News
News
We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times. Go HERE to view all episodes Episode 181:
Community Spotlight The students have started calling it the “Harry Potter dining hall,” and with good reason. That’s the look that will be created by an ambitious initiative to transform the ornate but very much underused chapel at Wilbraham & Monson Academy (WMA) into a next-generation dining commons. The undertaking, the second phase of a
After the Fire When a lightning strike set fire to Courniotes Hall at American International College (AIC) on July 27, the safety of everyone in the building was the paramount concern; fortunately, no one was hurt. The longer-term concern is for the future of the heavily damaged building, and that process has only begun. In
What Does It Mean for Estate-tax Liability in Massachusetts? By Elizabeth Dougal, Esq. Massachusetts estate-planning clients frequently ask whether they should transfer their vacation property, typically located in Florida or New Hampshire, to a limited liability company. The answer is almost always ‘no.’ Why? Because Massachusetts does not tax out-of-state real estate held individually.
Critical Catch According to the American Cancer Society, the incidence of young-onset colorectal cancer is rising globally, with about 10% of patients with a new colon-cancer diagnosis, and 25% of patients with a new rectal-cancer diagnosis, being diagnosed under age 50. Experts are still debating what that means, but there’s broad agreement that people need
Strengthening the Lines of Defense Peter Sherlock says the numbers certainly help tell the story. There are roughly 26,000 employed in Massachusetts today in what would be called the cybersecurity sector. And there were, at the precise moment we talked with him, exactly 18,263 openings in that realm, a number that goes up seemingly every
Planning Is the Key By Barbara Trombley, CPA Does anyone like to pay taxes? Most of my clients tolerate paying taxes like eating their least-favorite vegetables. They are difficult to calculate and hard to understand, especially with a business generating uneven cash flow or an employed couple with disparate incomes. But what if I told
Change of Course Sarai Andrades is a second-year student at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). She’s enrolled in the health sciences program, with the goal of starting work toward a nursing degree in 2024. Her ultimate ambition is to become a travel nurse. To pay for her first year at STCC, she had to take
Fried and True When asked about where they might take the White Hut brand — and when, both Edison Yee and Peter Picknelly took long pauses and then looked at each other as if to say, ‘you first.’ They did so to indicate a few things — first, that they’ve obviously been thinking long and
Rolling with the Changes By Daniel Eger and Cindy Gonzalez Tax laws are like a constantly shifting landscape, subject to periodic changes that can significantly impact your financial bottom line. Whether you’re an individual taxpayer striving to maximize deductions or a business owner who wants to optimize your financial strategies, staying informed about the latest
Easy Targets While the technology used to prevent cybercrime has certainly become more sophisticated over the years, Paul Savas has two simple words when it comes to the human side of cybersecurity. “Be smart.” Unfortunately, too many people simply choose not to. “If it looks like something’s suspect, don’t open it. Don’t click on
Unpacking the Controversy Presented by Jay Durand The topic of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing has become increasingly popular over the last two to three years, sparking many discussions and questions. What is, at its core, a simple attempt to make better investment decisions has surprisingly caused quite a bit of controversy. So, what
A Holistic Approach Sometimes, opportunity is born from a flood of difficulty. Or, simply, a flood. That was the starting point, anyway, of what has become a $6 million construction and renovation project to renovate and add 5,500 square feet to the Karen Davis Krzynowek Cancer Center at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Enfield, Conn. “About
Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected] Warm Welcome Holyoke Community College (HCC) President George Timmons received a warm community welcome during a reception on Sept. 12 at Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke. It was the first public reception for Timmons, who began his tenure as HCC’s fifth president
