Company Notebook

Health New England Awards $250,000 to Five Nonprofits

SPRINGFIELD — Health New England awarded $250,000 in grants to five local organizations in honor of Dr. Mark Keroack, former president and CEO of Baystate Health and chair of Health New England’s board of directors. Keroack retired earlier this year after serving in these roles for a decade. The Dr. Mark A. Keroack Health Equity Grant was designed to fund the work of nonprofit organizations advancing equity in healthcare, a passion and priority of Keroack, who served on the committee that chose the winners. The five grantees will receive $50,000 each to fund specific programs. Community Legal Aid’s Pioneer Valley Farmworker Medical-Legal Partnership will embed an attorney from its Central West Justice Center affiliate into the farmworker healthcare team at Baystate Brightwood Health Center, also known as La Cliniquita. Wellspring Community Harvest will expand its Go Fresh Mobile Market’s prescription produce program to Brightwood, Mason Square, and High Street health centers. Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts will develop strategies to ensure equitable, dignified, and quality care for undocumented immigrants and refugees seeking sexual and reproductive health services. Stone Soup Cafe in Greenfield will enhance its weekly Community Meal and Community Store programs. The Care Center’s Healthy Homes, Healthy Families program in Holyoke will provide 10 families headed by low-income women with safe, stable housing; behavioral-health services; healthcare; and a tuition-free education from November 2024 to October 2025.

Suffield Pickleball Opens

SUFFIELD, Conn. — Suffield Pickleball officially opened its doors on Jan. 3. The brand-new indoor pickleball club features five courts that can host more than 9,000 players per month. The ownership team intends to host a variety of leagues, clinics, tournaments, and open-play events for players of all skill levels. The courts can also be reserved for private play through the Court Reserve app. Suffield Pickleball features three different membership tiers, as well as a non-member option. Each membership tier varies in pricing and perks, ranging from $400 to $1,000 per year. The business is proud to partner with Joola Pickleball, Six Zero, Franklin, and Hesacore to provide high-quality pickleball equipment and accessories in its fully stocked pro shop.

Unemployment Tax Control Associates Earns Certifications

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO), within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, has officially certified Unemployment Tax Control Associates Inc. (UTCA) as a minority and woman business enterprise (MBE and WBE). The certification was awarded on Dec. 20. UTCA is a nationally recognized expert in the field of unemployment cost control for both corporate, nonprofit, and governmental clients across the nation. The firm was founded in 1990 by CEO Suzanne Murphy.

Herrell’s Ice Cream Wins Spectrum Award

NORTHAMPTON — The Spectrum Awards, presented by City Beat News, announced that Herrell’s Ice Cream in Northampton is the winner of this year’s Spectrum Award, which recognizes businesses that promote excellence and go above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service. “I am humbled and honored and very excited for Herrell’s Ice Cream to be recognized,” said Judy Herrell, president of Herrell’s Ice Cream. “Receiving this award is an amazing testament to our fantastic staff who truly go above and beyond for our customers.”

NBSB Announces Success of Food, Toy Drives

NORTH BROOKFIELD — In the spirit of season of giving, North Brookfield Savings Bank (NBSB) announced the success of its annual food and toy drives. Due to the overwhelming generosity of community members, employees, and neighbors of NBSB, the food and toy drives made an impact in each of the bank’s communities. During the NBSB annual food drive, held Oct. 1-25, the bank’s communities came together to donate 693 non-perishable food items and more than $1,000 in monetary donations. NBSB contributed an additional $3,000 to further support local food pantries. These donations provide crucial assistance to individuals facing food insecurity. During the annual toy drive, which ran Nov. 1-29, community members, employees, and neighbors stepped up to the plate again, collecting 388 toys for children in need, alongside $1,432 in monetary donations. NBSB contributed an additional $1,500 to support those who need it the most and bring joy to children in the communities it serves this holiday season.

ViViYarn Fashion Opens Store in Hampshire Mall

HADLEY — ViViYarn Fashion celebrated its grand opening in the Hampshire Mall on Dec. 17. The new boutique focuses on unique, seasonal clothing for men and women. Current items include cashmere scarves and sweaters in a wide variety of designs and colors. General Manager Shawna Wang has more than 10 years of experience producing high-quality garments for the U.S. and Europe, and is dedicated to providing customers with comfort, elegance, and style at an affordable price.

Ximi-V Now Open at Holyoke Mall

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mall recently welcomed its newest store, the trendy Asian household goods retailer Ximi-V, with a grand-opening party on Dec. 21. “Ximi-V believes shopping should be fun, inspiring, and filled with joy,” the mall shared. “They feature something for everyone, from home essentials to creative gifts, including beauty products, household goods, plush toys, jewelry, stationery supplies, and more, bringing style and charm to your everyday life.”

