SPRINGFIELD — Moments before he cut the celebratory ribbon marking the opening of Florence Bank’s second Hampden County branch on Wednesday, president and CEO John Heaps Jr. announced the bank’s support for several community projects.

This spring, in collaboration with the city of Springfield and the Basketball Hall of Fame, the bank will provide $15,000 to refurbish a basketball court at Greenleaf Community Center, and it is also contributing $25,000 to a $2 million campaign to build a library and community learning center in East Forest Park.

“We’re here,” Heaps said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newest branch at 1444 Allen St. “We’re going to be a major player in the community. We love being here in Springfield.”

About 50 people attended the event at the branch, including bank employees, board members and corporators, as well as community leaders such as Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Kevin Kennedy, Springfield’s chief Development officer; state Rep. Angelo Puppulo; and city councilors Kateri Walsh and Jesse Lederman.

Also in attendance were businesspeople with a role in the opening, from the former land owners to the architects, engineers, site planners, and the furniture supplier.

Branch manager Nikki Gleason, a Springfield native and active volunteer, said she is excited to have the branch up and running. She introduced her staff team, including Candice Somar, assistant branch manager; Bianca Hyde, customer service representative (CSR)/teller operations manager; Mario Nascimento, CSR/senior teller; Magdalis (Maggie) Sierra, CSR/senior teller; and Carolyn Ware, Community Relations director.

“The staff we have here is incredible,” Heaps said. “They all came from other banks, so they know the value of working for a local bank.”

The Allen Street branch has a contemporary, open floor plan with two teller pods and innovative technology for quick cash handling. The location also features a drive-up ATM with SMART technology for easy depositing and a comfortable waiting area inside with a coffee bar and free wi-fi.

Sarno thanked Florence Bank and its staff for its commitment to Springfield and for the philanthropic measures — with the basketball court and library — that it is already putting in place.

“Your heart has always been in the city of Springfield,” Sarno told Heaps, who lives in Longmeadow and grew up in the Allen Street neighborhood of Springfield. “Your board, your whole staff team — I thank you all for your continued belief in the city of Springfield. You give back to customers and to the community. Your expansion here sends a resounding message that it’s good to do business in the city of Springfield.”

In August 2017, Florence Bank opened its first branch in Hampden County at 1010 Union St. in West Springfield. “We will be opening several other branches in this area in the coming years,” Heaps said. “We’re excited to be expanding here.”

Florence Bank has nearly 3,900 customers living in Hampden County, including 762 business customers, 373 of whom are located in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD — The Community Bank N.A. Springfield branch celebrated its grand reopening on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Local dignitaries, customers, community members, and Community Bank N.A. team members gathered to celebrate the completion of the branch’s renovations. Located within Tower Square, the renovated branch will offer Springfield customers enhanced and expanded services, including a 24-hour ATM and a night drop.

“We were thrilled to celebrate the Springfield branch reopening today with community leaders and members,” Community Bank N.A. CEO Mark Tryniski said. “The updates to this branch will offer customers increased convenience and access to bank services. We look forward to continuing to serve the banking needs of the Springfield community.”

At the celebration, Community Bank N.A. leaders also announced the results of a community vote between three nonprofits to receive a portion of the bank’s $12,500 commitment to give back to the Springfield area. Springfield Boys & Girls Club received the majority of the community vote and was presented with a $7,500 donation. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County and YMCA of Greater Springfield each received a $2,500 donation.

“Congratulations and thank you, Community Bank N.A., for your continued belief and investment in our Springfield,” said Mayor Domenic Sarno, who was in attendance to mark the occasion.

The Community Bank N.A. Springfield branch began renovations in early October 2018 to add convenient features for customers. The branch will house nine team members and offer customers a wide range of services, including checking and savings accounts, commercial business, and mortgages.

SPRINGFIELD ­— Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi), the most experienced independent Google Partner in the Springfield area, announced the 2019 certifications for its Google Ads strategists. Mary Shea, vice president of Digital Strategy, and James Garvey, digital marketing analyst, collectively have passed the Search, Display, Mobile, and Video exams certifying their advanced expertise in creating, managing, measuring, and optimizing these specific Google Ads products. The two GCAi marketing technologists also meet with a dedicated Google Ads representative every month to review and further increase the performance of client campaigns.

GCAi earned its Google Partner Agency designation more than five years ago. Partner status requires that GCAi associates pass Google Ads certifications, that the agency meets the spend requirements across its managed accounts, and that it demonstrate performance by delivering strong client and company growth.

Shea works out of GCAi’s downtown Springfield headquarters at Tower Square. Garvey works out of GCAi’s newest office at WeWork’s Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) hired Laura Lefebvre as its new director of Public Safety. Lefebvre, a seasoned investigator, has more than 30 years of law-enforcement experience, most recently as senior sergeant in the campus police department at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) in North Adams. She is the first woman to serve as chief of police at HCC.

“I’m not unaccustomed to being the first woman,” said Lefebvre. “There’s a lot of firsts under my belt.”

Lefebvre, 56, got her start with the Hialeah Police Department in Dade County, Fla. She began as a patrol officer in 1986, then one of only four women in the 450-person department. She worked in the juvenile sexual battery unit investigating child-abuse cases before becoming the first woman assigned to the robbery division. She later moved into homicide as a detective during the era captured in the TV series Miami Vice.

“We didn’t drive great sports cars, and we didn’t dress really well, but that was the time,” she said. “Miami was crazy and fast. The drug trade was high. There were a lot of homicides.”

One of her most memorable cases was captured on an episode of the true-crime documentary series Forensic Files called “Tourist Trap” (season 8, episode 6), where Lefebvre used bite-mark evidence to help convict a man who had carjacked and robbed two German tourists at Miami International Airport, one of a rash of such crimes at the time.

