Home 2026 July (Page 4)

Month: July 2026

Berkshire County Development Alliance Announces New Leadership Team

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire County Development Alliance announced a new leadership team for the 2026-27 program year. Hannah Kogut and Kara Matthews will oversee group programming and operations. They succeed outgoing chairs Kate Gigliotti, Jackie Kelly-Olson, and Miranda Meyers.

Kogut is a skilled, Berkshires-based arts and nonprofit professional with nearly a decade of experience spanning development, digital communications, and marketing. She currently serves as Membership and Stewardship coordinator at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, a regional performing arts organization with a multi-state donor base. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Clark University in film/video production and European history and a postgraduate certificate in museology from Tufts University. She is a Fulbright Summer Institute scholar and a graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program.

Matthews is an experienced development professional with more than a decade of experience leading advancement efforts for arts, cultural, and social sector organizations. She currently serves as director of Institutional Giving at MASS MoCA. She holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management from the New School and is based in North Adams.

Founded more than two decades ago, the Berkshire County Development Alliance is an informal group of more than 150 development professionals who represent Berkshire area nonprofit organizations in a fundraising capacity. Members gather up to six times per year to share information and engage in dialogue about advancement issues affecting the industry. There are no fees to join, and the group is open to all interested parties.

Lenox Summer Art Festival Returns to Lilac Park July 11-12

By
Daily News

LENOX — Art lovers, collectors, and visitors are invited to experience the Lenox Summer Art Festival on Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12, in the heart of downtown Lenox at scenic Lilac Park.

The two-day, juried festival will showcase more than 50 talented artists and fine craft artisans presenting original works across a wide range of media, including painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, fiber art, wood, metal, glass, and mixed media. The festival offers an opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their creative processes, and purchase one-of-a-kind handcrafted works directly from their studios.

“The Lenox Summer Art Festival is a celebration of creativity and the vibrant spirit of our community,” said Sue Brown Gordon, festival director. “We’re excited to welcome visitors from across the region to experience outstanding artwork, live entertainment, and the warm hospitality that makes Lenox such a special art destination.”

In addition to exceptional artwork, visitors can enjoy live music throughout the weekend, culinary specialties from local restaurants, and gourmet food trucks. The event takes place in Lilac Park, surrounded by Lenox’s galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

Festival hours are July 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and July 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

For event information, vendor details, schedules, and updates, visit gordonfinearts.org or follow on Instagram @GordonFineArts.

Westfield State Expands Summer Learning with Teen U, Baystate Health Partnership

By
Daily News

WESTFIELD — Westfield State University will host two dynamic summer initiatives in July, Teen University (Teen U) on July 19-24, and the inaugural Healthcare Career Excellence Academy on July 13-17, the latter in partnership with Baystate Health.

Teen University, a long-standing WSU program, offers middle- and high-school students a residential experience, allowing participants to live on campus and fully immerse themselves in college life. This summer, Teen U continues to strengthen its healthcare-focused programming, providing students with both foundational and hands-on exposure to careers in the field. Through engaging, experiential learning activities such as simulated suturing, teddy bear triage, music therapy, the black box experience in athletic training and sports medicine, the healing power of electricity, and virtual reality exploration, students gain a deeper understanding of patient care and clinical environments.

In addition to technical skill-building, Teen U emphasizes the development of essential soft skills through interactive workshops focused on communication, teamwork, and professionalism. Participants will also have the opportunity to earn CPR certification during the program and may choose to enroll in a dual-enrollment course, allowing them to earn college credit while still in high school.

Complementing these offerings is the Healthcare Career Excellence Academy, launched this year as a new partnership between Westfield State University and Baystate Health. This inaugural collaboration brings together academic and healthcare leaders to create an immersive career exploration experience for high-school students that includes a visit to departments within Baystate Noble Hospital. Through mentorship, simulations, and exposure to both clinical and educational settings, students gain valuable insight into in-demand healthcare roles and the pathways required to pursue them.

“These programs demonstrate the power of partnership in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals in Western Massachusetts and beyond,” Westfield State University President Linda Thompson said. “By connecting students with hands-on learning, mentorship, and college experiences, we are expanding opportunity, strengthening our regional workforce, and helping students envision a future in healthcare.”