Susan B. Anthony Museum Awarded Three Grants

ADAMS — The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum received three grants from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation for a total of $3,589.28, through its Berkshire Hills Fund for Excellence, Lee Educational Enrichment Fund, and Williamstown Elementary School Endowment Fund programs. This program brings the inspiring story of Berkshire County’s own Susan B. Anthony to students at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School in Great Barrington, Berkshire Hills Regional School District, Lee Middle and High School and Williamstown Elementary School. Muriel Dyas of Herstorically Speaking reenacts Susan B. Anthony while students complete a timeline of her life, learn about pay inequity, and make a special ballot vote. The event concludes with a ‘votes for women’ march around school grounds complete with suffrage sashes, buttons, and student-made protest signs.

Way Finders Receives Grant from KeyBank Foundation

SPRINGFIELD — Way Finders recently received a grant from KeyBank Foundation for $10,000 to implement its Ready to Work: My Story, My Goals program, which provides employment-readiness resources to unemployed and underemployed residents in Hamden County. KeyBank’s funding enables Way Finders to provide a six-week employment-readiness course consisting of in-class instruction and one-to-one support for up to 15 low- to moderate-income residents with limited or no documented work experience. Participants reflect the diversity of Holyoke’s and Springfield’s underserved neighborhoods, where 35% to 80% of the residents identify as people of color and/or Latino or Latina. At the conclusion of the program, each participant will have a résumé and cover letter, understand how to translate their life experiences into marketable skills, improve their digital-literacy skills, conduct a job search and complete an application, and understand area resources and programs that can provide additional and/or ongoing employment support.

Bombyx Center Achieves Carbon Conscious Business Accreditation from CET

NORTHAMPTON — Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity has been accredited Carbon Conscious, an award offered by CET, for implementing carbon-cutting measures at the performing-arts venue. This accreditation recognizes Bombyx’s dedication to combating climate change and fostering sustainability. The Bombyx Center is the first organization to achieve CET’s Carbon Conscious Business Accreditation, leading the way for businesses across all sectors to integrate sustainability as a core part of their operations. Its impact of reducing 800 lifetime tons of carbon is equivalent to the yearly carbon sequestration provided by 36,666 mature trees. CET worked closely with Bombyx to implement a range of impactful sustainability measures through both the Mass Save program and RecyclingWorks, a program CET administers for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Custom weatherization services, including pipe insulation and other energy-saving upgrades, were provided to reduce energy loss at the historic former church. Additional efficiency upgrades, such as duct sealing and modifications, further optimized energy use throughout the facility. To tackle waste reduction, CET helped establish a food-waste diversion program in the multi-use kitchen and supported community recycling events, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.

Eversource Named Among Most Responsible Companies

BOSTON — For the sixth year in a row, Eversource Energy has been recognized by Newsweek and Statista Inc. as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2025. The award highlights the energy company’s environmental, social, and corporate-governance (ESG) initiatives, reaffirming Eversource’s commitment to sustainability throughout its operations and a workplace culture that embraces the values of corporate and social responsibility. The America’s Most Responsible Companies 2025 ranking focuses on a holistic view of corporate responsibility that considers environmental, social, and governance factors. Companies on the 2025 list were selected based on a review of publicly available data and a survey of 26,000 U.S. residents about their perceptions of companies related to corporate social responsibility. Since the annual ranking was introduced in 2019, Eversource has appeared in every edition of the list.

EDCC Awards Tax Credits to Toasted, Comfort Bagel

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) recently approved projects for participation in the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP), which seeks to create new jobs and help businesses grow by offering credits to lower taxes in exchange for job creation. Locally, the EACC approved two vacant-storefront projects that will each receive EDIP refundable tax credits of $10,000: LaBonte and Banas LLC d/b/a Toasted in Northampton and Comfort Bagel in Westfield. Toasted is a breakfast and lunch restaurant featuring a full café bar with barista drinks. The EACC awarded Toasted $10,000 in EDIP state tax credits, and the business also received a $10,000 municipal grant from the city of Northampton. Comfort Bagel has a shop in Holyoke and is opening a second, larger location in Westfield with its own dedicated kitchen. The EACC awarded Comfort Bagel $10,000 in EDIP state tax credits, and the city of Westfield provided the business with $14,265 in funds through a Community Development Block Grant.

MountainOne Participates in Words Are Wonderful Program

NORTH ADAMS — Last month, volunteers from MountainOne attended Williamstown Elementary School’s Words Are Wonderful celebration, a week-long effort dedicated to fostering a love for reading, writing, and creative expression. MountainOne’s team presented their storybook, “How to Climb a Mountain,” and graced students with a special guest appearance from Mo the MountainOne Spokesgoat. Utilizing the school’s ‘buddy reading’ format, 65 sixth-grade students read the storybook to a pre-K, kindergarten, or first-grade student. As the reading session concluded, MountainOne volunteer Ethan Coe tied the story’s themes into real-world lessons on financial literacy. After the reading and discussion, students were invited to meet Mo up close, sharing high hooves and hugs and getting their books signed by Mo. Each student also received an activity packet that included fun financial-literacy exercises and tips on how, with their parents’ or guardians’ help, they can start saving, too.