Page 45 - BusinessWest April 1, 2024

COMPANY NOTEBOOK>>
AIC Launches Center for Sport Physiology and Exercise Testing
SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) recently opened its Center for Sport Physiol- ogy and Exercise Testing (CSPET). The state-of- the-art human-performance laboratory, located in the AIC Colaccino Center for Health Sciences, is the only one of its kind in the Greater Springfield area. It features sophisticated testing equipment used to provide advanced exercise assessments and analyses in all aspects of health and performance, including BOD POD body composition testing, resting metabolic rate testing, and VO2 max test- ing. Working in the testing center benefits AIC students in the allied health professions, provid-
ing them with learning opportunities to advance their practical knowledge in exercise science. After being trained by faculty, students gain experience administering exercise testing protocols and edu- cating participants on their results, setting them apart from others as they enter their careers. The CSPET is now open to members of the college and Greater Springfield community by appointment. AIC student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff may sign up for testing at a discounted rate. To request information or to make an appointment, visit www. aic.edu/lp/sport-physiology.
Keiter Executive Headquarters to Move to West Springfield
FLORENCE — Keiter, a construction-services firm located in Florence since 2008, recently announced it will relocate its executive headquarters to a 6,000-square-foot facility at 1 Interstate Dr., West Springfield later this year. Keiter is comprised of Keiter Builders, the commercial/institutional divi- sion; Keiter Homes, the residential arm; and Keiter Properties, the real-estate venture. Its pre-construc- tion, sales and marketing, finance and administra- tion, and operations departments will be located in the new space. The move is prompted by growth and will allow Keiter much-needed space to col- laborate with customers and partners on projects. The new location will also help Keiter better serve clients in Hampden and Berkshire counties while continuing to serve clients in Hampshire and Frank- lin counties.
Gazebo Opens Second Store in East Longmeadow
NORTHAMPTON — Gazebo, the lingerie, bra-fitting, and swimsuit store in downtown Northampton, has expanded with the opening of Gazebo Too in the location of the former Coughlin’s Place restaurant at 182 North Main St., East Longmeadow. Gazebo was founded in 1978 by Judith Fine and sold to employees Donna McNeight and Amy Dickinson in 2016. McNeight will run Gazebo Too, and Dickinson will run the original Gazebo in Northampton. Gaze- bo prides itself on full-service bra, binder, and cup- sized swimsuit fittings, with cups ranging from AA to N. Gazebo is a proud ally of the LGBGTQ commu- nity and is wheelchair- and service-animal-friendly.
Eversource Tests New Mobile Batteries for Emergency Power
SPRINGFIELD — As part of Eversource’s commit- ment to advancing clean technologies and explor- ing innovative ways to help the Commonwealth achieve its decarbonization goals, the company
BusinessWest
is testing a mobile battery energy storage system (MBESS) as a zero-carbon backup power source.
As part of its MBESS pilot program, the energy company now has two mobile batteries that it is strategically deploying across its Massachusetts service territory, including in environmental-justice communities, to provide power to customers while its crews make upgrades or repairs to the electric system that would otherwise require a power out- age. Eversource is also charging one of the batter- ies using a solar array at its Springfield Area Work Center, further enhancing the clean-energy applica- tions of the technology. Mobile batteries produce no exhaust fumes, and, unlike diesel generators,
the MBESS operates virtually silently. Also, by elimi- nating noise, batteries can facilitate clearer com- munication between workers on construction job sites or disaster-relief efforts. The MBESS can also be swapped out for recharging and save money previously spent on diesel fuel to power generators. One new 500 kilowatt-hour mobile battery can,
for example, charge a 50-home neighborhood for four hours. The current plan is to have two mobile batteries at the Springfield Area Work Center for deployment.
Independent Connections Expands into Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD — Independent Connections (Indy- Conn), an IT-solutions company in the Berkshires, announced the grand opening of its Pittsfield office. The new building will serve as the company’s Mas- sachusetts branch and will house its growing team of skilled professionals dedicated to providing inno- vative technology solutions to businesses across the region. The company has other office locations in Hartford, Conn. and East Greenbush, N.Y.
Tighe & Bond Opens Second New York Office
WESTFIELD — Tighe & Bond announced the open- ing of a new office in Troy, N.Y. Located at 433 River St. in the Hedley Building, this location will allow the firm to better service its growing base of clients in the Albany region. Tighe & Bond’s newest location brings the firm’s total office count to 16 throughout the Northeast and is the firm’s second New York location, in addition to the Hudson Valley office located in Rhinebeck. Vice President Erin Moore
will provide leadership for the establishment of the Troy office as location manager. A lifelong resident of New York’s Capital District, with more than two decades of experience in municipal water, wastewa- ter, and stormwater projects, she has been actively engaged in expanding Tighe & Bond’s services throughout New York in response to clients’ needs.
Three Nonprofits Deliver Pet Food to the Elderly
NORTH ADAMS — In partnership with the Berkshire Humane Society Pet Assistance Program, BFAIR and Elder Services of Berkshire County are help- ing elders feed their pets in conjunction with Meals on Wheels, which provides hot lunchtime meals for people age 60 and older. BFAIR’s Community Based Day Services (CBDS) program participants
fill a vehicle at Berkshire Humane Society before embarking on a journey through Pittsfield and Dalton to deliver pet food to more than 20 elders in the Berkshire community. The program will run
monthly, and BFAIR program participants will con- tinue to deliver this resource. BFAIR’s Community Based Day Services program helps adults with dis- abilities participate in their community and improve their skills by providing access to regular, meaning- ful social contact and stimulating activities. Services are designed to maximize a person’s ability to man- age everyday life activities in their community. To be eligible to receive pet assistance through this pro- gram, the individual must receive services through Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels program. For more information on how to get started, visit esbci.org or call (413) 499-0524.
Community Foundation Receives $560,000 Grant from MassMutual Foundation
SPRINGFIELD — The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts announced it has received a $560,000 gift from the MassMutual Foundation
to support grantmaking in Springfield through the Community Foundation’s Flexible Funding program. Through this grant, the MassMutual Foundation seeks to create more equitable access to social and economic opportunity in its local community. Rec- ognizing a need in Springfield to address barriers
to financial well-being, the MassMutual Foundation identified the opportunity to support the Commu- nity Foundation’s Flexible Funding grant program, which uses a trust-based approach, informed by community, to make resources available to those nonprofits best positioned to increase equity and opportunity for all residents. The MassMutual Foun- dation’s funding will specifically target programs and organizations with a focus on building finan- cial resiliency through four focus areas: building networks, fostering financial health, fulfilling basic financial needs, and expanding employment oppor- tunities. The Flexible Funding program provides unrestricted financial support to nonprofits and other organizations assisting their communities in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties, pri- oritizing organizations actively working to combat racial disparities, promote equity and justice, and create pathways for marginalized communities.
The program is designed to uplift the day-to-day operations and sustainability of these organizations. Applications for the next Flexible Funding round will open in August, and recipient grantees will be announced in December.
bankESB Parent Wins 2024 Top Workplaces USA Award
EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Financial Group, parent company of bankESB, Abington Bank, and bankHometown, announced it was named a winner of the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award by Ener- gage. Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that are dedicated to building an exceptional, people-first culture. Win- ners are chosen based solely on employee feed- back 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 are calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based state- ments, including 15 culture drivers that are proven to predict high performance, against industry benchmarks.
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