Company Notebook

Big E Ranks Fourth-largest Among North American Fairs

WEST SPRINGFIELD — On Dec. 16, Carnival Warehouse, the fair industry’s most comprehensive news source for carnivals and events, released its annual ranking of the top 50 fairs in North America based on attendance numbers. After a record-setting year, the Big E soared to fourth place. In 2024, the Big E welcomed an unprecedented 1,633,935 fairgoers to the Eastern States Exposition (ESE) complex. Throughout the 17-day fair, seven daily attendance records were set, and Saturday, Sept. 21 set a record for single-day attendance. North American Midway Entertainment (NAME), the Big E’s carnival provider, retained its position as the number-one midway operator in the same study. NAME operates at 11 of the events on the list of top 50 fairs. NAME’s history with ESE dates back to 1979 when Conklin Shows was granted the contract to the Big E. Conklin later united with four other major midway operators to create NAME, an international company with corporate headquarters based in Farmland, Ind. NAME’s reign at the Big E began two decades ago, in 2005. Since its inception, NAME has provided rides, games, and food to fairs and festivals in about 140 communities and 20 states, as well as four Canadian provinces. It boasts more than 200 rides and fair classic food concessions that allow clients to remain novel and competitive. The Big E is an example of ESE’s efforts to connect the larger public with agricultural producers through 17 fun-filled days each September. The fair’s legacy spans more than 115 years, and its growing size and international recognition are a testament to its success. As the agricultural buildings remain at the center of the complex, the impact of the individual farmer remains at the heart of ESE’s mission.

Pyramid Management Group Extends Loan for Holyoke Mall

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Pyramid Management Group, one of the largest privately-held shopping-center developers in the Northeast, has successfully worked with its lender to secure a three-year extension for the loan on Holyoke Mall at Ingleside. This extension will allow Pyramid to continue to reinvest in the property and ensure its continued health, vibrancy, and success. Holyoke Mall has been the Western Mass. region’s largest enclosed shopping center for more than 45 years. Anchored by Macy’s, JCPenney, Target, Hobby Lobby, and Best Buy, Holyoke Mall offers more than 150 retail shops, as well as restaurants like 110 Grill and Sumo Japanese Steakhouse and entertainment destinations Round 1, Billy Beez, and Altitude Trampoline Park. Holyoke Mall is also a major employment driver in the area and an economic catalyst for the region. The property totals 1.6 million square feet, with more than 3,000 people employed by Pyramid and its tenants.

Elms to Cover Full Tuition for Eligible Families

CHICOPEE — Elms College has introduced the Elms Promise, a financial-aid program designed to provide full tuition coverage for students from families earning less than $85,000 annually. By combining federal and state grants with institutional scholarships, the Elms Promise reflects the college’s commitment to making a high-quality, four-year college education accessible to students of all backgrounds. Full tuition is covered after all federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships are applied. This includes merit awards, endowed scholarships, and other forms of financial aid. To take advantage of the program this fall, incoming freshmen must maintain a minimum high-school GPA of 3.5, apply for admission to Elms College and be accepted by May 1, and complete the FAFSA by May 1 as well. Students can live on campus or commute to receive full benefits. If a student chooses to live on campus, the cost of room and board is not covered by the program; federal loans and external scholarships may help offset these expenses. Families must be Massachusetts residents. Eligibility is reassessed annually based on income and FAFSA submission. Students must also remain in good academic standing.

Baystate Calls Off Sale of Health New England

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health has called off plans to sell it’s not-for-profit health insurer, Health New England, to Boston-based Point32Health. Baystate and Point32Health announced the $165 million sale in February 2024, and it had received approval from state insurance regulators. The announcement means Baystate Health and the affiliated physicians through Baycare Health Partners remain in network for Point32Health plan members. There is no change to current coverage, benefits, or provider network for members. Meanwhile, Health New England will continue to operate as usual, with no change to current coverage, benefits, or provider network for members. Baystate Health will retain ownership of Health New England, and Baystate Health governance and senior leadership will be taking the next few months to evaluate the strategic positioning and performance of Health New England to inform future decisions.

