Page 14 - BusinessWest June 17, 2024

Several new businesses have opened in East Longmeadow recently, including a Chase Bank branch in the center of town.
town’s large industrial park.
There are many intriguing stories
of entrepreneurship, including the Coating House, a 44-year-old busi- ness owned in recent years by Kim Casineau, who has written an inspiring story of growth, diversification, and giv- ing back.
The company manufactures special- ized coated and uncoated fasteners and fittings for several sectors, including industrial, medical devices, aerospace, automotive, and the military. But that’s just part of the story.
Indeed, Casineau, who benefited from services provided by the YWCA of Western Massachusetts earlier in
her life, has committed herself to giv- ing back not only to that agency (she currently serves as its board president), but also the young women it serves.
Working with board member Dawn Rodgers and YWCA staff, Casineau is part of an effort to implement a new educational program with high-school students called Healthy Empowering Relationships and Education. She’s also working to provide women served by the YWCA with mentoring and, eventually, job opportunities.
“I purchased this company with the
“We have some people in town who may not be able to afford to stay in their home, but want to stay in town,
so it’s incumbent on us to provide an option.”
intention of growing it and offering job opportunities to the women who are residents at, and receive services from, the YWCA, because I thought I could offer them entry-level jobs and mentorship at a safe place that is welcoming,” she said, adding that the mentoring initiatives and job oppor- tunities remain a work in progress. “I want to offer them a place to learn and grow and feel safe.”
Overall, East Longmeadow is business-friendly, said Grace Bar- one, executive director of the East
of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce, which counts East Long- meadow among the five communities it represents.
She noted that, with the arrival of Christensen and Rebecca Lisi, deputy town manager, there are now stron- ger lines of communication between Town Hall and the business commu- nity, which brings benefits for both sides.
“They’re fantastic, they’re out in the community, they’re listening to what the members need, and they’re engaging with them,” she told Busi- nessWest. “It’s very refreshing, and it’s great to work with them.”
Like Marini and others we spoke with, Barone said East Longmeadow boasts a strong location, near Spring- field, but also Connecticut, Longmead- ow, Wilbraham, and other vibrant communities, making it an attractive address for restaurants and certainly banks, but also retail outlets.
“We’ve had several ribbon cuttings,” she said, listing Gazebo Too, on North Main Street, and Raspberry Records, on Shaker Road, among them. “A busi- ness might go out, but you see new businesses coming in right away to fill those spots, and that’s very exciting.” BW
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