Lefebvre retired from the Hialeah Police Department in 1999 and then moved to Western Mass. with her husband, Gary, also a retired police officer, and two small children, Spencer and Emily, now adults. 

She then spent a few years as an officer with the Hadley Police Department and a police lieutenant at Westfield State University. Before going to MCLA, where she was the first woman sergeant, she worked for 11 years as a fraud investigator for the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the insurance giant Unum.

Throughout her career, Lefebvre has been a field-training officer, teaching at police academies in Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont. She holds a bachelor’s degree from MCLA in interdisciplinary studies in business and sociology and will complete her master’s degree in education at MCLA this May. 

“I’m a big advocate of professional development,” she said. “We should be learning constantly. I’m a lifelong learner. Everybody should be.”

BOSTON — Homeowners, renters, and business owners across Massachusetts are always looking for ways to reduce expenses, and that includes energy costs. In recognition of its efforts to help these customers better manage their energy, Eversource was recognized by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) with Exemplary Energy Efficiency Program awards for both its Home Energy Services (HES) program and Franchise Customer Initiative in Massachusetts. The national award recognizes the best utility programs across the country.

“It is an honor to be recognized by ACEEE for our programs, which have been very successful,” said Eversource Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Penni Conner. “We strive to help all of our customers save energy and keep costs down wherever possible. We will continue working with homeowners and business owners across the Commonwealth on customized energy-efficiency solutions that will make their living spaces more comfortable and their businesses more competitive.”

ACEEE’s national review evaluates and recognizes exemplary programs in areas such as direct customer energy savings, cost-effectiveness, customer service, innovation, and expansion potential. 

Eversource’s HES program takes a fuel-blind approach and provides in-home energy assessments, turnkey facilitation of weatherization measures, and 0% financing to help homeowners or renters retrofit their homes with cost-effective, energy-efficient measures. Since 2016, the energy saved through Eversource’s HES program in Massachusetts is enough to power approximately 6,000 homes for a year, and the greenhouse-gas emission reductions are equivalent to taking 1,062 cars off the road for a year.

“We felt like we were getting solid advice on how we could improve our energy use, and we were so surprised by the support we received to make those changes,” said Westhampton homeowners and HES program participants Elizabeth Preston and Cindy White. “To find out that the cost of the work would be offset so significantly with all the program incentives was really exciting.”

HARTFORD, Conn. — United Bank announced it will be waiving all deposit-account monthly service charges and offering loan assistance for United customers who are federal government employees and are currently not receiving pay due to the ongoing government shutdown that began on Dec. 22.

“For several hundred of our customers who are federal employees, this is an uncertain time for them and their families. So we want our customers to know we are here for them when their federal paychecks are interrupted,” said William Crawford IV, CEO and president. “Therefore, we will be waiving all deposit account monthly service charges and offering loan assistance for customers who are federal government employees not currently being paid during the government shutdown to help make it a little easier for them to pay their bills, do their banking, and make ends meet until the government reopens.”

United Bank, on a case-by-case basis, will offer loan assistance by making loan modifications for impacted customers, if necessary. To be eligible, the loans must be owned and serviced by United Bank.

To take advantage of this special temporary benefit offered by United Bank, impacted customers must show proof they are a federal government employee, which could include a government-issued ID or their most recent pay stub from the federal government. The benefit will conclude when the federal government reopens.

Anyone who is a federal government employee and United Bank customer and qualifies for these special temporary benefits and has any questions or comments should visit a United Bank branch or call the Customer Care Center at (866) 959-2265.

EAST LONGMEADOW — HUB International New England, LLC, a division of HUB International Limited, a leading global insurance brokerage, recently announced that Wendy Fitzgerald has re-joined HUB New England as a strategic account executive, responsible for all things personal (personal insurance/auto, home, condo, renters, and more).

Her role will include handling new business and outreach, renewals, quoting, special projects, and providing support when needed to the Personal Lines team of experts. She will be based out of HUB New England’s East Longmeadow office. Previously, Fitzgerald had been with the HUB/FieldEddy Personal Lines team from 2008 to 2016.

“We are so excited to have Wendy back on our team as every employee is a valued member,” said Timm Marini, president of Personal Lines at HUB New England. “The integrity, entrepreneurship, teamwork, and service HUB provides has helped us get to the successes of today. Adding to HUB’s team, and our growth, is a reflection of our combined hard work. Wendy’s history at HUB is well-regarded and adds to our team of experts that offer local market specialization, value-added solutions, and innovative products.”

NORTHAMPTON — CLICK Workspace ​continues its concert series, CLICK Music, with the second show of the winter/spring 2019 season on Friday, Jan. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. The Chandler Travis Three-O’s will bring CLICK a performance featuring “playful original songs that mix mind-bending wordplay with jazz, shimmering rock, and horn-fuelled R&B,” ​according to John Donohue of the New Yorker.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite or at the door for $17 (cash only). CLICK Music sponsors include Building 8 Brewery, River Valley Co-op, Pixel Edge, Northwest Mutual, and the Law Office of Peter Irvine.

AMHERST — Citing financial strain, Hampshire College on Tuesday outlined its desire to merge with another educational institution. The school is also evaluating whether to admit a freshman class for the fall. The news came in an e-mail from President Miriam Nelson.

“I’m announcing today our intent to find a long-term partner that can help us achieve a thriving and sustainable future for Hampshire,” she wrote. “With the guidance and passion of Hampshire’s trustees we’ve begun a process to seek a strategic partnership to address the challenges we’ve faced as an underendowed institution, really from our very first days. As we approach our 50th anniversary, and as Hampshire continues to have an impact on students and society, the trustees and I are absolutely determined to find the best way forward.

