Page 39 - BusinessWest February 3, 2025

COMPANY NOTEBOOK>>
Big E Ranks Fourth-largest Among North American Fairs
WEST SPRINGFIELD — On Dec. 16, Carnival Ware- house, the fair industry’s most comprehensive news source for carnivals and events, released its annual ranking of the top 50 fairs in North America based on attendance numbers. After a record-setting year, the Big E soared to fourth place. In 2024, the Big
E welcomed an unprecedented 1,633,935 fairgo- ers to the Eastern States Exposition (ESE) complex. Throughout the 17-day fair, seven daily attendance records were set, and Saturday, Sept. 21 set a record for single-day attendance. North American Midway Entertainment (NAME), the Big E’s carnival provider, retained its position as the number-one midway operator in the same study. NAME operates at 11 of the events on the list of top 50 fairs. NAME’s history with ESE dates back to 1979 when Conklin Shows was granted the contract to the Big E. Conklin
later united with four other major midway opera- tors to create NAME, an international company with corporate headquarters based in Farmland, Ind. NAME’s reign at the Big E began two decades ago, in 2005. Since its inception, NAME has pro- vided rides, games, and food to fairs and festivals
in about 140 communities and 20 states, as well as four Canadian provinces. It boasts more than 200 rides and fair classic food concessions that allow clients to remain novel and competitive. The Big E is an example of ESE’s efforts to connect the larger public with agricultural producers through 17 fun- filled days each September. The fair’s legacy spans more than 115 years, and its growing size and inter- national recognition are a testament to its success. As the agricultural buildings remain at the center
of the complex, the impact of the individual farmer remains at the heart of ESE’s mission.
Pyramid Management Group Extends Loan for Holyoke Mall
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Pyramid Management Group, one of the largest privately-held shopping-center developers in the Northeast, has successfully worked with its lender to secure a three-year exten- sion for the loan on Holyoke Mall at Ingleside. This extension will allow Pyramid to continue to reinvest in the property and ensure its continued health, vibrancy, and success. Holyoke Mall has been the Western Mass. region’s largest enclosed shopping center for more than 45 years. Anchored by Macy’s, JCPenney, Target, Hobby Lobby, and Best Buy, Holyoke Mall offers more than 150 retail shops, as well as restaurants like 110 Grill and Sumo Japanese Steakhouse and entertainment destinations Round 1, Billy Beez, and Altitude Trampoline Park. Holyoke Mall is also a major employment driver in the area and an economic catalyst for the region. The prop- erty totals 1.6 million square feet, with more than 3,000 people employed by Pyramid and its tenants.
Elms to Cover Full Tuition for Eligible Families
CHICOPEE — Elms College has introduced the Elms Promise, a financial-aid program designed to pro- vide full tuition coverage for students from families earning less than $85,000 annually. By combining federal and state grants with institutional scholar- ships, the Elms Promise reflects the college’s com- mitment to making a high-quality, four-year college education accessible to students of all backgrounds. Full tuition is covered after all federal, state, and
BusinessWest
institutional grants and scholarships are applied. This includes merit awards, endowed scholarships, and other forms of financial aid. To take advantage of the program this fall, incoming freshmen must maintain a minimum high-school GPA of 3.5, apply for admission to Elms College and be accepted by May 1, and complete the FAFSA by May 1 as well. Students can live on campus or commute to receive full benefits. If a student chooses to live on campus, the cost of room and board is not covered by the program; federal loans and external scholarships may help offset these expenses. Families must be Massachusetts residents. Eligibility is reassessed annually based on income and FAFSA submis-
sion. Students must also remain in good academic standing.
Baystate Calls Off Sale of Health New England
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health has called off plans to sell it’s not-for-profit health insurer, Health New England, to Boston-based Point32Health. Baystate and Point32Health announced the $165 million
sale in February 2024, and it had received approval from state insurance regulators. The announcement means Baystate Health and the affiliated physicians through Baycare Health Partners remain in net- work for Point32Health plan members. There is no change to current coverage, benefits, or provider network for members. Meanwhile, Health New England will continue to operate as usual, with no change to current coverage, benefits, or provider network for members. Baystate Health will retain ownership of Health New England, and Baystate Health governance and senior leadership will be taking the next few months to evaluate the strategic positioning and performance of Health New Eng- land to inform future decisions.