Together, these programs reflect Westfield State University’s commitment to expanding early access to higher education, creating pathways to healthcare careers, and addressing the region’s growing need for skilled healthcare professionals. The partnership with Baystate Health represents an important step in strengthening collaboration between higher education and healthcare providers to enhance student learning, expand career opportunities, and support the long-term health and workforce needs of the communities they serve.

“We are excited to welcome students to campus this summer and provide experiences that spark interest, build skills, and open doors,” said Jessica Holden, associate dean of Nursing.

Both initiatives highlight Westfield State University’s role as a hub for innovation, experiential education, and community engagement, offering students a supportive, hands-on environment to explore their interests while envisioning their future.

“From hands-on clinical simulations to earning certifications and college credit, programs like Teen U and the Healthcare Career Excellence Academy showcase the power of experiential learning and our shared investment in student success and healthcare workforce development,” said Emily Ciccolo, healthcare career navigator at Westfield State.

Liberty Junction Team Tapped to Develop New Regional Justice Center

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Today, the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) announced it has accepted the recommendation of the Massachusetts Trial Court to select the Liberty Junction Team to construct the new Roderick L. Ireland Regional Justice Center (RJC) in Springfield.

Following a competitive procurement process led by the Trial Court, in consultation with DCAMM, the selected team will redevelop 125 Liberty St. in downtown Springfield into the future home of the Springfield RJC. The new facility will retain the Roderick L. Ireland name but will replace an obsolete building with modern, safe, accessible and sustainable court facilities for employees, court users and visitors throughout the region.

The Liberty Junction team is a joint venture partnership between CoJo Partners and FD Stonewater, with Leers Weinzapfel Associates and Suffolk Construction providing design and construction services.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno’s immediate response to the decision was one of disappointment. “This is not a game-changing project; our local developers were shunned,” said Sarno, who has backed a proposal to build on new courthouse on the riverfront in the North End of the city.

The proposed Regional Justice Center will be located at 125 Liberty St., a site that offers convenient access to public transportation, including Union Station and 21 bus lines, noted DCAMM, as well as regional highways and nearby parking, making it highly accessible for those needing to visit the court.

In order to deliver the new facility as quickly as possible, DCAMM and the Trial Court obtained approval to utilize a long-term lease for this project. The Asset Management Board authorized an initial lease term of 40 years, with two optional 10-year extensions, allowing occupancy for up to 60 years. Now that the Liberty Junction team has been selected, DCAMM will work with them to execute the lease.

The Trial Court expects to be able to occupy the building in 2030. Had the project been delivered through traditional state construction, it would have taken at least twice as long, due to capital plan funding constraints. Because it will be privately owned, the project will also generate significant new property taxes for the city of Springfield.

“After a thorough and competitive procurement process with several strong proposals, the Liberty Junction Team emerged as the best value proposal in the eyes of the Trial Court,” DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke said. “Their experience, an efficient layout that effectively meets functional and security requirements, a downtown location that can catalyze revitalization, and the project’s comparative cost savings make this an excellent outcome for the Commonwealth and the Springfield community.”

The selection follows a competitive procurement process that attracted 10 proposals from development teams across the region. A selection committee composed of Trial Court and DCAMM staff conducted a comprehensive evaluation over several months, visiting all the proposed sites and reviewing each proposal against criteria outlined in the request for proposals, including location, cost, project delivery schedule, and overall value to the Commonwealth.

The new facility will ultimately replace and consolidate operations currently housed at the Roderick Ireland Courthouse and the neighboring housing court to provide a modern, efficient, and resilient home for the courts serving Springfield and the surrounding region.

“125 Liberty Street represents more than a development opportunity — it is a chance to contribute to something lasting in this community,” said Claiborne Williams, principal at FD Stonewater, in a prepared statement on the announcement. “Locating the new Springfield Regional Justice Center in the North End, steps from Union Station and connected to every major transportation corridor in the region, anchors the city’s long-term revitalization efforts. We are proud to be part of that story.”

Richard Mann, Principal at FD Stonewater, added, “from project onset to occupancy, we are committed to ensuring that the Springfield Regional Justice Center creates real, lasting opportunity for the people of Hampden County — not just as a public institution, but as a catalyst for economic opportunity in this region. That means actively bringing diverse businesses to the table at every phase of this project and holding ourselves accountable to the communities this building will serve for generations.”

