Departments Archives - Page 117 of 149

Ten Points On Conference Networking

By BusinessWest Staff February 1, 2011

10 Points Departments

1. Know what you want to learn from the conference. Most conferences have multiple tracks; try to focus on your most important goals.
2. Before the conference, identify other attendees in your breakout sessions. Learn about them and their companies via the Web and LinkedIn.
3. Set appointments in advance. Contact a few individuals who you have identified as having common interests and try to arrange to meet over coffee during the conference.
4. At the conference, focus on meeting attendees rather than the featured speakers. Attendees are likely the people who walk in your shoes and can provide you with practical ideas and support moving forward.
5. Be the first to engage other attendees at your table. Spend time asking open-ended and feel-good questions to first get to know them personally. People ultimately do business with people they know, like, and trust.
6. Always have your business card ready to exchange, and make notes about your conversations, right away, on their business cards. This will give you a frame of reference for contacting them after the conference is over.
7. Send follow-up notes and/or e-mails after the conference to continue the positive connection. Ask if they would like to continue the connection with you via LinkedIn.
8. Try to help your new colleagues. Listen for their concerns and challenges in their jobs and send them resources that you may have that can help them. Be the go-giver.
9. Be a connector. Actively listen, and try to introduce people who could provide benefit to each other. When you are a conduit who connects people in a helpful way, you are increasing your own value, and people will want to help you even more!
10. Ask your new contacts for resources and advice. People you meet at conferences can be a very valuable resource for the challenges that you face in your job. They are usually more than happy to offer best practices they have found in their work.

Brenda Olesuk

Brenda Olesuk is the marketing director at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. in Holyoke; (413) 536-8510.

Picture This

By BusinessWest Staff February 1, 2011

Departments Picture This

Business Expo

The Professional Women’s Chamber (PWC) staged its 13th Annual Business Expo on Jan. 19, 2011 at the MassMutual Room at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Nearly 50 exhibitors from a variety of business sectors participated in the tabletop event. Attendees found information on business and personal banking, finances, insurance, graduate schools, beauty products, and nonprofit organizations. Each year, the PWC conducts the expo to give its members an opportunity to showcase their business or organization and to give attendees a chance to network with other women executives. Proceeds from the expo go to support the PWC Scholarship Fund, which helps women in transition returning to the workforce. Top left, members of the PWC Board of Directors, from left, Ellen Albano, Ellen Desmarais, Lisa Lemon, Janet Casey, and Tony Scibaldi (president), with Jeannie Filomeno, a representative of Marcotte Ford. Left, representatives of Loomis Communities await visitors to their booth.

Top of the City

The Springfield Technical Community College Foundation recently staged its annual Top of the City event in Scibelli Hall. The networking event doubles as a fun-raiser, with proceeds from a giant raffle going to the foundation and its many endeavors. Below (from left): Ellen W. Freyman, Esq., of Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., and a member of the STCC Foundation Board of Directors; Ron Ancrum, president of the Community Foundation of Western Mass.; and Jane Roulier. Bottom (from left): William Bennett; Debra A. Kaylor, CPA, of Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., and an STCC trustee; Hector F. Toledo, chairman of the STCC Board of Trustees and vice president of Retail Sales at Hampden Bank; and Myra D. Smith, STCC vice president for Human Resources and Multicultural Affairs.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff January 18, 2011

Company Notebook Departments

Law Firm Named to ‘Top Tier’ List
SPRINGFIELD — Sullivan Hayes & Quinn was recently named a Top Tier Employment Management Firm by Best Lawyers and U.S. News and World Report. Managing partner Meghan Sullivan noted that the law firm was among 8,782 firms from across the country to be recognized. The local law firm specializes in employment-management issues, including labor relations, risk avoidance, workplace regulation, and employment litigation.

Appledore Engineering Joins Tighe & Bond
WESTFIELD — A New Hampshire civil-engineering firm has joined forces with Tighe & Bond, a engineering and environmental consulting service in the city. The move will enable Appledore Engineering to expand its service offerings and will also provide Tighe & Bond more opportunities for expansion into the New Hampshire and Maine markets. Appledore Engineering will remain at its Portsmouth location and do business as Appledore Engineering, a division of Tighe & Bond.

CHD, Cancer House of Hope Announce Merger
SPRINGFIELD — The Center for Human Development (CHD) and Cancer House of Hope recently announced a merger between the two nonprofit agencies. The CHD Board of Directors and Cancer House of Hope Board of Trustees both approved the merger late last year. It became effective Jan. 1. Cancer House of Hope operates two houses, one in Westfield and one in Springfield, that offer free support groups, workshops, and classes to adults with cancer and their family members and friends. Cancer House of Hope is now a program of CHD in its Community Resources division. Cancer House of Hope’s events, activities, and services will continue without interruption, and the agency’s two full-time and one part-time employee are now employees of CHD. Cheryl Gorski, executive director of Cancer House of Hope, noted in a statement that, “given the economy, it was getting more and more difficult to keep things running.” Gorski will continue to manage the program as its director. Gorski added that “merging with CHD will give us access to more resources for development, marketing, and support.” Founded in 1997, Cancer House of Hope has an annual operating budget of about $235,000, all of it coming from donations, grants, and fund-raising events, such as its upcoming, third annual Cheeseburger in Paradise Bar-B-Que at the Cedars in Springfield Feb. 19. Cancer House of Hope serves approximately 260 people a month at its two locations: 86 Court St., Westfield, and 946 Plumtree Road, Springfield. In addition to its three staff, Cancer House of Hope also contracts for services with 12 per-diem counselors and depends on about 50 volunteers, who help run the homes and activities. Gorski said she reached out to CHD President and CEO Jim Goodwin last August about the possibility of a merger. Gorski noted, “It made sense to help us get to the next level of what we can offer our members. I’m very enthusiastic about it. I think it’s a great thing for us.” Goodwin said that merging with a high-quality agency like Cancer House of Hope furthers CHD’s mission of offering community-oriented services in a way that helps protect people’s dignity. Goodwin noted that everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer. He added that the programs and services Cancer House of Hope offers “are just too important to risk losing.” Those programs and services include yoga, Reiki, wig fittings, and bereavement-support groups, among many others. While the two homes are open to anyone regardless of residency and need, they mostly serve people who live in Hampden County and Northern Conn. For a list of Cancer House of Hope programs and services, visit www.cancerhouseofhope.org. Founded in 1972, CHD is a family of more than 40 programs that deliver a wide range of social services in communities throughout Western Mass. and Northwestern Conn. in areas such as mental health, youth mentoring, family stabilization, foster care, early intervention, elder care, occupational therapy, intellectual and physical disabilities, homelessness prevention, substance abuse, and juvenile justice. CHD’s main office is located at 332 Birnie Ave., Springfield. For a list and description of programs and services, visit www.chd.org.

United Bank Supports United Way Campaigns
WEST SPRINGFIELD — United Bank recently announced its annual United Way employee campaign generated more than $52,000 in contributions to United Way organizations located in the bank’s service area. The bank ran campaigns at all 22 branches located throughout Western and Central Mass. The 2010-11 employee campaign surpassed last year’s level of participation and giving to the United Ways of Pioneer Valley, Hampshire County, and Central Massachusetts. In addition, the United Bank Foundation contributed $36,000 to the campaign for a combined gift of $88,118.

MassMutual Explains Roth Retirement Plan Conversions
SPRINGFIELD — As part of its commitment to educate participants, plan sponsors, and advisers, MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division has published a white paper titled “Roth Retirement Plan Conversions — Questions and Answers.” The document answers the most common questions around converting 401(k), 403(b), and, starting this year, 457(b) governmental plans into Roth accounts. Effective last fall, the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 allows participants who are in a retirement plan that offers Roth accounts the ability to convert or roll over their non-Roth account balances into a Roth source under the same plan, provided the participant has a distributable event (i.e., termination of service or in-service withdrawal provision, excluding hardship). For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.

Agency Offers Mobile Marketing Services
AGAWAM — The Creative Strategy Agency has started offering mobile marketing services including mobile Web sites, short-message service, and tablet and mobile applications for businesses. Alfonso Santaniello, CEO and president, noted in a statement that he wanted to take the agency’s marketing services “to a new and innovative format.” Santaniello added that mobile applications have “grown significantly” in the past year, and that he expects that trend to “continue to grow in the years to come.” For more information, visit www.creativestrategyagency.com.

Big E Plans $2.2M
Equine Arena
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Wayne McCary, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition, recently announced that the organization will embark on a $2.2 million construction project to build a covered warm-up arena attached to its C-Barn, the main horse barn used by the ESE Horse Show conducted during the Big E as well as a number of year-round equine events. Exposition officials vowed to continue their commitment to agriculture and the horse show by further developing infrastructure to maintain ESE’s position as New England’s most-sought-after equine destination. McCary noted in a statement, “I am confident that this project will further solidify the exposition’s position as the premier horse show facility in the Northeast. Our commitment to agriculture and our horse show, which began here in 1916, is ongoing.” The Exposition is also home to 12 year-round horse shows as well as a major equine-related trade show, Equine Affaire, held each November. The new arena will match the height of the existing building, and the 66’ x 170’ clear span outdoor roof will be bordered by a four-foot brick perimeter wall with pre-cast concrete upright posts. The exterior of the structure will mirror the north wall of the existing barn, and its walls will consist of a permeable vinyl designed to protect riders and horses from the elements while providing air circulation and ventilation. Each end of the covered arena will feature 20-foot ornamental iron sliding gates. Riders will be cooled by 16’, low-speed, high-volume fans. New lighting will be installed, and the riding arena will have spray irrigation and underground drainage. An existing angled doorway will be enlarged to 12’ x 14’ so riders may enter and exit the ring on horseback, and the immediate exterior area will also be covered. The project is the result of an extensive study of ESE facilities, conducted in 2010 to assess the needs of existing tenants and look toward future year-round growth. The research included a major engineering study of the Coliseum by Populous of Knoxville, Tenn., and a marketing analysis by AECOM of Washington, D.C. The Exposition will assume financial responsibility of the project and will receive no funding from the state. In addition, its 2011 capital budget of more than $1.1 million will include the installation of a new roof and other major improvements to the Coliseum. F-Barn, an auxiliary barn with 100 horse stalls located in the southwest corner of the fairgrounds, will also receive a new, upgraded metal roof. McCary noted, “we are investing in our future to maintain our roots and stay viable in an ever-changing marketplace.” The design architects for the project are Charlie Smith and David Forkner of Populous, in Knoxville. Neffinger Architects, of West Springfield, will serve as the architect of record. This winter, contractors will be selected, and construction will begin at the end of March. The project will be completed in time for the 2011 Big E, planned for Sept. 16 through Oct. 2.

Picture This

By BusinessWest Staff January 18, 2011

Departments Picture This

Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’
c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103
or to [email protected]

Tools for Tomorrow

Two students in the Energy Systems Technology program at Springfield Technical Community College were recently awarded $2,000 scholarships from W.W. Grainger. In addition to the Grainger Tools for Tomorrow scholarship, the students will each receive a customized professional Westward toolkit, valued at $1,000, upon graduation. From left, STCC Energy Systems Technology Department Chair Bob Bujak; scholarship winners Brian Patterson and Luke Hardy; John Duffy, branch manager of the W.W. Grainger Springfield office; and Energy Systems Professor Michael Siciliano.

Future Writers

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien reads to students at Springfield’s Dorman School as part of the Link to Libraries read-aloud program. The students were given a book to take home, as well as a Link to Libraries book bag.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff January 18, 2011

Court Dockets Departments

The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Paula Parsons, as executrix of the estate of Catherine Wellinger v. The Arbors at Greenfield
Allegation: Negligence and failure to provide adequate staffing and supervision, leading to wrongful death: $25,000+
Filed: 11/15/10

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Alton E. Gleason Co. v. Cardaropoli Realty
Allegation: Breach of contract: $49,150
Filed: 11/12/10

Baystate Contracting Services Inc. v. Weston Sampson CMR Inc.
Alle gation: Failure to pay under the terms of a construction agreement: $122,031.70
Filed: 11/11/10

Bradco Supply v. Multi-State Roofing Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $34,916.38
Filed: 11/3/10

Central Mutual Insurance v. All Hose Inc.
Allegation: Negligence causing fire damage to a property leased to defendant: $263,326.89
Filed: 11/5/10

Michelle Ruby v. Cyalume Technologies Inc.
Allegation: Unfair and deceptive business practices: $268,000
Filed: 11/9/10

Western Mass. Electric Co. v. Springfield Technology Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment of utility services rendered: $158,542.50
Filed: 11/3/10

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
EMAP Limited v. The October Co. d/b/a/ Chemetal
Allegation: Breach of contract and unjust enrichment: $18,251.95
Filed: 12/13/10

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Accutech Insulation & Contracting v. Springfield Group Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of materials, equipment, and services on a construction project: $16,677.46
Filed: 11/22/10

Performance Food Group v. Elita 7, LLC d/b/a/ Donna Kay Rest Home
Allegation: Non-payment of goods provided on credit account: $34,935.88
Filed: 11/23/10

Performance Food Group v. Samco and Jason J. Boucher
Allegation: Non-payment of goods provided on credit account: $47,220.82
Filed: 11/23/10

Performance Food Group v. Worcester Light d/b/a Anna Maria Rest Home
Allegation: Non-payment of goods provided on credit account: $35,072.77
Filed: 11/23/10

United Rentals v. Converted Organics Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of materials, equipment, and services on a construction project: $19,068.62
Filed: 11/19/10

United Rentals v. Maxton Technology Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of materials, equipment, and services provided on a construction project: $27,506.31
Filed: 11/22/10

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Pioneer Valley Winnelson Co. v. Statewide Mechanical Contracting Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $22,440.99
Filed: 12/8/10

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff January 18, 2011

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of January 2011.

AGAWAM

Coyote Realty
1340 Springfield St.
$425,000 — Construction of a new Wendy’s restaurant

Genesis Healthcare
55 Cooper St.
$290,000 — Upgrade of nurse’s station, patient, and dayrooms

Olympic Manufacturing Group
95 Bowles Road
$3,000 — Construct external deck

CHICOPEE

Salesmaster Associates Inc.
140 Padgette St.
$44,000 — Install 86.2 KW photovoltaic array

EAST LONGMEADOW

EL Village
34 Center Square
$25,000 — Tenant fit out

Roman Catholic Bishop
110 Maple St.
$15,000 — Replacement windows

HOLYOKE

Holyoke Gas & Electric
100 Gatehouse Road
$62,000 — Remove and replace roof

LONGMEADOW

American Legion
417 Longmeadow St.
$8,900 — Re-roof

Bay Path College
21 Hopkins Place
$18,500 — Construct wheelchair ramp

GPT Longmeadow
686 Bliss Road
$32,000 — New office space

Wolf Swamp Middle School
62 Wolf Swamp Road
$25,000 — Convert classrooms to offices

LUDLOW

Health South
14 Chestnut Place
$45,000 — New fire sprinkler system

John Goncalves & Sons
172 Munsing St.
$29,000 — New roof

SOUTH HADLEY

Coderre Development
192 Lathrop St.
$10,000 — Basement construction and finishes

E-Ink
7 Gaylord St.
$966,000 — Renovations

Mt. Holyoke College
50 College St.
$19,000 — Alterations

SPRINGFIELD

City of Springfield
474 Armory St.
$361,000 — Library renovations at Montessori school

WESTFIELD

Allen Street Realty
80 Main Line Dr.
$41,000 — Install new bathroom

Westfield Masonic Associates
72 Broad St.
$10,000 — Replace roof over front portico

Westfield Coatings Corp.
221 Union St.
$26,000 — Alterations

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Ashley Associates, LLC
95 Ashley St.
$25,000 — Fit out 2,684 square feet of office space

Salamon Realty Inc.
103 Myron St.
$40,000 — Remodel existing space to accommodate clinic

White Hut Inc.
280 Memorial Ave.
$5,000 — Interior renovations

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff January 18, 2011

DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of January 2011.

AGAWAM

AM Gutter Guys
23 Marlene Dr.
Andrey Mozolevskiy

Brother’s Painting
47 James Ave.
Erol Kumas

Hope Community Church AG
152 South Westfield St.
Eric Welch

Photographic Journals
360 North Westfield St.
Sean Fitzgerald

Thousand Cranes Studio
505 Springfield St.
Stanislas Coly

Uberfast Ski Service
73 Poplar St.
Michael Dechristopher

CHICOPEE

A+ Roofing & Home Improvement
26 Harding St.
Nathan Warren

Chicopee Street Auto Sales
363 Chicopee St.
Wayne L. Pare Sr.

