included Mount Holyoke College, Northeastern University, UMass, Amherst College, and Brandeis.

”Incorporating a Latino Studies perspective into a range of humanities courses will certainly serve the college’s sizable — and growing — Latino student population,” said Matt Reed, vice president of Academic Affairs, in support of the grant. “Students and faculty at large will also benefit from increased understanding, awareness, and appreciation of cultures that play such a significant role in our home community.” From 2009 to 2014, the number of Hispanic/Latino students at HCC rose from 1,477 to 1,879, a 27% increase. During the same period, Latino enrollment grew from 16% to 21% of the total student population. Nearly half, 48.4%, of Holyoke’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, according to the grant proposal.

 The grant coordinators, HCC professors of Spanish, Monica Torregrosa and Raul Gutierrez, are organizing a series of summer workshops for HCC humanities faculty where they will learn how to add Latino Studies content to existing HCC courses. Torregrosa and Gutierrez are working closely with the Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies at UMass to create the curriculum. “A requirement of the grant was that we collaborate with another institution,” said Torregrosa, adding that several HCC faculty members are lined up to participate in the workshops, from English, art and communications, including theater professor Pat Sandoval, who directed the play Living Out at HCC last year, which explored the lives of Latina immigrants working as nannies in Los Angeles. 

Gutierrez and Torregrosa said it is important to distinguish between Latin American Studies, which focuses on the history, culture and people who live in Latin America and Latino Studies, which focuses on Latino groups living in the United States. 

”If you think about it,” said Gutierrez, “the Mexican population has been living in the southwestern U.S. since the 1800s, so you’re not talking about new groups, even though people assume they are new groups. You have all these groups that have been here for a long time. Puerto Ricans have been on the East Coast since 1898, so you’re talking more than 100 years.”

 The three-year grant will also pay for Latino-themed presentations during the fall and spring semesters that will be open to the entire campus community and general public. 

One of the listed objectives of the grant is to create a new interdisciplinary Latino Studies program at HCC.