Page 38 - BusinessWest August 18, 2025

COMPANY NOTEBOOK>>
Citizens Bank Opens
New Holyoke Branch
HOLYOKE — Citizens Bank celebrated the grand
opening of its new branch at 1575 Northampton
St. in Holyoke with a ribbon cutting ceremony
and open house on July 24. The branch, which
has relocated from a previous in-store location
at Stop & Shop, now resides in a standalone facil-
ity designed to enhance the customer experience.
The new location features a larger footprint with
multiple teller stations, three private offices, and a
comfortable waiting area. One of its key highlights
is the interactive teller machine (ITM), providing
customers with real-time access to virtual banking
assistants. The ITM is available in the drive-up area,
ensuring accessibility for all. This new branch is
expected to play a significant role in the local econ-
omy by providing streamlined access to mortgage,
business banking, and financial management ser-
vices. It also consolidates several in-store branches
to offer a centralized hub of expertise, enhancing
convenience for customers and fostering commu-
nity growth.
Keiter Donates $25,000 for
Fifth Year of Keiter Card
WEST SPRINGFIELD — For the fifth consecutive
year, Keiter is supporting the Greater Northampton
Chamber of Commerce with a $25,000 donation to
fund the annual Keiter Card promotion. The initia-
tive has generated $250,000 in direct economic
impact on the Northampton community since its
inception in 2021. The Keiter Card allows consum-
ers to receive $50 in local spending power for $25,
effectively doubling the impact on participating
small businesses. The Northampton Chamber will
contribute $5,000 to the campaign this year as
well, increasing the benefit to the local economy to
$60,000. The 2025 Keiter Card promotion launched
on Aug. 4. Cards can be purchased exclusively at
the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce,
99 Pleasant St., Northampton, between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Supplies are lim-
ited, and customers must request the Keiter Card at
the time of purchase. The promotion applies only
to $25 Northampton Gift Card purchases and is
limited to one per customer, per transaction. The
Northampton Gift Card is accepted at more than
131 local businesses, including restaurants, shops,
services, and spas.
Florence Bank Breaks Ground
on New Branch in Holyoke
FLORENCE — Florence Bank is taking the next step
in its expansion into Hampden County this month,
breaking ground on a 2,500-square-foot office at
1504 Northampton St. in Holyoke. The full-service
Holyoke branch is expected to open in the spring
of 2026 and will be the bank’s fourth in Hampden
County. In August 2017, Florence Bank opened its
first branch in the county in West Springfield, fol-
lowed by a branch opening in Springfield early in
2019 and in Chicopee in the spring of 2021. An
invitation-only ceremonial groundbreaking event is
planned for Friday, August 22 at 10 a.m. at the site
of the new branch. Garrity will address an audience
that is expected to include bank employees, board
members, Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, and other
community leaders and elected officials. The new
branch, designed by HAI Architecture in Northamp-
ton, will provide a spacious lobby, traditional teller
stations, five offices, a drive-up teller window, and
a drive-up ATM. Six employees will staff the branch,
where customers can be assisted by tellers, meet
with a customer service representative, or apply for
a mortgage or commercial loan. The bank’s Span-
ish-speaking mortgage originator will also be based
in the new branch.
Ludlow Coffee Company
Hosts Grand Opening
LUDLOW — The East of the River Five Town Cham-
ber of Commerce hosted the grand opening of
Ludlow Coffee Company at 135 East St., Ludlow on
July 22. Ludlow Coffee Company is the brainchild
of a young couple who grew up in Ludlow, pursued
their education and careers in Boston, and have
now returned to their roots to establish a busi-
ness. “This event is not only a celebration of a new
business, but also an opportunity to highlight the
importance of community involvement and support
for local entrepreneurs,” the chamber stated. “The
Ludlow Coffee Company embodies the spirit of
community with its inviting ambience, reminiscent
of the classic coffee shops we love. It’s a place for
friends to gather, share stories, and enjoy quality
coffee sourced from George Howell. The couple’s
vision is to create a space that fosters connections,
creativity, and collaboration among community
members.”
