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Year: 2021

Arrha Credit Union Appoints Acting CFO Lucas Manzi to Permanent Position

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Michael Ostrowski, president and CEO of Arrha Credit Union, announced that acting Chief Financial Officer Lucas Manzi has been appointed to a permanent position in that role. Before being promoted to acting CFO, Manzi was the Accounting Department and Finance manager at Arrha Credit Union.

“Lucas is a valuable contributor and rising star at Arrha,” Ostrowski said. “The board of directors, senior team, and staff are thrilled to have Lucas officially assume the CFO position.”

Added Manzi, “I am excited to assume the CFO role on a permanent basis. I look forward to working with Mike and the team as we continue to grow and bring innovative ideas and products that matter and make a positive difference to our members and communities.”

Manzi is a recipient of the 2019 Credit Union Difference Maker’s Award presented by the Cooperative Credit Union Assoc. at the 2019 Credit Union Marketplace Experience, Ostrowski noted. The show highlighted new technology and offered breakout sessions in many topics, including cybersecurity, latest trends in digital banking, and ways to enhance member experience.

One highlight was a salute to employees that have great attitudes, positively impact others, and make a difference at their credit union, in the community, and beyond. Manzi received one of the Difference Maker’s Awards “for his great attitude, positive team efforts, and innovative practices that he does within our credit union and efforts involved in the community,” Ostrowski said.

Manzi is also a member of the Arrha asset-liability committee. He has a BBA in accounting from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.

State Awards $67.4 Million in Additional Grants to 1,366 Businesses Impacted by Pandemic

By
Daily News

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito administration announced $67.4 million in awards to 1,366 additional small businesses in a second round of grants through the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp. (MGCC). Additionally, the new Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program, also administered by MGCC, is now accepting applications from businesses from sectors most impacted by COIVD-19. Both grant programs are part of a new, $668 million relief package.

The businesses being notified of their successful grant application include many that are owned by minorities (50%) and women (48%). Restaurants and bars, beauty and personal services, healthcare, and retail are among the top sectors receiving relief in this second round of awards. The first round of grants announced late last month totaled nearly $49 million in support of 1,158 Massachusetts small businesses.

MGCC is continuing to review existing applications and will make awards over the coming weeks to companies that meet demographic and industry preferences. Businesses that have already applied to MGCC’s Small Business Grant Program do not need to reapply to the new program.

In addition to providing grants to businesses within the existing pool of applications for the Small Business Grant Program, applications are now being accepted for a new Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program that targets industries experiencing the most significant economic hardship and a loss of revenue. Industries given preference in this new program include restaurants, bars, caterers, and food trucks; indoor recreation and entertainment establishments; gyms and fitness centers; event-support companies (photographers, videographers, etc.); personal services (nail salons, barber shops, independent pharmacies, etc.); and independent retailers.

This new business-relief program will offer grants up to $75,000, but not more than three months’ operating expenses, to be used for payroll and employee-benefit costs, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, and interest on other debt obligations.

The online application portal for the new program will close on Friday, Jan. 15. Awards are expected to be announced in February. Program details, application instructions, eligibility and documentation requirements, and more are available at www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org.

Anonymous Donor Funds Gift Cards to Thank Cooley Dickinson Employees

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — An anonymous donor allowed Cooley Dickinson to reward every employee this holiday season with a $50 gift card that they can use at a selection of local businesses.

This is not just a gift to Cooley Dickinson employees who have worked hard this year, but a much-needed boost to struggling local businesses, thanks to a partnership with the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce.

“We appreciate Cooley Dickinson for partnering with area chambers and keeping their employee-appreciation gift-card program completely local,” said Vince Jackson, executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce. “Cooley’s extra dose of ‘local care’ has immediately put more local gift cards in purses and wallets and will generate increased sales for our participating gift-card merchants. It’s a win-win for our economy and community.”

Healthcare Heroes To Be Honored At Free Virtual Event On Jan. 14

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest and the Healthcare News will celebrate this year’s Healthcare Heroes with a free virtual event on Thursday, Jan. 14 from 4 to 5:15 p.m.

This year’s heroes include Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health; Christopher Savino, Emeline Bean, and Lydia Brisson, clinical liaisons for Berkshire Healthcare Systems; Friends of the Homeless; the Nutrition Department at Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc.; the staff at Holyoke Medical Center; the Institute for Applied Life Sciences at UMass Amherst; Rabbi Devorah Jacobson, director of Spiritual Life at JGS Lifecare; Maggie Eboso, Infection Control and Prevention coordinator at Mercy Medical Center; Jennifer Graham, home health aide at O’Connell Care at Home; and Helen Gobeil, staffing supervisor at Visiting Angels West Springfield.

The Healthcare Heroes program is sponsored by Elms College (presenting sponsor), Baystate Health and Health New England (presenting sponsor), and partner sponsors Bulkley Richardson, Comcast Business, and Trinity Health Of New England/Mercy Medical Center.

A link to access this free event will be available at businesswest.com and healthcarenews.com, or you can RSVP by calling (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

BusinessTalk with Amy Royal

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Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest, in partnership with Living Local, has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Episode 46: Jan. 4, 2021

George O’Brien talks with Amy Royal, a principal with The Royal Law Firm and an employment law specialist

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien talks with Amy Royal, a principal with The Royal Law Firm and an employment law specialist. The two discuss the pandemic, vaccines, what employers can mandate, and what they can’t. They also discuss changes in employment law and new measures that take effect in 2021, and what employers should know as they turn the calendar. They also dive into in the matter of employee handbooks and how and why these important documents need to be on point and completely up to date. It’s must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

 

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