“As we embark on this process,” she continued, “we’re also carefully considering whether to enroll an incoming class this fall, and will work with the trustees to make that decision before the February 1 admissions notification date. This decision has significant ethical implications, and must take into account the welfare of our prospective students and community as a whole.”

She noted that Hampshire has a balanced budget, its $52 million endowment has performed well, and the success of its unconventional educational model has been confirmed by various data, including ranking among the top 3% of institutions whose students go on to earn a research doctorate. Two-thirds of its graduates earn advanced degrees.

“We’re convinced that seeking a strategic partnership is the right and responsible thing to do,” Nelson said. “And now is the time to do it. We have great resources in our people, in our pedagogy that has had outsize influence on higher education, and in our reputation for imaginative and forward thinking. By moving ahead so forthrightly now, we also have perhaps the most important resource of all — time. We have the time to undertake the awesome, exhilarating responsibility of evolving education at Hampshire.”

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank (MSB) announced the promotions of Carolyn Balicki to branch manager/retail banking officer, Rob Chateauneuf to first vice president commercial loan officer, and Dina Merwin to first vice president compliance and BSA officer.

Balicki joined the MSB team in 2009 as a CSA in Monson. She was promoted to CSA supervisor in 2010, assistant branch manager in 2011, and branch manager in 2014. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at UMass Amherst and is a graduate of the New England School of Financial Studies.

Chateauneuf joined MSB in 2012 as an assistant vice president commercial loan officer. He was promoted to vice president in 2014 and took on the added responsibility of assistant department manager of the Commercial Loan department in 2015. He has close to 20 years of commercial and retail banking experience and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management at UMass Amherst.

Merwin came on board in December 2012 as a temporary BSA analyst to assist during an employee leave of absence. In June 2013, she was hired as compliance officer. In 2014, she was promoted to AVP compliance and BSA officer, and she earned the vice president title in 2016. She has 25 years of community banking experience and is a graduate of the National School of Banking and the Massachusetts School for Financial Studies.

“We are extremely pleased to announce these well-deserved promotions,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “Carolyn, Rob, and Dina are important contributors to our success.”

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) will host two information sessions on Saturday, Jan. 19 in the Admissions Office, DAR building, on the college campus located at 1000 State St. in Springfield.

The graduate information session begins at 9 a.m. and will provide insight into the application process, providing perspective students with an opportunity to meet with admissions staff members, program directors, and current students. 

The Low Residency Program information session, which begins at 11 a.m., will provide an indepth review of the master of arts program in counseling psychology and higher education and doctor of education programs, in addition to a meet and greet with staff members, program directors, and current students. Lunch will be served during this session.

To learn more about graduate degree programs at American International College,  visit www.aic.edu or call Director of Graduate Admissions Hannah Hartzsch at (413) 205-3700.

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2019. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 15.

Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online by visiting www.businesswest.com, clicking on ‘Our Events,’ and then ‘40 Under Forty.’

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges. The selected individuals will be profiled in the April 29 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala on June 20 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

HOLYOKE — Officials from Holyoke Community College (HCC) and Westfield State University signed a dual admission agreement this week that streamlines the process for students who want to continue their nursing educations at Westfield State after earning an associate degree in nursing at HCC. 

The RN-to-BSN completion program partnership was announced during a ceremony at HCC’s Center for Health Education on Jarvis Avenue in Holyoke, home to the college’s RN (registered nurse) and LPN (licensed practical nursing) programs and medical simulation center.

“We’re delighted to be here today and excited about this new venture to expand our existing collaboration with HCC to offer a streamlined, efficient pathway to a bachelor of science in nursing degree for HCC students,” said Westfield State University President Ramon Torrecilha. “This is important because it underscores the values of both institutions — our commitment to accessibility and our commitment to affordability.”

By granting automatic admission, the new agreement simplifies the application process for HCC nursing students who want to earn a BSN at Westfield State — and can also significantly reduce the cost for that degree. 

“We already have a really strong partnership with Westfield State, and this is an opportunity to enhance that partnership,” said HCC President Christina Royal. “It’s all for the sake of our students who need and want easier options as they move from their two-year studies to their four-year studies. Many of our students prefer Westfield State, so we want to make that transfer process as seamless as possible.”

Officials said the new program will consist mostly of online coursework with limited on-campus requirements. Applications are now being accepted for fall 2019 enrollment.

According to the agreement, graduates of HCC’s associate degree program can transfer up to 90 course credits into the BSN degree program at Westfield State. HCC students need 72 credits to complete the requirements for their associate degree in nursing.

“The total cost of the 30 nursing-degree credits for the completion program is $10,800, making the program one of the most cost-effective of its kind in the area,” said Shelley Tinkham, dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education at Westfield State.

Full-time students can complete the program as quickly as one year; students can also opt to complete the program on a part-time basis in 24 months.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 15% by 2026, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. Torrecilha said nursing professionals with BSN degrees will remain in high demand for the foreseeable future.

“This latest collaboration emphasizes both institutions’ commitment to growing this high-demand segment of the workforce, underscoring our mutual concern and interest in preparing future generations of nursing professionals,” he said. 

Royal cited a recent report, the “Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint,” that identified health sciences as a priority sector for Western Mass.

“It’s one of the economic engines that drive our region,” she said, “so for us to stay focused on providing opportunities like these that are going to lead to vibrant jobs in this community is just going to bolster that sector of the economy.”

SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. announced that Attorney Amelia Holstrom was named a partner in the firm on Jan. 1. Holstrom, who has been with the firm since 2012, focuses her practice on labor law and employment litigation, including personnel policies and practices review, wage-and-hour compliance, and separation and severance agreements.

