EDC Annual Report 2023: Western Mass Economic Development Council by repubnews

2023

Annual Report WESTERN MASS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Our Second Annual Report, Offering Significant News and

Achievements from 2023 A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO With enthusiasm and excitement, we at the Western Mass Economic Development Council (EDC) spent the year 2023 laying the groundwork for expansive future growth. With our staff, members, affiliates, and partners, we worked rigorously on literally dozens of comprehensive initiatives that will move us all into a position of greater strength. We are most proud of our biggest achievement of the year, offered in our role as conveners: organizing and executing our biannual Developers Conference, which attracted roughly 400 influencers, including business owners, developers, investors, commercial real estate agents, and municipal leaders across the region and the state. We also crafted a new mission statement and a three-year strategic plan for 2024-2027, offering a Vision, Core Behaviors, Purpose, Value Proposition, and Outcomes. You will learn more about these achievements and many others as you read through the pages of this publication, our second Annual Report. One key step this year was taking a quantum leap into developing the quantum manufacturing industry, which revolves around the production of precision solutions across all sectors. We at EDC partnered with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, also known as MassTech, applying as a supporting partner to establish a Pioneer Valley Quantum Innovation Hub that would spark economic revitalization in our underserved manufacturing region. The Hub would directly address critical gaps across the quantum supply chain and well-position Western Mass as a leader in the industry; it’s anticipated that a Hub investment could lead to 3,000 to 14,000 jobs in coming years. While our Hub application was not approved, it did get the attention of our state leaders, including Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. We are optimistic we will secure a state investment in the near future. We will also seek significant federal investment at some point further down the road. Quantum—or precision—manufacturing is a growing center of excellence here, and we plan to stay a step ahead of the industry, bolster our strengths, and position ourselves as relevant. The growth of quantum manufacturing was also pivotal in our commissioning in 2023 of a white paper by MassINC and Cambridge Econometrics Inc. Funders are covering the cost of this study of the Western Mass economy, which will, in 2024, provide recommendations on where to make sizable, multi-million investments in the region. It’s expected that quantum manufacturing, IT, biomanufacturing and clean tech will be among the sectors earmarked for investment. We’ve

Western Mass Economic Development Council

got a lot to offer here, and it’s time that government and private industry took notice. Leveraging our strength in higher education also remains high on our long list of priorities, and we remain deeply involved in the development of the soon-to-be state-ofthe-art Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at Springfield Union Station. Other ongoing work includes building new relationships with community leaders, and nurturing our dedicated staff whose committed efforts impact our region. I am grateful to the EDC team, including my vice president and chief of staff, Xiomara Albán DeLobato; Karen Tetreault, our senior executive assistant; Kayla Soto, our associate director; and Anne DeWolf, director of operations; and the entire operations team: Carrie Dzialo, Aurora Pierangelo, and Steve Wolf. Also critical to our work are Anne Kandilis, director of Springfield WORKS/Working Cities Challenge; our newest team member Hannah Reuter, director of the Cliff Effect Pilot Program; and Hope Ross Gibaldi, executive director of Valley Venture Mentors. Our municipal colleagues and EDC members and their esteemed companies and institutions also drive our important work and must be recognized; our growth efforts succeed because we have their support and commitment. Likewise, we rely on community leaders who collaborate with us and embrace our work, and our board leaders for giving their time and service for the greater good. I am proud to serve EDC as president and CEO—and to serve and assist each of you in obtaining our collective goals for all businesses and residents of Western Massachusetts. We are poised to be true leaders here, and in 2023, we took broad steps to get us there.

Rick Sullivan

PRESIDENT & CEO

Assets, Relationships, and

Insightful Strategy A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR Our region will not be successful in its economic growth efforts absent a greater awareness of our assets. For this reason, the Developers Conference rises to the top in importance for us in my mind, and the success of the 2023 event makes me both hopeful and proud. Our ability to thrive in Western Mass is dependent on people understanding our strengths, our worth, and what we bring to the table. The Developers Conference is one mechanism we have to tell our story on the statewide stage. Over the years, and under the leadership of our President and CEO Rick Sullivan, the Western Mass EDC has cultivated important relationships with principals and constituents in Boston and other areas of the state to support regional growth. Their awareness of our presence continues to grow considerably, and we were pleased to have the chance to keep the momentum going and reconnect again at the 2023 Developers Conference. (See story about the conference on pages 19-21.)

