Page 3 - BusinessWest May 11, 2026
P. 3
INSIDE>>
On the Cover
Education
CREATING
COMMUNITY
Amherst’s Mill
District Continues
to Evolve ... 4
Photo by
George O’Brien
MAY 11, 2026
VOLUME 43
NUMBER 1
DEPARTMENTS
KEEPING SCHOOL IN SESSION
Colleges Face Looming Enrollment Crunch...............20
SWEATER WEATHER
New UMass Research Could Reduce Home Heating Use.
............................................................................................23
OPINION…10
PICTURE THIS…31
AGENDA…33
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE…34
MONTHLY FEATURE
Features
COMPANY NOTEBOOK…36
INCORPORATIONS…37
DOING BUSINESS AS
CERTIFICATES…37
CREATING COMMUNITY
Amherst’s Mill District Continues to Evolve. .................4
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Southwick Thrives as a Recreational Community.......8
Banking & Finance
BANKRUPTCIES…37
SALUTE TO NURSES
This Career Brings Plenty of Challenges, but Also
Rewards.............................................................................25
MADDY GRAY
Despite a Cancer Diagnosis, She Refused to Let the
Dream Die.........................................................................26
DICK EASTON
This Nurse Proves That Age Really Is Just a Number. ..28
JOLENE ALEXANDER
‘Earn-and-Learn’ Initiative Has Helped Her Realize Her
Dream................................................................................29
REAL ESTATE
TRANSACTIONS…38
BUILDING PERMITS…42
GAINING SEPARATION
Banks Deploy Many Branding Strategies to Stand Out in
Crowded Market ............................................................. 12
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Altus Dental Celebrates 25 Years of Service in New
England (Sponsored Content)....................................... 15
A LEG UP TO HOMEOWNERSHIP
Racial Wealth Gap Partnership Invests $1.5 Million in
STASH Program................................................................18
BUSINESSWEST (ISSN 1049-
9822) is published bi-weekly
at the rate of $55 per year by
BusinessWest Inc., 1441 Main
Business W estBUSINESSWEST COM In Print | Online | In Person
Street, Springfield, MA 01103.
Periodicals postage paid at
Springfield, Mass. and addi-
tional entries. Postmaster:
Subscribe
Send address changes to
BusinessWest Inc., 1441 Main
Street, Springfield, MA 01103.
(413) 781-8600.
Today!
Business W estBUSINESSWEST COM
Renew Your Subscription Today!
Business W est << INDEX >>
MAY 11, 2026
The Business Publication of Western Massachusetts
413-781-8600 BusinessWest.com
3
