GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Community Development Corp. (FCCDC), a community economic development organization that provides support for small businesses throughout Western Mass., has added three new staff members and shifted the duties of a fourth. The FCCDC also announced a new open position.

Lending Director Kwaku Ofori began at the FCCDC in November. A finance and development professional with more than 15 years of experience in business lending, small business technical assistance, and community-focused finance, he leads the FCCDC’s lending programs that expand access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs across Western Mass.

Brian Dejnak began at the FCCDC in June as community lending associate. A lending professional formerly with the USDA and Greenfield Savings Bank, he works with businesses seeking flexible financing to start or grow their enterprises.

Anna Halpin-Healy joined the FCCDC in July as finance specialist. She has held business operations roles in agriculture, education, and retail environments. She supports the day-to-day financial operations of the organization, including bookkeeping, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and grant reporting assistance.

Angela Varilly, who joined the FCCDC in 2024 as lending manager, has moved into the business assistance manager position. She is a finance leader with nearly two decades of experience in retail banking with Greenfield Savings Bank. She guides small business owners at all stages and leads the Entrepreneurship Accelerator, part of the FCCDC’s UPstart program for early-stage entrepreneurs.

Finally, Myra Marcellin left the FCCDC after two and a half years of service to take on the role of investment director with Black Farmer Fund. She will continue to support small businesses that FCCDC works with as a consultant.

The FCCDC is looking to round out its staff by adding a farm and food business advisor. Those interested can visit fccdc.org/careers to learn more about the position and find directions to apply.

GREENFIELD — Franklin County Community Development Corp. (CDC) will host a small-business block party on Thursday, June 6 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at its Venture Center, 324 Wells St., Greenfield.

The organization is celebrating 45 years of small-business development through business coaching and flexible financing. Attendees will hear from engaging, innovative entrepreneurs and small-business owners who have worked with the Franklin County CDC and whose ventures help power the local economy.

The party will feature music and concert-ticket giveaways from WRSI. Food truck Ginger Love Café will provide Filipino street food, and MexiRico will serve its famous limbers, a frozen dessert that originated in Puerto Rico. Beverages will also be available from Freedom Street Brewing and Stout Pigeon.

All are welcome, but RSVP is requested by clicking here. The event will be held rain or shine, but lightning would cancel it.

GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Community Development Corp. (FCCDC) received a grant of $125,000 over two years from the M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank. FCCDC provides a host of direct services and opportunities that help businesses start, stabilize, and grow throughout Western Mass.

With this grant, FCCDC is partnering with Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services (Springfield NHS) to provide business assistance and mini-grants to early-stage businesses in Springfield, where there is a history of underinvestment in Black-owned businesses.

“We are genuinely excited to partner with the FCCDC to reshape equity, justice, and access for small businesses in Western Massachusetts,” said Jeff Hamilton, president and CEO of Springfield NHS. “With the support from M&T Charitable Foundation’s Amplify Fund, Springfield NHS will amplify our initiatives to support small businesses, providing access to the support and funding often denied to historically underserved small-business owners.”

FCCDC Executive Director John Waite added that “we are grateful to the support of the M&T Charitable Foundation and are excited to get these Amplify funds to work bringing solid business support to the local entrepreneurs and small-business owners whose enterprises bring jobs and increase economic opportunities for their communities.”

The grant is part of the second round of giving through the Amplify Fund, providing more than $8.2 million to 68 nonprofit organizations throughout New England, Long Island, and Rockland County, N.Y.

“Through the Amplify Fund, we are committed to continuing our partnership with organizations like the FCCDC that work hand-in-hand with community members in the field to provide the critical resources and programming necessary to truly make a difference,” said Dominique Goss, executive director of the M&T Charitable Foundation. “At M&T, addressing the institutionalized and systemic issues preventing disadvantaged communities from accessing opportunities and achieving long-term success is key to our mission as a community bank. We are proud to provide the Amplify Fund as a difference-making resource in the communities we serve.”