Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council

The Springfield Business Improvement District is thrilled to announce the successful award of a $100,000 grant from the Urban Agenda Grant Program as part of the FY25 Round of the Community One Stop for Growth initiative. This vital funding, provided by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, will support the innovative Lease It Local Springfield project, which aims to breathe new life into Downtown Springfield. Lease It Local Springfield is designed to stimulate economic growth by offering sub-grants to small businesses as an incentive to occupy vacant ground-floor commercial units within the BID and the Central Cultural District. These sub-grants will provide critical rent subsidies, marketing, and technical assistance on topics ranging from building business capacity to workforce development, accounting and legal, ensuring that new businesses thrive as they establish themselves in Downtown Springfield. By targeting vacant storefront spaces and offering incentives to entrepreneurs, Lease It Local Springfield will create further opportunities for job growth and economic development. For more information and to apply for Lease It Local Springfield, please visit https://lnkd.in/gemXst7R or contact Michelle Grout at michelle@springfielddowntown.com. Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council Common Capital Inc Springfield Regional Chamber Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield WWLP-22News MassLive.com

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL GREEN-LIGHTS INVESTMENTS ACROSS WMASS The recent economic development bill has been approved, paving the way for significant investments in Western Massachusetts. This initiative aims to boost local infrastructure, create jobs, and enhance community growth. Key sectors like transportation, housing, and education are set to benefit, promising a brighter future for the region. Read the full article from EDC Member MassLive.com https://lnkd.in/eeGTigkY #EconomicDevelopment #WesternMass #GrowthOpportunities

Happy New Year 2025 from the Western Mass Economic Development Council! As we enter a new year, we look forward to continuing our work alongside our partners, businesses, and communities across Western Massachusetts. 2025 is a year of opportunity, growth, and new horizons. Together, we will push forward on innovation, development, and the shared success of our region. We are grateful for the collective dedication and enthusiasm that make this region a vibrant place to live and work. Let’s make it another year of progress, prosperity, and partnership. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt Here’s to a successful year ahead!

Congratulations to EDC Member, PeoplesBank, for being named - again - among top places to work! This makes them a seven-time winner of the The Boston Globe Media's Top Places to Work award. PeoplesBank really places an emphasis on ensuring all associates have the support they need to succeed; they are constantly sending out surveys and holding regular town meetings that encompass the whole organization. They've also introduced the CARE (Collaboration, Accessibility, Reliability, Empathy) initiative, which enabled them to establish structures and standards in order to be much more deliberate about the service they provides to their customers and associates. Read more on BusinessWest > see link in bio Another congratulations is in store for all of the local farmers who were recognized at the Annual Farmer Appreciation Event earlier this month at Smith College! The local farmers awards are meant to honor the farmers of the four counties of Western Massachusetts while featuring locally grown and produced food. Thank you to the following EDC Members for supporting this award: bankESB Baystate Health Big Y World Class Market - special thank you to Charles and Elizabeth D’Amour Country Bank Eastern States Exposition PeoplesBank Read more on BusinessWest > see link in bio

We recognize every holiday here at EDC! Happy Holidays to all who are celebrating! May this season bring you warmth, happiness, and cherished memories. As a reminder, our offices are closed today in observance of the holiday.

We are recognzizing all of the holidays here at EDC! Happy Holidays to all who are celebrating! May this season bring you warmth, happiness, and cherished memories. As a reminder, our offices are closed today in observance of the holiday.

During this festive holiday season we want to share some impactful news with you! The Healey-Driscoll administration has awarded $5 million to establish a Quantum Computing Complex at the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC) in Holyoke. What does this mean for the community? This complex will facilitate open access research and application development across the state, allow for quantum hardware innovation, and provide hands on training and internship opportunities for students. This will allow Massachusetts to grow their footprint in the quantum ecosystem and remain home to incredible innovation. “This pioneering investment will enable researchers from across the MGHPCC’s university partners to gain access and leverage the power of quantum for work on algorithms and the application advances that will propel quantum computing within our lifetimes,” said Innovation Institute Director Pat Larkin. CC: HPC wire

We love hearing good news especially during the festive season! Visit this article from MassLive Media Group for good news worth sharing. It may be on the other side of the Commonwealth, but still it shows how people in our state understand the impact of kindness.

Today we thought we'd feature one of EDC's amazing Affiliates, Valley Venture Mentors! Valley Venture Mentors is located in the heart of downtown Springfield, Massachusetts at the Springfield Innovation Center. Their vision is to support transformational development for high-growth and high-scalable startups, while building a network that supports our regional economy and entrepreneurial ecosystem. They aim to build, grow, and strengthen economic growth in Western Massachusetts and help entrepreneurs propel their ideas into successful and sustainable businesses through entrepreneurial education, curated mentorship, and networking opportunities.

ICYMI, Common Capital has opened their Business Resource Center in downtown Springfield! Starting or growing a small business in Western Mass. got a little easier With the recent opening of the Common Capital Business Resource Center, starting or growing a business in Western Massachusetts just got a little simpler. All of the services at the Business Resource Center are FREE and available in-person or online for any small business operating in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire counties. The services they are offering include in-person or online business planning and financial-projection services; in-house business-training curriculum with interactive tools, templates, videos, and guides for entrepreneurs, startups, and existing businesses; and business-assistance services for all borrowers in accounting, financial reporting, marketing, human resources, and operations. The U.S. Small Business Administration has recognized Common Capital as the number-one microlender in Massachusetts for the third year in a row. Common Capital aims to support entrepreneurs within the community and help set them up for success. If they turn to the Business Resource Center, they will be successful in getting the capital and resources they need to launch or strengthen their business. Congratulations, Common Capital. We look forward to seeing the positive impact your new Center will make within the community.