Company Notebook

Falvey Linen Supply to Open Springfield Facility
SPRINGFIELD — The city of Springfield and Falvey Linen Supply Inc. have announced a plan for the Rhode Island company to open a new Springfield facility at 100 Brookdale Dr., located in the East Springfield neighborhood, with an expected investment of $7 million and the creation of more than 100 new jobs. “We are thrilled to welcome Falvey Linen to Springfield,” said Mayor Domenic Sarno. “This is a company with a history of success and will add more good-paying jobs for our residents and be a great addition to our business community. The word is out, and Springfield is on the rise.” Falvey Linen Supply is based in Cranston, R.I., with facilities in the Hartford area as well as Eastern Massachusetts. The family-owned and -operated company was founded in 1929. Its commercial laundry business has grown throughout its 86-year history and is currently managed by James and Patricia Falvey O’Hara, along with their daughter Kaitlin O’Hara, representing the fourth generation of the Falvey family. They plan to make an investment of $7 million for the purchase of a 240,000-square-foot building on 17 acres of land, including renovations and new laundry equipment for 100 Brookdale Dr. The company is currently conducting due-diligence procedures on the project, including permitting activities, building design, and water and sewer. This project will create new tax revenue from the redevelopment of 100 Brookdale Dr., provide new job opportunities, and create economic spinoff to area businesses. The company is seeking incentives through the state’s Economic Development Incentive Program, which would require participation of a local tax-increment-financing agreement, to help assist with the significant investment. “We’ve talked recently about how some of the major projects can lead to spinoff jobs of companies in the supply chain,” said Kevin Kennedy, Springfield’s chief development officer. “Falvey Linen is a first-class company that is looking to get into our market and this region, and certainly a factor in that is our growing hospitality industry with MGM Springfield. We’re excited to welcome them to Springfield.”

Six Flags Cops Two Awards for Coasters
AGAWAM — Six Flags New England announced that Wicked Cyclone has been named ‘best new amusement park attraction,’ and Bizarro has been named ‘best roller coaster,’ by the 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest sponsored by USA Today. Wicked Cyclone, which opened in May, is the first hybrid coaster to hit New England. It stands 10 stories tall and reaches speeds of 55 mph. With three inversions, Wicked Cyclone is the first coaster of its kind to have two zero-G rolls. Riders also experience more airtime on Wicked Cyclone than any other coaster on the East Coast. Bizarro made its debut at Six Flags New England in 2000, and has been the recipient of numerous industry awards. It features 5,400 feet of track, a 20-story lift hill, and speeds of 77 mph.

Local Union Donates to Cancer Center Capital Campaign
SPRINGFIELD — Transforming Cancer Care – the Capital Campaign for the Sister Caritas Cancer Center continues to gain momentum as the International Assoc. of Iron Workers Local 7 has donated $5,000 to the fund-raising project. “The Sister Caritas Cancer Center is an important resource for the local community, and we are pleased to extend our support to this important project,” said Fiore Grassetti, industry analyst and business agent for the International Assoc. of Iron Workers Local 7, which is responsible for erecting the structural steel framework of the expansion project. According to Grassetti, members of the union became further engaged in the project as they learned more about it, prompting them to offer their own financial support. “We are also impressed that Mercy Medical Center has made a concerted effort to employ a local and diverse workforce on this project.” The Sister Caritas Cancer Center is in the midst of a $15 million expansion that will bring all cancer services together in one location and meet increasing demand for outpatient cancer services. In the past two years, the number of patients receiving chemotherapy at the Sister Caritas Cancer Center has increased by more than 200%. By 2022, the need for outpatient cancer services is expected to grow by 26%. “There is no question that the importance of this expansion project resonates with leaders of the local business community, and we are grateful for their continuing support,” said Diane Dukette, vice president of Fund Development for the Sisters of Providence Health System. The project is scheduled for completion in the fall.

Donahue Institute Receives $14M Contract for Head Start Programs
BOSTON — The UMass Donahue Institute has been awarded a five-year, $14 million contract to provide training and technical assistance to Head Start and Early Head Start programs for all of New England. The institute will work with local Head Start programs on their educational, health, and family services as well as management systems to strengthen their ability to serve children and their families. Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the comprehensive development of children from birth to age 5 in centers, child-care partner locations, and their own homes. Early Head Start also provides services to pregnant women. Head Start and Early Head Start services include early learning, health, and family well-being. “We are very proud that the University of Massachusetts has emerged as one of the national leaders in providing training and technical assistance to Head Start programs,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “The Donahue Institute’s work — which complements the early childhood programs at UMass Boston and UMass Amherst — is another outstanding example of the impact that UMass is having, not just in Massachusetts, but across all of New England.” Added J. Lynn Griesemer, executive director of the UMass Donahue Institute, “we are delighted and honored to receive this award. We have been the predominant provider of training and technical assistance to Head Start in this region for the past 12 years and have gained an outstanding reputation.” The contract was awarded by the Office of Head Start in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Nationally, Head Start/Early Head Start is divided into 12 regions. The UMass Donahue Institute will be the sole provider of training and technical assistance to Region 1, which includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. “We are very excited to continue supporting Head Start programs throughout New England and helping them to improve the wonderful work they already do,” said Bess Emanuel, Head Start regional training and technical assistance coordinator with the UMass Donahue Institute.