Contemporary Conservatory Company
165 Front St.
Robert Langston

D.G.S. Auto Technologies
552 Chicopee St.
David Stearns

Euro Glass & Frame Automotive
164 Chicopee St.
Kenelma Rivera

Mike’s Clock Shop
118 Ann St.
Michael W. Harry

MOX
40 Haynes Cir.
Main Oxy/Chicopee LLC

GREENFIELD

S6 Glassworks
34 Pierce St.
Susan Griswold

Charmed Nails
41 Bank Row
Carrie Kuzmeskus

HOLYOKE

Autumn’s Bookkeeping
90 County Road
Lynn Schroder

Budget Inn
579 Northampton St.
Mita Patez

Elle Jewelry
50 Holyoke St.
Nolmar Hannoush

F & M Motor Sales
414 South St.
Michael Gruszka

Jadhai
254 Maple St.
Oneida G. Rivera

JGL Truck Sales
27 Jackson St.
Javier Gonzalez

JP’s Restaurant
200 Whiting Farms Road
Frances Lavelle

Mainstreet Shell Chow Hands
636 Main St.
Taha Kidwai

Majeya’s Avon
254 Maple St.
Ana D. Torres

Maria Gift Shop
252 Maple St.
Maria M. Rondon

Salazar Jewelry & Accessories
254 Maple St.
Pedro Salazar

Sam’s Quality Motors
170 Main St.
Samuel Rosa

PALMER

JP’s Auto Service
346 Wilbraham St.
Jean P. Carbonneau

Vic’s Organ Service
295 Burlingame St.
Victor Granger

SPRINGFIELD

American Red Cross
506 Cottage St.
Richard A. Lee

Arctic Rental and Leasing
1601 Page Blvd.
Carl A. Jasmin

Art’s Gardens
27 Savoy Ave.
Arthur Martin

BNI Business Endeavors
191 Chesnut St.
Alice Kempf

Colon’s Touch of Elegance
154 ½ Main St.
Lisandra Colon

Experience Wellness Center
80 Congress St.
Omar Faruk

Falls Fruit
1003 St. James Ave.
Masudur Rahman

Four Seasons Cyber LLC
296 Cooley St.
Jennifer D. Burritt

Garcia’s Painting
878 Liberty St.
Luis A. Garcia

Great Walls
1004 Berkshire Ave.
Jason A. Lemire

Happy and Sweet LLC
807 Worthington St.
Caterina Cardenuto

Housing Alternatives
175 State St.
Donna L. Beaumier

Laugh For No Reason
1127 Worthington St.
Trevor H. Smith

Nusean’s Old Fashion Cleaning
17 Woodside Terrace
Nusean Denise

P. J. R. Enterprise Inc.
1 Federal St.
Pablo J. Rios

Pearson Professional Center
1 Monarch Place
Debra Risch

WESTFIELD

Adnet
60 Arnold St.
Brian R. Hoose

Brills Auto Sales
388 Southampton Road
David Albert

Litl’Ant Productions
285 Birch Bluff Dr.
Michael A. Wertelet

NEVSKIY Construction
81 South Maple St.
Sergey Shcherbakov

Patmos Construction
216 Shaker Road
Stanislav I. Petrik

WEST SPRINGFIELD

AT&T Mobility
1018 Riverdale St.
New Cingular Wireless

Cool Runnings LLC Training Salon & Spa
311 Elm St.
Michael G. Price

Dirk Kidwell Electrician
100 Front St.
Dirk Kidwell

Exclusive Painting
79 Pierce St.
Ryan T. Roberts

Lucky Sevens Carpet
1752 Riverdale St.
Gabriel Khatchadouran

Pat’s Auto Sales Inc.
179 Bosworth St.
Philip Catanzarite

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff January 18, 2011

Agenda Departments

Smart Growth Zoning
Jan. 24: Proposed locations for Chapter 40R Smart Growth districts will be presented to Ludlow residents at 6 p.m. at Ludlow Town Hall. Chapter 40R Smart Growth zoning districts encourage a higher concentration of housing and mixed-use developments in areas with existing infrastructure to create a range of housing options and spur community revitalization. Communities that adopt Smart Growth zoning districts are eligible to receive special state funds. The presentation will be facilitated by the town’s Smart Growth Zoning Advisory Committee and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.

Clio Awards
Jan. 26: The Ad Club of Western Mass. will showcase the 2010 television/cinema winners from the 2010 Clio Awards, one of the most recognized international advertising, design, and communication competitions, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Rivers Memorial, Western New England College, Springfield. Reservations must be made by Jan. 19 by calling (413) 736-2582. The cost is $25 for Ad Club members, $35 for non-members, and $15 for students. For more information, visit www.adclubwm.org.

Visionaries Forum
Jan. 28: The University of Hartford’s Construction Institute will host its second annual Visionaries Forum, part of the A/E/C Issues series, “A Visionary Approach to Design and Construction,” from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Cromwell in Cromwell, Conn. Program registration, continental breakfast, and networking will begin at 7:45 a.m. For more information or to register, visit www.construction.org.

Rick’s Place Benefit
Feb. 5: The third annual Heart to Heart fund-raiser for Rick’s Place is planned from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Ludlow Country Club. Established in memory of Rick Thorpe, who died in Tower Two of the World Trade Center on 9/11, Rick’s Place was created to provide a supportive, secure environment where families can remember their loved ones and avoid the sense of isolation that a loss can produce. For ticket information, call Shelly Bathe Lenn at (413) 348-3120 or visit www.ricksplacema.org.

Business Open House
Feb. 9: The Scibelli Enterprise Center at the STCC Technology Park in Springfield will host an open house titled “Growing Successful Small Businesses” from noon to 1 p.m. The event is offered to explain how the Enterprise Center is the regional hub for entrepreneurship for Western Mass. Small-business owners and service providers are encouraged to attend the open house. For more information, call (413) 755-6109 or visit
www.springfieldincubator.com.

National College Fair
March 6-7: The Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield is the setting for the Springfield National College Fair, slated from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 6 and from 9 a.m. to noon on March 7. Sponsored by the National Assoc. for College Admission Counseling and hosted by the New England Association for College Admission Counseling, the event is free and open to the public. The fair allows students and parents to meet one-on-one with admission representatives from a wide range of national and international, public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Participants will learn about admission requirements, financial aid, course offerings, and campus environment, as well as other information pertinent to the college-selection process. Students can register at www.gotomyncf.com prior to attending the event to receive a printed bar-coded confirmation to use on-site at the fair as an electronic ID.

Summer Business Summit
June 27-28: The Resort and Conference Center of Hyannis will be the setting for the Summer Business Summit, hosted by the Mass. Chamber of Business and Industry of Boston. Nominations are being accepted for the Massachusetts Chamber, Business of the Year, and Employer of Choice awards. The two-day conference will feature educational speakers, presentations by lawmakers, VIP receptions, and more. For more information, visit www.masscbi.com.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff January 18, 2011

Chamber Corners Departments

Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555

• Jan. 19: Professional Women’s Chamber 13th Annual Business Expo, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Max’s Tavern, MassMutual Room. Cost, Table Top: members $60, non-members $90 (includes one lunch ticket). Cost, lunch only: members $25, non-members $35. For reservations, contact Lynn Johnson PWC liaison, at (413) 755-1310 or [email protected]

• Jan. 22: West of the River Chamber of Commerce Night at the Falcons, 7:30 p.m., MassMutual Center. Cost: $10. For reservations, call Chris Thompson at (413) 739-3344 ext. 109.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com

• Jan. 20: Third Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m., Panana’s Restaurant, Agawam. Cost: free for members, non-members $10. Includes food and cash bar.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

• Jan. 19: Salute Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., MassMutual Learning & Conference Center, 350 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Cost: members $18, non-members $25. For tickets, call the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or purchase online at www.chicopeechamber.org

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• Jan. 27: Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and 50th Anniversary Dinner, 5 p.m., the Delaney House, 500 Country Club Road, Holyoke. Cranberry chicken and halibut combo luncheon. Cost: members $29.95, non-members $32.95.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376

• Jan. 19: Chamber After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Homewood Suites, 375 Whitney Ave., Holyoke. Cost: members $5, non-members $10 cash.
n Jan. 25: Computer Security Seminar, 8 to 11 a.m., Mass Mutual Conference Center, Chicopee

Northampton Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900

• Jan. 30: Bowl with a Purpose, 12 to 2 p.m., Spare Time, 525 Pleasant St., Northampton. Charity fund-raiser. Teams of four to six players. Registrants can register as a team or be placed on a team. Cost: $20 pre-registered, $25 at the door. Includes unlimited bowling during the event, shoe rental, pizza, and soda. For registration information, visit www.thenayp.com

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451

• Jan. 25: President’s Dinner, cocktails at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p. m., Willitts-Hallowell Center, Mount Holyoke College. Sponsors: premier members. Special guest speakers: TBD. Annual business meeting. Cost: $37. Check must be received by Jan. 21.

Opinion

By BusinessWest Staff January 18, 2011

Opinion

America’s Revival Begins in Its Cities

During economic downturns, we begin to fear that we are entering a permanent period of decline. But we can avoid that depressing prospect if we recognize that a revival will not come from federal spending or another building boom. Reinvention requires a new wave of innovation and entrepreneurship, which can emerge from our dense metropolitan areas and their skilled residents. America must stop treating its cities as ugly stepchildren, and should instead cherish them as the engines that power our economy.
America’s 12 largest metropolitan areas collectively produced 37% of the country’s output in 2008, the last year with available data. Per-capita productivity was particularly high in large, skilled areas such as Boston, where output per person was 39% higher than the nation’s metropolitan average. Boston also seems to be moving past the current recession, with an unemployment rate well below the national average of 9.8%.
Since 1948, the national unemployment rate has exceeded 9% only one other time: the grave 1982 recession. During the 1980s, we looked at Japan and saw an economy that seemed to be surpassing our own. Today, we watch with unease as China surges.
Yet American decline is not inevitable. During the 25 years after 1982, our real gross domestic product increased by 3.3% per year, which was also the rate of growth during the quarter-century before 1982. Our post-1982 growth involved massive economic restructuring. Manufacturing employment fell by 39% from its peak of 19.4 million jobs in 1979. The 1979-2009 manufacturing decline was more than offset by the 126% employment jump in professional and business services and the 184% increase in education and health jobs.
Boston offers a model of how cities can foster such transformations. In the 1970s, Boston seemed headed for the trash-heap of history. Manufacturing jobs had vanished, and social chaos ensued. But Greater Boston experienced three great decades, as a former industrial hub became a capital of the information age.
To succeed in the future, the country needs to produce a stream of new ideas, like personal computers, Facebook, and steerable catheters. We must produce goods and services innovative enough to command the high prices needed to cover high labor costs.
Such breakthroughs rarely come from solitary geniuses. The movie The Social Network hints at the messy, interactive process that created Facebook, which now has over 500 million users and is valued at about $40 billion. Mark Zuckerberg benefited from being surrounded by smart peers, whose ideas about social networking helped his company get started.
The roots of Boston Scientific reveal a similarly collaborative process that started in the basement of a Belmont church. The brilliant inventor (and spiritualist) Itzhak Bentov created a steerable catheter, catering to the demands of Boston’s medical community. Boston connected Bentov with John Abele, who brought his business vision and later connected Abele with other partners, who helped him create a medical-innovation behemoth.
Cities have long enabled economic creativity. Detroit in 1900 looked a lot like Silicon Valley in the 1960s, with an entrepreneur on every street corner. In that urban hotbed, innovators like Ford, Buick, and the Fisher Brothers supplied and financed each other — and borrowed ideas freely. The urban edge in engendering innovation explains why globalization and technology have made cities more, not less, important. While all workers in the Boston area benefit from the region’s human capital, the flow of knowledge seems strongest in the dense clusters of Boston and Cambridge.
For decades, the American dream has meant white picket fences and endless suburbs. But the ideas created in dense metropolitan areas power American productivity. We should reduce the pro-home-ownership bias of housing policies, such as the home-mortgage-interest deduction, which subsidize suburban sprawl and penalize cities. We should rethink infrastructure policies that encourage Americans to move to lower-density environments. Most importantly, we should invest and innovate more in education, because human capital is the ultimate source of both urban and national strength.
As we grope toward a brighter future, we must embrace our cities, and invest in the skills that are central to their success.

Edward L. Glaeser, a professor of economics at Harvard, is the author of the forthcoming book The Triumph of the City.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff January 18, 2011

Briefcase Departments

Denver Stepping Down as Chamber President
SPRINGFIELD — After 14 years as president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Russell F. Denver recently announced he is leaving that post in the coming weeks to pursue other professional opportunities. Denver, an attorney, noted that he feels now is the opportune time to step down and bring in someone else with a fresh perspective. Citing his accomplishments, Denver noted in particular the Urban Land Institute’s work that has been done in the city. Before leaving his post, Denver plans to complete work on zoning revisions for the city, as well as the new “Make It Happen” marketing campaign for Springfield. Jeffrey S. Ciuffreda, vice president of government affairs for the Affiliated Chambers, will serve as interim president. Currently, the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce have approximately 1,200 members and an annual budget of $300,000. The Affiliated Chambers include the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the West of the River Chamber of Commerce, the East of the River Chamber of Commerce, and the Professional Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

Springfield Leadership Institute Registration Underway
SPRINGFIELD — Registration is underway for this year’s Springfield Leadership Institute (SLI), which represents a 37-plus-year collaboration between the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield and the Western New England College School of Business. Institute alumni represent many accomplished and distinguished leaders in business, education, government, and nonprofit communities. The 2011 Springfield Leadership Institute, which begins on Feb. 17, will challenge participants to think in new ways and to analyze their own strengths and organizational challenges within a dynamic economy. SLI is taught by Western New England College faculty, who will introduce participants to emerging leadership theory and best practices. A segment on ‘Leadership Presence’ is being added this year along with the institute’s continued emphasis on problem-solving at the executive level. Case studies have also been updated for the 2011 program. The program meets every Thursday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St. Participants in SLI learn how to be more effective leaders and how to have the power to make an important difference both in the workplace and in the community. Contact Lynn Johnson at (413) 755-1310 or at [email protected] for more information.

2011 Woman of the Year Nominations Sought
SPRINGFIELD — The Professional Women’s Chamber of Commerce, a division of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, is seeking nominations for the 2011 Woman of the Year Award. The award has been presented annually since 1954 to a woman in the Western Mass. area who exemplifies outstanding leadership, professional accomplishment, and service to the community. The nominee’s achievements can be representative of a lifetime’s work or for more recent successes. Any woman in the Pioneer Valley is eligible for nomination, and a chamber affiliation is not required. To obtain a nomination form, visit www.professionalwomenschamber.com or e-mail committee chair Michelle Cayo at [email protected]. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 11.

Call for ADDY Award Submissions
SPRINGFIELD — The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts (ACWM) welcomes submissions for its 2011 ADDY Awards from individuals and organizations throughout Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties. The annual competition recognizes creative excellence in all media, including print, broadcast, interactive, out-of-home, and public-service advertising. The ADDY Awards competition is a three-tier (local, regional, and national) competition conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF). ACWM is the only AAF-member club in the New England district. A panel of advertising experts will select winners in Springfield on Feb. 11. All entries must be registered online. For information on submission guidelines and a direct link to commence the submission process, visit www.submitandrepresent.com. The deadline for mail submission is Jan. 31. In-person submissions will be accepted on Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Berkshire Bank community room, 1259 East Columbus Ave., Springfield. For more information, call the Ad Club at (413) 736-2582.

Unemployment Hits 20.7% in Construction Sector
WASHINGTON — Despite a slight drop in the nation’s unemployment rate, the construction industry ended 2010 with a jobless rate of 20.7%, according to the Jan. 7 report by the U.S. Labor Department. The construction industry lost 16,000 jobs last month and 93,000 jobs, or 1.6%, compared to December 2009. While the unemployment rate was up from 18.8% last November, it is down from 22.7% in December 2009. The average annual unemployment rate for the construction industry in 2010 was 20.6%, compared to 19.0% in 2009 and 10.6% in 2008. The non-residential building construction sector lost 400 jobs in December, but was up by 5,700 jobs, or 0.8%, from the same time one year ago — the first year-over-year growth since August 2008. Employment in that sector was 688,300 in December on a seasonally adjusted basis. Employment in heavy and civil engineering construction decreased for the second straight month, down 12,700 in December. However, employment in that sector was up by 18,100 jobs, or 2.3%, from December 2009. Specialty trade contractors gained 3,300 jobs last month, but the segment is down 79,000 jobs, or 2.2%, from the same time last year. The residential-building construction sector shed 5,900 jobs for the month and 37,000, or 6.2%, for the year. The nation gained 103,000 jobs in all industries in December, with the bulk of job growth in leisure and hospitality, up 47,000 jobs; education and health services, up 44,000 jobs; and trade, transportation, and utilities, up 31,000 jobs. Year-over-year, the nation has gained 1,124,000 jobs, or 0.9%. The nation’s unemployment rate dropped to 9.4% in December from 9.8% the previous month. “The nation’s construction industry should be glad to see 2010 in the rearview mirror, as the sector ended the year on a dismal note,” said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu in a prepared statement. “It is noteworthy that heavy and civil engineering has lost jobs for two consecutive months, which may be a reflection of the steadily slowing impact of federal stimulus spending. For much of the past year, that segment had been adding jobs. The expectation is that the nation will continue to add jobs. However, the construction sector is poised to underperform in the year ahead due to a number of factors, including dwindling direct impact from stimulus spending and the ongoing malaise in commercial real estate. With a national unemployment rate now at 9.4% — the lowest rate since May 2009 — this is an indication that the labor market is improving reasonably quickly. However, this does not seem to be the case with the construction industry, as today’s numbers may be a reflection of numerous factors in the economy, including still-subdued confidence among business owners and decision-makers.”

Uptick in Car Sales Sends Optimistic Sign
DETROIT — U.S. automakers will take a victory lap at the Detroit auto show this month after a measurable recovery from years of losses, a shrinking of market share to Asian rivals, and the bankruptcy troubles of Chrysler and General Motors (GM), according to Edmunds.com. GM posted a $2 billion third-quarter profit and then launched a public stock offering in November, while Chrysler increased its market share in 2010 and will introduce two new models this month at the auto show. Also, Ford was able to regain the number-two spot in the U.S. market from Toyota in 2010 when it saw its share grow for the second consecutive year. Overall, U.S. auto sales rose 11% last year to 11.6 million vehicles. Sales forecasts predict sales of 12.5 to 13.5 million units in 2011, and Toyota hopes its prospects are good for big gains despite its recent recalls. “If [the Detroit Three] can make money at depression-level sales, it tells you something dramatic has changed,” said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich., in a prepared statement. “If we get back to 13, 14, 15 million units, this is going to be an astonishingly profitable business.” In the coming months, automakers are also expected to revamp their lineups with ‘green’ cars that will meet new emissions standards. Toyota will be expanding its Prius hybrid with the introduction of a new wagon, Tesla will be showing a luxury electric sedan, and GM launches its subcompact, the Chevy Sonic, as well as a compact Buick and the plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt. However, “the risk to the marketplace is that consumers aren’t asking for these,” said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with IHS Automotive. Hybrid auto sales fell last year to 2.4% of the U.S. market from 2.8% in 2009, according to Autodata. The North American International Auto Show is open to the public Jan. 15-23.