“Amelia is renowned statewide for her legal and professional skills,” said attorney Timothy Murphy, a partner at Skoler Abbott, noting that Holstrom was a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Up & Coming honoree in 2017, selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in 2018, and is a regular contributor to the Massachusetts Employment Law Letter. “She helps her clients make difficult employment decisions within their legal obligations. She provides counsel to management regarding strategies to avoid litigation, but is an experienced litigator prepared to vigorously defend her clients in court when necessary. We are thrilled Amelia has accepted partnership in the firm.”

Holstrom frequently speaks about employment-related legal topics for a wide variety of associations and organizations. She was selected by BusinessWest as a 40 Under Forty honoree in 2015 and received the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. Community Service Award in 2016. She is a member of the Massachusetts, Hampden County, and Connecticut bar associations; sits on the board of directors for Clinical & Support Options in Northampton and Girls Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts; and is an ad hoc member of the personnel committee for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

“I’m proud to be able to take on more of a leadership role for one of the region’s most vibrant, well-respected firms,” Holstrom said. “Growing up, I watched my parents, who worked in management at different companies, make challenging decisions about employees. When I took a labor law class in school, I was reminded of the myriad difficulties employers face and the laws that impact those decisions. That served as the basis for my legal career, while my work at Skoler Abbott has helped me finely hone my skills. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to grow with the firm.”

HAMPDEN — Andrew Anderlonis, president of Rediker Software, recently announced that Esther Rich has been hired as the company’s new director of Support. Rich brings more than 30 years of experience in customer support, with more than 10 of those years spent in a management position. Before joining Rediker Software, Rich was the Customer Support manager for Farm Credit Financial Partners in Agawam.

In her new role, Rich will lead and motivate her team to ensure they have the tools and skills required to provide the best customer service possible. She holds a business management degree from St. John’s School of Business.

“Esther brings us many years of call-center and customer-support leadership experience,” Anderlonis said, “and we are very excited to have her with Rediker to help manage our fantastic support team.”

AGAWAM — The statistics are alarming: 70% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. At work, stress over finances can take a toll on employee performance and impact productivity. Almost 10 years ago, OMG Inc. saw this as a factor limiting employee success and took action.

OMG used SmartDollar, the financial-wellness program created by money expert and best-selling author Dave Ramsey, to teach employees how to take better care of themselves financially. “This has been a game changer for us,” said Sarah Corrigan, vice president of Human Resources. “More than 300 employees have taken advantage of the tools we offer for free to create a financial plan for themselves and their families.”

Helping employees succeed financially is part of OMG’s overall wellness strategy. “Reducing the worry over money allows employees to focus on their work and, more importantly, on themselves and their future,” Corrigan said. Using SmartDollar, the average OMG participant pays off more than $8,000 in debt and saves more than $5,000. Collectively, participants have achieved a positive swing of almost $1 million through debt reduction and savings contributions.

As a result, SmartDollar recognized OMG as its 2018 Company of the Year. “Our team absolutely loved hearing about what’s happening at OMG,” said Brian Hamilton, vice president of SmartDollar. “They did it. They made the kind of behavior change it takes to change their lives and their family’s futures.”

Added Hubert McGovern, OMG president and CEO, “we’re very proud of what our employees have accomplished. There’s nothing more satisfying for us as a business than to help our employees succeed not only professionally, but personally as well.”

BOSTON — Massachusetts employers gave a big “bah, humbug” to the year-end economy as business confidence withered in the face of a government shutdown and the largest one-month stock-market decline since the Great Depression.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index lost three points to 58.6 during December, its lowest level since December 2016. Confidence readings have dropped five points during the past 12 months.

The retreat was led by an 8.6-point drop in employer views of the national economy, and a 4.7-point drop among manufacturing companies. Overall confidence remains within optimistic territory, but less comfortably so than earlier in 2018.

“The Massachusetts economy remains strong, with a 3.3% growth rate and an unemployment rate of 3.4%, but employers are increasingly concerned about factors such as financial-market volatility, a dysfunctional national political debate, and challenges such as the cost of providing health insurance to employees,” said Raymond Torto, chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) and lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design.

The AIM Index, based on a survey of Massachusetts employers, has appeared monthly since July 1991. It is calculated on a 100-point scale, with 50 as neutral; a reading above 50 is positive, while below 50 is negative. The Index reached its historic high of 68.5 on two occasions in 1997-98, and its all-time low of 33.3 in February 2009. It has remained above 50 since October 2013.

AMHERST — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently awarded biogeochemist Marco Keiluweit, assistant professor of Soils and the Environment in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst, along with his collaborators elsewhere, two grants to study how climate change affects the capacity of soils to remove carbon from the atmosphere and retain enough nutrients for food production. 

In particular, the teams will investigate climate-change-related effects of drought and virus infection in plants, and their interaction with soils. Keiluweit and colleagues received $200,000 and $300,000 exploratory research awards from DOE’s Biological and Environmental Research program, which supports “high-risk, high-reward” research, the soil-chemistry expert says.

“It’s basic science to develop a better understanding of the processes that sequester carbon in soils to put us in a better position to predict how soils may respond to climate change,” Keiluweit explained. “Plant root-soil interactions are important for two crucial functions of soils — carbon storage and agricultural production — but we don’t really understand how they are being altered by climate change. For example, prolonged droughts or increased virus infections can severely impact plants, with unknown consequences for root-soil interactions.”

Keiluweit’s collaborators include Zoe Cardon at the Woods Hole Marine Biology Laboratory, the principal investigator on one of the grants, and Malak Tfaily at the University of Arizona, Carolyn Malmstrom at Michigan State University, and William J. Riley at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Their drought-focused research will look at plants in an alpine watershed near Gothic, Colo., where root-soil interactions are key regulators of ecosystem carbon storage and downstream nutrient loadings, the researchers say. These areas have been shown to be particularly vulnerable to climate change, they point out.