Anchor Collaborative also working to affect change

As conveners, we amplified the work of the Anchor Collaborative this year. Comprised of a group of businesses from our region, they came together—and will continue to do so—to affect change in a collaborative manner in five key areas: supporting local, diverse procurement; increasing local minority- and women-owned businesses and representing them in procuring work; shepherding contract negotiations; enhancing our local supply chain; and creating local, inclusive hiring. The focus of the collaborative is supporting local residents in accessing the in-demand jobs and developing career pathways for our low-income Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) constituents and creating local jobs and livable wages. We don’t want our residents working three jobs to make ends meet. We’re creating a community-first approach. The collaborative is also looking at how to address policy changes that improve the quality of life for our local residents and eliminate existing social, economic, and racial disparities. This work is important. It’s an opportunity to ensure that our businesses are working together to address common issues that can’t be controlled within or by a single organization. Successful businesses are aligning to elevate Western Mass. They know that in order for us to bring about substantial growth here, businesses have to collaborate in managing social and economic issues in our communities, including structural racism and economic inequalities. That means tackling disparities in healthcare, housing, education, access to jobs, childcare, and transportation. We need to work as a unit, with greater consciousness, and employ a local approach to the solutions.

we’re headed and gathering input on where we need to go. The Strategic Planning Committee took a deep dive, looking at our vision for the organization, our core behaviors, our purpose as an EDC. Why do we do the work we do? What is our value proposition? What are our strategic themes? Our outcomes? We were very intentional in also creating alignment with our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work, which is critical to our Strategic Plan going forward. What I’m really excited about with the Strategic Plan is our focus on creating jobs, growing our workforce, and supporting new businesses while also honoring the equity work needed to position Western Mass today, and in the future, for the changing demographics of our society. In weaving a focus on DEIB into our Strategic Plan, we as a region can begin to employ different thinking and embrace place-based investing. Another important piece of our Strategic Plan is the goal of catalyzing two new industry sectors yet to be identified; that’s part of the operations plan for 2024. While we are supporting the existing members and their business needs, we’re also thinking about the future of work and opportunities for Western Mass. We need to create an immediate and longer-term view of the changing nature of workforce development, what it means to ready people for jobs, the partnership with education, and the changing dynamics of the future of work, especially as businesses are disrupting and being disrupted by advances in technology, such as AI. That’s the piece that gets me excited.

Placing a focus on education

As a retired college president, I value the important role that education plays in lifting up and supporting our businesses and forming the talent and workers needed to achieve their organizational goals. The purpose of education is to be able to teach and train our local citizens and serve as a feeder for the changing nature of work. The confluence of workforce development, economic development, and education is critical to a thriving community. It is noteworthy that some symptoms of the pandemic remain with us, most notably in chronic absenteeism. To meet these challenges, some exciting partnerships are forming among high schools, community colleges, universities, and educational organizations such as Springfield’s Tech Foundry and Veritas Preparatory Charter School. We will keep watch over all these matters in 2024 and continue exceeding expectations in so many key areas.

Strategic Planning through 2027

Last year, we also needed to update our own plan for our important, broad-scope work. Our Strategic Plan was set to end in December 2023, so we formulated a Strategic Planning Committee to review the previous plan, make necessary adjustments, and present a new road map to our membership. We had robust conversations, and we agreed we wanted more participation in helping our membership understand the direction

Christina Royal, Ph.D. EDC BOARD CHAIR

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

2023 ANNUAL REPORT

WESTERN MASS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Table of Contents GROWING IN NUMBERS, SERVICE, IDEOLOGY Harnessing Support to Drive Economic Growth ��6 DRIVEN TO ENSURE SUCCESS The EDC's Home Field Advantage Program ��8 CREATING AN INCLUSIVE ECONOMY Leveling the Playing Field in Western Mass. ��10 STRONG, DYNAMIC EDC Meet Our Team ��11 BOLSTERING CONNECTIONS Key Partners and Affiliates ��16 2023 DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE Building Relationships and Opportunities ��19

OUR STRATEGIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT A GLANCE

Springfield WORKS, Cliff Effect Pilot, VVM, REDO, and Our Anchors ��23

OUR FISCAL YEAR 2023 Year-End Financial Review ��31

Western Mass Economic Development Council

We are conveners. Catalysts of growth. Drivers of progress. Pilots of policy. WE ARE THE WESTERN MASS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Growing in numbers, service, ideology. We are conveners. Catalysts of growth. Drivers of progress. Pilots of policy.

