Page 64 - BusinessWest December 8, 2025

BUSINESS VENTURES>>
INCORPORATIONS
The following business
incorporations were
recorded in Hampden,
Hampshire and Franklin
counties and are the latest
available. They are listed by
community.
AGAWAM
Astep Electrical Co., 350
Meadow St., Unit 32, Agawam,
MA 01001. Alex Stepanchuk,
same. Electrical services,
including the installation,
maintenance, and repair of
electrical systems for residen-
tial, commercial, and industrial
clients.
ASHFIELD
Markens Consulting Inc.,
597 Bellus Road, Ashfield,
MA 01330. Bennett Markens,
same. Business consulting
services.
BELCHERTOWN
Western MA D9 Inc., 72 Moun-
tain View Dr., Belchertown,
MA 01007. William Strothers,
68 Senecal Place, East Long-
meadow, MA 01028. Non-
profit organization promoting
collaboration, fellowship, and
partnership among member
organizations of the National
Pan-Hellenic Council within
Western Mass.
CHICOPEE
My Dutch Cigar Inc., 200
Exchange St., Chicopee, MA
01013. Jugpal Singh, same.
Wholesale tobacco distributor.
EAST LONGMEADOW
Entrusted Inc., 36 Athens St.,
East Longmeadow, MA 01028.
Inna Shulga, same. Consulting
services.
FEEDING HILLS
Horeb Conservatory of Music
Inc., 10 Gary Place, Apt. C,
Feeding Hills, MA 01030.
David Reji, same. Nonprofit
conservatory of music offer-
ing comprehensive instruction
in instrumental music, vocal
music, music theory, com-
position, and other related
musical disciplines to students
of all ages and skill levels,
from beginners to advanced
performers.
HAMPDEN
Masshive Inc., 303 Wilbraham
Road, Hampden, MA 01036.
Holly Lynn Sullivan, same.
Provides peer-to-youth men-
torship programs for girls and
young women, promoting
leadership, identity develop-
ment, self-esteem, and mental
well-being, and supporting
underserved youth in their
transition from middle school
to adulthood through guided
support, community building,
and enrichment opportunities.
INDIAN ORCHARD
Mr. Janitorial Services Inc., 36
Parker St., Indian Orchard, MA
01151. Jose Almeida, same.
Janitorial services.
LONGMEADOW
Wasaberto Technologies Inc.,
174 Meadowlark Dr., Long-
meadow, MA 01106. Diego
Saavedra, same. Technol-
ogy company developing
and operating software as a
mobile app.
NORTH ADAMS
Studio North Dance Arts Inc.,
60 Roberts Dr., Suite 103,
North Adams, MA 01247. Jes-
sica Gwozdz, same. Dance
studio.
Notebook >>Continued from page 63
Forbes Again Names Big Y
Among Best-In-State Employers
SPRINGFIELD — For the seventh year in a row, Big
Y has been recognized as a Forbes Best-In-State
Employer in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Hon-
orees have been identified through a survey from a
vast sample of more than 160,000 U.S. employees
working for companies employing at least 500
people within the U.S. More than 2 million employer
evaluations were considered. Employers have nei-
ther the knowledge of which employees are polled
nor the ability to influence the results in any way.
Employees are also asked to give their opinions on
a series of statements surrounding work-related
topics such as compensation, working conditions,
potential for development, and overall company
image. Big Y places a strong emphasis on elevating
the employee experience by prioritizing flexibility,
meaningful recognition, work/life balance, and cul-
tivating a culture rooted in care and inclusion, the
company stated.
STCC Receives Six Awards for
Marketing, Communications
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community
College (STCC) earned six prestigious Medallion
Awards from the National Council for Marketing
& Public Relations (NCMPR) District 1 at the orga-
nization’s annual conference held in Pittsburgh in
November. STCC was one of the most awarded col-
leges on the entire Eastern Seaboard and received
more honors than any other Massachusetts com-
munity college. The Medallion Awards recognize
outstanding achievement in design and communi-
cations at community and technical colleges across
the Northeast, Eastern Canada, and the U.K. This
year, STCC stood out for creative excellence across
a wide range of categories, reflecting the strength
and innovation of its Marketing & Communications
team. STCC received the following awards: Gold
Award – E-Newsletter; Gold Award – Interior Sig-
nage/Displays; Silver Award – E-Card; Bronze Award
– Excellence in Writing, Short Form; Bronze Award
– Outdoor Signage/Display; and Bronze Award –
Audio Content.