For this work, Keiluweit says he and collaborators will make “very fine scale measurements of what is happening at the interface between roots and soil” in both greenhouse and field experiments. They want to explore what they call “elusive mechanisms” driving root-soil interaction, which may mobilize a “vast pool of organic matter that has been stabilized by associations with minerals for centuries or millennia.” Such mechanisms are missing from conceptual and numerical models of carbon cycling in soils, they note.

“Roots try to manipulate the soil environment to make it more habitable for themselves,” said Keiluweit. “They fix carbon from the atmosphere and send it to the root, where it is released as organic carbon compounds into what we call the rhizosphere — the soil surrounding the root — to reshape it to their needs for water, nutrients and minerals, and to attract beneficial microbes and suppress harmful ones.

“We’re learning more and more about the rhizosphere and the intricate interactions that take place between roots and microbes,” he went on. “We think there is a synergistic interplay that allows them to mobilize organic matter, which is rich in carbon and nutrients, from minerals. Micro-scale measurements will allow us to reveal more of this interplay and how it relates to soil carbon storage and fertility.”

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College will offer EMT classes beginning Tuesday, Jan. 22. Students can choose to take day or evening courses to complete the program. Training takes place three days a week between January and April. Day classes are held between 8 a.m. and noon. Night classes run from 6 to 10 p.m.

The program consists of 171 hours of in-class lectures and a minimum of 20 hours of online training, a field trip, and workshops to prepare for the state certification.

Based on the Department of Transportation curriculum for Basic Emergency Medical Technician, the program is approved by the Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services. The course covers basic life-support skills and techniques, patient assessment, and transporting patients.

For more information, contact the Workforce Development Center at (413) 755-4225 or [email protected].

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the partial government shutdown enters its fourth week, small businesses across the country are starting to feel the effects of the shutdown, resulting in unnecessary uncertainty at the start of a new fiscal year.

Keith Hall, president and CEO of the National Assoc. for the Self-Employed, the nation’s leading advocate and resource for the self-employed and micro-business community, called on Congress and the White House to work together to end the shutdown on behalf of America’s small-business community. 

The Washington Post is now reporting that, as of Dec. 22, the Small Business Administration stopped processing new small-business loans due to the government shutdown. Thousands of small-business owners across the country are unable to receive critical funding to start and grow their businesses because of the partial government shutdown. Even when full funding is restored, a backlog is likely.

“The negative consequences of one of the longest shutdowns in U.S. history is now fully impacting our country’s small-business community,” said Hall. “From uncertainty around how the shutdown could impact delays in tax refunds small businesses were looking to invest from this year’s new tax law to the shuttering of the Small Business Administration impacting small-business loans, America’s small businesses are on the front lines feeling the adverse impact. 

“The government shutdown has created additional uncertainty during a critical time when small businesses are starting a new fiscal year,” he continued. “Small businesses must continue to abide by their tax obligations, including paying quarterly tax estimates and adhering to all filing deadlines. However, the federal government is unlikely to keep their end of the deal by processing tax refunds on time and providing small businesses access to critical answers they may have to questions about filing for the first time under the new tax law.”

During the shutdown, about 12% of IRS staff are expected to continue working, according to the agency’s lapsed funding contingency plan. This will result in the inability of such functions as staff being available to answer questions for small businesses filing for the first time under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act law going into full effect this tax year. It could also negatively impact the ability of IRS staff to process tax refunds in a timely manner, resulting in delays.

SPRINGFIELD — The Valley Blue Sox announced that the sixth annual Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame induction banquet presented by Westfield Bank has been moved to Hadley Farms Meeting House, 41 Russell St., Hadley. The banquet will be held on Thursday, Jan. 31. Doors to the event will open at 6 p.m., with the program beginning at 6:30 p.m.

“With the immense amount of interest and support we have received from the local baseball community, it became apparent to our committee that a bigger venue was necessary to accommodate all interested attendees for the evening,” said Chris Weyant, general manager of the Valley Blue Sox. “We are very thankful to Westfield Bank and the Western Massachusetts community for their amazing support of this event, and look forward to another fantastic evening for baseball in the region.”

This year’s induction class includes Justine Siegal, Dana LeVangie, Karl Oliveira, Mike Laga, Jim Jachym, Mark Belanger, Candy Cummings, and the 2018 Pittsfield Little League team.

A limited amount of tickets for the banquet are still available. Prices are $50, or $450 for a table of 10. Dinner is included, and every guest will receive a pair of tickets to a 2019 Blue Sox home game. To purchase tickets, call (413) 533-1100 or visit valley-blue-sox.ticketleap.com/2019-hof.

SPRINGFIELD — The 2019 Springfield Leadership Institute will focus on core management and leadership skills for increasing personal and organizational effectiveness. The practical and applied program will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to take their leadership to the next level.

The Institute, which begins on Feb. 28, runs through June 6 on Thursdays from 1 to 4:30 p.m., and is directed by Robert Kleine III, dean of the Western New England University College of Business, and Associate Professor Stacie Chappell, who has a strong background in leadership development and consulting to a variety of organizations. The program is supported by the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation. All sessions will be held at the TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield.

Sessions will focus on managerial leadership, emotional intelligence and self-awareness, powerful communication, building high-performance teams, and leveraging conflict. Participants will actively explore best practices of leaders; analyze their own leadership, learning, and problem-solving styles; and experience the synergies that result from high-performing teams. The emphasis will be on experiential activities that provide opportunities to identify, develop, and refine skill sets for effective leadership. Participants will have the opportunity to apply and extend their learning through a practice-based team project. The program is designed for aspiring managers, new managers, and professionals interested in increasing their effectiveness and/or expanding their impact within or beyond their current role.

