Page 44 - BusinessWest April 18, 2022

VVM Wednes- Continued from page 11 day of each
month. Now back in person after being virtual for two years
because of the pandemic, they offer networking, mentoring opportunities, and elevator-pitch presen- tations. There’s also a weekly roundtable discussion with startup businesses on Tuesday nights, conduct- ed via Zoom.
In that latter category are programs such as Rise- Up Springfield, in which VVM partners with the city to provide a six-month program to help small busi- ness owners create scale and expand their ventures. There is also the Harold Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative, which involves all 14 area colleges and cul- minates with an annual spring Celebration of Entre- preneurship Spirit banquet.
There’s also the summer student business-accel- erator program, which, because it has been run virtu- ally the past few years, has been able to attract partic- ipants from across the country and around the world.
“We’ve found that making the program virtual makes it more accessible to people,” she explained. “Over the past few years, we’ve had people log
in from outside the United States, which is really exciting; we’ve had people from Pakistan, France, India, and South Africa, and that’s been an amaz- ing element, to broaden that accessibility for these entrepreneurs.”
And these lessons learned will carry over into the future, she said, adding that many programs will con- tinue to have at least a virtual component to enable that improved accessibility to continue.
tage development at Forest Lake. The plan calls for seasonal cottages that will have water and sewer services. McNutt estimates that, when complete, the cottages will add nearly $800,000 to the tax base in Palmer.
On the other side of Forest Lake, the Massachu- setts Department of Fish and Game plans to build
a new boat launch, parking lot, and ADA-accessible fishing pier so people of all abilities can enjoy the water. McNutt estimates the state project and the cot- tages are about two years away from completion.
“I feel like we’re finally getting to the point where Palmer is going to see lots of great things happen- ing that residents and visitors will be able to enjoy,” Leduc said.
Venturing Forth
Overall, the new relationship between VVM and the EDC is difficult to put into words or describe with a single word.
In simple terms, it means that VVM now has a bet- ter, stronger platform for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Time will tell, but it appears that the new relation- ship will enable it to take its mission to a different plane while perhaps bringing more continuity and cohesion to the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
As Ross Gibaldi said, it’s a big opportunity for both VVM and the region. u
George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]
Bottom Line
Everywhere he goes in town, McNutt carries a copy of the economic-development chapter of the master plan.
“This way, when someone has a question about what we’re doing, I can show them in the plan how we want to create destination locations for them and for folks who have never been here,” he said.
With the proposed east-west rail and a lower cost of living compared to Eastern Mass., McNutt believes Palmer has the right location at the right time, and can take a meaningful step forward in terms of growth and prosperity.
“We’re going to position Palmer as an attractive place to live,” he said, adding that it can, and hopeful- ly will, also become an attractive place for businesses of all kinds to plant roots. u
Palmer
Continued from page 16
rail proposal
across Mas- sachusetts. Currently, the state has three alterna-
tive configurations for the rail project, with a stop in Palmer included in all three. McNutt said he’s hopeful that remains the case and looks forward to talking with the state once it is ready to proceed.
“Obviously, this would be transformative for Palm- er,” he said, adding that a rail stop will serve to make the town an even more attractive option for new retail and hospitality-related businesses.
Nearly two-thirds of housing in Palmer consists
of single-family homes, higher than the state and county averages of just below 60%. McNutt said town leaders are working to attract more permanent hous- ing development for the community.
To that end, work will soon begin on a 200-cot-
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