We are the Western Mass Economic Development Council. In building our region’s economy, we rely on vision, collaboration, patience, and determination. We lean into our 90+ members—all industry leaders—for the benefit of thousands of entrepreneurs, innovators, and tireless workers. We know that to bolster the economy that serves us all, we must bulk up our membership, our staff, our partners and collaborators, our affiliates—and we do. In 2023, we earned new members and hired two new staff leaders. At our Developers Conference, we built more and stronger relationships, in conference rooms and hallways. We aren’t just growing in numbers or service, though. We are also growing, shaping, and strengthening our ideology.

“By harnessing the added

support and influence of our large enterprises, we collectively contribute to driving local economic growth.” Rick Sullivan, President and CEO

We are fiercely committed to viewing economic growth through the DEIB lens. As we plan, create, and advocate, we have every category of business leader in mind—women, minorities, veterans, LGBTQ+. We ensure they have an easy reach to financing, capital, and supplies, so they can scale up, and our charge is to ensure that every individual has access to jobs, fair wages, and advancement. We value opportunity, and we will continue to create it. We hold our large enterprises and Fortune 500 companies in high regard as vital economic engines, crucial for providing jobs to the local workforce, fostering regional investment, and wielding significant procurement power. Simultaneously, we are dedicated to nurturing the growth of small and mediumsized businesses, enabling them to scale. "Our commitment is dedicated to fostering opportunities, and our strategy revolves around developing the existing small to medium-sized businesses in every industry and sector. By harnessing the added support and influence of our large enterprises, we collectively contribute to driving local 6

Western Mass Economic Development Council

economic growth," states President and CEO Rick Sullivan. We’ve survived. Now, we thrive. That’s our plan for Western Mass.

PLAYING OFF OUR STRENGTHS

Sullivan says the region is quickly growing with more companies and new companies run by entrepreneurs, and many seem to be falling into the biomanufacturing field. “It plays off the strengths we have in the region.” The companies coming to Western Mass in biotech have a different focus than those that already exist. “We’re focusing on larger-scale, intentional investment in the region in this sector. Once you get a couple, they act as a catalyst for us to grow quickly.” These new leaders, and others prospecting in our region, are already fully sold on the rich life they could have here. They know we have a strong and eager workforce as well as recreational offerings from pristine trails on rolling hills to fine dining and nearly limitless live talent. To continue to spread the news of our region’s assets, we collaborate with local chambers, convention and visitors bureaus, and business and municipal leaders to draw attention, businesses, and residents. Representatives of some of the newer biotech firms attended the Developers Conference in October. Leaders from Clean Crop Technologies and florrent were eagerly involved, and their CEOs served on panels to discuss innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in Western Massachusetts and the secrets of success in our fast-paced, tech-driven world. We need to be nimble enough to help these leaders settle in, develop their workforces, and find the space they require to thrive. One sector in which Sullivan forecasts future change is in higher education. “We’re starting to see big umbrella change, and we’re assessing what it’s going to look like in the future,” he says. “We may not see as many jobs that require a fouryear degree. We’re working closely with all of our partners to develop that emerging workforce.” One benefit to the predicted shift is the region’s ability to partner with higher ed to offer focused trainings on skill-based competencies and credentialing for certificates, in addition to the traditional offerings of doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s or associate degrees. “We have strong cohorts in the region with community colleges and voke-tech schools, all willing to work with companies to provide the educational resources they will need,” Sullivan says.

Data from white paper offers clear vision A white paper we commissioned in 2023 offers some wayfinding for 2024. “Accelerating Inclusive Growth in the Pioneer Valley: A Prospectus for Transformative Investment in 21st Century Industries,” prepared by MassINC and Cambridge Econometrics Inc., will help direct us in making sizable investments in the Pioneer Valley.

The Pioneer Valley can once again serve as a regional economic engine for Massachusetts, balancing growth and opportunity across the commonwealth, and creating stronger connections to economic activity in Greater Hartford and Albany.

AMONG THE RICH DATA WE RECEIVED VIA THE WHITE PAPER ARE THESE SNAPSHOTS OF BIG PICTURE LEARNINGS: Top 5 Employers:

The three leading industries in Western Mass are paper, fabricated metal, and plastics and rubber products manufacturing.

The median household income in the Pioneer Valley has seen growth over the last 10 years from about $50,000 in the Pioneer Valley to about $65,000, while in all of Massachusetts, it has grown from roughly $65,000 to about $90,000.

MassMutual �� 9,844 UMass Amherst �� 9,000 Baystate Health �� 8,000 Big Y �� 6,000 Westover Air Reserve Base �� 5,500 Numbers reflect enterprise-wide employee totals. Source: https://businesswest.com/guides/book-of-lists-2023/#p=71

GDP per capita in the Springfield area is half of Greater Boston and below the metro average for the United States, with Springfield at a GDP of over $50,000, Boston at roughly $115,000, and HarrisburgCarlisle, Pennsylvania, at nearly $80,000.