Upon successful completion of Leadership 2019, participants will be eligible to enroll in a free graduate course offered through the College of Business at Western New England University (subject to certain requirements). Applications must be received by Thursday, Feb. 14. Tuition is $885 per participant and includes a day trip to Beacon Hill and a graduation dinner. For questions about the program or the application process, e-mail Grace Szydziak at [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD — Hopping it up in the middle of winter makes sense for those who won’t be taking a tropical cruise any time soon. The Student Prince and the Fort will bring paradise home with an Island Hopper Beer Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m.

Six food courses will be paired with six beers from breweries that are located coast to coast and off the coast. Beer selections will include Red Stripe, Ballast Point, Maui Brewing, Grey Sail, Port Brewing, and Oskar Blues.

Island-inspired fare will be created by Corporate Chef Zachary Shuman. The menu will include barbecue pork ribs with toasted sesame seeds, macadamia-crusted chicken with greens and toasted coconut, grilled shrimp with Thai chilis and vegetable slaw, skirt steak with salt and vinegar fries, chicken-fried steak with pepper gravy and creamy grits, plus desserts such as dark chocolate cake and coconut ice cream.

The price is $60 per person (tax and gratuity included). Reservations are recommended. Free valet parking is available after 5 p.m.

GREENFIELD — Baystate Franklin Medical Center announced it will offer the Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) course beginning Monday, Jan. 28.

Developed by the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, the SMART program helps participants achieve greater quality of life and an enhanced sense of well-being. The program teaches self-care practices that help buffer daily stress, making participants less emotionally and physically vulnerable to it.

Stress affects more than just mental health; an estimated 75% to 90% of all doctor visits are for stress-related issues. Stress is a factor in five out of the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, stroke, lower respiratory disease, and accidents. 

“The purpose of this program is to help participants develop self-care tools to manage stress,” said program facilitator Cheryl Pascucci. “The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of life and reduce any medical symptoms that participants may have as a result of stress.”

Pascucci is a SMART-certified healthcare practitioner. She was trained at Mass General’s Benson Henry Institute as a facilitator in 2014 and is looking forward to sharing her expertise with the community.

“I have seen the positive effects that this program has, and I can speak from experience when I say that having the tools to manage difficult emotions can unlock the potential to live a healthy, fulfilling life,” she said. 

Topics include techniques to improve eating, sleeping, and physical activity, as well as how to recognize an individual’s responses to stress and how to change though patterns.

SMART is an eight-week program that will be held in the hospital’s conference rooms on Monday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $150, which includes a workbook. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call Pascucci at (413) 773-2741.

SPRINGFIELD — Bacon Wilson announced that Kathryn Crouss has been named the firm’s newest shareholder.

“Katie’s commitment to clients and community is perfectly in line with Bacon Wilson’s mission, and her record of success as an attorney speaks for itself,” said Managing Partner Kenneth Albano. “Wherever she goes, Katie’s intelligence and warmth always stand out. All of us here at Bacon Wilson look forward to working with Katie as our partner for many years to come.”

Crouss is a member of Bacon Wilson’s litigation team. She handles all aspects of employment law, including management-side representation, defending employers against discrimination and wage-and-hour lawsuits and routinely advising employers on matters related to compliance, official policies and procedures, and best practices. She also represents employees with regard to severance or employment agreements, worker’s compensation matters, as well as claims of discrimination against their employers. She also has extensive experience with both family-law litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Crouss is a certified mediator, trained in collaborative law, an LAR (limited assistance representation) qualified attorney for Hampden County, and a trained conciliator for the Massachusetts Probate & Family Courts. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Bay Path University, where she teaches “Legal Environments in Business” to students of the university’s business department.

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) announced the debut in 2019 of new, non-stop service from Bradley International Airport to Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Orlando International Airport on low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines, as well as the addition of non-stop service to Pittsburgh on Via Airlines.

“We are excited to see Frontier Airlines’ expansion at Bradley International Airport, less than a month after we celebrated the announcement that they will begin operations at Bradley this year,” said Kevin Dillon, executive director of the CAA. “The nonstop flights to Raleigh-Durham and Orlando are a welcome addition to our menu of nonstop flights. We look forward to the low fares and convenience that Frontier Airlines’ growing presence at Bradley International Airport will bring to our passengers.”

The service to Raleigh-Durham will commence on April 30 on an Airbus A320. It will operate seasonally on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The service to Orlando will commence on May 1 on an Airbus A321. It will operate seasonally on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

In addition, Dillon said, “we are excited to start the year on a high note by welcoming Via Airlines and announcing the continued expansion of our airline and route network. Pittsburgh is an important destination, especially for those traveling on business. This new non-stop, however, will bring benefits to both our business and leisure passengers by offering a cost-effective and convenient option to travel between the two cities. We look forward to our partnership with Via Airlines and their success at Bradley International Airport.”

The service to Pittsburgh will commence on July 22 on an Embraer ERJ145 with 50 seats. It will operate four times a week, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

AGAWAM — The West of the River Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Box Paper Scissors to the Agawam community.

Business owner Bryant Whitsett opened the store on Dec. 22, offering a wide variety of products and services, including key cutting, notary, DVD transfer, office supplies, conference-room rental, space to sell and promote local products and services, shipping, mailbox services, faxing and more.

A grand-opening celebration will take place Thursday, Jan. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. The store is located at 1325 Springfield St. in Feeding Hills.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) will hold extended service hours to accommodate new and continuing students before the spring 2019 semester.

Beginning Monday, Jan. 14 and continuing through Friday, Feb. 1, HCC’s Admissions, Financial Aid, Testing, Advising, and Student Accounts offices on the second floor of the Frost Building will open at 8:30 a.m. and stay open until 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, those offices will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The spring 2019 academic semester begins Monday, Jan. 28.

“There is still plenty of time for students to register for the spring semester,” said Renee Tastad, dean of Enrollment Management and College Access Programs. “We know our students are very busy with jobs and families and life in general, so we try to make all the accommodations we can to make the registration process smooth for everyone.”

