Page 47 - BusinessWest December 8, 2025

Sustainable >>Continued from page 45
essentially all of the infrastructure that you need for a
1,500- or 3,000-square-foot house and compacting it
into, say, a 600- or 900-square-foot house. You’ve still
got all the utilities, all the electricity, all your mechani-
cals and plumbing and kitchen and bath. So the cost
per square foot for an ADU tends to be substantially
higher than for a larger house. But we’re working
hard to find ways to make them accessible to middle-
class homeowners.”
The company’s values extend beyond building
materials and environmental impact; they include
work in the community as well. Rare Forms donates
1% of all its revenue each year to nonprofit organiza-
tions, including the Hitchcock Center for the Envi-
ronment, the Connecticut River Valley Conservancy,
Leave No Trace, the Venture Out Project, and Com-
munity Involved in Sustaining Agriculture.
“We focus on both donating monetarily to local
organizations and also using our space to help build
communities,” he noted, which includes hosting
events focused on everything from building science to
promoting women and people of color in the trades.
From a broader perspective, “it’s about people,”
Bossie said. “The function of buildings is to provide
shelter for people. Ultimately, I think that how we
relate to other human beings is what defines our
lives. How we take care of each other is what defines
the value of a society. How we shelter people defines
our culture of care.
“And I wanted to — both personally and from a
business perspective — really invest in building some-
thing that can care for people, both in terms of what
we build and how we build it and how we build the
business as well, making sure that we are investing
all of our resources back into the people that are
here, employees of Rare Forms, but also our trade
partners, our clients.”
So when Bossie calls Rare Forms a mission- and
values-based business, he’s got a lot on his mind.
“I like people,” he said. “I also have three daugh-
ters, and, while I don’t spend a lot of time thinking
about legacy, the way that I want to define the suc-
cess of my own life is — like a lot of people, I think
— can I leave the world a little bit better for my kids
than I found it?” BW
Girls >>Continued from page 46
struction workforce here in Massachusetts. Women
now comprise over 11% of all union building trades
apprentices in Massachusetts, tripling the national
average and representing a twofold increase since
2012,” Callahan said. “Each year, the union building
trades provide a pathway to a rewarding career, with
industry-leading wages and benefits, free training and
skills development, the highest safety standards, and
opportunities for advancement.”
In anticipation of the 2025 conference, Franklin
County Technical School student Cameron Jacques
said, “I’m really looking forward to this event. It’s a
chance to learn not only about my own trade, but
also about so many others — and to see how women
can continue to thrive in a workforce that’s often
male-dominated.”
Her classmate Alison George shared her energy.
“I’m excited to explore all the new opportunities
this conference will have to offer me,” she said. “It’s
inspiring to know there are so many women in these
careers, ready to share their experiences.”
The event connects girls enrolled in career and
technical education programs with tradeswomen,
union apprenticeship programs, and industry leaders.
Each year, the conference aims to empower the next
generation of tradeswomen, encouraging them to pur-
sue high-paying, debt-free careers that build both com-
munities and futures.
For many of these students, a career in the trades
offers a debt-free path to the middle class. With start-
ing wages of $18 to $22 per hour that rise to $35 to
$55 per hour over the course of a two- to five-year
apprenticeship, event organizers noted, these pro-
grams create life-changing opportunities, building
skills, stability, and a more inclusive workforce. BW
Your Vision...
Residential
Commercial
Pre-Eng. Buildings
Additions
Renovations
New Construction
Boldly Brought to Life.
Elevate your designs with custom
graphics and signage that
transform spaces into immersive
brand experiences. From
LEED-certified solutions to striking
architectural enhancements, our
expertise ensures every detail
aligns with your creative vision.
Let's make your next project unforgettable.
Architectural & Window Films • Wall Coverings
Feature Walls • Dimensional Logos
Signs of All Kinds
31 Benton Drive • East Longmeadow, MA • 413.525.2244 • gographix.com
Exquisite Craftsmanship and Pride in Detail Since 1947
PO Box 135, 15 Power Court Greenfield, MA 01302
413-773-3176 | mowryandschmidt.com | Licensed & Insured HIC #101002
Business W est << BUILDING TRADES >>
DECEMBER 8, 2025
47