Company Notebook

Peter Pan Named Motorcoach Operator of the Year

SPRINGFIELD — Peter Pan Bus Lines has been named the 2025 Motorcoach Operator of the Year by METRO magazine. This prestigious award, presented at the United Motorcoach Assoc. (UMA) Expo in Oklahoma City, Okla., recognizes excellence in motorcoach safety, customer service, operational performance, and industry innovation. “This award is a true testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire Peter Pan Bus Lines team,” said Peter B. Picknelly, director of Safety & Security. “For four generations, our family has remained committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable transportation to millions of passengers across the Northeast and beyond. To be recognized at the UMA Expo, one of the most important gatherings in the motorcoach industry, is an incredible honor. As a proud American family-owned and operated company, we are grateful for this recognition and remain committed to shaping the future of travel.”

Living Local 413 Launches Social Platform for Businesses

SPRINGFIELD — Living Local 413 is announced the launch of 413 Online (413online.com), an innovative business-community social platform designed to connect and support businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals across Western Mass. This new social platform is a dedicated online hub that fosters collaboration, networking, and resource sharing for Western Mass. businesses of all sizes and types. With interactive features, business directories, event listings, and access to essential resources, 413 Online aims to empower local businesses to thrive in today’s competitive market while strengthening the regional economy. Key features of 413 Online include a business directory and listings; an events calendar; a job and opportunity board for employment, internship, and volunteer opportunities; a resource hub through which to access business-development resources, mentorship opportunities, and expert guidance; and opportunities to engage in discussions, share insights, and collaborate with other business owners and professionals. The platform is open to all businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs in Western Massachusetts. A free membership option is available for community members, with premium features available for businesses looking to expand their reach and engagement. To learn more or join the community, visit 413online.com.

McClure Insurance Agency Rebrands to MountainOne

WEST SPRINGFIELD, WILBRAHAM — MountainOne announced that McClure Insurance Agency, acquired in November 2024, will officially rebrand as MountainOne Insurance Agency. Following the successful acquisition and rebranding of G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency in July 2024, this transition signifies MountainOne’s continued expansion in the Pioneer Valley, further strengthening its capacity to serve customers across Western Mass. As of March 17, McClure Insurance Agency has completed its integration into the MountainOne family. This transition includes adopting MountainOne’s systems and rebranding as MountainOne Insurance Agency. Customers can continue to visit their local insurance offices at 103 Van Deene Ave. in West Springfield and 2361 Boston Road in Wilbraham, and rely upon the same team of employees. They will also have access to a third Pioneer Valley location at 473 Longmeadow St. in Longmeadow.

MountainOne Bank, Mechanics Cooperative Bank to Merge Holding Companies

NORTH ADAMS — MountainOne Financial MHC, the mutual holding company parent of MountainOne Bank, and Mechanics Bancorp MHC, the mutual holding company parent of Mechanics Cooperative Bank, jointly announced they have entered into a formal agreement to merge into a combined mutual holding company. After the completion of the merger, the new consolidated holding company for both banks will be MountainOne Financial MHC, and both banks will continue to operate independently, retaining their respective charters, headquarters, and brand names. The agreement, approved by both institution’s boards of trustees, awaits regulatory and corporator approval. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025. After completion of the merger, the new consolidated holding company for both banks will have approximately $1.8 billion in assets and 15 full-service retail banking locations across Massachusetts. Robert Fraser will become chairman, and Joseph Baptista Jr. will become president and CEO of the combined mutual holding company. Fraser will continue in his role as president and CEO of MountainOne Bank, and Baptista will also remain as president and CEO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank. Under the terms of the agreement, no reductions in staff are planned at either institution. Furthermore, the agreement specifies a shared commitment to mutuality, a cornerstone of the combined organization.

MassHire Holyoke Relocates to STEAM Building

HOLYOKE — After 29 years at 850 High St., MassHire Holyoke will relocate to a new office at the STEAM Building, 208 Race St., effective March 31. The new location will provide a welcoming environment designed to better serve job seekers, employers, and community partners. MassHire Holyoke provides a wide range of career and workforce-development services, including job-search assistance and workshops, a fully equipped resource center, career counseling, training programs, and employer recruitment support.