Key highlights of the selected proposal, according to DCAMM, include:

• A downtown Springfield location with strong, multi-modal transportation access;

• An experienced development team with a proven track record delivering projects of comparable size and complexity for federal and state agencies;

• The lowest-cost proposal submitted among all respondents;

• A project delivery schedule that is among the fastest-proposed;

• A design team with extensive experience designing successful court facilities in Massachusetts and elsewhere, who applied that expertise to present a highly efficient and successful approach to meeting the Trial Court’s needs; and

• A building design that exceeds current energy code requirements and supports the Commonwealth’s climate and decarbonization goals.

The proposed six-story, L-shaped building is also designed to maximize efficiency, providing a logical and efficient layout for court operations and bringing natural light into all courtrooms.

“This is a satisfying and important step toward creating a modern courthouse that better serves our court community, court users, and the Greater Springfield region,” Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi Brieger and Court Administrator Thomas Ambrosino said. “We are grateful to DCAMM and the Healey/Driscoll administration for their support of this critical Trial Court need.”

State Invests $2 Million to Support Climate Tech Business Development

By
Daily News

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) announced more than $2 million in awards through its Innovation Ecosystem Program (IEP) to 10 entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) in six communities across the state, including one in Western Mass.; Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield will receive $120,000.

The funding will help accelerators, incubators, universities, and other business development organizations expand hands-on programming that moves early-stage climate tech startups from idea to market, strengthening business readiness, sharpening commercialization pathways, and accelerating growth within Massachusetts’ innovation ecosystem.

“Massachusetts has always led by bringing together bold ideas and the people who can turn them into real-world solutions,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “These investments help ensure that entrepreneurs have the support they need to grow here, create jobs here, and deliver technologies that make life better.”

The other nine awardees are InnoVenture Labs in Beverly ($60,000); Leading Cities ($100,000), MassChallenge ($120,000), and MassRobotics ($110,000) in Boston; Activate Global ($120,000 plus $600,000 in fellowship funding) and the Engine ($120,000) in Cambridge; UMass Lowell ($120,000); and FORGE ($120,000) and Greentown Labs ($120,000 plus $300,000 in fellowship funding) in Somerville.

The IEP is designed to support ecosystem business development activities that advance climate tech startups through their commercialization life cycle. The program invests in ESOs, such as accelerators and incubators, that provide critical technical assistance, mentorship, and networks that improve both the likelihood and the speed of startup success. These organizations play a critical role in helping early-stage companies pressure-test ideas, refine technologies, validate market fit, and clear early commercialization hurdles faster.

“Massachusetts is building a strong innovation pipeline where research, entrepreneurship, and industry reinforce one another,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said. “These awards help ensure that promising ideas do not stall early, but instead move forward into deployment and impact.”

In addition to operational expense funding, these awards include targeted fellowship funding at select organizations to support entrepreneur fellowship grants that translate research into climate tech businesses, products, and jobs across the energy, transportation, and buildings sectors.

“These investments help founders move from concept to company faster and with stronger support behind them,” said Ben Downing, CEO of MassCEC. “These organizations are embedded in the work of building climate tech companies every day, and we are investing in their ability to scale that economic impact across Massachusetts.”

Star Spangled Springfield Preparations Start Today

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — There are firing tubes to load and a stage to set up to make July 4 a Star Spangled Springfield 250th celebration. After months of planning and coordination, the physical work begins today, July 2.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., teams from Fireworks by Grucci and the Springfield Department of Public Works will begin to load firing tubes onto three flatbed trailers provided by the Joseph Freedman Co. and Affordable Waste Solutions, and delivered by Charlie Arment Trucking. The tubes are metal and inserted into racks. When the trailers are moved to the Memorial Bridge on Friday, July 3 at 11 p.m., they will then be loaded with fireworks. They are then wired to a panel that the lead pyrotechnician will use to electronically fire with precision and to the exact specifications designed for the show, which is coordinated to music that will be broadcast on Mix 93.1 FM.

On July 3 at 9 a.m., a tractor trailer will deliver a 40-by-40-foot covered stage to Riverfront Park for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s July 4 performances. Most of the day will be spent erecting the stage and then installing the lighting and sound components. This will continue on Saturday, July 4, with fine tuning to be done during the orchestra’s rehearsal from 2 to 5 p.m.

