Page 14 - BusinessWest May 15, 2023

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Southwick
Continued from page 11
borhoods; that’s a non-negotiable point,” he said. “We are a community, so everyone must have access.”
The fiber-optic network is considered an impor- tant step forward for the community, one that will bring faster, more reliable service to existing residen- tial and business customers, and provide one more selling point as town leaders continue their work
to attract more employers, across a wide range of sectors.
The town already boasts a large and grow-
ing business community, one that is served by the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, which has increased its membership among Southwick busi- nesses, a sign of growth both in Southwick and in the chamber.
Indeed, last year, the chamber reported 13 mem- bers from Southwick, while this year, that number has grown to 20.
Diane DeMarco, owner of Spotlight Graphics in Southwick, is a long-time chamber member. For 10 years, the company has provided area businesses with logo signage, trade-show materials, and graphic vehicle wrapping, among many other services offered.
When COVID hit, Spotlight lost a few clients when it was forced to shut down. Since then, DeMarco reports she has gained back many more clients
than she lost. “Business has been very good for us. We have new clients coming on board, and word of mouth about us is spreading.”
She credits customer loyalty through the years thanks to the relationships she and her staff have built. “Our customers aren’t buying their graphics from a company; they are working with Allie, David, or Diane,” she said, listing long-time employees at the
business.
In addition to offering full-service, quality work,
Spotlight Graphics is a nationally certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and certified by the state as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). DeMarco explained the state designation has led to work from clients who are required to do business with DBE firms as part of their state contract. She described it as a win-win.
“The client is fulfilling their contractual require- ment for the state by working with a woman-owned business, and they are getting a quality product at a fair price,” she said.
While DeMarco competes with online graphic firms that offer cheaper prices, she’s not worried because they often can’t match Spotlight’s quality.
“Sometimes a client will buy an inexpensive retractable banner stand or go for the cheap price on a poster,” she said. “Then, when the stand breaks or the poster is the wrong color, they come to us to get it done right.”
In fact, Spotlight clients can see and touch the quality of banner stands and other graphic materials at its trade-show display room. DeMarco said online and print catalogs provide only an approximate idea of the size and quality of trade-show materials.
“People who are new to trade shows or have to revamp their current displays like to stop by because they can see the actual items they would use and get answers to their questions from our staff.”
No Place Like Home
While its business community continues to grow,
Southwick is experiencing residential growth as well. Indeed, the Greens of Southwick, a housing devel-
opment located on both sides of College Highway on the former Southwick Country Club property, is near- ing completion. With 25 lots on the west side and 38 on the east side, only a handful of parcels remain for this custom-built home development.
Fox appreciated the quality of the homes that added to the number of new residences in Southwick. “The developers did a tremendous job with the hous- es there,” he said. “The whole project is a real asset to our town.”
Next up for new housing, a 100-unit condominium complex has been approved at Depot and Powder Mill roads. While construction has not yet started, the town has already secured a grant to install sidewalks around the perimeter of the eventual construction. Fox said the sidewalks make sense because the loca- tion of the condos is an active area.
“The sidewalk will connect to Whalley Park, the rail trail, the Southwick Recreation Center, and to the schools at the other end of Powder Ridge,” he explained.
In Southwick, much of today’s activity is as much about the future as it is about the present.
As Moglin noted about Whalley Computer’s build- ing addition, “this is not a 2024 investment; this is a 2044 investment, and beyond.”
The same can be said of the fiber-optic network soon to be built, the plans to divide and then develop the site eyed by Carvana, and the many housing proj- ects in various stages of development.
In short, this is a community with expanding hori- zons, both literally and figuratively. BW
14 MAY 15, 2023
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