Berkshire Bank Supports Square One Campaign

SPRINGFIELD — In keeping with its commitment to investing in education and the economic mobility it creates, the Berkshire Bank Foundation has awarded $20,000 to the “Back to Square One” capital campaign. In March 2023, Square One formally announced plans to expand access to early learning and care for the region’s children and families. Since that time, the campaign has succeeded in securing more than $13 million to build a new early-learning and family-support center in Springfield’s South End, at the same location where Square One once stood, prior to the 2011 tornado. The building is slated to open in June 2025. Simultaneously, the demand for Square One’s family-support services has grown to the point where Square One will have already outgrown the 26,000-square-foot building before opening its doors. While the success of its programs and services is something to be celebrated, the limited space is presenting a significant challenge. To answer this need, Balise Auto donated a building adjacent to the new construction. The unoccupied building is in need of approximately $4 million in renovations, which will begin following completion of the new construction.

bankESB Parent Company Wins Top Workplaces Award

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Financial Group, the parent company of bankESB, bankHometown, North Shore Bank, Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank, and Hometown Mortgage, announced it has earned the 2025 USA Today Top Workplaces award for the third time in four years. Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that are dedicated to building an exceptional, people-first culture. Winners are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous, third-party employee-engagement survey issued 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 Top Workplaces USA survey. Results were calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 culture drivers proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks.

Keiter, PV Squared Named to Fastest-growing Companies List

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Keiter, based in West Springfield, and PV Squared Solar, based in Greenfield, were both recently named to the Boston Globe’s inaugural list of New England’s 50 fastest-growing companies. The honor was presented in collaboration with Statista, a global statistics portal and industry-ranking provider. Awardees were chosen based on each organization’s revenue and organic growth and independence. Globe leaders said the companies recognized represent potential investment opportunities and indicate sectors that are thriving despite adversity. Additionally, their success stories can serve as blueprints for other businesses looking to innovate and grow in uncertain times. Thousands of companies were considered, and a minimum growth rate of 8.49% was required for inclusion.

Farm Credit East Reports Strong 2024 Financial Results

ENFIELD, Conn. — Farm Credit East reported solid 2024 financial results at its recent annual meeting. Continued loan growth coupled with strong earnings allowed it to distribute a combined $140 million in patronage dividends to eligible customer-owners based on 2024 earnings. In 2024, Farm Credit East’s net income grew to $337 million. Following more than two decades of growth, the cooperative closed out the year with $12.9 billion in loan volume and $2.4 billion in capital. This level of equity allows it to maintain competitive interest rates, while returning a portion of earnings to eligible customer-owners through patronage dividends. The $140 million total patronage paid to members in February is a combination of $131.6 million in patronage dividends based on 2024 cooperative earnings and a $8.4 million special patronage payment the board of directors approved, resulting from the association’s strong results, which exceeded financial targets.

Hampshire Meadow Family & Pediatric Dentistry to Expand

HADLEY — Hampshire Meadow Family & Pediatric Dentistry is breaking ground on a cutting-edge, 4,600-square-foot facility at the corner of Route 9 and East Street. This will allow the practice to meet skyrocketing demand, as its current facility — built just five years ago — has outgrown its capacity. In addition to increasing capacity for general dentistry, the new facility will serve as a regional hub for children with severe cases of decay or special healthcare needs. In 2024, the practice provided 2,962 appointments for MassHealth patients, with 2,100 pediatric and 380 adult Medicaid patients on its active roster. The practice owners hope to attract more skilled dental professionals to the region. The new facility represents a nearly $3 million investment by practice owners Dr. Cyrus Safizadeh and Dr. Noelle Nubani in the Pioneer Valley. This is in addition to more than $1 million they had previously invested in the current space. It is being built by Sweitzer Construction of Monson and 20 local subcontractors and materials vendors. The building is being designed by Larry Tuttle of Architectural Insights of Palmer. The Sweitzer team has decades of experience building state-of-the-art dental and medical facilities and built Hampshire Meadow’s original facility five years ago. The practice itself currently has 15 full-time employees, and that number is expected to increase.

Berkshire Bank Named Among Most Trustworthy Companies

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank has been recognized for the fourth consecutive year as one of the most trusted companies in America in Newsweek magazine’s list of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2025. Berkshire is the only Massachusetts-based bank on the list. In all, about 3,400 companies headquartered in the U.S. were considered for the list. In the end, 700 companies in 23 industries were honored. Results evaluated customer trust, employee trust, and investor trust. The analysis included what was said about the companies online, including on social-media platforms, and survey results of approximately 25,000 U.S. residents. Survey respondents who knew companies well were asked, among other things, if they believed individual companies treated their customers fairly, treated their employees fairly, and would be good long-term investments.