AIC Achieves Eligibility as Hispanic-Serving Institution

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) announced it has reached the enrollment threshold for Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. Official recognition of HSI status — granted by the U.S. Department of Education to not-for-profit, degree-granting institutions with at least 25% of their full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment identifying as Hispanic — is expected within the next two years. Since its establishment in 1885, AIC has provided access to higher education for underserved populations. This mission was bolstered by the 2022 launch of AIC Reimagined, a five-year strategic plan that prioritized achieving HSI designation. As of last fall, Hispanic/Latino students represent more than 27% of AIC’s undergraduate enrollment, a landmark achievement for the institution. While the growth in Hispanic and Latino/Latina student enrollment has positioned AIC to pursue this designation, the college remains committed to cultivating a vibrant community that serves students from all backgrounds. HSI status will provide access to federal and foundation grants, expanding resources to benefit the entire student body.

Dress for Success Opens Women’s Career Center

SPRINGFIELD — Dress for Success Western Massachusetts (DFSWM) celebrated the opening of its new Women’s Career Center and the completion of its newly constructed office spaces, program areas, and boutique with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 15. The new Women’s Career Center will make DFSWM’s workforce-development programming available to hundreds more individuals each year, both on a drop-in basis and through regularly scheduled workshops. Through the center, clients can receive assistance with résumé creation, job searching, career coaching, digital and financial literacy, and more. Drop-in hours for the center will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with some evening hours to be determined and occasional weekend hours by appointment.

JetBlue to Offer Non-stop Service from Bradley to New York City

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Airport Authority announced that JetBlue will be launching non-stop service between Bradley International Airport (BDL) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Flights will begin on April 30 and will operate daily year-round. The announcement builds on JetBlue’s ongoing expansion in Connecticut, which has resulted in an increase of 35 additional weekly flights between Bradley International Airport and the airline’s Florida destinations this winter. Additionally, in the summer of 2025, JetBlue will offer 30% more seats from Bradley International Airport than last summer.

Westfield State Launches Co-response Grad Program

WESTFIELD — Westfield State University announced its new law enforcement and mental health co-response graduate program, which is designed to address the growing need for collaboration between law enforcement and mental-health professionals. This degree-granting program, the first of its kind in the nation, is a concentration within the university’s master of arts in mental health counseling program or available as a standalone post-baccalaureate certificate. Joseph Camilleri, professor of Psychology; Kimberly Tobin, professor of Criminal Justice; and Lisa Barao, visiting lecturer of Criminal Justice, were instrumental in developing this program. They worked closely with law-enforcement agencies across Massachusetts and Connecticut to create a curriculum that meets workforce needs and equips participants with tools for success in this emerging field. This comprehensive program covers essential topics such as the intersection of mental disorders and crime, relevant legal frameworks, and strategies for conducting rapid mental-health and risk assessments in the field. Students will gain in-depth knowledge and skills to understand mental-health disorders and their relationship to criminal behavior, as well as the broader criminal-justice system. Ultimately, this strengthens relationships between public-safety professionals and the communities they serve. Emphasizing practical application, the co-response program includes research opportunities and culminates in a capstone project where students apply their learning in real-world scenarios. The program is designed to reduce strain on emergency services, connect individuals to appropriate care and resources, and foster trust between community members and public-safety professionals. By bridging the gap between law enforcement and mental-health professionals, the program equips graduates to address critical public-safety challenges while supporting the mental-health needs of communities.

WNE, GCC Accelerate Pathways to OT Doctorate

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University (WNE) and Greenfield Community College (GCC) announced an innovative articulation agreement that streamlines the path for students pursuing careers in occupational therapy. This new associate to doctor of occupational therapy (OTD) transfer program provides GCC allied health students with a seamless transition to WNE’s 3+3 dual-degree programs, culminating in a doctorate in occupational therapy. Designed to provide a structured and efficient academic journey, the agreement allows eligible students to transfer from GCC’s associate in science allied health program into WNE’s bachelor of science in health studies or bachelor of arts in psychology program. From there, students progress into the university’s doctor of occupational therapy program housed within the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS). Current GCC students in the allied health program are eligible and can transfer to WNE as juniors in the 3+3 OTD program as early as next fall as long as they have taken the necessary coursework, met the GPA criteria, and have graduated with their associate degree.  In terms of cost and time, the 3+3 program saves students an entire year of schooling as it takes just six years to earn a doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Students will be informed of this opportunity during their application process at GCC and can indicate their interest at the time of matriculation. WNE and GCC will collaborate on outreach and advising initiatives to ensure prospective students receive the guidance they need to succeed. This agreement underscores both institutions’ dedication to equipping students with the skills and credentials needed to thrive in the dynamic field of occupational therapy.