Month: June 2019

LUDLOW — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $3.1 million in the town of Ludlow to help support of the growth of local manufacturing by improving Riverside Drive. The project, to be matched with $3.1 million in local funds, is located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act-designated Opportunity Zone and is expected to create more than 950 jobs and generate more than $90.6 million in private investment.

“Improving Riverside Drive will support the needs of larger commercial and industrial users, which require reliable water and sanitary sewer systems, as well as electric and communication services, to be competitive in the regional and global economy,” Ross said. “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone designation will further incentives businesses to invest in the area and develop the local economy.”

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal noted that the investment will bring the Riverside Drive project at Ludlow Mills one step closer to completion. “I have visited the site many times and know how important this federal investment is to the town of Ludlow. The transformation of the former mill on the Chicopee River has been impressive, and I am pleased to have been an enthusiastic supporter of this business and housing venture from the start.”

The Riverside Drive improvement project will include construction of approximately 4,500 feet of public roadway, including water and sewer lines and underground utilities, to provide safe and adequate access to new manufacturing space within Ludlow’s industrial area.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC). EDA funds the PVPC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic -development road map to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs.

AMHERST — On Monday, June 10, all Bueno y Sano locations in Western Mass. will be fundraising for CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. On that day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., 50% of all sales at Bueno y Sano in Amherst, Northampton, Springfield, and West Springfield will be donated back to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. This includes dine-in orders, take-out, and Bueno gift cards. Last year, the Bueno Day event raised over $7,000 for youth-mentoring programs, and the goal is to exceed that amount this year.

“We are so grateful to Bob Lowry and the entire team at Bueno y Sano for their enthusiastic support of Big Brothers Big Sisters,” said Jessie Cooley, director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. “Bob has been a big brother with our program three times, giving so much of his time and energy to the young people in our community. Now, with Bueno Day to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bob is giving back even more and ensuring that more children in our region can be matched with awesome mentors like him.”

HOLYOKE — On Friday, June 14, the United Arc will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to noon at its Holyoke Positive Parenting Center, 208 Race St., Suite 2, Holyoke.

The United Arc invites the public to join legislators, partners, and community members for a conversation on inclusion, choice, and independence, featuring stories of parents, their families, and advocates in Hampden County and beyond.

The only program of its kind in Massachusetts, Positive Parenting was developed for parents who have intellectual disabilities, learning differences, or cognitive challenges. The United Arc Positive Parenting program provides training and support for these parents.

Many people assume parents with disabilities lack the capacity to parent their children. This discrimination has sometimes resulted in children being separated from their parents. The United Arc has been instrumental in the movement to demonstrate that parents with these challenges are capable of parenting, especially when they are offered training and support.

The United Arc opened its Holyoke Positive Parenting Center in November 2015. Beginning in 1998, the program was originally based out of the United Arc’s office in Franklin County. The need for Positive Parenting surpassed this geographic region and soon expanded. Today, the United Arc provides Positive Parenting supports east into Worcester County as well as Springfield. In addition to the Positive Parenting program, the United Arc offers a wide array of services for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Founded in 1951, the United Arc supports people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in achieving the universal goals of inclusion, choice, and independence. The organization provides services to individuals and their families in Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Worcester counties.

SPRINGFIELD — In the spring of 2017, BusinessWest and its sister publication, HCN, created a new and exciting recognition program called Healthcare Heroes.

It was launched with the theory that there are heroes working all across this region’s wide, deep, and all-important healthcare sector, and that there was no shortage of fascinating stories to tell and individuals and groups to honor. Two years later, that theory has been validated, and stories that needed to be told have been told.

But there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of heroes who stories we still need to tell. And that’s where you come in.

Nominations for the class of 2019 are due July 12, and we encourage you to get involved and help recognize someone you consider to be a hero in the community we call Western Mass. in one (or more) of these seven categories: Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider, Health/Wellness Administrator/Administration, Emerging Leader, Community Health, Innovation in Health/Wellness, Collaboration in Health/Wellness, and Lifetime Achievement.

Event sponsors include presenting sponsor American International College, partnering sponsors Development Associates and Comcast Business, and supporting sponsor Elms College. To nominate a Healthcare Hero, click here.

BOSTON — Solidifying its reputation as a world-class research and innovation leader, UMass ranks 37th on the “Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Patents in 2018” list released by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and the Intellectual Property Owners Assoc. (IPO).

This is the sixth consecutive year UMass has landed on the prestigious list, and the university rose eight places in this year’s rankings. With 58 patents awarded in calendar year 2018, UMass ranks first among public universities in New England, third overall in New England, and 30th overall in the U.S.