AIC Achieves Eligibility as Hispanic-Serving Institution
SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) announced it has reached the enrollment threshold for Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. Official recognition of HSI status — granted by the U.S. Department of Education to not-for-profit, degree-granting institutions with at least 25% of their full-time equivalent undergradu- ate enrollment identifying as Hispanic — is expected within the next two years. Since its establishment
in 1885, AIC has provided access to higher educa- tion for underserved populations. This mission was bolstered by the 2022 launch of AIC Reimagined, a five-year strategic plan that prioritized achieving HSI designation. As of last fall, Hispanic/Latino students represent more than 27% of AIC’s undergraduate enrollment, a landmark achievement for the institu- tion. While the growth in Hispanic and Latino/Latina student enrollment has positioned AIC to pursue this designation, the college remains committed
to cultivating a vibrant community that serves stu- dents from all backgrounds. HSI status will provide access to federal and foundation grants, expanding resources to benefit the entire student body.
Dress for Success Opens Women’s Career Center
SPRINGFIELD — Dress for Success Western Mas- sachusetts (DFSWM) celebrated the opening of its new Women’s Career Center and the completion of
its newly constructed office spaces, program areas, and boutique with a ribbon-cutting ceremony
on Jan. 15. The new Women’s Career Center will make DFSWM’s workforce-development program- ming available to hundreds more individuals each year, both on a drop-in basis and through regularly scheduled workshops. Through the center, clients can receive assistance with résumé creation, job searching, career coaching, digital and financial literacy, and more. Drop-in hours for the center will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with some evening hours to be determined and occasional weekend hours by appointment.
JetBlue to Offer Non-stop Service from Bradley to New York City
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Air- port Authority announced that JetBlue will be launching non-stop service between Bradley Inter- national Airport (BDL) and John F. Kennedy Interna- tional Airport (JFK). Flights will begin on April 30 and will operate daily year-round. The announcement builds on JetBlue’s ongoing expansion in Connecti- cut, which has resulted in an increase of 35 addi- tional weekly flights between Bradley International Airport and the airline’s Florida destinations this winter. Additionally, in the summer of 2025, JetBlue will offer 30% more seats from Bradley International Airport than last summer.
Westfield State Launches Co-response Grad Program
WESTFIELD — Westfield State University announced its new law enforcement and mental health co- response graduate program, which is designed
to address the growing need for collaboration between law enforcement and mental-health pro- fessionals. This degree-granting program, the first of its kind in the nation, is a concentration within the university’s master of arts in mental health counseling program or available as a standalone post-baccalaureate certificate. Joseph Camilleri, professor of Psychology; Kimberly Tobin, profes- sor of Criminal Justice; and Lisa Barao, visiting lecturer of Criminal Justice, were instrumental in developing this program. They worked closely with law-enforcement agencies across Massachusetts and Connecticut to create a curriculum that meets workforce needs and equips participants with tools for success in this emerging field. This comprehen- sive program covers essential topics such as the intersection of mental disorders and crime, relevant legal frameworks, and strategies for conducting rapid mental-health and risk assessments in the field. Students will gain in-depth knowledge and skills to understand mental-health disorders and their relationship to criminal behavior, as well as the broader criminal-justice system. Ultimately, this strengthens relationships between public-safety professionals and the communities they serve. Emphasizing practical application, the co-response program includes research opportunities and culminates in a capstone project where students apply their learning in real-world scenarios. The program is designed to reduce strain on emergency services, connect individuals to appropriate care and resources, and foster trust between commu-
<< DEPARTMENTS >>
FEBRUARY 3, 2025 39
Notebook
Continued on page 40
>>