Link to Libraries Receives Grant
EAST LONGMEADOW — The Service League of Springfield (Philanthropic Management–Bank of America) has made a $1,000 grant to Link to Libraries Inc. The organization will use the grant to offer Senior Connections, a Link to Libraries read-aloud program for children in the Holyoke and Springfield areas who are enrolled in preschool programs. The program is conducted in collaboration with Loomis Communities and Reeds Landing residents. The residents will team up with Link to Libraries educators and volunteers to offer preschool-age children reading programs locally during the spring and fall. Susan Jaye-Kaplan, co-founder of Link to Libraries, noted in a statement, “this collaboration is yet another partnership with local residents and agencies to enhance the reading skills of children of all ages and to make a connection with talented adults who reside in our community and want to remain active.” The Link to Libraries Senior Connection will be managed by Roberta Hillenberg-Gang of Longmeadow, who serves on the organization’s advisory committee. For more information, visit www.linktolibraries.org or call (413) 224-1031.

Editorial

By BusinessWest Staff January 18, 2011

Opinion

Incentives — They’re a Necessary Evil

‘Corporate welfare.’
That’s the term used in some circles to describe the incentives — mostly in the form of state and local tax breaks, but they come in other forms as well — given to companies to locate in a community or remain there and expand their operations. It has a very negative connotation, and, in the eyes of many, it’s warranted.
Welfare, a term that’s being removed from the lexicon, at least in this state, and replaced with ‘transitional assistance,’ implies help to those who outwardly need it. Some would say that businesses, or at least the vast majority of them, don’t need and don’t deserve tax breaks and other assistance when very few companies, and no residents, get such help.
But this view does not reflect the current world in which we live and try to do business. Indeed, jobs are the lifeblood of every community, every region, every state, and, yes, every country, and the competition for jobs has never been more intense. Thus, incentives like those recently awarded by the state and the city of Springfield to Smith & Wesson and Titeflex (see story, page 6), and by the state to Qteros (now doing business in Chicopee), are certainly warranted, if not exactly popular.
States and economic-development regions are being quite imaginative, and generous, with incentives, especially in this economy and when so many former manufacturing centers are struggling. If these companies and others, such as Performance Food Group in Springfield when it was looking to expand in the city, did not get the tax breaks they requested, they would, in all likelihood, have gone elsewhere.
All this said, communities and states have a responsibility to award incentives wisely and fairly, with an eye toward helping a region, not an individual business. Most people remember when Springfield was handing out grants and attractive loans willy-nilly, to seemingly anyone who wanted to open a restaurant and had a business plan in hand — and they remember the consequences: unpaid loans and vacant storefronts.
Which is why we’re pleased to see that the state’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council has changed the rules when it comes to how it awards tax subsidies. These changes, which came in the wake of criticism that the state had squandered millions of dollars over the years on dubious projects, such as fast-food restaurants and retailers who probably would have opened in the Bay State anyway, were certainly overdue.
The new regulations, adopted early in 2010, limit which companies are eligible for subsidies, and give state economic-development officials more discretion over the awards. In short, priority is now given to manufacturers and companies at the cutting edge of new technology and processes (such as Qteros) and to opportunities for job growth in the so-called Gateway Cities, which include Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, and others in this region.
And these awards come with some heavy strings, such as the promise of new jobs and investments in these companies’ operations. So while time will ultimately tell what happens at Smith & Wesson, Titeflex, Qteros, and other companies in this region, the money spent by the state and the communities involved appears for now to be well-spent.
As we said at the top, business incentives — or that much-less-flattering term for them, corporate welfare — seem inherently unfair when residential taxpayers don’t receive breaks and many business owners stay in a region for decades, and sometimes expand several times, without asking for or receiving financial assistance.
But the reality is that these incentives are, indeed, necessary, and you might as well drop the word ‘evil’ that usually follows that term.
When you do the math, and divide the state tax subsidies awarded to Smith & Wesson ($6 million) by the number of jobs created (225), it’s about $26,000. That’s a lot of money for a job, but for a region that’s screaming for new employment opportunities, especially good-paying jobs in manufacturing, that price sounds like a bargain.
And a price well-worth paying — if, and only if, the conditions are right.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff January 18, 2011

Departments People on the Move

People on the Move

van Schouwen Associates, LLC, of Longmeadow announced the following:

Shannon Filipelli

• Shannon Filippelli has been promoted to Director of Strategic Communications; and

Staasi Heropoulos

• Staasi Heropoulos has been hired as Manager of Strategic Communications.
The expanded staffing and organizational changes come as the firm inks several contracts for new business with a regional bank, national retailer, international component R&D test firm, health care services organization, and other companies.
•••••
Dr. Michael Coppola has been elected President of the Washington, D.C.-based American Sleep Apnea Assoc. for 2011. Coppola, who specializes in pulmonary and sleep medicine, has served on the association’s Board of Directors since 2004. He is President and CEO of Springfield Medical Associates. He also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.
•••••
Jeffrey Corrigan has been named Vice President of Human Resources at the Brattleboro Retreat, Brattleboro, Vt. Corrigan has close to 30 years of experience in leading human resources in health care settings.
•••••
Marta Nichols has been appointed CitiStat Director for the City of Springfield. Nichols will be responsible for managing the development and implementation of CitiStat, Performance Management and ACE/LEAN, including the development of all policies, processes, and communication programs. Nichols will also serve as a member of the steering committees that drive Continuous Improvement Springfield, as well as identify, analyze, prioritize, and make recommendations to the committee. Additionally, she will advise Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Lee C. Erdmann on department activities, problems, and performance.
•••••

Christina M. Sousa

TD Bank has named Christina M. Sousa the Store Manager of the Ludlow Center store at 549 Center St. An Assistant Vice President, she is responsible for new-business development, consumer and business lending, and managing personnel and day-to-day operations at the store.
•••••
Attorney Rosemary J. Nevins has been named Senior Counsel at Royal LLP, 270 Pleasant St., Northampton. Nevins has more than 25 years of experience in labor and employment law.
•••••
John Kennedy has been named Vice Chancellor for University Relations at UMass Amherst. He will direct the campus’ marketing, branding, and communication efforts. He will also oversee units responsible for communications and marketing, news and media relations, and external relations and university events.
•••••
The Central Massachusetts South Chamber of Commerce in Sturbridge announced the following:
• Michael Detarando, of Incom, has been named to the Board of Directors;
• Jonathan Kelley, of Savers Bank, has been named to the Board of Directors;
• James Leaming, of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, has been named to the Board of Directors; and
• Thea Marcoux, of SCHOTT North America, has been named to the Board of Directors.
•••••

Denise McCarthy

Denise McCarthy has joined Marcotte Ford in Holyoke as Business Development Manager. She is responsible for generating new business for the dealership by cultivating Internet inquiries as well as communicating with existing prospects and customers. She also promotes the dealership through participation in the Holyoke and Chicopee Chambers of Commerce and off-site marketing and community events.
•••••
Alfredo Batista has joined Keller Williams Realty in its Longmeadow office.
•••••
David Barclay has been appointed as Director of Development at Historic Deerfield.
•••••
Psychologist L. Saxon Elliott has joined James Levine Associates in Westfield and South Hadley.
•••••
Jeremy M. Leblond, a Certified Public Accountant, has joined the firm of Aaron Smith, Certified Public Accountants and Business Consultants, of East Longmeadow, as a Manager.
•••••
Attorney Carol Cioe Klyman, of the firm Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, of Springfield and Northampton, has been elected as a Fellow of the Board of Regents of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
•••••
Bradley Newell has joined Consolidated Health Plans in Springfield as Chief Financial Officer.
•••••
Northampton Planning Director Wayne Feiden has been nominated as an honorary member of the American Institute for Architects. His nomination states that Northampton has received the highest score in Massachusetts for sustainability in five of the past six years.
•••••
Tom O’Regan has been hired at UMass Amherst as the Manager who oversees emergency preparedness planning and response activities for the campus.
•••••
Frank DeCaro was recently honored as one of PepsiCo’s top performers worldwide with induction into the inaugural group of Chairman’s Circle of Champion winners. He was among 216 Associates from PepsiCo’s more than 250,000-person global operations team to win the honor.
•••••
Henry J. Drapalski Jr. has been named the Center for Human Development’s Vice President of Business Planning & Analysis. He will be responsible for analyzing business operations and fiscal performance and planning future growth for the $58 million, nonprofit agency.

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of December 2010.

AGAWAM

Juliann Stillo
737 North St.
$9,000 — Install pre-made metal garage on concrete slab

Kiran Majmudar
916 Suffield St.
$20,000 — Add new banquet room to existing building

Parlay of MA Inc.
662 Springfield St.
$8,000 — Build first-floor bathroom

CHICOPEE

Rushing Waters Assembly of God
465 Granby Road
$12,000 — Install fiberglass steeple

EAST LONGMEADOW

Benton Professional
265 Benton Dr.
$90,000 — Interior build-out

United Methodist Church
215 Somers Road
$5,300 — Replacement windows

HOLYOKE

Jeffrey Cunningham
306 Race St.
$39,000 — Installation of a new rubber roof

LONGMEADOW

Bay Path College
524 Longmeadow St.
$1,185,400 — First- and second-floor alterations with addition on the side

Longmeadow Mall
789 Williams St.
$37,000 — Alterations of office space

St. Mary’s
10 Hopkins Place
$550,000 — New dwelling with two-car garage

Twin Hills Country Club
700 Wolf Swamp Road
$18,000 — New storage building

LUDLOW

St. Elizabeth Church
191 Hubbard St.
$5,700 — Reline chimney

Laser Point Partners
40 Westover Road
$8,700 — Alterations

SOUTH HADLEY

Big Y
44 Willimansett St.
$25,000 — New windows

Center Redevelopment
17 College St.
$76,000 — New roof on building 23

Fire District #1
144 Newton St.
$3,000 — New windows

SPRINGFIELD

Dave Ratner
1330 Carew St.
$3,000 — Interior renovations

WESTFIELD

Advance Associates
8 Turnpike Industrial Park Road
$200,000 — 60-by-125-square-foot addition to existing building

HB Smith Company
47 Industrial Park Road
$45,000 — Install new men’s room

Ronald Kaddy
32 East Silver St.
$12,000 — Replace outside fire escape

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Common Ground Restaurant
25 Park Ave.
$15,000 — Renovate basement of existing restaurant

Gogri Brothers, Inc.
3 Robin Road
$75,000 — Renovate 4,272 square feet of retail space

UITP
321 Main St.
$22,000 — New roof

Bankruptcies

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

Bankruptcies Departments

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Akey, Terry G.
367 King Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/16/10

Allard, Kate S.
PO Box 824
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/10

Andrade, Marco P.
Andrade, Kristen M.
176 Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Barszewski, Daniel J.
89 Maple St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Bednarz, Thomas Edward
240 Three Rivers Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Benjamin, David A.
Benjamin, Stephanie L.
66 Fairman Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Betts, Charles E.
16 Leatherleaf Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Bonney, Kenneth F.
13 Normandy Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/29/10

Boucher, Richard G.
1130 County Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/10

Breault, Glenn Allan
17 Stewart Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/10

Brierley, Jason William
27 Briggs St., 2d Fl.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/20/10

Burnias, Manuel C.
11 Flynt Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/29/10

Campbell, Peter S.
Campbell, Lyida R.
263 Redlands St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Carme, Margaret R.
59 Congress St., Apt. 5
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Celentano, Nancy L.
101 Pinehurst Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/10

Champigny, David P.
23 Begley St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/10

Cintron, Beatriz
35 Fruit St., F-62
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/10

Citlak, Ahmet
81 Bluebird Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/10

Clark, Howard James
86 Congress Ave., 3rd Fl.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/20/10

Cochrane, Charles William
Cochrane, Jennifer Leigh
15 Glenn Albyn St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/16/10

Costello, Edward M.
53 Forest Glen Dr.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/26/10

Cournoyer, Renata S.
28 Woodward Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/10

Cousineau, Mary N.
58 Sanders St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/10

Cruz, Lydia E.
577 Pleasant St. Apt 1
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/28/10

Demers, Daniel A.
Demers, Valarie A.
19 College St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/28/10

Denison, Annette L.
1026 Liberty St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Dron, Alan R.
167 West St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/29/10

Drowne, Lawrence E.
Drowne, Gwen E.
107 New Athol Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/10

Eberhart, Lisa Regina
P.O. Box 1223
Springfield, MA 01101
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/10

Favreau, Michelle M.
279 Pleasant St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/10

Fearfield, Amy M.
a/k/a Johnson, Amy
205 Deerfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Franck, Cathy A.
53 Empire St., Apt. P
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Garcia, Gregory
27 Continental St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/10

Garcia, Jeritza
142 Bridge St.
Williamstown, MA 01267
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Gill, Venora
116 Spring St., Apt. 1
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/20/10

Girard, John Francis
Girard, Melissa Violet
499 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Grueter, Derek A.
Grueter, April R.
PO Box 215
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Guilman, Jennifer A.
126 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Gyeidu, Kofi
1 Hampton Ter.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Hanks, Sherry L.
23 Maple Ridge Dr.
Somers, CT 06071
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/10

Harrison, Steven G.
21 Alan Dr.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/10

Haskins, David J.
690 Silver Lake St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/10

Hassenfratz, K. George
21 Plaza Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Hazelton, Kathleen A.
185 Holtshire Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/10

Horton, Seth C.
95 Brown St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/29/10

Hughes, Christopher Ryan
Hughes, Kelly Anne
a/k/a Moore, Kelly Anne
169 South St.
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Iellamo, Jr., Paul A.
55 Windham Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Jones, Jamieson F.
27 Amnity Place
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/10

Jones, Teikko E.
20 Kirk Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Kania, Todd A.
Kania, Pamela L.
18 Woodbridge Road
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/26/10

Kodreanu, Galina
6 Lemnos Lane
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Krasheninnikov, Igor V.
105 River St. Apt 2.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/10

Krasheninnikov, Yelena P.
105 River St. Apt 2.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/10

Kratovil, Melissa L.
518 Broadway St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/10

Lafrance, Melvin J.
6 Orchard St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Lamb, Sandra M.
268 Palmer Road, Lot 50
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/30/10

Lambert, William J.
39 Chestnut St., Apt 215
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/19/10

Lamere, Michael B.
Lamere, Sharon A.
a/k/a Richard, Sharon A.
1 Cheney St., Apt. 1
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/10

Langford, Roy G.
Langford, Ella Louise
a/k/a Johnson, Ella Louise
37 Sherbrooke St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/10

Lazarev, Valentin
22 Pleasant St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Leahy, Erica R.
63 Hillview Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/10

LeBorgne, Dawn M.
a/k/a Cross, Dawn M.
a/k/a Toma, Dawn M.
93 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Lemieux, Lisa A.
158 Clarendon Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/10

Leutsch, Alfred V.
Leutsch, Kathleen R.
286 Buck Pond Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/10

Mac Dougall, Scott A.
629 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/10

Mackenzie, Kevin J.
342 Southwick Road Apt B5
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Marchand, Stella L.
54 Merriam St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Marinez, Richard
6 Sorrento Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/10

McCauslin, Christopher
29 Old Chester Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/10

McCormick, Beverly A.
PO Box 840
Northampton, MA 01061
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Melnik, Sergey V.
Melnik, Victoriya A.
23 Dover St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/19/10

Orlosk, Arthur W.
159 Mallard Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/10

Paige, Clifford F.
Paige, Sondra D.
122 Bates Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Pantos, Steven S.
Golemba, Susanne
Box 1120
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/10

Politakos, Marios
Politakos, Ekaterini
a/k/a Alvanos-Politakos, Ekaterini
21 Beauchamp St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/16/10

Powling, Lewis E.
Powling, Kay S.
132 Cheney St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/10

Prive, Douglas W.
Prive, Barbara Martin
50 Oxford St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/10

Putnam, David F.
200 Dana Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/25/10

Rivera, Arnaldo
109 Ridgewood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Rothschild, Lindsey Micaela
2 South Hampshire St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Royal, Bruce K.
Royal, Jeannette T.
64 Mystery Lane
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/10

Ryan, Joshua A.
Ryan, Amber M.
167 West Main St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/10

Sager, Rachel
350 Meadow Road, Apt. 1
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Santiago, Angel
PO Box 834
Northampton, MA 01061
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/29/10

Saunders, George Leroy
Saunders, Sheena Marie
29 Bumstead Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Schofield, Everett Clifford
Schofield, Andrea Renae
a/k/a Wright, Andrea Renae
139 Spencer Road
Oakham, MA 01068
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Scribner, Sandra Lee
115 Barker Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/27/10

Setsoafia, Thankgod Peter
115 Main St., Apt. 2R
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Shallcross, Bruce R.
8 Villone Dr. #5
Leeds, MA 01053
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Shewchuk, Wesley
68 Elmwood Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Shriver, Brian
Shriver, Marilyn
125 Meadowbrook Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/10

Silva, Deanna Jeanne
a/k/a Johnson, Deanna Jeanne
91 Beacon Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/10

Smith, Jeffrey M.
15 Pineridge Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Steele, Mark A.
Steele, Mary Beth
295 Southwick St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/10

Taylor, Margaret A.
429-431 East St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/18/10

Thayer, Candace A.
1130 County Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/10

Tolson, Daniel Lee
111 Garden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Tolson, Kathleen Ann
a/k/a Stephenson, Kathleen A.
45 L2 Mercury Court
Arms Apartment
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Tremblay, Maryann
491 Bridge Road, Apt #332
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/24/10

Vazquez, Angel L.
Ocasio, Maria M.
21 Clifford St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Vedovelli, David A.
Vedovelli, Heidi V.
12 Albano Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/10

Vreeland, Gregory D.
Vreeland, Shana K.
a/k/a McLaughlin, Shana K.
2 Conifer Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Wood, Tracie L.
a/k/a Dimascola, Tracie L.
224 South St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Yard, Shaquana M.
203 Dewey Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/17/10

Zager, Anthony Michael
Zager, Peggy Marie
65A River Road
Gill, MA 01354
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/10

Ziter, Christina Maria
9 Pearl St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/16/10

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of December 2010.