“These rankings reflect the significance and the entrepreneurial opportunity of the research enterprise at UMass,” President Marty Meehan said. “Every day, our renowned faculty are unlocking new discoveries and creating new intellectual property with the possibility of creating new products and companies right here in Massachusetts.”

In addition to patent awards, UMass filed 203 invention disclosures, executed 32 licensing deals, and launched eight startup companies in fiscal year 2018. 

“These 58 patents, and the jump in our ranking, are an excellent indicator of the strength of our entrepreneurial activity,” said Katie Stebbins, vice president for Economic Development in the UMass President’s Office. “What these numbers show is that UMass is one of the best in the world at developing world-class research and delivering it to the marketplace.”

UMass is the fourth-largest research university in New England, with more than $650 million in annual research and development. 

Founded in 2010, the NAI is a nonprofit organization of universities and governmental and nonprofit research institutions with more than 4,000 members. The IPO is a trade association of owners of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets founded in 1972.

The NAI and IPO have published the “Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Patents” report annually since 2013. Rankings are compiled by calculating the number of utility patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which list a university as the first assignee on the issued patent.

The University of Massachusetts also ranked 71st on the Reuters list of the “World’s Most Innovative Universities.” The Reuters ranking highlights the educational institutions doing the most to “advance science, invent new technologies, and help drive the global economy.”

BOSTON — Employer confidence weakened in Massachusetts during May amid renewed trade tensions and concerns among companies about increased operating costs from paid family leave and other government mandates.

The outlook among business leaders has moved in a narrow, overall optimistic range for much of 2019. However, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index lost 3.2 points last month to 57.1, its lowest level since October 2016. The Index has declined 9.5 points since May 2018.

All the constituent indicators that make up the BCI weakened during May, with the largest drop coming in employer views of conditions six months from now. The erosion of confidence during the past 12 months has been driven largely by caution about the national economy and concern among manufacturing companies.

“The Business Confidence Index continues to reflect the Goldilocks economy in which we find ourselves — U.S. GDP growth is expected to remain at a modest level of 2% to 3%, and there is not much inflation or deflation. There are both encouraging signs and red flags,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Several employers participating in the survey said regulatory costs have become a significant concern. “The cost to operate has increased dramatically — higher wages, benefit costs, supply costs, and cost of compliance with all the new regulations coming out of the State House,” one employer wrote.

Constituent indicators showed a broad-based retrenchment during May. The Massachusetts Index assessing business conditions within the commonwealth fell 2.3 points to 60.9, while the U.S. Index shed 3.3 points to 55.0. The Massachusetts reading has declined 9.1 points during the past 12 months, and the U.S. reading has dropped 14.3 points during the same period.

The Future Index, measuring expectations for six months out, tumbled 4.5 points to 56.0. The Current Index, which assesses overall business conditions at the time of the survey, lost 1.8 points to 58.2, 8.4 points lower than a year ago. The Employment Index declined 1.2 points for the month and 5.1 percent for 12 months. Analysts say employers continue to struggle to find qualified workers in a state economy with a 2.9% jobless rate.

AIM President and CEO John Regan, also a BEA member, said the national economic uncertainty comes at a time when Massachusetts employers are struggling with a series of expensive new employment-law mandates such as the state’s $1 billion paid family and medical leave program.

“AIM has joined Raise Up Massachusetts and other groups in asking the Baker administration to delay the scheduled July 1 start of paid leave by three months to provide employers time to consider how much of the cost they will share with workers and whether they wish to opt out of the state system,” Regan said. “The delay is necessary to ensure a smooth rollout of this new entitlement.”

SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Robert Roose has been named chief medical officer for Mercy Medical Center. In this position, Roose provides clinical leadership and administrative direction in developing and attaining strategic and operating objectives related to medical practice and patient care at Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates. He also serves as a liaison between administration and the medical staff, and provides leadership in advancing quality initiatives, clinical care, patient satisfaction, and provider and colleague engagement.

Roose joined the Mercy team in 2013, first serving as chief medical officer of Addiction and Recovery Services at Providence Behavioral Health Hospital (PBHH), and later as vice president of Behavioral Health for Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates. His many accomplishments include spearheading the expansion of opioid-treatment programs and championing the creation of the clinical-stabilization service at PBHH. He most recently served in the regional role of chief of Addiction Medicine & Recovery Services for Trinity Health Of New England and has been participating in the Trinity Health Strategic Leadership Program with selected leaders from around the nation.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Roose has served on the Quality Improvement Council of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the Clinical Issues Advisory Council and Substance Use Disorder Prevention and Treatment Task Force of the Massachusetts Hospital Assoc., and Gov. Charlie Baker’s Opioid Addiction Working Group. He has presented and published on various aspects of addiction treatment, and has been a prominent community leader and spokesperson on efforts throughout the region to address the opioid epidemic.

