Page 41 - BusinessWest March 17, 2025

COMPANY NOTEBOOK>>
UMass Amherst Maintains Top Research Status
AMHERST — UMass Amherst has maintained its designation as a R1 research institution, a top-tier national ranking by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education that recognizes universities with the highest level of research activ- ity and doctorates awarded. As an R1 institution, UMass Amherst is among colleges and universi- ties that spend an average of at least $50 million on research and development and award at least 70 research doctorates per year. UMass Amherst’s research covers a wide range of disciplines and areas of expertise, including outstanding contribu- tions to food science and agriculture, the study
of human diseases and interventions to improve human health, issues of justice and public policy, and computational sciences and engineering. According to data collected by the American Council on Education, in FY 2023, UMass Amherst research expenditures were $268.6 million, and it awarded approximately 300 research doctorates from 2020 to 2023. In FY 2024, UMass Amherst was the recipient of $251.3 million in research awards and placed top in New England for public universities in awards from the National Science Foundation.
Country Bank Celebrates 175 Years Serving Region
WARE — Country Bank is marking a milestone of 175 years of service to its communities. Since its founding in 1850, the bank has grown from a small local institution into a regional financial leader.
To commemorate this milestone, Country Bank is launching an anniversary celebration to give back to the communities that have contributed to its suc- cess. The campaign will include 175 gifts to com- munity members and initiatives designed to cham- pion local businesses and nonprofits throughout the region. The campaign will also highlight inspiring customer stories, showcase the bank’s commu-
nity contributions, and reaffirm its commitment to excellence. Country Bank invites everyone to join the celebration, share their experiences, and par- ticipate in unique giveaways and community events throughout the year, ensuring that this milestone is shared with those who have made it possible.
Delaney’s Market Opens Store in West Springfield
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The fifth Delaney’s Market store opened located at 334 Park St. in West Spring- field on Feb. 25. Delaney’s Market is an independent company offering fresh, local, chef-made, heat- and-serve meals for individuals or families who want to eat a quality lunch or dinner at their home or office without the hassle of long prep times and high costs. It is the latest venture of Peter Ross- kothen, former owner of the Log Cabin and Delaney House. The original Delaney’s Market, located at the Longmeadow Shops, has been open since 2016. Wilbraham and Westfield locations opened in 2019, and a South Hadley location, which features the chef’s kitchen, opened in 2023.
Common Capital Receives Two Awards from SBA
SPRINGFIELD — Common Capital was recently recognized as the 2024 U.S. Small Business Admin-
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istration (SBA) Community Advantage Lender of the Year for Massachusetts, and the Highest Dollar Value Lender in Massachusetts for the SBA Micro- loan program. SBA Community Advantage loans provide funding for almost any business need, including startup costs, working capital, equipment purchases, and more. Loans can be up to $300,000 and are designed to support businesses operating in underserved areas, such as rural or low-income communities. In the last fiscal year, ending June 30, 2024, Common Capital worked with nine bor- rowers to lend more than $1 million to help finance their business’s growth and success. Participants included Carefree Cakery, Rozki Rides, and Bridge- 2Homecare, among others.
bankESB Donates $50,000 to United Way
EASTHAMPTON — bankESB and its employees recently made donations of $50,000 to the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region. Employ- ees pledged more than $15,000 of their own funds in the bank’s United Way workplace campaign. Combined with the bank’s dollar-for-dollar match and additional corporate contribution, the cam- paign total of $50,000 will be donated to the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region. The campaign lets employees donate and direct funds, advocating for causes that are most important to them. As a long-time contributor, the bank and its employees have donated more than $740,000 to United Way organizations in Western Mass. in the last 13 years. The United Way is a volunteer-driven organization that serves residents through its own programs and services as well as those of its partner agencies. The organization works to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life: education, financial stability, health, and basic needs.
Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative Receives Grant
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Film and Media Collabora- tive (BFMC) has been awarded a $9,000 operating grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
The funding will help the Western Mass. nonprofit strengthen its operations, expand programming, build new partnerships, and continue to support the growing film and media industry in Western New England. In addition, Berkshire Film and Media Col- laborative has moved its offices into 1Berkshires’ new space in the Crawford Square Building at 137 North St., Suite 200, Pittsfield.
Rocky’s Round Up for Kids Fundraiser Brings in $91,687
SPRINGFIELD — Rocky’s Ace Hardware, one of
the country’s largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers with 50 locations in nine states, raised a grand total of $91,687.19 with its Round Up for Kids fundraiser. During two periods in 2024, one in the spring and another in November and December, customers rounded up their purchase totals to
the next dollar. The difference was donated to the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) hospital nearest to each store. Baystate Children’s Hospital received $18,130.83 through the campaigns in 2024. Local participating Rocky’s locations include the eight stores in Western Mass, with 100% of the money raised in those locations benefiting Baystate Chil-
dren’s Hospital. Since 1983, CMN hospitals have helped fill funding gaps by raising more than $9 bil- lion. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible.
Bradley Introduces Two New Non-stop Routes
HARTFORD, Conn. — Low-fare carrier Frontier Air- lines has launched non-stop service from Bradley International Airport to Miami International Airport. The service, operating twice per week, brings the airline to five destinations served non-stop from Bradley. To celebrate, the airline is offering fares
as low as $49. Meawhile, Breeze Airways is add- ing a new summer seasonal route from Bradley to Greensboro-Winston-Salem, N.C., starting June 6. The flight will operate twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.
Andrew Associates Marks 40 Years in Business
ENFIELD, Conn. — Andrew Associates, a certified woman-owned direct-marketing company, is cel- ebrating its 40th anniversary this quarter. Founded in 1985 by Judith Knapp in Wilbraham, the company started in a garage with just one employee. Today, Andrew Associates has grown into a respected lead- er in the direct-marketing industry, partnering with Fortune 100 companies, nonprofit organizations, higher-education institutions, and government agencies. From its state-of-the-art, 45,000 square- foot sustainable facility in Enfield, Conn., Andrew Associates employs 45 dedicated professionals who provide clients with a full suite of services, including data management, modeling and analytics, direct mail, printing, fulfillment, and creative marketing solutions. In 2008, recognizing the unique needs
of nonprofit organizations and educational institu- tions, Andrew Associates launched a specialized nonprofit division focused on enhancing fundrais- ing and communication efforts. This division has since helped local, regional, and national nonprofits improve their donor database management, annual giving campaigns, planned giving initiatives, and capital campaigns.
Excel Dryer Wins Two Sustainability Awards
EAST LONGMEADOW — Excel Dryer Inc. was recently recognized as a double winner in the 2024 Sustainability Awards, hosted by Business Intel- ligence Group, which honors organizations world- wide that make sustainability a core part of their business practices. The D|VERSE Sink System featur- ing the XLERATORsync hand dryer was recognized as a Sustainability Product of the Year, and Excel Dryer’s Healthy Office Oasis received the Sustain- ability Initiative of the Year award. Excel’s ThinAir hand dryer with electrostatic HEPA (eHEPA) filtra- tion was also selected as a finalist in the Sustainabil- ity Product of the Year category. The D|VERSE Sink System featuring the XLERATORsync hand dryer with eHEPA is a collaboration between commercial product designer D|13 Group and Excel Dryer, inte- grating the elements of proper hand washing and drying in a cohesive, 30-inch unit.
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