Company Notebook

Bradley International Airport Receives $6 Million for Projects

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) announced that $6 million of federal funding has been secured for a major improvement project at Bradley International Airport (BDL). The funding will be used for the ongoing construction of an 80,000-square-foot inline baggage screening facility behind the Sheraton Hotel, which is one of two construction projects currently underway at BDL. Once complete, baggage will be sent from the airline ticket counters along a mile-long conveyor belt to the new facility for screening. Current explosive-detection machines located in the terminal lobby will be relocated once the new screening facility is operational, which will open additional space for current and future airline growth. The facility will also entail the construction of three new gates. The designated funding for Bradley International Airport comes from a total $970 million in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) FY 2025 Airport Terminal Program, which was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Through a competitive grant process, the FAA is providing funding to 125 airports across the country this fiscal year to focus on terminal reconstruction, development, accessibility, energy efficiency, and more. Prior to this most recent announcement, BDL has been awarded more than $31 million in grant funds from prior years of the Airport Terminal Program, which is a subset of the total $99 million in federal grants that BDL has received for its major terminal enhancement projects. The CAA has successfully applied for funds in each year that the highly competitive grant program has been offered. The total cost of the inline baggage screening facility project is estimated at $188 million. In addition to the federal funding, the construction of the facility will be funded through a combination of passenger facility charges and airport revenue.

Florence Bank Donates $5,000 to Tech Foundry

FLORENCE — Florence Bank has donated $5,000 to Tech Foundry of Springfield in its 10th-anniversary year, supporting its newly established Innovation Fund to help enhance the organization’s digital-literacy curriculum and grow its reach. Serving Hampshire, Hampden, and Franklin counties, Tech Foundry provides tech training and mentoring, increases access to careers and jobs in the tech field, builds talent and opportunity pipelines, drives digital literacy, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the region. Training and mentorship are available at its classrooms in Springfield and across the region at organizations such as libraries and councils on aging. A new learning lab called Tech Hub in Holyoke also focuses on digital literacy, training, device distribution, and tech support.

Country Bank Supports Local Schools with Donations

WARE — Country Bank announced a recent donation of Visa gift cards to 35 local schools, totaling $12,000. These schools have been long-standing partners in the bank’s financial-literacy initiatives, and this contribution aims to support teachers and students as they head into the new academic year. As part of its ongoing commitment to financial literacy, Country Bank offers a robust Money School program, which includes a variety of resources designed to teach students about managing money, budgeting, and saving. Most recently, the program introduced a new debit-card option for kids, allowing them to learn hands-on how to manage money earned from chores. This innovative approach to financial education is designed to give young people the skills they need to succeed financially throughout their lives.

Max’s Swing Lounge Opens at Basketball Hall of Fame

SPRINGFIELD — Max’s Swing Lounge, a new destination for golf enthusiasts and casual players alike, celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 14 at the Basketball Hall of Fame. This state-of-the-art lounge combines cutting-edge technology with fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal place to unwind, practice, and socialize. With nine high-definition Track Man simulators that offer a realistic golfing experience, guests can play iconic courses from around the world without leaving the lounge. These simulators also have other games available that are suitable for kids and the whole family. Whether a player is a seasoned pro or just starting out, staff are on hand to provide tips and guidance. In addition to golfing, Max’s Swing Lounge offers a full-service bar and menu featuring food and beverages from the Max’s Tavern menu. Guests can enjoy everything from artisanal snacks to signature cocktails.

bankESB Wins Awards for Workplace Culture

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB received three Top Workplaces Culture Excellence awards from Energage for Employee Appreciation, Well-being, and Professional Development. The Employee Appreciation award celebrates organizations that make employees feel valued for their efforts, thereby motivating employees to give their best at work. The Employee Well-being award honors organizations that stand out for their commitment to putting health and wellness at the center of their workplace culture. The Professional Development award honors companies that make it a priority to provide employees with opportunities that help them develop their careers and grow professionally. Winners are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous, third-party employee-engagement survey, administered by Energage, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. More than 42,000 organizations across the country were invited to participate in the survey.