Roose earned his doctor of medicine and master in public health degrees at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington D.C. and completed his residency training in Family Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, N.Y.

“In addition to his clinical expertise and proven leadership skills, Dr. Roose always demonstrates empathy and compassion in his dealings with patients and colleagues,” said Mark Fulco, president of Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates. “He is a valuable resource to the individuals we serve, our health ministry, and the local community.”

NORTHAMPTON — On Thursday, June 13, the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival Committee will present donations totaling $30,000 to two local organizations that support Pioneer Valley residents with mental-health conditions. Forum House, a program of Viability Inc., and River Valley Counseling Center will each receive a check for their diligent work making the Scottish Festival a success in 2018.

The checks will be presented on at 5:30 p.m. at the Holyoke Council on Aging, 291 Pine St., Holyoke. This will be a celebratory event featuring agency and local leadership and agency members. Light refreshments will be served.

For the past 26 years, the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival has brought Scottish culture, music, athletic games, and goods to the Pioneer Valley, but the festival does much more than that. The festival organizers have been dedicated to supporting local nonprofit organizations, and have donated more than $230,000 from festival proceeds over the festival’s 26 years as a nonprofit organization.

This year’s festival will take place on Saturday, July 20 at Look Park in Northampton. The festival will feature pipe bands, athletics, dancers, and Celtic rock bands. Forum House and River Valley Counseling Center will again be beneficiaries of proceeds.

When Kevin Kennedy took over as Springfield’s chief Development officer after a lengthy stint as aide to U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, the city was in a much different place — a much darker place.

It was only a year or so removed from being in receivership and only a few months into the complex, and quite overwhelming, task of rebuilding after a tornado roared through the heart of the city. The casino era was just beginning, and no one really dared dream that one might be built in Springfield. No one had ever heard of a Chinese company called CRRC, and the city’s downtown was, for the most part, living in the past.

Flash forward nearly eight years, and Springfield is a much different, much brighter, much more vibrant place, with a billion-dollar casino and, overall, more than $4 billion in new development over the past several years.

Kennedy, who announced Monday that he will be retiring late this summer, didn’t do it all by himself, obviously. But he set a tone, an aggressive tone, a set-the-bar-higher-than-most-people-would-dare tone.

And it has produced results. MGM is the most obvious example, but there are many others, including Union Station (a project Kennedy worked on for more than 25 years), progress on creating much-needed market-rate housing, growth of the entertainment district, and the start of work to redevelop the so-called ‘blast zone.’

At the press conference to announce Kennedy’s retirement, Mayor Domenic Sarno described him as a “nuts and bolts guy,” and that’s a fairly apt characterization. He knew how to bring a project from the starting line to the finish line, and that’s exactly what the city needed at this critical stage in its history.

It was said that he knew how to get things done, and during his tenure, he proved that repeatedly.

These will be big shoes to fill.

SPRINGFIELD — Home City Development Inc. (HCDI) is celebrating completed renovations of 136 units (60 homes) scattered throughout the Bay and Upper Hill neighborhoods of Springfield. The ribbon cutting will take place on Thursday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to noon at Gunn Square Park in Springfield.

Politicians, funders, and partners will attend to speak and join in the celebration, and a home will be open for tours. This project, named E. Henry Twiggs Estates, was completed in two phases over two years.

“This $40 million, 136-unit investment is named after our longtime city counselor, Mr. E. Henry Twiggs, and includes the renovation of 34 apartments first built by Mr. Twiggs over 30 years ago,” said Tom Kegelman, executive director of HCDI. “The completion of these renovations also caps 50 years of work by Home City, helping to stabilize rental properties in the Mason Square neighborhood and the Greater Springfield area.”

The goal of the event is two-fold — to serve as a celebration of the completed renovations, and to honor Twiggs for his 50-plus years of civil service in these neighborhoods and beyond.

Primarily consisting of two- and three-family homes, this project provides modern amenities in an affordable setting for households earning a wide range of incomes. Along with local jobs, more than $50 million in local spending, and increased property taxes, these professionally managed properties will make significant contributions to the Springfield economy.

SPRINGFIELD — Training & Workforce Options (TWO) helped obtain grants to train workers at Savage Arms in Westfield and Conklin Office Furniture in Holyoke.

In March, the Baker-Polito administration announced the awarding of $7.48 million in Workforce Training Fund Program grants that will fund training for almost 6,000 workers and is expected to create more than 1,100 new jobs in the Commonwealth over the next two years.

