Company Notebook

Oak View Group Partners with PeoplesBank to Rename XL Center

HARTFORD, Conn. — Oak View Group and the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) announced a new, multi-year naming rights partnership with PeoplesBank to rename Hartford’s 16,000-seat sports and entertainment venue, effective immediately. The newly renamed PeoplesBank Arena is home of the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack, affiliate of the New York Rangers; UConn men’s and women’s basketball and men’s hockey; and concerts and entertainment events. Terms of the multi-year agreement were not disclosed. This also marks a significant milestone in the Hartford Arena renovation project, as the next phase of construction is officially underway. Renovations will include upgrades to the seating area, the addition of new lower-level luxury suites, and the development of enhanced concession areas designed to elevate the overall guest experience. The 10-year partnership was executed by OVG Global Partnerships, the sponsorship and naming rights division of Oak View Group.

Bay Path Awarded Grant from Davis Educational Foundation

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University has been awarded a two-year, $225,000 grant from the Davis Educational Foundation to support a project called “Navigating a Path to Graduation: Streamlining Pathways to Student Success.” The grant supports the integration of Cambridge College’s academic programs and student support workflows into Bay Path’s robust, data-informed infrastructure, laying the foundation for a unified system that enhances efficiency, improves student experiences, and drives measurable outcomes across the merged institutions. On July 1, 2024, Bay Path celebrated its acquisition of Cambridge College, a mission-aligned institution with a strong focus on career preparation and serving adult populations. The acquisition nearly doubled Bay Path’s enrollment, added more than 20 new graduate programs, and expanded its reach to Eastern Mass. and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Davis Educational Foundation grant will support key initiatives in the integration of Bay Path University and Cambridge College, including aligning academic programs, improving degree tracking, and upgrading technology systems.

Steve Lewis Subaru Rebrands to Balise Subaru of Hadley

HADLEY — Balise Auto Group is announced that Steve Lewis Subaru, a dealership that joined the Balise family in March 2023, has officially changed its name to Balise Subaru of Hadley. This name change reflects the next step in aligning the dealership with the Balise brand, which has been serving communities across New England since 1919. While the signage may look different, customers can expect to see the same team of employees. The Balise Subaru of Hadley team will move into a new, state-of-the-art facility at the dealership’s original location, with completion expected this fall.

Monson Savings Bank Supports Salvation Army Housing Program

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank continued giving back to the communities it serves by donating $5,000 to the Salvation Army’s Ware/Monson Area Housing Assistance Program. This contribution will directly assist local individuals and families experiencing housing instability, helping them stay in their homes and avoid homelessness. The donation was presented by Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank’s president and CEO, and Heather Arbour, vice president BSA/Fraud officer and Compliance manager and longtime Salvation Army volunteer, to Wilfred Leslie, Service Extension director for the Salvation Army’s Massachusetts Division. The funds will be used to support residents in the bank’s communities by providing assistance with rent, utilities, and emergency housing needs.

MassMutual Federal Credit Union Completes Book Drive

SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual Federal Credit Union (MMFCU) announced the successful completion of its April children’s book drive, which saw the collection of almost 400 books through local member donations and a customized Amazon wish list. The books collected were donated to a member-nominated school, Talmadge Elementary in Springfield, providing students with valuable resources to enrich their educational experience.MMFCU will match the value of books collected for Talmadge Elementary with donations to Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers in Boston and O’Connor Elementary School in Mesa, Ariz. This initiative will ensure that the impact of the book drive extends well beyond Springfield. MMFCU’s commitment to community service went beyond the book drive. The credit union partnered with MassMutual’s Community Responsibility team to organize a volunteer effort to assemble activity kits for the recipient schools. These kits are designed to provide engaging and educational activities that complement the donated books, further enhancing the students’ learning experiences.

Herrell’s Ice Cream Unveils 2024 UMass Competition Flavors

NORTHAMPTON — Herrell’s Ice Cream introduced four new UMass flavors to its rotating ice cream collection: the winners of the 2024 Ice Cream Competition. The first place winner is Brown Butter Miso Caramel, second place is Tea Time, third place is Apple Kruimel ijsje, and Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake won the People’s Choice Award. These flavors are now being sold in both Amherst and Northampton Herrell’s Ice Cream locations. Herrell and former Herrell’s Manager Kirsten Tabb worked with students and Charmaine Koo, UMass lecturer and professor for the class, throughout the spring 2024 semester to help them understand the intricacies of creating flavors. Criteria for the judging included texture, overrun, sustainability, olfactory, and taste.

MicroTek Inc. Awarded Grant for ESOL Classes

CHICOPEE — MicroTek Inc., a nonprofit wire component manufacturer that provides employment support to individuals with disabilities, was awarded a Workforce Training Fund grant to provide workplace classes in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) to its employees. The ESOL training will directly support the company’s mission to foster an inclusive and empowering work environment. These courses will equip employees with the English communication skills needed to excel in their roles, contributing to the production of high-quality, cutting-edge cable and assembly work for industries around the world. By enhancing understanding of workplace-specific vocabulary, including safety protocols, machinery, products, and procedures, the training ensures all employees can meet the company’s high standards while feeling confident and valued in their contributions. Aligned with MicroTek’s vision of creating an inclusive society, this training emphasizes building employees’ confidence to communicate openly with peers, managers, vendors, and customers. Participants will be better prepared to share their ideas, provide feedback, and take on leadership opportunities, furthering MicroTek’s commitment to respect, responsibility, and meaningful employment for all. This project is funded by a Workforce Training Fund grant from Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The grant program is administered by Commonwealth Corp. MicroTek partnered with English for New Bostonians and Valley Opportunity Council for the training program design and execution, including initial assessment of the employees’ English language levels, delivery of the English classes, and achievement of the training goals.

Country Bank Honored at 2025 NEFFIES Awards

WARE — Country Bank announced it received two awards at the 2025 NEFFIES Awards Show, hosted by the New England Financial Marketing Assoc. (NEFMA). Country received First Place – Gold in the Website Design category for its newly launched website, which was thoughtfully developed to meet the evolving needs of today’s digital banking customers. The site features a mobile-responsive design, robust financial education tools, dynamic calls to action, and personalized user experiences. The bank also received Second Place – Silver in the Fan Favorite category for its Community Support partnership with the Worcester Red Sox. This recognition highlights a series of impactful initiatives, including the Most Valuable Teacher program, WooStar recognitions, and the Police vs. Fire charity game, all designed to honor and support individuals making a positive difference in their communities.

PeoplesBank Awards $10,000 to Springfield Library Program

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Library Foundation and PeoplesBank announced a $10,000 grant from the bank to support the Springfield City Library’s Summer Reading Program. Thanks to this grant, this year’s program, called Level Up at Your Library, will feature greatly expanded activities for children and other users throughout the city of Springfield at the library’s nine locations as well as with other community partners. The Summer Reading Program is hosting all-ages kickoff events throughout June. The program will conclude with a big all-ages, city-wide End of Summer Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 23. Among the many activities made possible by PeoplesBank’s grant will be music classes, musical petting zoos, story city series, mobile arcade, VR experiences, RPG and board game clubs, bingo, and escape rooms. Children and teens will get a free book of their choice with sign-up, and there will be weekly prizes and celebrations throughout the summer. For more information, visit www.springfieldlibrary.org.