CitySpace Awarded $501,000 for Old Town Hall Restoration

EASTHAMPTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration recently announced more than $161 million in funding for local economic-development across Massachusetts, benefiting 313 projects in 171 communities. Among these grants, CitySpace has been awarded $501,830 to complete the second phase of the Old Town Hall restoration, a project aimed at making this historic arts and culture venue fully accessible to all members of the community. CitySpace is one of only 37 recipients statewide to receive the highly competitive Underutilized Property Program grant, further underscoring the significance of this project. This funding will directly support CitySpace’s mission to restore and revitalize Easthampton’s historic Old Town Hall into a 350-seat, fully accessible arts center, preserving a piece of the city’s cultural heritage while creating an inclusive venue for artistic expression. The second phase of restoration will introduce a new accessible entryway, an elevator serving every floor, and the repair and display of a historic stained-glass window on the building’s street-facing entryway.

Don Roy Auto Body Announces Closing

CHICOPEE — The family members who owned and operated Don Roy’s Auto Body and Appearance Center Inc. on Granby Road in Chicopee for more than 30 years have announced the closing of their business. “It is with a heavy heart that we are making this announcement,” said Don Roy, who founded the auto-body shop in 1992. “We made the decision to close because of several reasons beyond our control, the primary and most important factor being that we can no longer afford to pay our technicians and employees a proper wage. Insurance companies set the labor rate, and it is no longer adequate. We are no longer able to maintain quality repair technicians, and we are not able to keep up to date with all new repair concepts and tooling needed to repair today’s new dimension of vehicles. Auto-body shops are not credited by insurance companies for the investment they make in their shops, and, coupled with the insufficient funding, this has led to the unfortunate decision that our family had to make.” Don Roy’s Auto Body was an active member of its community, participating in car shows and supporting many local nonprofit organizations. The shop was known for its customer service and received several awards from local business organizations over the years, including Business of the Year from the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce and the Torch Award from the Better Business Bureau.

Elms College Partners with UNE on Graduate-program Pathway

CHICOPEE — Elms College signed an articulation agreement with the University of New England (UNE), creating a streamlined pathway for Elms graduates to pursue advanced degrees in five high-demand health professions. Under this agreement, Elms College students who meet a specified minimum GPA and fulfill additional program requirements will be guaranteed an interview in the admission process for UNE’s graduate programs. Starting in the fall of 2025, this collaboration will broaden educational opportunities for Elms students, offering them direct access to UNE, Maine’s leading provider of health professional training. The five graduate programs included in this agreement are doctor of dental medicine (DMD), master of science in athletic training (MSAT), master of science in occupational therapy (MSOT), doctor of physical therapy (DPT), and doctor of pharmacy (PharmD). These fields represent growing areas within healthcare, and this agreement positions Elms graduates for success in meeting the increasing demand for skilled professionals. For students at Elms College, this agreement not only provides a more accessible route to graduate-level education, but also serves as a testament to the value of an Elms education in preparing them for meaningful careers in healthcare.

Food Bank Among Winners of New England Food Vision Prize

CHICOPEE — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts announced that it has been selected as one of the 2024 New England Food Vision Prize winners, an honor awarded by the Henry P. Kendall Foundation. This recognition comes with $124,420 in funding, contributing to the more than $1.2 million awarded to local food projects across the region. The Food Bank’s award will support a key existing partnership between the Food Bank Farm, Lakeside Organics of Hadley, Atlas Farm, and Springfield Public Schools, designed to increase access to local, organic produce in school cafeterias and educational programs. The awarded funds will be used to acquire equipment that enables partner farms to expand the production, harvesting, and processing of organic vegetables on the Food Bank Farm. These vegetables will be sold to Springfield Public Schools, providing students with healthy, locally sourced options in their meals. The Springfield Public Schools will promote this partnership through initiatives in the cafeteria, the classroom, and field trips to the Food Bank Farm, immersing students in the story and impact of local food systems.

U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance Supports Square One Campaign

SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance has joined the growing list of businesses and community partners supporting Square One’s “Back to Square One” capital campaign. Impact Finance, a U.S. Bank subsidiary, contributed a $40,000 grant from U.S. Bancorp Community Development Entity toward Square One’s $15.5 million construction project, being built in Springfield’s South End, at the location where its building was destroyed by a tornado in 2011. Slated to open in the spring of 2025, the new, 26,000-square-foot facility will include four preschool classrooms, an outdoor learning and play area, a full-service family support center, and administrative offices. The grant is in addition to $4.4 million in equity Impact Finance provided in New Markets Tax Credit financing. Currently, the campaign is approximately $2 million shy of its goal.