On July 4, festivities in Riverfront Park will begin at 6 p.m. with food vendors, face painters, and activities with the Springfield Armory National Historic Site. At 7 p.m., following welcoming remarks, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra will take the stage in Festival Field, followed by the fireworks display from the Memorial Bridge at 9:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the festivities in Riverfront Park.

Hogan Technology Provides AI Receptionist for Business Phone Systems

By
Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — Hogan Technology, a managed technology services provider (MTSP), announced that the company provides a new artificial intelligence-powered receptionist solution designed to help businesses improve customer service, eliminate missed calls, and improve user experience beyond the typical auto-attendant experience.

For many organizations, every missed call represents a missed opportunity. Whether it’s a prospective customer calling after hours, a client needing assistance, or a vendor seeking information, unanswered calls can lead to lost revenue and frustrated customers. Hogan’s AI receptionist helps solve that problem by providing businesses with a virtual front desk that answers calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

“Business owners don’t want callers sitting on hold, getting voicemail, or struggling through complicated phone menus,” said Sean Hogan, president of Hogan Technology. “They want customers to get answers quickly and reach the right person without frustration. That’s exactly what artificial intelligence is designed to do.”

Unlike traditional automated phone systems that force callers through a series of button prompts, which often leads to repetition, frustrating loops, and time-consuming processes, Hogan’s AI receptionist interacts naturally with callers, understands common questions, and helps route people to the appropriate department or employee, so clients are served correctly, the first time.

The technology is especially valuable for businesses that receive a large volume of repetitive phone calls, operate across multiple locations, or want to provide after-hours coverage without adding additional staff. In addition to improving customer service, the AI receptionist can help employees become more productive by reducing constant interruptions from routine inquiries.

“Many employees spend a surprising amount of time answering the same questions over and over again,” Hogan added. “When those routine calls are handled automatically, staff can focus on serving customers, solving problems, and growing the business.”

Unlike traditional staffing challenges, the AI receptionist doesn’t require ongoing training or struggle during busy periods. It delivers the same professional experience whether it’s handling one call or 100, which is important as businesses scale and want to maintain their customer service level consistency.

“For business owners, the value is straightforward: answer more calls, improve customer experience, and allow employees to focus on the work that matters most,” Hogan said.

Super 60 Nominations Now Open

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Nominations are now open for the Springfield Regional Chamber’s Super 60 Awards, one of the region’s premier celebrations of business and nonprofit excellence.

Each year, Super 60 shines a spotlight on organizations making a meaningful impact across Western Mass. through growth, innovation, community involvement, and service. The chamber invites the public to nominate a deserving business or nonprofit that is helping move the region forward.

Nominations must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 11, and winners will be recognized at Super 60 on Friday, Nov. 6 at the MassMutual Center. The Super 60 categories include:

• Revenue Award: Honoring companies with outstanding total revenue performance in their most recent fiscal year.

• Start-Up Award: Recognizing companies that have been in business for five years or less and have achieved revenue growth over a full three-year period.

• Give Back Award: Celebrating companies that make a difference through charitable giving, volunteerism, and community engagement.

•Growth Award: Recognizing businesses that have achieved significant revenue growth over a consecutive three-year period.

• Non-Profit Award: Honoring nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to their mission through program-focused spending and community impact.

Click here to submit a nomination.

Hampden Parks & Rec Teams Up with East Village Tavern for Free Music Fest

By
Daily News

HAMPDEN — The Hampden Parks & Recreation Department is teaming up with East Village Tavern to put on the second annual Rock into Summer event, held at Hampden’s new Town Hall, 85 Wilbraham Road, on Saturday, July 11 from 6 to 10 p.m. Parking lots open at 5 p.m. This family-friendly event will feature live music from Acousticca, as well as local food trucks. Families are encouraged to bring their own picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs.

“Outdoor concerts bring people together and provide families with an opportunity to enjoy quality entertainment close to home,” Hampden Parks & Recreation Director Dan Blanchard said. “They help strengthen community connections by creating welcoming spaces where residents of all ages can gather, relax, and have fun.”

This event is supported with sponsorships from Charlie Arment Trucking, Deer Park Recycling, Affordable Waste Solutions, Scags Enterprise LLC, East Meadow Enterprises, McNamara Waste, Monson Savings Bank, Richard Green Insurance, Rent-a-Tent, SAFCO Foam Insulation, and Cloud 9 Marketing Group.

