Page 38 - BusinessWest January 6, 2025

COMPANY NOTEBOOK>>
MountainOne Insurance
Acquires McClure Agency
NORTH ADAMS — MountainOne Insurance Agency announced its recent acquisition of McClure Insur- ance Agency in West Springfield and Wilbraham. This is MountainOne Insurance’s second acquisition in the Pioneer Valley this year. For more than 100 years, the family-owned McClure Insurance Agency has offered insurance products to fit the needs of families and businesses. McClure Insurance Agency, as part of MountainOne, will now offer customers many enhanced services, including the addition of group employee benefits, life insurance, long-term- care insurance, Medicare products, and in-house claims services. Customers also have access to many new insurance carriers, widening their options for coverage at competitive rates. Agency Principal Mark McClure and the McClure Insurance Agency staff will remain with the agency, ensuring stability for clients. They will also maintain both office loca- tions at 103 Van Deene Ave. in West Springfield and 2361 Boston Road in Wilbraham.
Willie Ross School, Bay Path Open Early-education Space
LONGMEADOW — Willie Ross School for the Deaf (WRSD) and Bay Path University held a joint rib- bon cutting on Dec. 17 for newly developed early- education classroom space being created for Willie Ross on the Bay Path campus. The event celebrated the collaboration between the university and WRSD as it addresses the need for more early-education space. The space is located on the first floor of Theinert Hall, a multi-use residence hall on campus. The space developed in Bay Path’s Theinert Hall features approximately 7,500 square feet with four classrooms and several support rooms for students and staff. The process of transforming the space involved the demolition of first-floor dormitory rooms and bathrooms and the reconstruction of bathrooms and classrooms, along with the instal- lation of required HVAC equipment, ceiling and lighting fixtures, and safety systems to meet current code requirements. The new space on the Bay Path campus will enable Willie Ross to serve an addi- tional 20 students as the school has experienced a growing Early Childhood program. The classrooms will also provide opportunities for hands-on experi- ence for Bay Path University students.
O’Dell Women’s Center Announces $250,000 in Grants
SPRINGFIELD — The O’Dell Women’s Center (OWC), Springfield’s first nonprofit women’s center, announced it has granted a total of $250,000 to eight other nonprofit organizations in Springfield to support programs that empower and create oppor- tunities for low-income Springfield women. This funding will enhance access to educational resourc- es, career development, and community support services, creating pathways for financial stability and self-sufficiency. The O’Dell Women’s center received 37 grant applications from Springfield area nonprofits. Of those applications, the OWC grant committee selected the following organizations for its 2024 grant awards: Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, Girls Inc. of the Valley, the Gray House, Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start, Hope for Youth and Families, Parent Villages, South End Community Center, and United Way of Pioneer Valley. Through the 2024 grants, OWC will
support several educational programs for Spring- field women, advance workforce development and career growth, and address essential needs like food security, childcare, and language skills.
Happier Valley Comedy Reaches Fundraising Goal
HADLEY — Happier Valley Comedy, the only improv comedy theater in Western Mass., recently hit its goal to raise $115,000 in order to unlock a previ- ously awarded Mass Cultural Council Cultural Facili- ties Fund Capital Grant for the same amount, so it can build a new, fully accessible performance venue in Hadley. In addition to individual support for the small local arts nonprofit, several local companies stepped in to offer significant contributions, such
as PeoplesBank, Diversified Equipment Services & Consulting Organizationof Hadley, and Greenfield Savings Bank. Adjacent to Happier Valley’s original space, which will be used as a classroom and lobby area, the new performance venue provides expand- ed and raised audience seating, a larger stage with an improv-friendly set, theatrical lighting, and a fully accessible stage. The final drawings have been inked by Thomas Douglas Architects of Northamp- ton, which is working closely with Braidman and the team at Integrity Development & Construction of Amherst to complete construction by the end of summer 2025.