The awarded grants included $238,485 for customized training for 67 workers at Savage Arms and $48,820 to train 72 workers at Conklin Office Furniture.

The training at Savage Arms will help workers learn to operate computer numerical control (CNC) machines. The grant also includes training in English as a second language. The company expects to add 54 new jobs by 2021.

The grant for Conklin Office Furniture will pay for the training of 72 workers in a range of skills, from customer service and team building to sales and leadership.

“We are thrilled to help area companies provide training for their employees’ professional growth,” said Tracye Whitfield, director of Business Development at TWO, adding that “TWO assisted the businesses in writing the grants and will offer customized training for the employees.” 

The Workforce Training Fund, a program of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, is administered by Commonwealth Corp., a quasi-public state agency that fosters partnerships between industry, education, and workforce organizations.

The Workforce Training Fund provides general program grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 to companies in Massachusetts to pay for employee training over a two-year period. Grant recipients contribute a matching investment of at least one dollar for each grant dollar awarded, with wages paid to trainees during training hours included in that investment.

To learn more about how TWO can help your business, contact Whitfield at (413) 221-4443 or [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD — The Valley Blue Sox have announced their promotional schedule for the 2019 season. The schedule features unique promotions for all 22 Blue Sox home games, beginning with the home opener presented by the Isenberg School of Management on Saturday, June 8.

Ticket prices will remain steady with the 2018 season. Admission will be $7 for adults and $5 for children (12 and under), seniors (55 and over), and military personnel with valid ID.

“The organization is really excited about the upcoming promotional schedule,” Blue Sox General Manager Chris Weyant said. “We’ve introduced some fresh promotions such as Wrestling Night and our water-bottle giveaway, while keeping staples such as Military Appreciation Night, Seat Cushion Giveaway Night, and more.”

The season kicks off with a championship pennant giveaway on June 8, commemorating the 2018 Valley Blue Sox and their NECBL championship.

Saturday, June 29 will feature a Blue Sox hat giveaway, presented by Westfield Bank. The Blue Sox will also honor those who have served and continue to serve our country as part of Military Appreciation Night, presented by Veterans Affairs, on Sunday, July 14.

July brings a number of exciting promotions to Mackenzie Stadium. Star Wars Night takes place on Saturday, July 20, including an appearance by stormtroopers. The first 200 fans age 12 and under will receive a free lightsaber.

On Thursday, July 25, the Blue Sox welcome UMass Athletics to Mackenzie Stadium. In attendance will be the UMass men’s hockey team, which reached its first national championship game in the program’s history. Also in attendance will be the UMass football team, and new head coach Walt Bell. The athletes will be signing autographs on the concourse during the game.

In addition to the promotional evenings, the Blue Sox will be honoring youth baseball and softball programs from throughout the Pioneer Valley on specific game nights. For more information on these nights, contact your local baseball or softball program.

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Medical Center has been awarded $3,949,912 in grant funding from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) in a competitive program designed to sustain the Commonwealth’s competitive edge in advancing human health.

“This support will expand our capacity to perform efficient and compliant clinical trials by building a Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) at Baystate Medical Center, speed medical advances, and make novel treatments available to our diverse patient population. We are grateful to MLSC, our legislators, the Governor and the citizens of the Commonwealth for this investment in the future of biomedical research in Western Massachusetts,” said Dr. Peter Friedmann, chief Research officer for Baystate Health and associate dean for Research at UMass Medical School – Baystate.

“For Baystate Health and our UMass Medical School – Baystate, it is an opportunity to increase access to innovative treatments for the patients and communities we serve, engage faculty and staff in impactful clinical research, expand collaborations with academic and industry partners, and improve the productivity and efficiency with which we conduct clinical trials,” he added.

Baystate is among 11 hospitals, colleges, and other institutions to receive a total of $30.95 million in capital-grant funding to support the state’s global leadership in the life-sciences sector. There were 45 applications. The funding, provided through the MLSC’s Competitive Capital Program, is designed to support advances in human health, accelerate innovation in the areas of clinical and translational research, and expand the capacity of life-sciences development and job growth across the Commonwealth.

The MLSC’s Competitive Capital Program invests capital dollars through a competitive process in high-potential economic-development projects that promise to make significant contributions to the state’s life-sciences ecosystem. The program aims to address funding gaps in capital dollars, industry support, and federal funding for educational institutions, incubators, research institutions, and workforce-training programs, while also catalyzing private and philanthropic investment to match state investment and preparing the life-sciences workforce of the future.