AGAWAM

Crash Dynamics Reconstruction
36 Hemlock Ridge
Christopher Sanchez

M&J Goncalves Inc.
1192 Suffield St.
Mike Goncalves

Mobile One Locksmith
94 Florida Dr.
Stephen A. Ouellette

Schlaffer Chiropractic
192 Shoemaker Lane
Joseph Schlaffer

Sunkissed Spray Tanning
206 Brookfield Lane
Kaila Chianciola

Vozik LLC
22 Winthrop St.
Tatyana Shut

CHICOPEE

AJL Electric
95 St. Jacques Ave.
Flan Lubas

Bernie’s Service Station
1057 Montgomery St.
Daniel Bernashe

Daigle’s Truck Master Inc.
54 Fuller Road
Jeff Daigle

DMS Autobody & Collision
393 New Ludlow Road
Wesley D. Smith

Freedom Cycles
562 Chicopee St.
Jeff Heath

Nana’s Auto Service LLC
817 Front St.
Michael W. Asselin

Power On
115 Beauregard Terrace
Ruishan Yu

Vitaliy’s Auto Sales Inc.
374 Chicopee St.
Dmitry S. Gornik

GREENFIELD

Manna House
205 Main St.
Dwight Zeager

Stardust RES Publishing
353 Conway St.
Robert Sweeney

HOLYOKE

Computer Repairs & Accessories
254 Maple St.
Wanda I. Rodriguez

Frances Cakes & More
254 Maple St.
Frances Roman

Kendra’s Jewelry Shop & More
254 Maple St.
Kendra I. Velez

La Favorita Mini Market
156 High St.
Juan M. Almonte

Lady’s Underground
254 Maple St.
Luis Diaz

Let’s Talk
252 Maple St.
L’Sandra Sepulveda

Mercy Home Care
1236 Main St.
Jason Lee

Music Factory Express
595 Northampton St.
Charles Daviau

Retrophanatic Consignment Thrift Shop
146 High St.
Lorenzo Cox

Twin Stop-Homestead Inc.
625 Homestead Ave.
Rajendra I. Swadia

PALMER

D & M Auto Repair
1422 Park St.
David A. Bren

Daisychain Equine Assistance
20 West Ware Road
Sheryl Jyringi

SPRINGFIELD

Project Nine Graphics
59 Mayflower Road
Kyle Anderson

Proto EDM
182 Pinevale St.
John G. Picard

Racing Mart Fuels
685 Sumner Ave.
Rizk Abiassaf

Redbrick Books
797 Page Blvd.
Marcia J. Fuller

Scavengers Art Gallery
83 Tulsa St.
Delilah Rosa

Sheekan Inc.
182 Florida St.
Abdullah S. Abdul

Spark Center
563 Main St.
Laura A. Geryk

Speak Easy Accent Modifications
29 Mattoon St.
Erica I. Walch

Springfield Conservatory
869 Sumner Ave.
Pattricia Surniak

T & M Varietys & Accessories
6 Johnson St.
Theophilus E. Waldon

Telejobs-Workforce
73 Mobile Home Way
Edith I. Savoy

Thomas Midway Barber Shop
1106 State St.
Thomas Allen

Virtue Salon of Excellence
538 Page Blvd.
Eutrina Lynette

Walnut Convenience Store
108-112 Walnut St.
Rouel C. Christie

Wheeler Gas & Convenience
321 Walnut St.
Mohammad Rasheed

WESTFIELD

Friends of the Westfield Animal Shelter
63 Knollwood Dr.
Sandra Tracy

Hooper’s Books
20 Ridgeview Ter.
Tamra Pace-Hersh

O’Neill’s Quality Construction
144 Little River Road
Michael O’Neill

Scentsy Independent Consultant
29 Morningside Dr.
Jessica Castro

Shining Star Daycare
49 Montgomery St.
Brenda LeBlanc

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Baron Auto Sales
195 River St.
Timothy Roberts

Buttercups Bistro Traveling Personal Chef
81 Hayes Ave.
April Cantell

China House
164 Elm St.
Yan F. Zhao

Honey Bee Farms
753 Union St.
Alla Pchelka

Nursefinders of Springfield, MA
181 Park Ave.
Angela Moore

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

Departments Incorporations

The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

AGAWAM

Bronner Monitor Inc., 7 Old Mill Road, Agawam, MA 01001. Raymond Bronner, same. Gas leak detection and prevention shut-off devices.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Bach Trucking & Transportation Inc., 174 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Leonard Eremento, III, same. Towing company.

FRANKLIN

Ben Finn Consulting Inc., One Elizabeth Ave., Franklin, MA 02038. Benjamin Finn, same. Software consulting.

Concierge Clinical Solutions Inc., 7 Ledge St., Franklin, MA 02038. Jennifer Conley, same. Management consulting.

HADLEY

Jhype Marketing Inc., 35 Hockanum Road, Hadley, MA 01035. Fjodor Agranat, same. Internet advertising and marketing.

HAMPDEN

The Hampden Theater Guild Inc., 3 Hillside Lane, Hampden, MA 01036. Mark Giza, same. Community theater.

HOLYOKE

Casa DeFe Yhwh Jireh Inc., 508 South St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Ramon Antonio Crespo, 10 center St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Nonprofit established to preach the word of God.

Gringo Motorsports Inc., 452 Main St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Cory Taylor, 313 Silver Lane, Sunderland, MA 01375. Sales and service of automobiles and motor vehicles.

LPCR Sound Inc., 10 Hospital Dr., Holyoke, MA 01040. James Swierzewski, same. Rental equipment.

LEE

Grapes & Grains Inc., 205 Mandalay Road, Lee, MA 01238. Steven Hamilton Dixon, same. Liquor store.

LUDLOW

Defenders of the Defenseless Inc., 889 East St., Ludlow, MA 01056. Anna Maria Ribas-Dias, same.

NORTHAMPTON

Bamyan Media Inc., 184 Main St., Apt. 3BR, Northampton, MA 01060. Anna Elliot, same. Educational non-profit organization.

G.A.R. Trucking Inc., 30 Riverview, West Apt. 11, Pittsfield, MA 01202. Trucking company.

Holyoke Commercial Real Estate Inc., 5 Cedar St., Unit B, Northampton, MA 01060. Timothy Bay Thompson, same. Commercial real estate for sale or lease.

SOUTH HADLEY

Bedside Books Inc., 18 Susan Ave., South Hadley, MA 01075. Sarah Dybizbanski, 26 Susan Ave. 01075. Nonprofit organization established to provide books to neonatal care hospitals for parents to read to their children.

Furry Friends Pet Sitting Inc., 7 Lamb St., South Hadley, MA 01075. Mark Chapin, same. Pet sitting service.

SPRINGFIELD

Drapeau’s Inc., 40 Peekskill Ave., Springfield, MA 0119. Norman Drapeau, same. Transportation and delivery of freight goods and packages by common carrier.

E-Z Grocery & Fruit Market Corp., 68 Appleton St., Springfield, MA 011008. Guillermo Negron, same. Retail and wholesale of groceries and fruit.

Harris Contractor Inc., 86 Massreco St., Springfield, MA 01109. Diolinda Harris, same. Reconstruction, alteration and renovation.

I and U Corporation, 20 East St., Springfield, MA 01104. Umar Chaudhry, 228 Ramblewood Dr., Springfield., MA 01118. Gas station and convenience store.

M.A. Smith Investments Inc., 64 Tyler St., Springfield, MA 01109. Michael Smith, same. Properties for rent or lease.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

KS Cash Flow Consulting Inc., 41 Chester St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Kelley Schuhlen, same. Locating investors to purchase promissory notes and like documents held by individuals, and corporations.

WESTFIELD

Morray Inc., 9 Glenwood Dr., Westfield, MA 01028. Homer Foucher, same. Real estate investment.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

Agenda Departments

Business Open Houses
Jan. 12, Feb. 9: The Scibelli Enterprise Center at the STCC Technology Park in Springfield will host two open houses titled “Growing Successful Small Businesses” from noon to 1 p.m. The events are offered to explain how the Enterprise Center is the regional hub for entrepreneurship for Western Mass. Small-business owners and service providers are encouraged to attend the open houses. For more information, call (413) 755-6109 or visit www.springfieldincubator.com.

National College Fair
March 6-7: The Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield is the setting for the Springfield National College Fair, slated from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 6 and from 9 a.m. to noon on March 7. Sponsored by the National Assoc. for College Admission Counseling, and hosted by the New England Assoc. for College Admission Counseling, the event is free and open to the public. The fair allows students and parents to meet one-on-one with admissions representatives from a wide range of national and international, public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Participants will learn about admission requirements, financial aid, course offerings, and campus environment, as well as other information pertinent to the college-selection process. Students can register at www.gotomyncf.com prior to attending the event to receive a printed, bar-coded confirmation to use on-site at the fair as an electronic ID.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

Company Notebook Departments

Berkshire Hills, Legacy Announce Merger
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. and Legacy Bancorp Inc. recently announced a definitive merger agreement under which Berkshire will acquire Legacy and its subsidiary, Legacy Banks, in a transaction valued at approximately $108 million. The merger of Legacy into Berkshire will create a combined institution with $4 billion in assets. This in-market merger will create efficiencies and market-share benefits for the combined banks, which both have branches in Western Mass. and Northeastern New York. Including Berkshire’s pending merger with Rome Bancorp, the combined bank will have more than 60 offices serving Berkshire County, the Pioneer Valley, New York, and Southern Vermont. Legacy has nearly $1 billion in assets and 19 branches, while Berkshire has nearly $3 billion in assets and will have 47 branches, including the Rome branches. Both banks are headquartered in Pittsfield and have histories stretching back more than 150 years serving the Berkshire County market. Michael P. Daly, Berkshire’s president and chief executive officer, noted in a statement, “this in-market combination will create a strong platform headquartered in Berkshire County for further growth of our Northeast regional franchise.”

Tighe & Bond Approved for Fisheries & Wildlife Projects
WESTFIELD — The Mass. Division of Fisheries & Wildlife recently prequalified Tighe & Bond to perform biological surveys, research, and testing at varied sites throughout the state. This approval allows the firm to participate in Fisheries & Wildlife bid opportunities in eight service categories that include: wetland delineation and soil surveys; engineering services; GIS and database projects; road and trail assessment and mapping; property boundary location and marking; natural community, restoration, natural-resource mapping, and management planning; plants and fungi; and reptiles and amphibians. The Division of Fisheries & Wildlife is part of the Mass. Department of Fish and Game, which awarded Tighe & Bond a master service agreement earlier in 2010 for ecological and river restoration through its Division of Ecological Restoration. Tighe & Bond was also recently prequalified for another two years to provide similar services to the Mass. Department of Transportation.

Bay Path Receives InternHero Award
LONGMEADOW — Annually, the Hartford-Springfield Economic Partnership (HSEP) recognizes students and colleges that promote HSEP’s InternHere.com program. This year, HSEP selected Bay Path College as the recipient of the 2010 College InternHero Award for its special support of InternHere and the large number of undergraduates who have benefited from the program. An initiative of HSEP, InternHere assists college students in finding internships. The Web site features more than 1,000 regional businesses and organizations that post internship opportunities. Students can search for internships and apply to opportunities online. Bay Path was recognized at HSEP’s 2010 State of the Region Conference on Dec. 9.

Berkshire Wind Completes $64.7M Financing
BOSTON — The Berkshire Wind Power Cooperative Corp. (BWPCC) recently issued $64,705,000 in tax-exempt revenue bonds to complete the financing for its Berkshire Wind Power Project, the largest wind project to date in Massachusetts. The 10-turbine, 15-megawatt project, located on Brodie Mountain in Hancock, is scheduled to begin operation in mid-February. All 10 turbines are fully erected, and remaining construction work involves completing electrical connections needed to deliver project electricity to the power grid. Proceeds from the 20-year bond issue will be used primarily to repay a $52.5 million, short-term loan taken by BWPCC to finance turbine purchases and preliminary construction activities. The bond issue, rated A by Fitch Ratings and A-minus by Standard & Poors, also will fund additional construction expenses, a debt-service reserve fund, and underwriting costs. The BWPCC is comprised of 14 state municipal utilities and the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC), all nonprofit, public-power entities. Through contracts with BWPCC and MMWEC, the municipal utilities will receive their respective shares of project output and be responsible for their proportionate share of debt service on the bonds. Once it is operational, the project will nearly double the state’s current 18.5 megawatts in windpower resources, which include more than 20 comparatively small projects ranging in size from 100 kilowatts to the 3-megawatt project operated by the Princeton Municipal Light Department, according to the state Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs Web site. Wind speeds atop Brodie Mountain, one of the best inland wind sites in Massachusetts, average about 8 meters per second, making it a Class 6 wind resource on an American Wind Energy Assoc. scale of 1 to 7. The BWPCC project is expected to operate at a capacity factor of approximately 40% and produce more than 52,500 megawatt hours of electricity a year, enough to power approximately 6,000 homes.

Adam Quenneville Receives National Recognition
SOUTH HADLEY — Adam Quenneville Roofing, Siding & Windows has received national recognition in Compass magazine. The magazine delivers monthly columns from the foremost industry experts in the fields of training, marketing, motivation, and more. In addition, Compass highlights the most accomplished contractors in the country and, in the latest issue, featured the local firm as the cover story. Labeled as an “innovator” and “revolutionary roofer,” Quenneville was also recognized for being a green company. Quenneville noted in a statement that “we’ve recycled over 2 million pounds of roofing shingles. One of the company’s goals is to save the planet one roof at a time.” The firm is located at 160 Old Lyman Road.

Chamber corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

Chamber Corners Departments

Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
n Jan. 19: Professional Women’s Chamber 13th Annual Business Expo, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Max’s Tavern, MassMutual Room. Cost, Table Top: members $60, non-members $90 (includes one lunch ticket). Cost, lunch only: members $25, non-members $35. For reservations, contact Lynn Johnson PWC liaison, at (413) 755-1310 or [email protected]
n Jan. 22: West of the River Chamber of Commerce Night at the Falcons, 7:30 p.m., MassMutual Center. Cost: $10. For reservations, call Chris Thompson at (413) 739-3344 ext. 109.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com
n Jan. 20: Third Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m., Panana’s Restaurant, Agawam. Cost: free for members, non-members $10. Includes food and cash bar.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com
See the chamber’s Web site for information on upcoming events.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
n Jan. 19: Salute Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., MassMutual Learning & Conference Center, 350 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Cost: members $18, non-members $25. For tickets, call the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or purchase online at www.chicopeechamber.org

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
n Jan. 13: Networking By Night Business Card Exchange, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Harley-Davidson of Southampton, 17 College Highway, Southampton. Co-sponsor: Puffer Printing & Copy Center. Door prizes, hors d’ouevres, host bar. Cost: members $5, non-members $15.
n Jan. 27: Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and 50th Anniversary Dinner, 5 p.m., the Delaney House, 500 Country Club Road, Holyoke. Cranberry chicken and halibut combo luncheon. Cost: members $29.95, non-members $32.95.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
n Jan. 12: Winner Circle, 5 to 7 p.m., Yankee Pedlar, 1866 Northampton St., Holyoke. Sponsored by Holyoke Medical Center; Dowd Insurance; Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll; PeoplesBank; Holyoke Community College; and Universal Plastics.
n Jan. 19: Chamber After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Homewood Suites, 375 Whitney Ave., Holyoke. Cost: members $5, non-members $10 cash.
n Jan. 25: Computer Security Seminar, 8 to 11 a.m., Mass Mutual Conference Center, Chicopee

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
n Jan. 12: January Arrive @ 5, 5 to 7 p.m., Volkswagen of Northampton, 968 Bridge Road, Northampton. Cost: $10 for members.

Northampton Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900
n Jan. 30: Bowl with a Purpose, 12 to 2 p.m., Spare Time, 525 Pleasant St., Northampton. Charity fund-raiser. Teams of four to six players. Registrants can register as a team or be placed on a team. Cost: $20 pre-registered, $25 at the door. Includes unlimited bowling during the event, shoe rental, pizza, and soda. For registration information, visit www.thenayp.com

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451
n Jan. 25: President’s Dinner, cocktails at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p. m., Willitts-Hallowell Center, Mount Holyoke College. Sponsors: premier members. Special guest speakers: TBD. Annual business meeting. Cost: $37. Check must be received by Jan. 21.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

Court Dockets Departments

The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT
F&M Landscaping v. Popeye Chicken & Biscuits
Allegation: Non-payment of snowplowing and sanding services rendered: $26,214.63
Filed: 12/6/10

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. v. Neu Tradition Millwork Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of trucking and freight-transportation services rendered: $2,708.49
Filed: 11/19/10

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Bonnier Corp. v. Webcloseout.com, Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of advertising services: $32,554.52
Filed: 11/23/10

Duke Concrete Products v. Northeast Mesa, LLC & Guilio Burra and Campanelli Westfield, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of equipment provided and services rendered on construction project: $51,505.36
Filed: 11/22/10

Howard Remmich v. Medeiros/Williams Chevrolet Inc.
Allegation: Breach of warranty: $72,089
Filed: 11/14/10

Lisa Sotov v. Baystate Health Systems Inc., Aida Rivera, and Antonia Delgado
Allegation: Defendant disclosed confidential medical information, causing emotional distress: $25,000+
Filed: 11/19/10

Rafael Alicia v. Lorenver Po, M.D., et al
Allegation: Overdose of cholesterol medications, resulting in kidney failure: $44,317.92
Filed: 10/28/10

York International Corp. v. Statewide Mechanical Contracting Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered and services rendered: $100,564
Filed: 11/4/10

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Katie Davis and Christopher Wolcott, individually and as parents of Lucas Wolcott v. Edward J. Patton, M.D.
Allegation: Medical malpractice: $120,000
Filed: 11/29/10

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
TBF Financial, LLC v. Davtam Insurance Associates Inc.
Allegation: Breach of lease agreement: $4,711.97
Filed: 11/22/10

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Brenda Aulet and Javier Hernandez v. Drive USA 2 Inc.
Allegation: Breach of warranty: $17,373.72
Filed: 11/9/10

Joseph Simons Division of the Bell Pump Service Co. v. Lessard Plumbing & Heating Co.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $10,924.68
Filed: 11/17/10

Leahy Press Inc. v. Wholesale Printing Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $14,701.95
Filed: 11/8/10

Neuro-Psychology Associates of Western Mass v. Cigna Corp.
Allegation: Failure to pay medical claims: $8,882.30
Filed: 11/16/10

Performance Food Group v. Cuisine of Mark Connolly Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods provided on credit account: $9,635.53
Filed: 11/23/10

United Rentals v. Behrend Construction Co. Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of materials, equipment, and services rendered: $9,028.03
Filed: 11/9/10

Picture This

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

Departments Picture This

Cutting the Ribbon

WNEC Campus

Western New England College celebrated the latest addition to its campus last month, the new, $40 million Center for the Sciences and Pharmacy designed to support learning and research. College President Anthony Caprio joined with hundreds of faculty, staff, students, and community leaders to mark the grand opening of the 127,000-square-foot facility. Caprio hailed the new center an exceptional learning environment that reflects WNEC’s growth and a greater emphasis on research by both faculty and students. “It is because of our entire community of talented and committed faculty, staff, students, trustees, alums, and friends that our university will continue to transform itself and the thousands of students we have incorporated into our dynamic journey,” he said. Below, Caprio and Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Delbridge, surrounded by faculty and staff, trustees, and local business and political leaders, cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Caprio and Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Delbridge, surrounded by faculty and staff

The Pajama Project

Pajama Project

Collecting clean, new sleepwear to benefit homeless children and families for the Pajama Project are (from left) Anthony Cignoli, president of A.L. Cignoli; Fr. Brennan, co-director at St. Francis Chapel; Don Anderson, owner of the Cruise Store; Aida Claudio, volunteer at St. Francis Chapel; and Mary Fallon, media director at Garvey Communication Associates Inc. Donations can also be dropped off at any Pride Station and Store. The collection runs through Jan 7.