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University (WNEU) announced plans for a comprehensive fundraising campaign designed to enrich the student experience inside and outside the classroom. Named the Campaign for Our Second Century, the philanthropic endeavor launched publicly on 1/9/19 — a nod to the university’s founding year of 1919. 

Western New England University aims to raise at least $35 million in private support for a range of priorities that will build on the institution’s historic first century and shape its future progress. Those priorities fit into five overall fundraising objectives: growing scholarship aid, building and enhancing campus facilities, creating impactful opportunities for student life, boosting academic initiatives and experiences, and strengthening the President’s Fund for Excellence.

Current and future Western New England students will be the direct beneficiaries of the most ambitious fundraising effort in the university’s history. The number-one priority of the campaign is to increase student aid through donor-funded scholarships. In recent years, full-time undergraduate enrollment has grown to record levels, with more than 98% of students receiving financial aid through scholarships, grants, and loans.

The university has already secured more than $29 million in new gifts and commitments to advance Western New England during the campaign’s pre-launch phase, which began in 2016. Lead gifts were made by two of the university’s most ardent supporters — Kevin Delbridge ’77 and Janet Johnson Bullard ’69, both university trustees who are serving as the campaign’s honorary chairpersons. To date, more than 4,000 individual alumni, friends, and foundations have made commitments. Each gift made to WNEU during the campaign counts toward its goal.

“Diligent, thoughtful, and dynamic people have made Western New England the university that it is today,” said President Anthony Caprio. “As we continue to grow and evolve, their generous financial support, volunteerism, and ideas will help us to shape an even brighter future together.”

In addition to fundraising, the campaign represents an opportunity to tell the stories of the impact donors have at Western New England University while engaging the community in a culture of philanthropy that will accelerate the university’s progress into its next century.

This is Western New England’s second comprehensive campaign. Private philanthropic support is not intended to replace university sources of revenue, but rather provide the margin that enables greater access to scholarship support, state-of-the-art technologies, outside-the-classroom experiences, faculty development, and other critical learning services. For details about the Campaign for Our Second Century, visit wne.edu/campaign.

MONSON — For the ninth year in a row, Monson Savings Bank asked the community to help plan the bank’s community giving activities by inviting people to vote for the organizations they would like the bank to support during 2019.

“We are very pleased that this program continues to be something that people truly appreciate and how it really benefits the communities we serve,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “We frequently get inquiries about when the community-giving initiative is going to kick off, so we started it before the holiday season this year to give people more time to rally participation. We were thrilled to hear from nearly 5,000 people this year.”

The top vote getters include Wilbraham United Players, Scantic Valley YMCA, the Women’s Empowerment Scholarship Fund, Rick’s Place, River East School-to-Career, Greene Room Productions, Boy Scouts of Western Massachusetts, Link to Libraries, Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, and Old Post Orchestra.

“Our communities voted for 281 organizations this year, and many of those had not been on our list in previous years,” Lowell added. “I have to say, it feels great to be part of such a wonderful community full of concerned, active, and committed citizens.”

LUDLOW — HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts has unveiled its new name and brand as part of its management company’s name change and rebranding initiative. As of Jan. 1, the inpatient rehabilitation hospital is known as Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts. It will continue to provide the same post-acute care for patients overcoming a variety of major illnesses and injuries.

“Our new Encompass Health brand reflects more than the change of our name. It reinforces our commitment to working together to continuously improve the care we provide our patients,” said John Hunt, CEO of Encompass Health Western Massachusetts. “With a focus on clinical collaboration and strengthening relationships, we will continue to play an important role in making a difference in the lives of our patients.”

Birmingham, Ala.-based HealthSouth Corp. launched its new name and brand on Jan. 1, 2018 and will be transitioning its 130 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and 273 home-health and hospice locations serving 36 states and Puerto Rico through 2019. All of the company’s post-acute-care service locations in Massachusetts migrated to the Encompass Health name and branding last week.

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2019. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 15.

Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online by visiting www.businesswest.com, clicking on ‘Our Events,’ and then ‘40 Under Forty.’

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges. The selected individuals will be profiled in the April 29 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala on June 20 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank announced the appointments of Colin Lacey as Village Commons South Hadley Banking Center manager, Clare Ladue as Hadley Banking Center manager, and Samuel Smith as East Longmeadow Banking Center manager.

In his new position, Lacey is responsible for identifying and providing personal and small-business customers banking options to achieve their financial needs, including depository services and lending solutions. He has six years of financial-services experience.

Lacey holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. He is also a 2017 graduate of the Springfield Leadership Institute. He is a volunteer youth lacrosse coach in South Hadley. 

In her new position, Ladue oversees and manages all aspects of a full-service banking center, including staffing, sales, operations, business development, and community relations. She has 24 years of banking experience.

Ladue earned commercial-lending certification from the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. (MBA), and is a graduate of the MBA’s New England School of Financial Studies. Her volunteer service includes the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce, where she served on the executive committee, as well as the Ware 250th anniversary committee, West Springfield Partners for Education, the Walk of Champions to benefit Baystate Mary Lane Rays of Hope, Junior Achievement, Rays of Hope, Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen, and Link to Libraries.

In his new position, Smith is serving the financial needs of both consumer and small-business clients. Utilizing technology, he is providing a consultative learning environment in order to educate clients around the various options for banking with PeoplesBank. He has 13 years of banking and financial-services experience.

Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems with a minor in business management. He is also a certified business banker by Moody’s Analytics. He is also an active volunteer for Revitalize CDC and Junior Achievement.