“The grant will expand local capacity to perform clinical trials of new innovations in digital health and medical devices right here in Springfield,” said state Sen. Eric Lesser, who worked to pass the Massachusetts Life Sciences Bill, which funded this grant program, as chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

“We know that Massachusetts is a national leader in the health sciences,” he went on, “and Western Massachusetts is no exception, with new research happening at places like the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and advances in treatment happening regularly at Baystate Medical Center, which makes this new partnership so exciting. This will benefit the entire Massachusetts life-sciences system and keep Western Massachusetts on the map in this critical and growing field.”

HOLYOKE — Enchanted Circle Theater announced that Executive/Artistic Director Priscilla Kane Hellweg has been named a finalist for the 2019 Leadership Excellence Award by the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.

Hellweg, a master teaching artist, is being recognized for growing Enchanted Circle during her 39-year tenure from a fledgling educational theater company into an award-winning pioneer of arts integration that engages, enhances, and inspires learning through the arts. The Leadership Excellence Award recognizes a nonprofit chief or senior executive who has an extraordinary record of organizational results and exemplifies strategic vision, passion, integrity, innovation, perseverance, and a collaborative spirit. 

Nonprofit Awareness Day highlights the work of the nonprofit sector and raises awareness of important causes throughout Massachusetts. During the ceremony, Nonprofit Excellence Awards will be presented to one finalist in each of the following six categories: Advocacy, Collaboration, Innovation, Leadership, Small Nonprofit, and Young Professional. The ceremony will take place today, June 3, at the Massachusetts State House.

SPRINGFIELD — The Valley Blue Sox announced that Shriners Hospitals for Children will serve as the presenting sponsor of the 2019 Blue Sox Youth Baseball Clinics. This year marks Shriners’ second season partnering with the Blue Sox to present the team’s youth clinics.

Blue Sox coaches and players will provide hitting, pitching, and fielding instruction to participants ages 6-13 from 9 a.m. to noon daily. The registration fee for each four-day session is $100. Athletic trainers will be on hand, provided by Shriners.

All children participating in the clinics will receive a pair of free tickets to Blue Sox Clinic Night on Saturday, July 20 courtesy of Shriners Hospitals for Children, where they will have the opportunity to take the field with the Valley Blue Sox during pregame ceremonies.

The first session will be held July 8-11 at Mackenzie Stadium, 500 Beech St., Holyoke. Interested participants can visit www.valleybluesox.com for information on how to register.

The second session will be held July 15-18 at Burnham Field in the Spec Pond Recreation Area, 2540 Boston Post Road, Wilbraham. Interested participants can register by visiting www.wilbrahamrec.com.

Participating children should bring their glove, a water bottle, and bat and helmet (if able). Ideal attire includes a cap, baseball pants, and cleats or athletic sneakers. Questions about this year’s clinics can be directed to the Valley Blue Sox by e-mail at [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD — Michael Ostrowski, president and CEO of Arrha Credit Union, announced the appointment of a new board member, Ryan Barry, attorney at Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, LLP in Springfield.

“Attorney Barry embodies the spirit of the community credit-union mission and brings years of experience, talent, expertise, and energy to the table,” Ostrowski said. “We are very fortunate to have Ryan join our board.”

Barry practices primarily in the areas of business law, health law, construction law, and higher-education law. He also leads the firm’s Craft Brew and Distilleries practice group. He has a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College and a juris doctor from Northeastern University School of Law.

EASTHAMPTON — Hogan Technology, a leading managed-technology-services provider, announced that it now offers SD-WAN as a service to its small to mid-sized business customers (SMBs).

SD-WAN is a leading technology; according to research firm Gartner, “by the end of 2019, 30% of enterprises will deploy SD-WAN technology in their branches.” The reason for the technology’s rise in popularity is due to its simultaneous capacities to increase productivity within an organization while also reducing the total cost of ownership.

SD-WAN is an acronym for software-defined networking in a wide-area network (WAN). SD-WAN simplifies the management and operation of a WAN by separating the networking hardware from its control mechanism. This concept is similar to how software-defined networking implements virtualization technology to improve data-center management and operation. A key application of SD-WAN is to allow companies to build higher-performance WANs using lower-cost and commercially available internet access, enabling businesses to partially or wholly replace more expensive private WAN connection technologies such as multi-protocol label switching. SMBs that need to scale up or scale down quickly, or need to run multiple remote offices or would like greater visibility into their networks, can benefit greatly from this technology.

“The organizations that we work with are always looking for these kinds of breakthroughs,” said Sean Hogan, president of Hogan Technology. “SD-WAN enables an unprecedented level of flexibility, and in today’s volatile marketplace, the ability to scale up or down is simply a must-have.”