Page 37 - BusinessWest January 22, 2024

AGENDA>> Local Farmer Awards
Through Jan. 31: Farmers in Western Mass. are invited to apply for Local Farmer Awards of up to $2,500. These awards are for capital and infra- structure improvement projects related to planting, growing, harvesting, and processing that will help farms compete in the marketplace. The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF), in part- nership with Big Y and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, along with the sup- port of other funders, is entering the 10th year of the awards program, which has helped more than 260 farmers carry out a total of 572 projects. The Three County Fair is a new addition to the group of funders this year. The awards have helped farmers make necessary improvements, such as upgrad- ing electric fencing, purchasing no-till equipment, expanding irrigation, installing frost-free water systems, purchasing feed troughs, and applying shade cloths for greenhouses. To be eligible, farms must have gross sales of $10,000 and be located
in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire County. For a full list of eligibility requirements and application information, visit www.farmerawards. org. The deadline for applying is Jan. 31.
40 Under Forty Nominations
Through Feb. 16: BusinessWest is currently accept- ing nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2023. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb. 16. Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising
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stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nomina- tions, which should be as detailed and thorough
as possible, should list an individual’s accomplish- ments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be com- pleted online at businesswest.com/40-under-forty- nomination-form. Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges, and the selected individuals will be announced and profiled in the April 29 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala in June. Event sponsorship opportunities are available.
Margaritaville at Herrell’s
Jan. 21-28: Herrell’s Ice Cream in Northampton
will celebrate its annual Margaritaville. Some of
the flavors being served this year will be winning flavors from the UMass ice-cream-making competi- tion from the last several years. These flavors have become popular rotating flavors at Herrell’s and
are often served during summer months. The Mar- garitaville flavors this year will include Berry Tequila Tango (UMass), Mango Sorbet, Mango Ice Cream, Coconut Chocolate Chip, Piña Colada, Aloha Sun- rise, Key Lime Cream, Sublime (UMass), Strawberry Banana, and Spicy Pineapple Margarita (UMass).
Free Music Fridays
Jan. 26 to Feb. 23: MGM Springfield is once again bringing summer inside. The popular Free Music Fridays Summer Concert Series on the MGM Spring-
field Plaza will move into MGM Springfield’s ARIA Ballroom beginning Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Kicking off the 2024 indoor series
is the Blushing Brides, billed as the original tribute to the Rolling Stones. The lineup also includes ’80s rock and metal band Aquanett, local modern coun- try music fan favorite Trailer Trash, party band Darik and the Funbags, and, closing out the series, the Eagles Experience tribute show. Beer, wine, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages will be avail- able during the shows. Guests also can enjoy MGM Springfield’s diverse food and beverage offerings before or after the concerts, with options includ- ing the Chandler Steakhouse, Costa, Tap Sports Bar, and South End Market. For additional details on the Free Music Fridays Concert Series, including lineup updates, visit mgmspringfield.mgmresorts.com/en/ entertainment/free-music-fridays.html.
Difference Makers
April 10: The 16th annual Difference Makers Gala
will be held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Since 2009, BusinessWest has been recognizing the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions through this recognition program. The 2024 Differ- ence Makers will be announced, and their stories told, in the Feb. 19 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com. Event ticket information will follow. The Royal Law Firm is a partner sponsor of Difference Makers this year, and other sponsorships are available.
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potential recessionary concerns.”
On the residential side in particular, Senecal added, “I think it’s
tough for every bank these days, even though interest rates have come down a little bit from their all-time highs in the last 20 years or so. But there’s no inventory. So, even though interest rates are high, what we’re seeing is, when something comes on the market, it sells, and it’s financed. It’s just that the inventory is so low. And that will be a chal- lenge heading into 2024 for almost all banks.”
Lee
Peoples
128 units of market-rate housing, but there is a definite need for more housing, especially in the affordable category.
“It’s a subject that comes up a lot in town,” said Brittain, noting that many of the younger professionals and blue-collar work- ers in Lee are increasingly finding them- selves priced out and with limited options if they desire to stay in this community.
Getting Down to Business
But while it’s becoming more difficult to live in Lee, the growing number and variety of businesses — and that includes a new Starbucks in the site of a former Friendly’s near the turnpike exit — make it an ever- more inviting place to visit, said those we spoke with.
Foot traffic may not have fully rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, said DeVarennes, but the community, with its location just off exit 10, certainly lives up to the Gateway nick- name. Indeed, people pass through on their way to better-known destinations like Stock- bridge and Lenox, but they also often stop and stay — for a few hours or a few days.
And there is plenty to see and do, such as High Lawn Farm, where families can see a dairy farm in operation and also get ice cream and buy butter, cheeses, and other products.
“If you go on a weekend during the sum- mer, it’s packed,” DeVarennes said. “It’s a wonderful place and a real destination.”
Meanwhile, the town’s iconic downtown continues to thrive, she added, noting that
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it has a deep mix of stores and is easily walkable.
“There are quite a few good restaurants and businesses,” she said, adding that there is great stability — many businesses have been there for decades — but also a fairly steady stream of new and intriguing businesses.
That includes a new yoga studio that will soon open its doors and a comic-book store recently opened by Davis’s husband, Ryan.
“Since we’ve opened, a lot of people have been psyched because there’s nothing in
the Berkshires like it — you have to go to Northampton to find something like this,” she said, adding that the store, like many of the businesses on Main Street, appeals to local residents, but becomes part of the draw for visitors.
Healey agreed.
“It’s a very nice Main Street to walk, but it’s also a Main Street where you won’t find a lot of franchises and such,” he said. “It’s real- ly mom-and-pops with a lot of character.”
Added Davis, “we have a great little com- munity of downtown businesses — everyone supports one another. And the more the mer- rier in downtown; more businesses bring more people to the area to hang out.”
Over the years, Lee has seen a steady source of reasons to come and hang out. And live, year-round or during the summer and on weekends. And tackle remote work. And start a business.
All of that makes it a draw — and, now, one of the hottest real-estate markets in the state. BW
“We’re paying deposits on the short end and then lending out on the long end, and there’s not a
big spread there. It makes it challenging, not just for us, but for all banks.”
Hometown Focus
As he broadens his responsibilities in dealing with these issues and working with Senecal and other bank leaders on growth strategies, Canina added that he aims to continue — and grow — Peoples- Bank’s commitment to the communities it serves, noting that the bank’s chari- table giving continues to be a strength, with almost $6 million donated over the past three years alone, and more than $11 million over the past 10 years.
“I think what really separates us from the larger regional banks and the national banks — we’re so invested in the communities that we’re banking with, and even though we’re contributing
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the amount of dollars we are back to the community, we’re still paying interest rates that are competitive with any other bank out there.”
Meanwhile, employees donate thousands of hours of volunteer ser- vice to area nonprofits and charitable causes, he noted. “More than half of our bank is on a nonprofit board of some sort, and the amount of vol- unteer hours is very strong; that’s something that all of our employees hold near and dear to them and really keeps them engaged.” BW
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