HCC College Magazine
Honored at Regional Conference
HOLYOKE — The Connection, the official magazine
of Holyoke Community College (HCC), received a
first-place gold Medallion Award at the fall 2025
District 1 conference of the National Council for
Marketing & Public Relations. The spring 2025 edi-
tion of the Connection took the top spot in the
category of large-scale magazine, for publications
of more than 16 pages. In addition to its usual cam-
pus news, alumni briefs, and class notes, the spring
2025 issue includes a cover story about the opening
of HCC’s Marieb Adult Learner Success Center and
Parent Learning Center (“A Family Affair”); a profile
of late alum JoAnne Wrobel, who launched a free
food cart for students that grew into the Thrive
Center and Food Pantry, which now feeds hundreds
of HCC students every year (“A Silent Hero”); and
a feature story about HCC alum Brandon Towle of
Westfield, who founded the first sleepaway camp
in New England for stuttering youth (“Freedom to
Speak”). “Freedom to Speak,” written by the maga-
zine’s editor-in-chief, Chris Yurko, received a sec-
ond-place silver Medallion Award in the category of
long-form writing (stories of more than 800 words).
The magazine is designed by John Devanski, owner
of Guy With Glasses Design in Ware. The Connec-
tion is a 36-page magazine published two times a
year by the HCC office of Marketing and Communi-
cations and distributed free to alumni, students, and
friends of the college.
Springfield Empowerment Zone
Partnership Wins Award
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Empowerment
Zone Partnership (SEZP) was named the 2025
recipient of the Teacher Powered Schools Partner-
ship Award, presented last month at the annual
Teacher Powered Schools Conference in Ypsilanti,
Mich. The national award honors partnerships
between schools, districts, and teachers’ unions that
exemplify the power of collaboration and shared
leadership to empower educators, students, and
families. Since its founding in 2015, SEZP has forged
64 << BUSINESS VENTURES >>
DECEMBER 8, 2025
PALMER
Marrero and Cruz Manage-
ment Inc., 320 Wilbraham St.,
Palmer, MA 01069. Vanessa
Marrero, same. Procures and
manages real estate.
PITTSFIELD
American Integrity National
Committee Inc., 82 Wendell
Ave, Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA
01201. Antonio Guerrero, 212
Fenn St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Nonprofit corporation that
establishes, maintains, and
expands a civic, transparent,
and widely accessible digital
platform for the purpose of
enhancing democratic par-
ticipation, strengthening insti-
tutional trust, and promoting
political integrity.
Broken Crayons Inc., 1859 East
St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Sarah
DeJesus, same. Nonprofit
organization providing harm
reduction services, hous-
ing support, food resources,
healthcare, education, and
advocacy for marginalized
populations, including people
who use drugs and those
experiencing chronic home-
lessness, and related chari-
table activities.
Educate Beyond Inc., 82 Wen-
dell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield,
MA 01201. Shilpi Raturi, same.
Nonprofit organization estab-
lished to improve educational
equity and opportunity for
children in foster care by pro-
viding access to age-appropri-
ate books through donations
and community supported
book drives, raising funds via
an online platform to support
literacy initiatives, and offering
free, virtual math tutoring ser-
vices to children ages 9-13.
KG CPA Tax & Advisory, P.C.,
185 Highland Ave., Pittsfield,
MA 01201. Kevin Garcia, same.
Public accounting services.
a groundbreaking partnership with the Springfield
Education Assoc. (SEA) that reimagines what is pos-
sible when educators are trusted to lead. Through a
series of teacher contracts — with the latest ratified
by 93% of union members this past June — teach-
ers have gained expanded decision-making power
in critical areas such as working conditions, cur-
riculum, and school design, while also receiving
higher compensation than their district peers for the
additional time dedicated to teacher collaboration
and leadership. Central to this success are SEZP’s
teacher leadership teams, school-based groups that
ensure teachers have a formal, consistent voice
in decisions that shape instruction, culture, and
operations. Together, SEZP and the SEA have cre-
ated a model of shared leadership that continues to
attract national attention for its ability to combine
teacher empowerment with improved outcomes for
students.
Thunderbirds, Wellpoint
Brick Back First Line Program
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Thunderbirds,
Wellpoint, and community partners are teaming up
to connect local students and public safety offi-
cials through the return of the First Line Program.
The initiative, sponsored by Wellpoint and revived
from the 2017-18 season, pairs Springfield Public
Schools students with Springfield and Hampden
County public safety officials for an unforgettable
night of hockey, mentorship, and community pride.
Seven students and teachers from Kiley Prep Middle
School attended the program kickoff at the Nov.
7 Thunderbirds game, where each student was
paired with a Springfield police officer, firefighter,
or corrections officer from the Hampden County
Sheriff’s Office. The event celebrated community
connection, with participants enjoying food, con-
versation, and hometown pride as they watched
the Thunderbirds face the Bridgeport Islanders. The
First Line Program will continue throughout the
Thunderbirds’ 2025-26 season, with students and
educators from schools across Springfield joining in
future games.
Business W est