Opinion

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

Opinion

A Taxing Situation for Businesses

Massachusetts general law allows cities and towns to tax business properties at a higher rate than residential properties even though all properties are assessed the same way, at full and fair market value. While this practice dates back to 1984, there really isn’t any factual or sound reasoning for it other than to shift some of the property-tax burden off of residents and onto business. That said, 106 of the 351 communities in Massachusetts take advantage of this option, and some of them now have a business tax rate more than twice that of residents.
One other property tax faced by businesses but not residents is a tax on ‘personal property.’ This levy is assessed on objects ranging from the dentist or hairdresser’s chair to the local variety store’s cash register, all of which is taxed at the business-tax rate.
Businesses face many other fees, taxes, and costs, ranging from their annual license to workers’ compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, and health care costs. All of these are either set or regulated on a regional or statewide basis, and therefore all would be using the same rate structure or tax table, as for unemployment insurance taxes. Let me note here that the per-employee cost of unemployment insurance is now the highest of any state. While these costs might cause an economic disadvantage to a Massachusetts business, they do not affect decisions on where to locate within the state.
Back to the local property tax that is set by an annual vote of elected officials. In the Greater Springfield area, five towns within the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield — East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, and Wilbraham — all have a single rate for both business and residents. At the hearing prior to the vote, residents often speak out, as in Longmeadow this year, asking for property-tax relief, meaning a shift of more taxes onto businesses. Those boards of selectmen have consistently seen the folly in doing that and realize that any shift at all would severely burden a sector so vital to a town’s makeup.
In three other communities — Agawam, Springfield, and West Springfield — it is a different story; all three have adopted a higher business rate. One should note that these communities are surrounded by the other communities mentioned above, and many of those communities do have land zoned for business and therefore have very competitive rates.
This year, in each of the three communities with two rates, the councilors heard from the business community that this rate is important to them, especially in their efforts to survive this difficult economy, keep their doors open, and maintain jobs. As you think of these words, picture the stores that make up the fabric of the community; the barber or hairdresser you go to, where you have your car serviced, where you run to pick up that item or gift you forgot about. One other way to understand the importance of this issue is to look at the vacant storefront that once had a business in it with two to five people employed there.
At one of the hearings, it was noted that the difference in tax rates between Springfield and Ludlow, two communities joined by a very short bridge, is such that a barber on the Springfield side of the bridge would have to perform almost 200 more haircuts than his counterpart on the Ludlow side of the bridge just to pay the increased taxes due to his location. Several other examples showed that, when you break down the tax burden by the square foot of a property, those similar businesses in cities with two rates were paying more than twice as much per square foot as those in single-rate communities.
So, the question is: are local property-tax rates really important to local businesses? They certainly are when businesses make decisions about where to locate, whether to employ that extra person, often from the neighborhood, or simply whether to keep the doors open. In advocating for a fairer split of taxes, it is the business community’s hope that they can survive, prosper, and grow, and, more importantly, that other businesses will come into the city or town and expand the tax base. That way everyone, businesses and residents alike, win.

Jeffrey Ciuffreda is vice president of Government Affairs for the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield; (413) 787-1555.

Editorial

By BusinessWest Staff January 4, 2011

Opinion

Continuing a Proud Tradition

In the fall of 1995, BusinessWest created a new recognition program. Called ‘Top Entrepreneur’ (‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ was and still is copyrighted), it was launched to pay homage to the strong tradition of entrepreneurship in Western Mass., recognize its vast importance in the development of this region, and honor those who are continuing that tradition today.
Past winners have included Jeb Balise, president of Balise Motor Sales; Andrew Scibelli, then-president of Springfield Technical Community College and catalyst for the Technology Park on that campus; the Falcone family, founders of the Rocky’s Hardware chain; and the Holyoke Gas & Electric Department, chosen last year for its entrepreneurial exploits in the realm of regional economic development.
This year, the honoree is Robert Bolduc, founder and CEO of Pride, the large chain of stores that has become a significant part of the local business landscape. Bolduc, who started his operation with one small, full-service gas station in Indian Orchard, later to become one of the first self-service facilities in the region, grew it in every way it can be grown — from geography to the products on the shelves — and could have been honored at any time over the past 15 years.
He was our pick this year not merely for his body of work, although that was certainly a big factor — but also for the way in which he pressed on and continued to expand during the past few years, when most business owners in this region were hunkering down and merely trying to survive.
Bolduc’s story, which is chronicled starting on page 24, is an inspiring and effective way for us to re-emphasize the importance of entrepreneurship to the growth and vitality of this region. As we’ve said on many occasions, while it’s possible that one or more very large employers could be attracted to this region, thus spurring employment opportunities, it is far more likely that real and substantial growth will come organically from small ventures growing into larger employers.
History has shown this to be the case, including such stories as those of Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson, who started small in Springfield before becoming one of the largest gunmakers in the world (and a company that, coincidentally, will soon be adding more than 200 new jobs); Milton Bradley, who reinvented toymaking; Michael Kittredge, who started Yankee Candle, and countless others.
These individuals all started with good ideas, but also had the skill, vision, persistence, courage, and, yes, healthy doses of luck to turn them into successful ventures that have contributed to the overall health and vibrancy of our region.
It is this tradition that we’re honoring with our Top Entrepreneur award, but we hope this recognition program does more.
Our other motivation in starting it was to inspire the colleges and business-development groups in the region to continue to find new ways to foster entrepreneurship. This means everything from educating elementary-school students that owning one’s own business is a very reachable, very worthwhile career option, to developing new facilities in which fledgling companies can get started and perhaps, if the individuals behind them have the wherewithal, get to the next level and beyond.
So as we honor Robert Bolduc for all that he and his team at Pride have accomplished, we also pay tribute to all those who carry on the tradition, and hope that these stories continue to fuel both the imagination and the spirit of entrepreneurship so vital to progress in the Pioneer Valley.

PictureThis

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Departments Picture This

Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’
c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103
or to [email protected]

Art & Soles
Organizers of the Art & Soles project, which brought colorful, five-foot-high sneakers to downtown Springfield, staged the official gallery opening for the celebrated footwear on Dec. 13 at 1351 Main St. Many of the artists were in attendance, as well as project coordinators and friends of the arts. At left, Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin, and Maryann Lombardi, director of Creative Economy at UMass Amherst and a program organizer, admire the works of art. Below left, Nancy Urbschat, left, owner of TSM Design and a project organizer, admires some of the sneakers along with Sue Bader, a life insurance consultant with Epstein Financial. Below, artist Misha Epstein with her sneaker, a tribute to the historic homes in the McKnight section of Springfield. A resident of that area, she called her sneaker “In My Neighborhood,” and along the bottom, the word ‘home’ appears in 23 languages.

After 5
The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield staged their annual holiday After 5 event in Tower Square on Dec. 8. The event was held outside the Festival of Trees, giving attendees a chance to see this year’s collection and enter the raffle to win one of the dozens of entries. Far left, a visitor admires one of the trees. At left, Courtney Merrill greets visitors to the booth of Robert Charles Photography, one of the event’s sponsors.

Opinion

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Opinion

The Economy and Our National Funk

“Yes, we can.’’ That was Barack Obama’s mantra as he took the helm of the nation nearly two years ago. Even though the economy looked scary, he — and we — had a sense of optimism that we could fix it. Not only would we avoid a second Great Depression, but we’d make things better.
Since then, we’ve successfully pulled back from the precipice. Private employers have added jobs for 10 straight months. In September, the National Bureau of Economic Research declared that the recession ended in June 2009.
And yet, despite these improvements, we seem to have lost our can-do conviction that the economy can indeed improve, that we can again create good jobs for all who need them. There appears to be a growing acceptance that slow job creation is “just the way things are.’’ A growing fatalism convinces us that the economy will be stuck at the bottom for quite some time.
These diminished expectations aren’t merely evidence of a national funk; they also pose a real threat to our economy — not just by making businesses and consumers less willing to invest in the future, but also by letting elected officials off the hook. Bringing down unemployment means more stimulus programs, but the widespread idea that we are doomed to austerity gives policy makers an excuse not to tackle the problem.
Americans are talking as though 2008’s direst economic predictions had come to pass. “Recovery means lower expectations,’’ MSNBC recently pronounced, reflecting the tone. Three out of every four millennial workers — those age 18 to 27 — report feeling threatened by the possibility of a layoff or job loss in the near future, and this is dimming their career hopes, according to a recent study by Lumin Collaborative. Older workers are delaying retirement because of falling assets, and many are accepting jobs far beneath their experience and education.
We are sending a new Congress to Washington, but we lack any faith that our representatives actually can address the most pressing issue on our minds: jobs. According to a recent poll from CBS, barely four in 10 Americans think that congressional Republicans have a clear plan for creating jobs. Obama’s numbers on this issue are only slightly better.
When nearly one in 10 are struggling to find work, and after 2.5 million foreclosures and counting, this sense of despondency is understandable. But this reaction, even among those who are working, is one of the most insidious outcomes of the Great Recession. Even though you or I cannot create the 15 million jobs necessary to get all those unemployed back to work, believing that no one can do so can hurt us all. A lack of ‘can-do’ thinking on the part of those in power — and those who advise them — will be just as disastrous for the American economy as was recession.
Consider what’s happened in Japan. That economy continues to struggle to recover from the bursting of its housing bubble in the 1990s. Japan has been stuck in a deflationary spiral, eerily similar to the path the U.S. is headed down. The fundamental problem has been a lack of willingness to spend and the political will to take the necessary steps to push Japan back on a path of stronger economic growth.
A more encouraging example, from Germany, suggests that we don’t have to accept that high unemployment is “the way things are.’’ German policy makers, for example, take unemployment seriously. And while their nation saw a larger decline in output during the Great Recession than did the U.S., their unemployment rate did not rise. Policy makers had put in place measures to encourage employers to keep on workers by temporarily cutting hours. In this way, they avoided the kind of high unemployment we’re now seeing, and Germany is now set to experience its fastest year of growth since 1991.
The federal stimulus bill saved or created more than 3 million jobs, and states received some relief to help them cope with falling tax revenues. But federal dollars are fading long before we’ve solved the unemployment problem.
Now much of the conversation in Washington is turning to paring back spending, rather than focusing on job creation. Washing our hands of the problem of high unemployment won’t make it go away. We need to demand that our elected leaders continue to focus on job creation — and not accept the notion that they can’t solve the problem. v

Heather Boushey is a senior economist at the Center for American Progress.

Bankruptcies

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Bankruptcies Departments

Bankruptcies were not available at press time. This issue’s filings will be printed in the next edition of BusinessWest.

Editorial

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Opinion

A Key Step Toward Economic Diversity

There wasn’t much fanfare when the Economic Development Council of Western Mass. (EDC) created a new position this past summer, that of ‘manager of Cluster Development.’ But this addition to the staff could have some important implications for the future health and well-being of this region’s economy.
The new cluster czar, if you will, William Wright, who has held a number of business and economic-development-related positions at UMass Amherst and in Michigan, has been handed an important assignment: devising strategies for growing and strengthening clusters of like businesses in this region.
His presence in the EDC’s suite of offices in downtown Springfield is part of a growing movement, nationally and internationally, to take what is inherently an organic process — the development of business clusters — and essentially expedite the process. If he is successful, the region will be taking some big steps toward the diversification of its economy that has become necessary — but not exactly reality — since the area’s manufacturing base started to deteriorate.
Backing up a bit, Wright told BusinessWest (see story, page 6) that clusters are nothing new. They’ve been around for centuries, and this region has developed several, mostly small in size, including gun making, paper and textiles, and, to a lesser extent, plastics. What is relatively new is the notion that cluster development can be accelerated and facilitated, perhaps shaving years or even decades off the process.
This isn’t easy work, and it’s complicated further by the fact that many cities and economic regions are now doing it, but we believe it is an important step forward.
Why? Because, as we’ve said many times before, in this region, and Springfield in particular, there has not been sufficient movement in the process of reinvention. There has been movement in some areas, including distribution (many jobs have been added in that sector), precision manufacturing, technology, biosciences, and even clean energy — but certainly not enough to replace the thousands of manufacturing jobs lost over the past half-century, and not enough to sustain the region moving forward.
So many so-called Gateway cities — Lowell, Holyoke, Fall River, and Worcester are others — have been stuck in neutral for many years now. Clusters are game changers. Anyone who’s been to Cambridge (life sciences), Silicon Valley, or the Research Triangle knows that. The Pioneer Valley is certainly not likely to replicate any of those efforts, but it can grow some existing clusters into more powerful economic engines that will create vibrancy for the future.
There are many facets involved with cluster development, from fostering entrepreneurship to creating stronger partnerships between the business community and the region’s colleges and universities; from facilitating the flow of capital to making a region top-of-mind when it comes to deciding where to launch or grow a business. It all comes down to one word — connections.
Wright is just getting started with his work to make such connections and foster cluster development. This work is difficult, as we said, and no one really knows whether it will bear any fruit. But from all indications, this is an important step forward for the region, one that could lead to real progress in those ongoing efforts to diversify and reinvent.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Company Notebook Departments

International EC Acquires MacDuffie School
SPRINGFIELD — Representatives of the MacDuffie School recently announced the planned sale of all school operations, not including the school’s city real estate, to International EC LLC, the group that acquired the former St. Hyacinth seminary campus in Granby in June. International EC is establishing an independent school in Granby and will absorb MacDuffie’s curriculum, corporate identity, intellectual property, furnishings, computers and business equipment, and faculty as it establishes a school serving grades 6 through 12 beginning next fall. The school, currently in its 120th year of operation, will continue as a day and boarding school. Massachusetts attorney-general approval is needed since the sale involves a nonprofit entity, the MacDuffie School, being acquired by a privately held company. Michael A. Serafino, chairman of MacDuffie’s Board of Trustees, noted in a statement that the acquisition “represents an exciting new chapter in MacDuffie’s history, offering the student body a larger campus with enhanced classroom space, outstanding boarding facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and athletic fields in a college-preparatory environment with high academic standards.” Serafino added that, in the highly competitive academic marketplace for private middle and secondary schools, “this move represents a chance to expand and promote the MacDuffie mission in a way that our current location, with space and infrastructure limitations, would not allow.” The sale of assets does not include the campus on Ames Hill Drive, and a workgroup has been established to ensure that the campus is maintained and secured after the school’s operations move to Granby. Efforts to prepare the campus for sale have started, according to Serafino. International EC, LLC has three managing partners — Craig Brewer, who currently oversees a large private high-school program for international students in the U.S.; Wayne Brewer, who is currently the CEO of International Student Exchange, and Dal Swain, the owner and president of FLS, which has a network of ESL schools for foreign students.

More Than 3,700 Sack Hunger at Big Y
SPRINGFIELD — In a chain-wide effort to help the hungry within their local communities, all Big Ys have initiated this year’s Sack Hunger program. The program consists of a large, green, reusable grocery bag filled with staple non-perishable food items selected by the food banks. Customers purchase a pre-assembled bag for $10, and Big Y then distributes the bags to that region’s local food bank. In turn, the food banks distribute the filled sacks to area soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day-care centers, as well as many of their other member agencies. All of the donated sacks will be distributed within the supermarket’s marketing area, so every donation stays within the local community. The Sack Hunger Campaign began Nov. 8 and will run through the rest of this year. So far, almost 4,000 bags have been sold. All five food banks within Big Y’s marketing area will be participating in Sack Hunger. These food banks represent more than 2,100 member agencies throughout the region. They are the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Worcester County Food Bank, Foodshare of Greater Hartford, and the Connecticut Food Bank. The sacks include the following non-perishable Big Y items: corn flakes, long-grain rice, elbow macaroni, kidney beans, peanut butter, cut green beans, sweet peas, whole kernel corn, chunk light tuna, and quick oats. Sacks are available at all Big Y Supermarkets and Fresh Acres. Big Y hopes to provide at least 5,000 bags to area food programs by the end of the program.