EASTHAMPTON — Effective Jan. 1, Smith Brothers Insurance, with offices in Easthampton and West Springfield, and the Partners Insurance Agency, an independent insurance agency located in Vestal, Owego, and Waverly, N.Y., have merged together. This merger expands the Smith Brothers Insurance footprint into upstate New York, where the Partners will maintain local presence while leveraging the resources of Smith Brothers Insurance, one of the nation’s top 100 independent brokers.

Owners of the New York offices — Don Patterson, Bill Soprano, Phil Wiles, John Carlin, Michael Constantine, and Chris Hutchings — will stay fully engaged in client service and business development. Constantine will run the New York region, continuing to serve clients with the same team of insurance professionals who have also become employees of Smith Brothers Insurance.

“The Partners brings us presence in New York and allows personal and commercial clients of the Partners to gain access to additional carriers, coverages, and risk-management services. Those who own or operate a business will benefit from additional value-added services, such as human resources, employee well-being, safety, compliance, and financial services,” said Joe Smith, president and CEO of Smith Brothers Insurance. “Both agencies have strong ties to serve our clients and give back to the communities where we live and work.”

Added Constantine, “as we have gotten to know Joe and members of the Smith Brothers team, it is clear we share the same values. Smith Brothers’ commitment to exceptional client service, continued growth, and being a great place to work is so exciting to our team and aligns with our commitment to be the best we can be for our clients, partners, and the community.”

SPRINGFIELD — Florence Bank opened its second Hampden County branch at 1444 Allen St. in Springfield on Dec. 19, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony is slated for Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 9 a.m.

“We’re very pleased to be expanding our presence in Springfield,” said John Heaps Jr., Florence Bank’s president and CEO. “Our focus is on providing great customer service and helping to reinvigorate the community.”

Bank employees, customers, board members, and corporators will be present for the ribbon cutting, along with invited guests — among them Springfield business and civic leaders, including Mayor Domenic Sarno.

The Allen Street branch has an open floor plan with two teller pods and innovative technology for quick cash handling. The location will also feature a drive-up ATM with SMART technology for easy depositing and a comfortable waiting area inside with a coffee bar and free wi-fi.

Nikki Gleason serves as branch manager for the new location. “Springfield is my home, where I work, volunteer, and spend much of my time,” she said. “I’m thrilled to be able to provide local banking services to people in my community.”

Other employees include Candice Somar, assistant branch manager; Bianca Hyde, customer service representative (CSR) and teller operations manager; Mario Nascimento, CSR and senior teller; Magdalis “Maggie” Sierra, CSR and senior teller; and Carolyn Ware, community relations director.

In August 2017, Florence Bank opened its first branch in Hampden County at 1010 Union St. in West Springfield. The Springfield branch marks the second of several anticipated branches in the region.

“This is not just dipping our toe in the water. We’re here, and we’re going to be part of this community for a long time,” Heaps said.

Florence Bank has nearly 3,900 customers living in Hampden County, including 750 business customers, and Heaps said the bank looks forward to deepening its impact in the region and working with neighboring businesses.

HOLYOKE — #MeToo has galvanized a national reckoning about sexual harassment — but girls have been downplayed in the dialogue. “Speaking Out: For Women and Girls,” an event presented by Girls Inc. of Holyoke on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at the Delaney House, is doing its part to change the exchange.

The need is dramatic. Sexual harassment doesn’t begin in the workplace, but starts much earlier: studies show that seven of 10 girls are harassed before they leave high school, and one in four girls experiences sexual abuse and assault in childhood.

This is why “#GirlsToo: Respect Starts Young” inspired the night’s theme. #GirlsToo is a new viral media campaign launched by the national Girls Inc. organization that adds girls’ voices to this essential conversation.

“After witnessing a global year of women being brave enough to speak out, I think our ‘Speaking Out’ event is more timely than ever,” said Debra Vega, the event’s chair. “It’s just one of the ways we’ll continue striving to cultivate a world where women and girls can feel they can be heard.”

The moderator of “Speaking Out: For Women and Girls” is Victoria Ann Rodriguez, a litigation assistant at MassMutual and committee member of Springfield’s Puerto Rican Parade. The three featured local authors are Latoya Bosworth, Magdalena Gómez, and Crystal Senter-Brown. They have long advocated for women and girls and promise to present a lively, thought-provoking evening.

Bosworth is an educator, author, motivational speaker, self-esteem expert, and consultant. At age 21, she dubbed herself “Brenda’s Child,” in honor of her late mother, Brenda Kay. In her adult years, Bosworth has learned to reframe the tragedies and issues of her childhood through seeking out mentors, using writing as an outlet, and giving back. She has a Ph.D. in social services, and has consulted with the Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Youth Services. Her latest book is The Right Amount of Sunshine: Cultivating Little Girls into Young Ladies.

Gómez is a teaching artist, performer, playwright, motivational speaker, workshop facilitator, and author. She is a recipient of the 2018 New England Public Radio Arts and Humanities Award. Her plays, performance poems, and monologues have been performed everywhere from UMass to Off-Broadway to the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater to Teatro Vida, Springfield’s first Latina theater, which she founded. She is also a commentator on NEPR, the author of poetry collections such as Shameless Woman, and the co-editor of an acclaimed anthology on bullying.

Senter-Brown is the director of Employer Relations at Bay Path University, an author, and a justice of the peace. She has written seven books for children and adults, led writing workshops in the community, spoken at local schools, and taught in the Women as Empowered Leaders and Learners program at Bay Path. One of her novels, The Rhythm in Blue, was adapted into an award-winning feature film. She was named a BusinessWest Difference Maker in 2018.

“Speaking Out: For Women and Girls” takes place from 5-7 p.m. Event tickets are $100 each and include an open bar and hearty appetizers. To purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/SpeakingOut2019. The authors’ books will be on sale at the event. All proceeds will benefit Girls Inc. of Holyoke.