Sexton Roofing & Siding
Wins Small Business Spotlight
HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced Sexton Roofing & Siding as the grand prize winner of its inaugural Small Business Spot- light contest. Driven by community nomination,
the contest winner was formally announced at the final UMass football home game of the season at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Nov. 30, which was also Small Business Saturday. Sexton Roofing & Sid- ing will be receiving an advertising package valued at $10,000 with UMass Athletics, allowing the busi- ness to be featured on digital displays, radio reads, and email blasts, as well as with tabling opportuni- ties at the Mullins Center during UMass basketball and hockey home games for the remainder of the season. The Small Business Spotlight contest drew more than 125 nominations from across Western Mass., highlighting businesses that demonstrate ser- vice, innovation, and community involvement. Two secondary winners, K’s Nutrition of Amherst and CLINIC Alternative Medicines of Northampton, were also recognized with $500 cash prizes to support their ongoing efforts in the local community.
Comfort Bagel Opens in New Location in Westfield
WESTFIELD — Comfort Bagel opened its doors in a new location at 64 Main St. in Westfield. The store is relocating from Holyoke to better serve its expand- ing customer base. Comfort Bagel is known for its scratch-made, artisan, slow-fermented sourdough bagels available in traditional and innovative flavors that rotate weekly, including fan favorites like asiago parmesan, jalapeño cheddar, and salted rosemary. Last month, Westfield Mayor Mike McCabe joined Blake, representatives from the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, and property owner Rocco Falcone for a ribbon cutting. Comfort Bagel’s journey began during the pandemic, when Blake
started a small cottage bakery in her West Spring- field home, hoping to bring warmth and comfort to her community during uncertain times. She offered contact-free home delivery to surrounding towns, and the demand for her bagels grew so quickly that she opened a full-service shop at Open Square in Holyoke in July 2021. The new location in down- town Westfield is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week.
Food Bank Flips Switch to Solar Power at Headquarters
CHICOPEE — The Food Bank of Western Mas- sachusetts announced the activation of its new solar-panel system at its food warehouse, resource, education, and advocacy center in Chicopee. Designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind, the Food Bank’s new center features state-of-the- art solar panels installed by PV Squared, a local leader in renewable-energy solutions. The instal- lation includes panels on the rooftop and a solar canopy covering part of the parking lot. This inno- vative green-energy system will significantly reduce the Food Bank’s carbon footprint while meeting its substantial energy needs. The project was made possible through a congressionally directed Com- munity Funding Project grant from the U.S. Depart- ment of Housing and Urban Development, thanks to the support of U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey.
T-Birds Break Record at Teddy Bear Toss
SPRINGFIELD — For the first time in team history, the Springfield Thunderbirds eclipsed the 7,000- bear plateau as the team collected 7,162 stuffed animals during the ninth annual Teddy Bear Toss presented by Teddy Bear Pools & Spas inside the MassMutual Center on Dec. 7. All will be gifted to underprivileged youth in the Springfield and West- ern Mass. communities. Tyler Tucker’s third-period goal brought down the cavalcade of stuffed animals and ignited a Thunderbirds come-from-behind, overtime win over the Rockford IceHogs before a sellout crowd of 6,793 inside the Thunderdome on Saturday night. On Dec. 9, Thunderbirds players, mascot Boomer, and staff participated in part two of this celebrated tradition, delivering stuffed animals to a host of different youth-oriented benefactors, including the Center for Human Development, the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, and the Boys & Girls Club Family Center. Other participating organizations include the Springfield YMCA, Square One, and the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield. Established dur- ing the Thunderbirds’ inaugural season in 2016, the Teddy Bear Toss has contributed more than 40,000 stuffed animals to local Springfield charities, all in the spirit of providing gifts and smiles to underprivi- leged and underserved youth in the Greater Spring- field community.
Country Bank Donates $10,000 to Quaboag Valley CDC
WARE — Country Bank announced a $10,000 dona- tion to the Quaboag Valley Community Develop-
38 JANUARY 6, 2025
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