WMECo Starts Construction on Reliability Project
SPRINGFIELD — Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) recently broke ground for the Greater Springfield Reliability Project, a $795 million transmission upgrade designed to strengthen the region’s power grid, meet mandatory reliability standards, and allow power to move more freely around the Greater Springfield and North-Central Conn. area. Construction on the project has started at the new Cadwell Switching Station in Springfield and at the existing Agawam Substation. Construction of the overhead transmission line in Massachusetts is expected to begin on existing rights of way in early 2011. The creation of approximately 1,000 jobs is anticipated at the peak of construction, while adding about $11 million in much-needed tax revenues to towns along the project route. The project includes work along 39 miles of an existing transmission right of way between Ludlow and Bloomfield, Conn. The 27-mile portion in Massachusetts includes new 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines, new and reconstructed 115-kV lines, two new switching stations, and several substation upgrades. In Connecticut, construction is expected to begin with a substation upgrade in Bloomfield in mid-2011, and construction of the overhead line is expected to begin in late 2011. The project is expected to be in service in 2013. For more information about the initiative, visit www.neewsprojects.com

LENOX Earns OSHA ‘Star’
EAST LONGMEADOW — LENOX has been recertified for an additional five years in the prestigious ‘Star’ Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) of the U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). LENOX has maintained this elite health-and-safety certification for more than 10 years. OSHA’s verification for the Star certification includes an application review and a rigorous on-site evaluation by a team of OSHA safety and health experts. In 1997, LENOX became the first cutting-tool company in the country to receive this honor. Since then, LENOX has earned recertification in 2000, 2005, and now in 2010. Sites that make the grade must submit annual self-evaluations and undergo periodic onsite re-evaluations to remain in the programs. The plant, which employs 720 workers, manufactures power-tool accessories and blades including band-saw blades, hack saws, hole saws, utility knives, and reciprocating saw blades. The VPP promotes effective worksite-based safety and health, according to Mike Avery, director of safety and security for LENOX.

Langone’s Florist Opens at Tower Square
SPRINGFIELD — Brent Bertelli, owner of Langone’s Florist, recently signed a lease to take the former Longmeadow Flowers space located on the street level of Tower Square. This new endeavor is the second Langone’s Florist operation. The original store, located at 838 Main St., has been family-owned and operated since 1967. Bertelli said he hopes to expand the business and offer more products and services to the downtown clientele through the new location. Langone’s Florist offers custom florals, tropical plants, silk arrangements, seasonal décor, and a diverse collection of gifts.

Fallon Supports
Hunger-relief Programs
WORCESTER — Fallon Community Health Plan recently distributed more than $170,000 to dozens of designated food pantries and hunger-relief programs throughout Massachusetts. The donations represent the total net proceeds from its annual fund-raising event in September. This year’s record-breaking result is due to the participation of 96 organizations that generously contributed to the effort. Organizations specifically recognized for their donations include Booz & Co., CVS Caremark, the Revere Group, Epstein Becker & Green, Fallon Clinic, Acton Medical Associates, Beacon Health Strategies, Income Research & Management, and Protector Group. Fallon will support the following regional hunger-relief programs: Alliance to Develop Power, Springfield; Amherst Survival Center; Berkshire Community Action Council, Pittsfield; Christian Pentecostal Church, Holyoke; Elder Services of Berkshire County Inc., Pittsfield; Gandara Mental Health Center, West Springfield; Jubilee Cupboard, Ware; Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry, Chicopee; Open Pantry Community Services Inc., Springfield; Providence Ministries for the Needy Inc., Holyoke; Western MA Labor Action, Pittsfield; and the Westfield Food Pantry. Founded in 1977, Fallon is a national, not-for-profit health-care-services organization.

Baystate Rug and Flooring Receives Honor
CHICOPEE — Baystate Rug and Flooring was recently awarded the honor of being Mohawk Industries’ North American Flooring Store of the Year. Mohawk Industries awarded the firm the prestigious award based on criteria including sales, growth, marketing techniques, product knowledge, community service, and best practices. Baystate Rug competed regionally, winning the title of Northeast Flooring Store of the Year, before winning the national championship for all of Canada and the U.S. Joseph Montemagni, president of Baystate Rug, noted that, in order to qualify, “Mohawk evaluated our store’s business practices, our employees’ training, their product knowledge, and reviewed our commitment and involvement in our community.” Baystate Rug is a family-owned flooring company that specializes in retail and commercial flooring, installation, and decorating services. A diversified product selection includes carpet, ceramics, hardwoods, resilient, laminate, green flooring products, area rugs, and window treatments.

Bradley’s Paradies Shops Receive Awards
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — Bradley International Airport’s prime retailer, the Paradies Shops, was recently honored with several awards recognizing its top-performing managers and first-class associates at the company’s annual management seminar and vendor show in Georgia. The seminar celebrates the accomplishments of managers and both customer-facing and support-level associates who exemplify the company’s mission statement “to exceed the expectations of the customers and business partners we serve.” The Paradies Shops has operated at Bradley for almost 25 years, serves 78,000 customers per month, and runs six retail stores at the airport. Its team at Bradley, led by General Manager Deb Donahue, received numerous awards, including Best Customer Service, Best 401(k) Participation, and the coveted Public Relations Award. These honors are considered qualifying awards and are the basis for the revered awards that recognize the best of the best within the company. Taking home the top honors as one of four Executives of the Year was Judy Heit, a regional merchandise planner based at Bradley. Additionally, Patty Tucker, also of Bradley International, was selected as one of three Assistant Managers of the Year. The Paradies Shops, a family business established in 1960, operates more than 500 stores in more than 70 markets across the U.S. and Canada.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Briefcase Departments

Smith & Wesson to Add 225 Jobs in Springfield; Net Sales Rise Slightly
SPRINGFIELD — In the third quarter, Smith & Wesson made the strategic decision to relocate its Thompson/Center Arms operations from Rochester, N.H. to the company’s facility here. Approximately 225 jobs are expected to be added to the local economy with the Rochester relocation initiative. This relocation is designed to provide the company with increased operational efficiencies through the optimization of the company’s manufacturing footprint and increased synergies generated in fixed, marketing, and administrative costs. The bulk of the $9 million of estimated cash outlays associated with the relocation will occur in the second half of fiscal 2011, and those outlays are expected to be recovered in approximately 24 months. The relocation is scheduled to commence in January and conclude by November 2011. In other news, Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. recently announced that total net sales of $96.3 million for the second quarter decreased $13.4 million, or 12.2%, from net sales of $109.7 million for the comparable quarter last year. Indications are that the consumer firearm market has moderated further following the significant increase that started in the company’s third quarter of fiscal 2009. In the second fiscal quarter of this year, sales in all handgun and tactical rifle product lines, except premium products, were flat or lower than in the prior year quarter due to a more competitive environment and a trend toward more value-oriented products. Hunting products were the exception and increased 26.3% over the prior year’s comparable quarter on improved sales of black-powder products and the company’s new bolt-action rifles.

AIM Index Off in November, Retains Most Gains
BOSTON — The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index lost 3.2 points in November to 52.1, but held on to most of the gains from its record 7.7-point rise in October. The sub-indices based on selected questions or respondent characteristics all lost ground in November, though most gave back less than half of their October gains. The current index of conditions prevailing at the time of the survey was off 2.6 points at 50.6, while the future index of expected conditions six months ahead dropped 3.5 to 53.5. Andre Mayer Sr., vice president of communications and research for AIM, noted that employers are disappointed by the pace of recovery and are aware of considerable risk in the economy, but see conditions slowly improving and expect improvement to continue over the next six months. The Massachusetts Index of business conditions prevailing within the Commonwealth fell 2.6 points to 47.5, remaining above the U.S. Index of national conditions, which lost 5.8 (after a 12.3-point gain in October) to 43.0. On the year, the state indicator was up 9.0, its national counterpart up 6.3. Mayer added that survey respondents have rated the state’s economic climate better than the nation’s through this downturn and recovery. The monthly Business Confidence Index is based on a survey of AIM member-companies across Massachusetts, asking questions about current and prospective business conditions in the state and nation, as well as for respondents’ own operations. On the index’s 100-point scale, a reading above 50 indicates that the state’s employer community is predominantly optimistic, while a reading below 50 indicates a negative assessment of business conditions.

UMass Trustee Chairman Steps Down
AMHERST — University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Chairman Robert J. Manning stepped down as the leader of the 22-person UMass governance board on Dec. 8, saying it would be beneficial for the university to have new leadership as it enters a period of transition. Manning noted in a statement that the university is “embarking on a transition phase” that is significant to UMass, and as his term winds down at the end of this academic year, he cannot sign up for another five years. Manning, who has served as chairman of the board for three years, noted of his tenure, “it’s been a remarkable experience for me.” Manning added that he was stepping down from the chairmanship and from the board effective immediately. Gov. Deval Patrick will appoint the next chairman, according to Manning.

Poll: Strong Support for Resort Casino
PALMER — A recent public-opinion poll commissioned by Northeast Realty Associates and conducted by Market Street Research of Northampton shows overwhelming support for the establishment of a resort-style casino destination on acreage across from the Mass. Turnpike entrance on Route 32. The survey, conducted in mid-November, indicates 64.8% of Palmer residents support the development of a resort-style casino on land owned by Northeast Realty, while 30.3% are opposed with 4.9% undecided. Mohegan Sun currently holds a 99-year ground lease with Northeast to develop the property into a destination resort casino should gaming become legalized in Massachusetts. Earlier this year, the state House and Senate passed legislation calling for three resort casinos in the state, stipulating one of the venues for Western Mass. While final agreement on the legislation is stalled, Gov. Deval Patrick has consistently supported the development of three resort-style gaming venues, including a Western Mass. destination.

Spalding Hoophall Classic Teams Named
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College’s Blake Arena will be setting for the 10th annual Spalding Hoophall Classic Jan. 14-17, representing 46 teams from 17 states. The nation’s premier high school event will showcase its strongest field in its history with elite matchups including Dallas Lincoln High School (Dallas, TX) vs. Findlay College Prep (Henderson, NV), Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA) vs. Milton High School (Milton, GA), and St. Patrick High School (Elizabeth, NJ) vs. Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, NV). Numerous games from the 2011 Spalding Hoophall Classic will be televised nationally. Other programs scheduled to participate include DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, MD), Christ the King High School (Middle Village, NY), St. Thomas More School (Oakdale, CT), and St. Anthony High School (Jersey City, NJ), coached by Bob Hurley, Sr., who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in August. The 2011 event continues its tradition of talented players by featuring more than 20 of the ESPNU’s Top 100 in the class of 2011.

People On the Move

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Departments People on the Move

Tighe & Bond of Westfield recently promoted Christopher Bone, a Mechanical Process and Environmental Engineer, to Associate in recognition of his exceptional performance. He joined the firm in 1999 and has more than 17 years of project-management and engineering experience in providing municipal clients with innovative solutions for complicated water and wastewater challenges.
•••••
Dan Cohn has joined CornerStone Telephone Co. as an in-market Account Executive.
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Hatch Mott MacDonald of Holyoke announced that Eliezer Barbosa has joined the firm as a Designer.
•••••
Linda Syniec, CPA, has joined S. Reichelt & Co., LLC. Syniec has more than 25 years of public-accounting experience, specializing in tax services for private companies and high-net-worth individuals.
•••••
Anne Mostue has joined public radio station WFCR and WNNZ as a reporter. Mostue will be based at WFCR’s Peggy and David Starr Broadcast Center in Springfield.
•••••
Massachusetts Five Colleges Inc. announced the following:
• Herbert Bernstein, Professor of Physics at Hampshire College, Amherst, has been named a Five College 40th Anniversary Professor; and
• Debbora Battaglia, Professor of Anthropology at Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, has been named a Five College 40th Anniversary Professor.
A 40th Anniversary Professorship is an opportunity for veteran faculty members within the five campuses to share their expertise with students at other schools. During the three years of the professorship, each faculty member receives a research stipend, teaches at least three courses on other consortium campuses, and gives a public lecture on his or her work.
•••••
Garvey Communication Associates Inc. of Springfield announced the following:

Caroline Scannell

• Caroline Scannell has been appointed Accounts Analyst; and

Laura Chechette

• Laura Chechette has been appointed Public Relations Analyst.
•••••
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announced the following appointments to its Board of Trustees:
• William Dudley, Professor of Philosophy at Williams College. He has served on a range of college committees dealing with issues of educational policy, student and residential life, and diversity, and as an advisor to first-year students. He is a graduate of Williams, and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from Northwestern University;
• Shirley Edgerton, Residential Program Director for the Department of Developmental Services of Berkshire County. In addition to this work, she is the founder of the Women of Color Giving Circle of the Berkshires, based in Pittsfield, as well as Youth Alive step dance program, which uses the arts as a vehicle to engage young women in educational and mentoring programs. She also serves as a board member for the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Herbert Lehman College at the City University of New York, and a master of Education from MCLA; and
• Susan Gold, a member of the MCLA Foundation Board of Directors. Gold is an active community volunteer with experience and expertise in development and fund-raising who has worked with a number of organizations in Berkshire County, including Northern Berkshire Health Systems, the REACH Community Health Foundation, and Images Cinema. She serves as a trustee of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. She has served as a member and officer of the MCLA Foundation Board of Directors, and co-chair of the Foundation Board’s ad-hoc Fundraising Committee. She earned a bachelor’s degree from American University.
•••••
Leslie Lawrence has been named Director of Lending for the Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund in Holyoke.
•••••
David Rittenhouse has joined McCormick-Allum as manager of the electrical contracting division.
•••••
Lisa Doherty, Co-founder, President, and CEO of Business Risk Partners of Windsor, Conn. has been named to Business Insurance magazine’s list of “Women to Watch 2010.” Working with producers nationwide and partnering with global specialty carriers, the firm underwrites and administers professional and management liability policies for more than 160 professions in businesses of all sizes. The annual “Women to Watch” issue profiles 25 women executives based on recent professional achievements, influence on the marketplace, and contributions to the advancement of women in business.
•••••
Brenda D. Cuoco was recently recognized at Coldwell Banker for being a top producer within the Western Mass.area. She ranked 86th for units sold in Massachusetts and seventh for units sold within Western Mass.
•••••
Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services recently honored several area residents for their community work during its ninth annual business partnership breakfast in Springfield. Honorees were:
• Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr.;
• George Burtch, Vice President for Global Integration-Games at Hasbro;
• Jim Goodwin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Center for Human Development; and
• Tim Sneed, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Career Development Institute.
•••••
Kristina Drzal Houghton, a Partner with Meyers Brothers Kalicka, has been named one of three “Women to Watch” in the 2010 Experienced Leader category by the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, in partnership with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee. The annual awards program highlights the achievements of women in the certified public accounting profession in Massachusetts who have made significant contributions to the profession and their community, and who demonstrate leadership within their profession.
•••••
Charles Epstein, Founder of The 401(k) Coach Program, was named to Legg Mason Inc.’s Retirement Advisory Council, a new think tank comprised of 14 retirement-industry leaders. The council will convene quarterly and examine the major challenges facing retirement products, service providers, and the best practices observed by the industry. Participants on the council include 401(k) plan providers, brokerage/financial-adviser leaders, retirement-plan advisers, and independent contribution-industry experts. Legg Mason, headquartered in Maryland, is a global asset-management firm with $677 billion in assets under management as of Oct. 31, 2010.
•••••
Delania Barbee has been appointed Community Engagement Coordinator and Massachusetts Promise Fellow for the ACCESS Springfield Promise program. The program works to increase college aspirations, access, and success among city students. It also provides free financial-aid advising and scholarships to young people in Springfield.
•••••
Sean Capaloff-Jones is the new Manager of Member Outreach for the UMass-Five College Credit Union. He will be responsible for member development and maintaining positive relationships with the credit union’s sponsor groups. He will also guide the credit union’s financial literacy program and community-outreach initiatives.
•••••
Rebecca Wylde has joined radio station Rock 102 as host for the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift.
•••••
William J. Noonan has been named Director of Security for the Springfield Museums.
•••••
Robert P. Ziomek has been named Director of Major and Planned Gifts at Western New England College in Springfield.
•••••
Theodora “Teddy” W. Woeppel has joined the Goodman Speakers Bureau as Director of Marketing and Communications. She will develop and implement all online and Web-based marketing efforts and strategies for the bureau. She will oversee print, direct mail, sponsorships, and special-event marketing to increase business opportunities among the company’s national client base.
•••••
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts announced the election of new members to its Board of Trustees:
• Amy Jamrog, Managing Director of the Jamrog Group in Northampton;
• George C. Keady III, Senior Vice President and Branch Manager of UBS Wealth Management in Springfield;
• Robert L. Pura, President of Greenfield Community College;
• Peter J. Daboul, Executive in Residence at Western New England College, Springfield, who will serve as Chairman of the foundation’s trustees; and
• Sanford A. Belden, retired President of Community Bank System, who will serve as Vice Chair.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

Chamber Corners Departments

Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
n Jan. 5: Business@Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., Sheraton Springfield. Cost: members $20, non-members $30. For reservations, contact Diane Swanson, ACCGS events manager, at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]
n Jan. 19: Professional Women’s Chamber 13th Annual Business Expo, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Max’s Tavern, MassMutual Room. Cost, Table Top: members $60, non-members $90 (includes one lunch ticket). Cost, lunch only: members $25, non-members $35. For reservations, contact Lynn Johnson PWC liaison, at (413) 755-1310 or [email protected]
n Jan. 22: West of the River Chamber of Commerce Night at the Falcons, 7:30 p.m., MassMutual Center. Cost: $10. For reservations, call Chris Thompson at (413) 739-3344 ext. 109.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com
n Jan. 20: Third Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m., Panana’s Restaurant, Agawam. Cost: free for members, non-members $10. Includes food and cash bar.

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com
See the chamber’s Web site for information on upcoming events.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

n Jan. 19: Salute Breakfast, 7:15 to 9 a.m., MassMutual Learning & Conference Center, 350 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Cost: members $18, non-members $25. For tickets, call the chamber at (413) 594-2101 or purchase online at www.chicopeechamber.org

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463
See the chamber’s Web site for information on upcoming events.

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
n Jan. 13: Networking By Night Business Card Exchange, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Harley-Davidson of Southampton, 17 College Highway, Southampton. Co-sponsor: Puffer Printing & Copy Center. Door prizes, hors d’ouevres, host bar. Cost: members $5, non-members $15.
n Jan. 27: Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and 50th Anniversary Dinner, 5 p.m., the Delaney House, 500 Country Club Road, Holyoke. Cranberry chicken and halibut combo luncheon. Cost: members $29.95, non-members $32.95.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
n Jan. 12: Winner Circle, 5 to 7 p.m., Yankee Pedlar, 1866 Northampton St., Holyoke. Sponsored by Holyoke Medical Center; Dowd Insurance; Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll; PeoplesBank; Holyoke Community College; and Universal Plastics.
n Jan. 19: Chamber After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Homewood Suites, 375 Whitney Ave., Holyoke. Cost: members $5, non-members $10 cash.
n Jan. 25: Computer Security Seminar, 8 to 11 a.m., Mass Mutual Conference Center, Chicopee

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
n Jan. 12: January Arrive @ 5, 5 to 7 p.m., Volkswagen of Northampton, 968 Bridge Road, Northampton. Cost: $10 for members.