International Language Institute Launches Expanded Summer Language Programs

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — The International Language Institute (ILI) in Northampton will begin its summer language programs the week of July 13, offering new opportunities for adults to build language skills for work, travel, and personal enrichment. Registration is now open at ili.edu.

The summer schedule includes world language classes in Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese, along with culture-focused electives featuring literature, film, conversation, and regional studies. ILI is also offering evening English classes designed to help intermediate and advanced English learners build confidence in everyday conversations and workplace communication, as well as a 15-hour daytime English program for adults seeking to improve their English for work and daily life.

“Language learning is about much more than grammar and vocabulary,” said Caroline Gear, executive director of ILI. “Whether someone is learning English or another language, our goal is to help people build confidence, connect across cultures, and communicate more effectively.”

Springfield JCC Awarded $100,000 Grant from Davis Foundation

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Jewish Community Center (JCC) announced it has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation to launch a comprehensive early literacy development initiative within its Early Learning Center (ELC).

The grant will support an innovative, evidence-based literacy program serving approximately 85 children from birth to age 5, strengthening early language development, vocabulary growth, phonological awareness, and school readiness skills during the most critical years of child development.

Building upon the foundation’s previous investment, which enabled the Springfield JCC to adopt a new early childhood curriculum, this grant represents the next phase in ensuring that curriculum is implemented with excellence and delivers measurable literacy outcomes for young learners.

“This transformational investment from the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation will help us create a strong foundation for lifelong learning,” said Mechilia “Chile” Salazar, chief development officer at the Springfield JCC. “Early literacy is one of the strongest predictors of future academic success, and this grant allows us to strengthen not only the literacy skills of the children we serve today, but also the capacity of our educators and families to support learning for years to come.”

At the heart of the initiative is the addition of a part-time early literacy specialist who will work directly with children, coach teachers, and engage families in literacy-rich learning experiences. The specialist will help create language- and print-rich classroom environments, expand diverse and developmentally appropriate classroom libraries, and integrate literacy into daily activities through interactive read-alouds, storytelling, phonological awareness exercises, and emergent writing opportunities.

The initiative will also provide ongoing professional development and coaching for educators, ensuring literacy practices are embedded consistently throughout every classroom. Families will be engaged through workshops, literacy events, and take-home resources designed to reinforce language and reading development at home.

One component of the program includes an intergenerational literacy mentoring model, connecting students from the JCC’s KidSpace afterschool program with younger children to foster a love of reading and learning across age groups.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation for its continued partnership and belief in the power of early childhood education,” Springfield JCC Executive Director Karen Jarmoc said. “This grant reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every child has access to high-quality educational opportunities that prepare them for success in school and in life.”

Program outcomes will be measured through developmental observations, child portfolios, literacy checklists, and assessments of classroom practices and family engagement. By embedding literacy strategies into the curriculum and building educator expertise, the initiative is designed to create sustainable, long-term impact that extends well beyond the grant period.

State Opens FY 2027 Destination Development Capital Grant Program

By
Daily News

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration, in partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT), announced that the application portal for the FY2027 Destination Development Capital (DDC) Grant Program is now open. This round of the grant program will provide up to $8 million in funding for capital projects that enhance tourism infrastructure and increase non-resident visitation across Massachusetts.

The competitive grant program supports tourism-related capital improvements that promote sustainability, accessibility, and long-term economic impact. Priority consideration will be given to projects that advance the state’s tourism goals, including climate resiliency, rural development, and designated cultural districts.

Authorized by the Mass Leads Act, the DDC Grant Program supports investments in tourism assets that contribute to economic growth throughout the Commonwealth.

“Tourism is one of Massachusetts’ most powerful economic development assets. These investments help communities build the destinations, cultural attractions, and public spaces that attract visitors, generate local spending, and create long-term economic opportunity,” Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley said. “By investing in projects across every region of the Commonwealth, we are strengthening local economies and positioning Massachusetts for continued growth and competitiveness in the years ahead.”

Eligible applicants include municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and other entities undertaking capital projects that expand, construct, restore, or renovate tourism destinations and attractions. All proposals must demonstrate how the project supports the tourism objectives of MOTT and the state’s Regional Tourism Councils.

“Great tourism experiences begin with great places. From cultural attractions and historic sites to downtown districts and outdoor destinations, these capital projects help communities create the experiences visitors are looking for,” said Kate Fox, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. “When we invest in the places that bring people together and tell Massachusetts’ story, we strengthen tourism, encourage repeat visitation, and support the businesses and communities that make our state such a compelling destination.”