Pittsfield-based Synagex Acquires
Professional Computer Associates
PITTSFIELD — Synagex, an IT and cybersecurity
services company based in Pittsfield, announced
the acquisition of Professional Computer Associ-
ates (PCA), an established IT services firm out of Red
Hook, N.Y. This move marks an important milestone
in Synagex’s ongoing effort to “grow smart, stay
personal, and expand our ability to serve organiza-
tions throughout the Northeast,” ompany President
John Sinopoli said. Founded in 1999, PCA has spent
nearly three decades supporting businesses, local
governments, and nonprofits across the Hudson
Valley and Capital Region of New York. Synagex,
launched in 2017, provides IT as a service. Combin-
ing strategy, automation, and connection, the com-
pany aims to helps clients simplify IT, stay secure,
and stay focused on what they do best. For PCA
clients, the transition will feel familiar because most
things are staying the way they are. The same local
team will continue to provide support, now backed
by Synagex’s expanded cybersecurity capabili-
ties, compliance expertise, and modern IT delivery
model.
Elms College Ranked Highly by
Niche.com in Several Categories
CHICOPEE — Elms College received significant
recognition across multiple categories in Niche.
com’s latest rankings. It has been named among
the top colleges nationwide for its exceptional
nursing program, strong Catholic identity, and
value. In 21st place, Elms College is among the 25
best colleges in Massachusetts (MIT and Harvard
rank first and second, respectively). Furthermore,
Elms is ranked among the top 10 Colleges in Mas-
sachusetts in three categories: fourth best nurs-
ing school, third best Catholic college, and eighth
for best value. Elms leads all other Western Mass.
institutions in those three categories. The college’s
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AUGUST 18, 2025
strong showing as the fifth-best college in Western
Mass. (behind Williams, Amherst, Smith, and Mount
Holyoke) exemplifies how the institution lives up to
its mission, rooted in the values of the Sisters of St.
Joseph. The college fosters a supportive and inclu-
sive community where students are encouraged to
grow intellectually, spiritually, and personally. Elms
also ranks 49th of the 159 Catholic colleges in the
U.S.
MicroTek Inc. Unveils New
Brand Identity, Website
CHICOPEE — MicroTek Inc., a leader in innova-
tive technology solutions, announced the launch
of its refreshed brand identity and new website.
This milestone marks a significant step in the com-
pany’s evolution, aligning its digital presence with
its forward-thinking mission and ever-expanding
capabilities. MicroTek has introduced a revitalized
brand identity, including a new logo, updated color
palette, and refined messaging that better reflects
the company’s commitment to innovation, reliabil-
ity, and customer-centric solutions. The rebranding
initiative is part of MicroTek’s broader strategy to
enhance its digital footprint, improve client engage-
ment, and support its growing portfolio of services
across industries. Alongside the refreshed brand-
ing, MicroTek recently launched a new corporate
website that features streamlined navigation and
enhanced functionality, offering visitors a more
intuitive and engaging experience.
Summerlin Floors Announces
New Charitable Arm
AMHERST — Summerlin Floors, a woman- and fam-
ily-owned flooring business based in Amherst, has
launched Summerlin Supports, a dedicated branch
of its business focusing on giving back through
charitable initiatives, volunteer efforts, and mon-
etary donations. Throughout the years, Summerlin
Floors has supported a variety of local organizations
and initiatives, making contributions in a variety of
ways, from radiothons and fundraisers to schol-
arship donations and community events. These
contributions laid the foundation for Summerlin
Supports, which formalizes the company’s ongoing
commitment to making a positive impact and uplift-
ing the local community. Among the organizations
and events Summerlin Floors — and now, Sum-
merlin Supports — has supported and sponsored
include Amherst Community Theater, Amherst
Global Village Festival, Amherst Survival Center,
Amherst WinterFest, Baystate Children’s Hospital,
Empty Arms Bereavement, New England Public
Media, Safe Passage, Granby Junior Senior High
School, and Greenfield Community College (GCC).
Ventfort Hall Reclaims
Historic Gardener’s Cottage
LENOX — Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion and
Museum announced the acquisition of the original
Gardener’s Cottage, known as the Huss House,
once the residence of Gilded Age landscape archi-
tect John Huss. For the first time since the 1950s,
the property is returning to the Ventfort Hall estate,
restoring a vital piece of its original legacy. In June,
Notebook
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