Northampton Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900
n Jan. 30: Bowl with a Purpose, 12 to 2 p.m., Spare Time, 525 Pleasant St., Northampton. Charity fund-raiser. Teams of four to six players. Registrants can register as a team or be placed on a team. Cost: $20 pre-registered, $25 at the door. Includes unlimited bowling during the event, shoe rental, pizza, and soda. For registration information, visit www.thenayp.com

Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
www.qvcc.biz
(413) 283-2418
See the chamber’s Web site for information on upcoming events.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451
n Jan. 25: President’s Dinner, cocktails at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p. m., Willitts-Hallowell Center, Mount Holyoke College. Sponsors: premier members. Special guest speakers: TBD. Annual business meeting. Cost: $37. Check must be received by Jan. 21.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
www.threeriverschamber.org
413-283-6425
See the chamber’s Web site for information on upcoming events.

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
See the chamber’s Web site for information on upcoming events.

Ten points about Preparing Year-end W-2s

By BusinessWest Staff December 21, 2010

10 Points Departments

You generally must include taxable fringe benefits in an employee’s gross income. Most are subject to income-tax withholding and employment taxes. Here are some of these taxable items to include:
1. Personal use of auto. The value of an employee’s personal use of a company-provided auto should be included as income. There are IRS guidelines to determine the amount of this calculation.
2. Value of life insurance if over $50,000. To the extent that the benefit of the life insurance exceeds $50,000, an amount as determined by IRS tables is a taxable fringe benefit.
3. Memberships in country club dues or other social clubs. If these payments are strictly for personal use by the employee, they are a taxable fringe.
4. Tickets to entertainment or sporting events. The value of the tickets for personal use should be included as taxable to the employee.
5. Discounts on property or services. The taxable portion is the extent to which the discount exceeds the cost of the product (or more than 20% of the price for services charged to customers.)
However, some fringe benefits are not taxable (or are minimally taxable) if certain conditions are met. Some of these items are as follows:
6. Services provided to your employees at no additional cost to you.
7. Certain minimal fringes, including an occasional cab ride if an employee must work overtime, or meals that you provide at eating places that you run for your employees if the meals are not furnished at below cost.
8. Qualified transportation fringes. These are subject to special conditions and dollar limitations, including transportation in a commuter highway vehicle.
9. Qualified moving-expense reimbursements. Reimbursed and employer-paid qualified moving expenses paid under an accountable plan are not includible in an employee’s W-2.
10. Use of on-premisis athletic facilities. If substantially all of the use is by employees, their spouses, or their dependents, this is not a taxable fringe benefit.
You should contact your tax advisor to determine the value of the taxable items to include, or to determine whether or not certain items are taxable.

Cheryl Fitzgerald

Cheryl Fitzgerald is a senior tax manager with the certified public accounting firm of Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., in Holyoke; (413) 536-8510.

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff December 7, 2010

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of November 2010.

AGAWAM

Derrick Turnbull
300 North West St.
$10,000 — Exterior renovations

AMHERST

Amherst College
Goodnow House
$13,600 — Re-roof

Hampshire College
711 West St.
$8,650 — New roof

Lambda Chi Alpha Properties Inc.
374 North Pleasant St.
$17,000 — New roof

Yosrex Limited Partnership
266 E. Hadley Road
$24,000 — New roof

CHICOPEE

TRC Global Solutions Inc.
22 Benefit St.
$25,000 — Add floor joists to cellar area

GREENFIELD

Chapman Street Realty
14-16 Chapman St.
$13,000 — Replace roof

Franklin Medical Center
164 High St.
$48,000 — Renovate laboratory

Franklin Regional Transit Authority
12 Olive St.
$7,340,000 — Erect intermodal transit center and office building

The Theodore Leonard House, LLC
116 Federal St.
$9,000 — Replace rear roof

HADLEY

Jeremy Ober
12 Russell St.
$4,600 — Exterior renovations

Peter Grandonico
104 Russell St.
$58,200 — Change office partitions and add a bathroom

HOLYOKE

Rita K. Milos
555 High St.
$48,000 — Install new roof

LUDLOW

Lisa’s Hair Shop
200 Center St.
$10,000 — Interior renovations

Ludlow Housing Authority
96 Aldo Dr.
$2,500 — Replace door

NORTHAMPTON

Linda Rainville
33 Market St.
$4,100 — Install new roof

Maplewood Shops, Inc.
2 Conz St.
$10,000 — Replace rotted sill plates and damaged floor joists

Seven Day Adventists Church
35 North Main St.
$13,300 — Replace front entry steps

Packaging Corporation of America
525 Mount Tom Road
$377,000 — Install new roof

Perstop Compounds, Inc.
238 Nonotuck St.
$19,000 — Repair portion of north wall

SOUTHWICK

John Whalley
42 Powder Mill Road
$37,000 — Construct new maintenance building

SPRINGFIELD

Baystate Health
2 Medical Center Dr.
$432,000 — Fit out 3,000 square feet of office space on the second floor

Mercy Hospital
271 Carew St.
$210,000 — Complete renovation in OR suite

Peter Picknelly
330 Park Dr.
$76,000 — Construct new building to be used as pool house

Spanish Christian Church
565 Chestnut St.
$20,000 — Build handicap ramp

Springfield Florist Supply
18 Morgan St.
$84,000 — New roof

Suzanne D. Morris
29 Logan St.
$45,000 — New roof

WESTFIELD

City of Westfield
149 Neck Road
$48,000 — Commercial alteration

Continental Cable
1116 East Mountain Road
$9,200 — Alteration

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Common Ground Holding, Inc.
25 Park Ave.
$3,000 — Renovate first floor of existing restaurant

Naif Makal/New England Retail
139 South Main St.
$990,000 — Construct a new 11,300-square-foot CVS retail store

Bankruptcies

By BusinessWest Staff December 7, 2010

Bankruptcies Departments

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Acosta, Salustina Javier
20 Vernon St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/11/10

Barber, Sherryl
1095 Mohawk Trail, Lot 16
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/10

Bartley, Ann M.
36 Davis Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/02/10

Beaulieu, Jeffrey J.
143 Peterson Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/10

Beharry, Russell A.
14 Porter Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/10

Bellerose, Edward J.
Bellerose, Lori A.
21 Forge Pond Road
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/10

Bennett, Mark
Poole, Angela Denise
109 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/09/10

Benson, Frances G.
48 Elizabeth Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/10

Berrios, Eric O.
24 Curtis St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Bigwood, Steven M.
266 Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/10

Bishop, John D.
Bishop, Amy S.
2 Haynes Hill Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/10

Bisson, Marc A.
Bisson, Patricia J.
50 Bardwell St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/10

Boucher, Marc P.
Boucher, Kim
133 Laurel Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/10

Bovat, Linfred A.
113 North Blvd.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Boyd, Paul L.
15 Kimball St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/11/10

Brothers, Mark F.
Brothers, Susan D.
89 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/10

Campeglio, Richard J.
259 Salisbury Road
Sheffield, MA 01257
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/10

Cantwell, David J.
62 Allen Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/02/10

Carrasquillo, Myrna L.
a/k/a Torres, Myrna L.
54 Prospect St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Casebolt, Ralph L.
Casebolt, Loretta E.
29 New Broadway St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/10

Chadderton, Lynn
350 Meadow St., Apt. 4
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/03/10

Colen, Leith F.
150 Hoxsey St.
Williamstown, MA 01267
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/10

Considine, Glenn
7 Groveland St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/10

Costigan, Angela M.
26 School St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/10

Dansereau, Tobe Daniel
Dansereau, Jennifer Ann
47 Bushnell Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/10

Deane, Brian John
Deane, Caroline Ann
94 9th Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/10

Denning, Helen M.
2009 Central St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/10

DeVine, Eric D.
P.O. Box 91
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/10

DiLorenzo, Americo C.
DiLorenzo, Esther A.
16 Stratford Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/11/10

Dubish, Jennifer A.
Dubish, Edward S.
25 Merriam St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/01/10

Eaton, Mark D.
780 Tinkham Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/10

Epstein, Joshua L.
128 4th St., Apt. 1R
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Erali, Eric J.
Erali, Bobbi Jo
172 Sanders St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/10

Estremera, Jesus J.
Estremera, Wanda
1018 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/10

Florence, Kenneth M.
Florence, Lori A.
159 Mallard Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/31/10

Flynn, Russell J.
88 South St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/10

Fortin, Pamela T.
80 Columbia St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/10

Fournier, Billie-Jo
39 Rugby St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Gentile, Patricia A.
57 Ellsworth Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Godaire, Mark L.
Godaire, Rachael J.
40 Pleasant St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/31/10

Hadley, Thomas G.
111 West Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Hale Home Improvement
Hale, Todd R.
75 Deepfield Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/10

Hale, Kristen A.
115 New Ludlow Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/10

Herbert, Linda E.
103 Stephens St.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/10

Hubbard, Kevin James
91 Williams St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/10

Hughes, William J.
131 Ashley Ave., Apt A5
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/10

Irwin, Amy C.
29 Westbrooke Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/03/10

Jones, Gemma Hart
118 Surrey Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/01/10

King, Jessica
77 Pinevale St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/11/10

King, Steven
LePage-King, Gina
54 Chestnut St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/10

Kniskern, Lawrence B.
176 West Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/10

Lamore-LaCourse, Tina Marie
68 Hagan Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Lopez, Luis M.
Lopez, Angelita I.
73 Gold St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Lumelsky, Zane C.
150 Hoxsey St.
Williamstown, MA 01267
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/10

Mariettos, Irene
40 Ware Road, Unit 4
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/10

Mariettos, John E.
40 Ware Road, Unit 4
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/10

McClellan, David F.
McClellan, Paula M.
6 Woodsong Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/10

Mohammed, Amin
22 Keddy Blvd.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Mollison, Brett M.
12 Linden Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Moreau, Robert W.
Moreau, Theresa A.
454 Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/10

Morin, Glenn Ronald
1 East St. Court
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/10

Morin, Michael
23 Atkins St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/10/10

Murcell, Richard C.
Murcell, Carla R.
96 West River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/15/10

Muzzy, Michael A.
176 Forest Hill Road
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/10

Naughton, Neil P.
Naughton, Frances M.
12 Cedar Swamp Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/10

Nedeoglo, Nikolay
Nedeoglo, Yekaterina
6 Sam West Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/10

Nieske, Craig K.
Nieske, Susan L.
P.O. Box 1043
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/10

O’Brien, Thomas H.
73 Franklin St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/02/10

O’Donnell, William Kevin
296 Ardsley Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/10

Ottomaniello, Nicholas J.
Ottomaniello, Kimberly A.
20 Queen Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Paolino, John A.
Paolino, Penny L.
65 Pheland St.
Springfield, MA 01109-1317
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/10

Patton, Susan E.
176 West Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/10

Peloquin, Ronald J.
180 Barton Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/10

Perez, Faustino
Perez, Margarita
24 Winthrop St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Prendergast, Michael D.
10 Valley St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/10

Progulske, Donald A.
592 Southwick Road
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/10

Provost, Susan Marie
12 Danaher Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/10

Ramos, Carlos A.
Ramos, Alba N.
16 Alvin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Reed, Melissa
6 Willard Place
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/10

Richardson, Nora
P.O. Box 732
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/10

Rittmaier, Eleanor I.
116 Barber St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/10

Roberge, Maurice R.
Roberge, Yvonne T.
110 Darling St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/11/10

Robinson, Ronald J.
321 Belmont Ave., Apt. 4R
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/10

Salvadore, Daniel R.
695 Barre Road
Oakham, MA 01068
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Santiago, Jessica
24 Curtis St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Scantic Valley Corp.
Mazzuca, Michael Anthony
Mazzuca, Krista Maria
a/k/a Marinelli, Krista M.
7 Scenic Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/10

Sekula, Stanley S.
1027 Chestnut St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/03/10

Sims, David
PO Box 91211
Springfield, MA 01139
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/01/10

Smith, Merinda
237 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/10

Smith, Renee
239 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/10

Sobota, Michael R.
21 Brown St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/30/10

Stetson, Jayne L.
236 North Main St.
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/10

Strobel, Gordon N.
Strobel, Rosemarie
46 Smyrna St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/10

Sullivan, Lawrence G.
Sullivan, Christen A.
P.O. Box 166
West Warren, MA 01092
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/10

Taylor, Kenneth J.
261 Lockhouse Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/01/10

Tessier, David Roger
18 Laurel St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/15/10

Tortoriello, Thomas N.
86 Pembroke St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/12/10

Tower, James C.
Tower, Lillian I.
6 Unity St.
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/03/10

Turek, Lori A.
25 Otis St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/10

Valley, Frank W.
Valley, Julia T.
73 Cyman Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Wojciak, Zachary R.
28 Pennsylvania Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/10

Wroldson, Erik B.
P.O. Box 124
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/06/10

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff December 7, 2010

DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of November 2010.

AGAWAM

Boston Beautiques
525 Springfield St.
Pawel Muskus

Phipps Discount Liquors
1350 Springfield St.
Spero Phillips

S & N Detailing Services
226 Lancaster Dr.
Neil Donah

V. Mulka @ Shear Illusions
497 Springfield St.
Valerie Mulka

AMHERST

Art is Possibility
34 Main St.
Judith E. Sanders

Beach Club Training
65 University Dr.
Michael Serrichio

Classic Chevrolet LLC
40 Dickinson St.
Todd M. Volk

College Street Motors
260 College St.
John Stanley

CHICOPEE

ENGSafety.com
5 Hummingbird Dr.
Mark B. Bell

Smart Looks II
1245 Granby Road
Brenda-Lee Fortin

Ray’s State Inspection
817 Front St.
Ramez Y. Matta

EAST LONGMEADOW

4c Property Services
91 Pease Road
Carl H. Otto III

Artifacts
201 Shaker Road
Matthew Reed

Bach Towing
174 Shaker Road
Leonard Eremento III

Floating Lotus Jewelry
82 Gates Ave.
Janet Weinberg

Kendall’s Closet
165 Shaker Road
Melissa Schechterle

Maple Street Medical Group
281 Maple St.
Robert S. Howe

Meadow Place Dental
200 North Main St.
Lawrence Commisso

GREENFIELD

A & M Reclistote Services
20 Keegan Lane
Matthew Goglin

Artcycles Boutique
302 Main St.
Loretta Viecelli

Complete Automotive Service
14 French King Highway
Robert M. Vassar

Lundgren Honda of Greenfield
409 Federal St.
Forza Autogroup Inc.

HOLYOKE

Alex Auto Repair
555 South Canal St.
Alexis Gonzalez

Celean’s Beauty Supplies
50 Holyoke St.
Celestine Boateng

CT Bodymagic.com
50 Holyoke St.
Kathy Woodward

Hunter Logging & Tree Service
918 Main St.
Steve Hunter

Ivette’s Images
233 Maple St.
Petra I. Cappas

Pelletier Insulation
143 Suffolk St.
Donald W. Pelletier

R & L Wholesale Seafood
67 Brown Ave.
Ana M. Rodriguez

Riverside Auto & Cycle
85 North Bridge St.
Michael Richardson

Simplicity
1735 Northampton St.
Jacqueline Dominguez

LUDLOW

Butler Carpet Cleaning Company
23 Cady St.
Carl Meshear

The Luxy
200 Center St.
Lisa Tereso

NORTHAMPTON

Burke GMC
200 North King St.
Bryan J. Burke

Electronic Errands
131 High St.
Peter Brunette II

Frogpond Photography & Design
144 Acrebrook Dr.
Diane H. Bowyer

Grab-A-Cab
93 Main St.
Said Lmoalem

Mill River Co.
15 Willow St.
Mara Dupour

Pleasant Journey Used Cars
5 Fulton Ave.
John N. Davey

Ryan Imported Car Repair
3 Brewster St.
Joseph Ryan

PALMER

King Landscape Service
8 Green St.
Michael Larrow

Place Free Classifieds
2092 Main St.
Deborah M. Ciejka

Ray Kelley & Son
11 Water St.
Robert Kelley

Target Engineering & Target Health
111 Woodland Heights
Norman Leclair

Yankee Flea Market Inc.
1311 Park St.
Keith Walker

Yankee Fields
1164 Ware St.
Nancy Kerigan

SOUTHWICK

J&R Consulting
8 Pearl Brook Road
Janet Brodalski

Katie’s Marketing
160 Point Grove Road
Katie Hauff

Walt’s Garage
483 College Highway
Kathy Whalley

Westview Farms
72 Mort Vining Road
Arthur Pinell

SPRINGFIELD

J & D Reptiles
47 Savoy Ave.
Jeremy J. Turgeon

JMS Business Services
6 Macomber Ave.
James M. Skarbek

La Primera Iglesia Elahim
113 Orchard St.
Carmen Rodriguez

Little Workshop
4 Front St.
Paul Stasiak

Majestic Barber Shop
444 Chestnut St.
Jose A. Martinez

Manna-Hata
897 Carew St.
Carlos E. Garcia

Miguel’s Towing LLC
155 Rocus St.
Miguel Santiago

Nikki’s Grill
1655 Boston Road
Nicole Kent

P & P Services
11 Kimberly Ave.
Maria Alicea

Plus Designs
161 Hancock St.
Tanya Daniels

Ramos Accounting and Tax
405 Armory St.
Oscar Ramos

Rocky’s Lawn Care
73 Navajo Road
Rocky L. Kelly Sr.