Click here to visit MOTT’s online application portal to view program guidelines, eligibility criteria, and to submit an application. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, Aug. 11. An optional, informational webinar for prospective applicants will be held on Wednesday, July 8 at 10 a.m. Click here to register.

Greenfield Savings Bank Launches Annual Buy in July Mortgage Promotion

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Savings Bank (GSB) announced the launch of its annual Buy in July mortgage promotion, offering a combination of interest rate incentives, closing cost savings, and — for the first time — a down payment assistance program designed to expand access to homeownership.

This year’s promotion introduces GSB’s new Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides eligible borrowers with up to $25,000 to use toward a down payment or closing costs, along with an additional interest rate reduction. The assistance carries no interest, and repayment is deferred until the sale, transfer, or maturity of the loan. The program is available across all GSB mortgage products, including the Buy in July special.

“This year’s Buy in July promotion reflects our ongoing commitment to making homeownership more accessible across our communities,” said Peter Albero, president and CEO of Greenfield Savings Bank. “By introducing down payment assistance into the program for the first time, we’re helping more individuals and families overcome one of the biggest barriers to buying a home — the upfront costs.”

The Buy in July mortgage special features an adjustable-rate mortgage, fixed for the first seven years and adjusted annually thereafter. Additional benefits include a $750 closing cost credit, no application fee, no points, and interest rate protection, allowing borrowers to request a rate reduction if market rates decline in the future.

Borrowers may also qualify for interest rate reductions of 0.50% for first-time homebuyers through the Buy in July specialm 0.25% for repeat homebuyers, and an additional 0.125% reduction for borrowers participating in qualifying down payment assistance programs and setting up automatic loan payments from a GSB checking account.

According to Cassandra Morrey, senior vice president of Residential Lending, the program is designed to meet borrowers where they are in today’s market. “We know that affordability is top of mind, especially for first-time buyers,” she said. “Combining rate reductions, closing cost savings, and now meaningful down payment assistance allows us to provide more flexible solutions and help buyers move forward with confidence.”

To introduce the program to local industry partners, GSB hosted a pre-launch event on June 26 at the Roosevelt Room at Union Station in Northampton, bringing together real estate agents, attorneys, and other housing professionals, providing an overview of the program’s features.

The Buy in July promotion is available for conventional, owner-occupied purchase loans on one- to four-family homes and condominiums. Applications must be submitted by July 31, with closings completed by Sept. 30. Additional terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements apply. For more information, visit www.greenfieldsavings.com/buy-in-july.

Westfield State University Athletics to Add Two Varsity Sports

By
Daily News

WESTFIELD — Westfield State University will add two varsity sports teams for the 2027-28 academic year, with the Owls starting women’s flag football and men’s swimming and diving.

Westfield will become the first school in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference to sponsor flag football at the varsity level. It is anticipated that the Westfield will play as a club sport in the spring of 2027 and at the varsity level in the spring of 2028.

“I am excited that we are going to be able to add two programs and more opportunities for our student-athletes.” Westfield State Athletic Director Richard Lenfest Jr. said.

In late May, the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact voted to recommend Divisions I, II, and III sponsor legislation to add a national collegiate flag football championship. The committee oversees the Emerging Sports for Women program, which aims to grow participation and competitive opportunities for women’s sports across the NCAA. Its first championship is projected to occur in spring 2028.

Women’s flag football has been fueled by support from the National Football League and has seen explosive growth in participation across New England and the nation. The New England Patriots sponsor leagues and championships for more than 40 Massachusetts high schools that offer flag football. Just over the border, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference recently completed its second annual girls’ flag football championships with Manchester and Plainville winning state titles — with both schools only about an hour’s drive from Westfield — helping establish a strong geographic footprint for competition in New England.

Westfield State University President Linda Thompson praised the addition of the Owls sports programs.

“Our student-athletes are the heart and soul of Westfield State University,” she said. “The addition of women’s flag football and men’s swimming and diving builds upon the proud tradition and success of Owl Athletics while creating new opportunities for students to compete, lead, and grow. These programs strengthen the student experience, expand access to intercollegiate athletics, and help more students reach their full potential both on the field and in the classroom.”