Shamrock Tech Solutions
116 Denwall Dr.
Thomas P. Hayes

St. James Auto Body
503 St. James Ave.
Ta-Tanisha Ayala

The Chimera Menagerie
182 Main St.
Valentim A. Porfirio

The Sushi
60 Avocado St.
Jae H. Choi

WJH Construction
62 Spence St.
William J. Harnum

WGBH Educational Foundation
44 Hampden St.
James A. Gallerani

Wheelers Cars & Convenience
321 Walnut St.
Wajid Mahmood

Witconn Enterprises LLC
15 Monrovia St.
Richard F. Connery

Wunstarr Marketing
11 Pearl St.
Christopher Jefferson

WESTFIELD

Atkinson Enterprise
97 Reservoir Ave.
Denise Atkinson

MD Kane Construction
35 Day Avenue
Marcus D. Kane

U.S. Asia Alliance
350 Valley View Dr.
Richard Loftus

Wzorek Automotive
22 Little River Road
Carl Wzorek Jr.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Nursefinders of Springfield, MA
181 Park Ave.
Susan Salka

Pet Supplies
175 Memorial Ave.
PSP Stores LLC

Rita’s HairCare
8 Chestnut St.
Rita E. Liberopoulos

The Official Cuts Barber Shop
715 Main St.
Luis A. Marrero

Wireless Zone – ATI
7 Westfield St.
Kevin Sinclair

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff December 7, 2010

Briefcase Departments

Growth Projections Remain Sluggish
WASHINGTON — The National Assoc. for Business Economics (NABE) recently noted that survey panelists made only modest revisions to their forecasts for the November report compared with their October projections for economic growth, according to NABE President Richard Wobbekind, associate dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado. Wobbekind noted that projections for real GDP growth remain sub-par through the first quarter of 2011, but accelerate gradually through the forecast period. For next year as a whole, GDP growth is expected to be moderate. Factors restraining growth going forward include ongoing balance-sheet restructuring by consumers and businesses, and a diminished contribution to GDP growth from inventory restocking and government stimulus. Confidence in the expansion’s durability is intact, but panelists remain concerned about high levels of federal debt, a continuing high level of unemployment, increased business regulation, and rising commodity prices. To a large extent, the latest NABE forecast reflects the view that the economy will struggle against financial headwinds; 40% of survey respondents — compared to 37% in October — characterize the expansion as “sub-par with severe wealth losses and onerous debt burdens inhibiting spending and lending.” In contrast, 28% of respondents feel that “the economy will overcome its headwinds, and behave more in line with a traditional business cycle expansion: real output will grow at a rate above potential, and households and businesses will boost discretionary spending.” The likelihood of either stagflation or the economy slipping back into recession is viewed as relatively low. Also, consumer spending is expected to remain modest throughout the forecast horizon due to weak job gains, persistently high unemployment, and negligible growth in household net worth. This year’s holiday retail sales are still expected to be weak, rising only 2.5% from those of last year. Roughly half of the panelists expect the personal saving rate to fall over the forecast period, while the other half of the panel is divided as to whether it will rise further or stay at roughly the same rate. Additionally, labor market conditions are expected to improve slowly. Monthly payroll gains are forecast to average less than 150,000 until the latter half of 2011, at which time gains will improve at a range of roughly 150,000-170,000. Joblessness will remain high, with the unemployment rate persisting at over 9.5% or higher through the first quarter of 2011 before easing — but only slightly — to 9.2% by year-end 2011. This will mark the weakest post-recession job recovery on record. Panelists estimate the current long-run or natural rate of unemployment at 5.8%, up by one-half-percentage point since 2007.

Colonial Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Festival Team Up
PITTSFIELD and STOCKBRIDGE — The boards of trustees for the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield and Berkshire Theatre Festival (BTF) in Stockbridge recently announced a partnership that will combine resources to strengthen the cultural vitality in the Berkshires. The partnership will stage performances and festivals interchangeably at the two historic theaters and BTF’s Unicorn Theatre. The Colonial and BTF will retain their boards of trustees and create a new board to oversee all operations. Staff activities of both organizations will also be integrated to produce efficiencies and reduce costs.

Calendar Sales Support Schools
AMHERST — The 2011 edition of the educational calendar When I Grow Up I Want To Be is now available at several local venues, according to Carroll G. Lamb, executive director of the Institute of Black Invention & Technology Inc. The calendar features color photographs of preschool-age children expressing their desire to be like significant black achievers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and other fields. Biographies of these achievers are included in the calendar. Donations from businesses and individuals and calendar sales enable the gift of calendars to elementary school classrooms in Springfield, Amherst, and Hadley. Calendars are available at Olive Tree Books-N-Voices, 97 Hancock St., Springfield; Helen’s Hairum Salon in Tower Square, Springfield; A.J. Hastings, 45 South Pleasant St., Amherst; and Food for Thought, 100 North Pleasant St., Amherst. For more information, visit www.tibit.biz.

Bright Nights Featured
on MSN
SPRINGFIELD — Bright Nights at Forest Park is featured at msn.com in an article titled “Everything is Illuminated.” The holiday-lighting display is first on the list of 10 lighting displays in the U.S. and Canada. The article notes that Bright Nights “adds a little color to the wintry staging with Dinner with Dickens, Supper with Santa, carriage rides, and an engine tour from Hartford to Springfield.” Bright Nights runs nightly from Dec. 8 through Jan. 2, starting at 5 p.m. Bright Nights is sponsored by the Spirit of Springfield with the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management. For more information, call (413) 733-3800 or visit www.brightnights.org.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff December 7, 2010

Company Notebook Departments

Polish National Credit Opens New Office
HAMPDEN — The Polish National Credit Union’s newest office recently opened at 25 East Longmeadow Road. The branch has an in-house mortgage origination office, a drive-thru teller, and drive-up ATM. Carole A. Scott is the branch manager, with Claudine LaValley serving as the assistant branch manager. Tellers are Katie Vient, Sylvia Nadeau-Poole, and Sherry Skinner. Headquartered in Chicopee, the credit union operates full-service branches in Chicopee Center, Granby, Westfield, Southampton, and a stand-alone Mortgage Center on Main Street in Chicopee.

Stony Brook Receives ‘Pacesetter’ Designation
LUDLOW — The Stony Brook power plant, operated and principally owned by the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), has been named a “Pacesetter Plant” for 2009-10 by the Combined Cycle Journal, an international publication that tracks innovation and advanced technology in combined cycle electric generators. In naming Stony Brook a Pacesetter Plant, the journal cites MMWEC’s role as an industry leader in retaining plant value through technological upgrades and innovative maintenance practices that address changing market conditions. The designation also reflects the successful installation this year of new generator-control systems on four of the plant’s five turbine generators. New controls will be installed on the fifth in the near future. Stony Brook is a nonprofit, public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that provides a variety of power-supply, financial, risk-management and other services to the state’s consumer-owned, municipal utilities.

United Bank Provides
Gifts for Children
WEST SPRINGFIELD — United Bank has partnered with the Department of Children and Families in Springfield, Holyoke, and Worcester to provide holiday gifts for local youngsters who might otherwise go without. United’s Foster the Spirit program is in its 13th year in the Springfield area, and will be introduced for the first time this year in the bank’s new Worcester region locations. All United Bank branches are displaying a holiday tree decorated with tags, each representing a child’s wish. Customers, staff, and members of the public are welcome to participate by selecting a tag from the tree and donating that unwrapped gift for the child. Cash donations are used to purchase gift certificates for movies, clothing, and toys. United’s corporate contribution to Foster the Spirit will be supplemented by a special campaign at facebook.com/bankatunited. The bank will donate $1 (up to $1,000) for every visitor to the site who clicks ‘like’ from now until Dec. 17.
Baystate Named
One of Top 50 Hospitals
for Cardiovascular Care
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Medical Center is one of the nation’s top 50 hospitals for heart and vascular care, according to a new Thomson Reuters study that examined patient outcomes and rated hospitals for their performance in several key areas of cardiovascular treatment. The study, now in its 12th year, examined the performance of 1,022 hospitals by analyzing outcomes for patients with heart failure and heart attacks and for those who received coronary bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary interventions such as angioplasties. Baystate Medical Center is on the Thomson Reuters honor roll for the second consecutive year. The study evaluated general and applicable specialty, short-term, acute-care, non-federal U.S. hospitals treating a broad spectrum of cardiology patients. Baystate was one of 15 teaching hospitals with cardiovascular residency programs named to the list. Thomson Reuters researchers analyzed 2008 and 2009 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review data, Medicare cost reports, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospital Compare inpatient data. The researchers scored hospitals in several key performance areas: risk-adjusted mortality, risk-adjusted complications, core measures, percentage of coronary bypass patients with internal mammary artery use, 30-day mortality rates, 30-day readmission rates, severity-adjusted average length of stay, and wage- and severity-adjusted average
cost.

Westfield Chamber Recognizes Businesses
WESTFIELD — Jen-Coat was named 2010 Business of the Year during the annual meeting of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 17. Jen-Coat was chosen for its policies and projects that have had a positive impact on the community, as well as evidence of working together with community organizations and acting as a role model and inspiration to other organizations. The chamber also recognized Stevens 470 as 2010 Small Business of the Year; Sean Hogan, president of Hogan Communications, as 2010 Business Man of the Year; and Kathleen Damon, CEO of the Carson Center for Human Services, as 2010 Business Woman of the Year. Al Ferst, a long-time resident who has generously funded many projects in Westfield for the benefit of children, was named this year’s recipient of the Don Blair Outstanding Community Service Award.

MassMutual Plans RetireSmart Participant Web Site
SPRINGFIELD — Beginning in the first quarter of 2011, MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division will launch phase one of its new RetireSmart participant Web site that promises to be an “engine for action” among participants striving to plan and save for retirement. The new site will capitalize on significant technology investments MassMutual is making to support its simple, action-oriented approach to participant education. The differentiator behind RetireSmart is that it prompts participants to take appropriate steps when it makes the most sense for them — and makes it as easy as possible for participants to do so in the manner they prefer. Highlights of phase one include a video game designed to raise retirement awareness in a fun, engaging way, and shorter, more intuitive menus to help participants find what they need quickly and easily. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.

Firm Creates Marketing Materials for New
Home Care Agency
WESTFIELD — Stevens 470 recently created brand marketing for Integra Home Health, LLC, a new home health care agency in the Greater Springfield area. Projects for the agency included a logo, brand standards, stationery, a consumer brochure, and an informational Web site. The Web site is built on a content-management system that allows Integra to update the site through an easy-to-use text editor. In addition, Integra can edit and create new content, update, and manage pages on the Web site. Integra’s Web site is www.integrahomehealth.com.

Giving Tree Marks
26th Year
SPRINGFIELD — The 2010 Hasbro Children’s Giving Tree program is now underway and runs through Dec. 17. Hasbro Inc. donates toys and games during the holidays to children in need in the Greater Springfield area while encouraging community members to perform “acts of kindness” and donate nonperishable food items to the program. The acts of kindness slips will be displayed on the giving tree through Dec. 17, the food items collected will be distributed by The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and the toys and games donated by Hasbro will be distributed by the United Way of Pioneer Valley.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff December 7, 2010

Departments People on the Move

Henry J. Drapalski Jr. has been named Vice President of Business Planning and Analysis at the Center for Human Development in Springfield. In his new role, Drapalski is responsible for analyzing business operations and fiscal performance and planning future growth for the nonprofit agency.
•••••
Attorney Carol Cioe Klyman of Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., of Springfield and Northampton, has been elected as a Fellow of the Board of Regents of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Klyman concentrates her practice in elder law, estate planning and administration, special needs trust planning, estate settlement, guardianships, and probate litigation. ACTEC, based in Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit association of lawyers whose members are elected by demonstrating the highest level of integrity, commitment to the profession, competence, and experience as trust and estate counselors.
•••••
Hatch Mott MacDonald of Holyoke announced the following:
• Holland Shaw has joined the firm as a Senior Project Manager. As a survey manager, he will be responsible for coordinating survey projects in the region. He has more than 36 years of experience in surveying as a party chief, survey manager, and project surveyor.
• Daren Gray has joined the firm as a Senior Project Manager. He is experienced in stormwater and site design, site- and wetlands-related permitting, environmental-issue mitigation, and utilities design, permitting, and coordination.
•••••
Ellen Noonan has been promoted to Associate Vice President for Educational Enterprise and Executive Director for Extended Campus Programs at American International College in Springfield.
•••••
Carla Oleska, Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, participated in the first “Women Leaders Summit: Global Solidarity for Empowering Women” in October at the United Nations in New York. She was also chosen as a Vision 2020 national delegate and met with the Congress of National Delegates in Philadelphia on Oct. 21.
•••••
Rosemary J. Nevins has joined Royal & Klimczuk, LLC of Springfield and Northampton, as Senior Counsel. She has more than 25 years of experience in labor and employment law.
•••••
Rodney C. Scott has been named Vice President in Commercial Lending for TD Bank in Springfield. He is responsible for providing portfolio management, focused on retaining and growing existing and new clients throughout Western Mass.

•••••
Holly Mott has joined Bidwell ID in Florence as an Account Coordinator. She will support client services and operations.
•••••
Attorney Megan E. Kludt has joined Curran & Berger LLP of Northampton as an Associate. She has been practicing immigration law since 2006, with experience at immigration law firms in New York City, Detroit, and Boston.
•••••

Mitcheline M. Mekal

Mitcheline M. Mekal has joined the Polish National Credit Union as Senior Vice President of Risk Management.
•••••
Kevin Nestor has joined the Feeding Hills office of Park Square Realty as a Sales Associate.
•••••
Sara E. Campbell was recently presented with the Citizen Engineer of the Year Award at the 162nd annual awards dinner of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The award is presented to a society member or registered professional engineer for outstanding public involvement in local or national legislation, education at all levels, nonprofit volunteer organizations, community activities, and similar activities improving the image of civil engineering.
•••••
S. “Thai” Thayumanavan, chemistry professor at UMass Amherst, has been chosen as the school’s first Spotlight Scholar in recognition of his research and innovation in clean-energy science. The Spotlight Scholar program recognizes scholarly achievements and contributions of faculty members. Thayumanavan, who co-directs the Mass. Center for Renewable Energy Science and Technology, was chosen in part for his discovery of a solution to one of the biggest obstacles in the development of hydrogen fuel cells. He and colleagues Ryan Hayward, in polymer science, and Mark Tuominen, in physics, discovered a new material that improves ‘charge transport,’ a key energy-generating process for efficient and affordable hydrogen fuel-cell design.
•••••
Ana Lapinski recently joined Dietz & Co. Architects in Springfield as a licensed Architect.
•••••
Michael R. Fanning, Executive Vice President of the MassMutual Financial Group, was recently among seven life-insurance executives named to LL Global, the international trade group for the life-insurance industry.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff December 7, 2010

Agenda Departments

Extreme Business Makeover
Dec. 8: Western New England College’s Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship will host an Extreme Business Makeover session from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the NUVO Bank community room, 1500 Main St., Springfield. Olive Tree Books-N-Voices will be the featured business that will receive advice from Pamela Aronson, owner of Pam’s Paperbacks “Plus”; Lou Cadorette, CPA, MST; Antonio Dos Santos, Esq., Robinson Donovan, P.C.; Janine Fondon, president and CEO, Unity First Direct Inc.; and John F. White, SVP commercial lending, NUVO Bank & Trust Company. Olive Tree Books-N-Voices is a familyowned bookstore which focuses on African-American books and literature, multicultural books, book accessories, journals, Bibles, religious books, and many more Afro-centric items. The event is free and open to the public. Lunch will be served.

Value Management Seminar
Dec. 9: The Purchasing Management Assoc. of Western New England is sponsoring a breakfast seminar titled “Value Management: Key to a Profitable Company” from 8:15 to 10:15 a.m. at the Yankee Pedlar Inn in Holyoke. Breakfast will be served at 7:30. Joseph F. Otero, CVS of Pratt & Whitney, will discuss how to implement the value- management approach to the purchasing of goods and services. The business objective, according to Otero, is to avoid paying for features and functions that one’s company doesn’t need. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. The deadline to register is Dec. 6. For more information or to register, visit www.pmawne.com, e-mail [email protected], or call Donna Bitzer at (413) 594-4400.

Nutcracker & Sweets
Dec. 10-12: The Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke welcomes back the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet and members of the Ballet Educational Training Assoc. for several magical performances with a Skinner twist on a holiday classic. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Wistariahurst is the former home of William Skinner, a prominent silk manufacturer. Advance registrations are recommended; seating is limited. Show times are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 and 4 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 with children 12 and under admitted free. For more information, call (413) 322-5660. The Wistariahurst is located at 238 Cabot St.
‘Talking with Dolores’
Dec. 15: The Center for Human Development (CHD) will host a one-act play about aging, life, and death choices from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Majestic Theater, 131 Elm St., West Springfield. The performance celebrates the merger of Hawthorn Services and CHD and introduces a new elder-services division, Hawthorn Elder Care. A reception will follow the play. Tickets are $10 and $7 for seniors. The deadline to make reservations is Dec. 10. For more information, contact Janet Simeone at (413) 439-2106, or visit www.chd.org.

Victorian Crafts Workshop
Dec. 18: Celebrate the holidays by crafting ornaments and gifts from 1 to 3 p.m. in the decorative splendor of the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke. Participants of all ages will employ Victorian techniques to make fresh orange pomanders decorated with clove designs, embellished gift boxes, and paper lanterns to hang from ceilings or on trees. The cost is $5 per person. For more information, call (413) 322-5660. The Wistariahurst is located at 238 Cabot St.

Hometown Heroes
Seeks Nominations
March 17: The American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter will present its annual Hometown Heroes breakfast at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The event honors local individuals (or groups of individuals) who have shown courage, kindness, and unselfish character when a friend, family member, or stranger faced a life-threatening situation, or who have had an extraordinary impact on the community or his or her fellow man. Members of the community are invited to nominate a local hero for consideration. Honorees will be selected by a committee of individuals from our community, including former Hometown Heroes. The chapter welcomes the submission of nominations from throughout Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. Nomination forms and criteria are available on the chapter Web site at www.redcrosscwm.org. Nominations must be submitted online or postmarked no later than Dec. 30, 2010. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Hometown Heroes is the chapter’s largest annual fund-raising event, helping to provide the resources necessary to serve its communities. For further information, contact Dawn Leaks at [email protected] or (413) 233-1006.

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Future Writers

America’s Revival Begins in Its Cities

Incentives — They’re a Necessary Evil

Cutting the Ribbon

The Pajama Project

A Taxing Situation for Businesses

Continuing a Proud Tradition

The Economy and Our National Funk

A Key Step Toward Economic Diversity

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