These Big Picture learnings tell us: • The region still boasts numerous higher education institutions, high quality of life, strong healthcare and manufacturing expertise, outdoor recreation and tourism, and strong local food/agriculture clusters. • With unprecedented public and private investments flowing into clean energy and sustainability, the Pioneer Valley has the potential to leverage these assets to gain new globally competitive niches.

• The Pioneer Valley is positioned to compete in the following high-growth sectors: Food Science, Advanced Materials Manufacturing, and Clean Energy Production. • The Pioneer Valley can once again serve as a regional economic engine for Massachusetts, balancing growth and opportunity across the commonwealth, and creating stronger connections to economic activity in Greater Hartford and Albany.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Driven to ensure success. Whether they are a new venture, new to the region, or scaling up, we want business leaders, innovators, creatives, and entrepreneurs in our midst to experience their individual definitions for success. One resource we offer to help them achieve this is our Home Field Advantage program. With a phone call or an email, constituents can connect with us, and we will guide them through relocation, expansion, or other business development—at no cost. That is quite an advantage. We know all the players, so we can help you create partners, develop networks, and grow what you know. We can also assist with:

• NEEDED CAPITAL.

Connect through us to financial resources, grants, micro-loans, venture funding, and incentive programs.

• PEER NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES.

Reach to networking programs, industry-specific groups, and alliances.

For those businesspeople who wish to move forward in finding a business home here, we lead the way. Anne DeWolf, our director of operations, manages about 35 to 40 rolling, active site search inquiries each year, and in 2023, she managed 19 new requests. Leaders reach out to us with specifications. Perhaps they want to be close to the Mass Pike or I91. Or they need 500,000 square feet of space with loading docks and train access. We gather an overview of their needs and send them to the commercial brokers and developers we collaborate with as well as municipal, county, and chamber economic development officials who also have knowledge of available real estate in their communities. We keep the process moving with interviews, meetings, connections to workforce development agencies, grant opportunities and incentives, and whatever additional support might be needed. Our free Home Field Advantage service is a win-win. We drive growth for business leaders, and their success feeds that of our entire region because every accomplishment we can trumpet in Western Mass sends out a loud call for others to follow.

• EXPANDED MARKETS.

Align with governmental agencies, academic resources, and international trade assistance programs.

• WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Solve staffing problems through a variety of recruiting and training opportunities, internship programs, and grants.

• INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL.

Access the 29 colleges and universities in the region’s Knowledge Corridor as well as training programs.

One innovative and comprehensive resource we offer is

assisting in site searches for companies seeking to relocate in Western Mass and/or expand their business. We provide demographics and statistics to help organizations discover whether their firms and missions are a good fit for the region. We collect relevant data they need to make decisions and offer information on school systems, community culture, the cost of utilities, and taxes. They need it; we find it.

Western Mass Economic Development Council

We drive growth for business leaders, and their success feeds that of our entire region because every accomplishment we can trumpet in Western Mass sends out a loud call for others to follow here.

“We will customize our support and programs to serve people where they’re at. A one-dimensional strategy is not enough.” Xiomara Albán DeLobato, EDC Vice President and Chief of Staff

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Creating an inclusive economy. We are working to make sure everyone in Western Mass has a fair shot at economic opportunities. To ensure that people of all backgrounds, identities, and socioeconomic groups living in rural, urban, or suburban areas have the same chance. The same access. So, in 2023, we intentionally wove a focus on DEIB into our Strategic Plan to ensure equitable opportunities. DEIB will lead our way, as will our newly crafted vision and our simple but impactful “why”: To grow as a robust and inclusive economy to improve life for all. “We’ve positioned ourselves very clearly. We are focused on creating equitable opportunities and an inclusive economy, representative of the people who make up the region,” said Xiomara Albán DeLobato, EDC’s vice president and chief of staff. “We will customize our support and programs to serve people where they’re at. A one-dimensional strategy is not enough.” This work to create equitable economic growth began in 2022 with Leading Culture Solutions, Inc., an initiative that incorporated surveys, focus groups, and workshops on topics from implicit bias to microaggressions. That investment in DEIB continued all through 2023. We had extensive workshops and conversations with our board members and our membership as we worked to craft a DEIB road map that’s intricately woven throughout our Strategic Plan—and our organization. Two separate plans would not do. “Infusing DEIB into our work is key to building an equitable economy and understanding the communities we support,” DeLobato said. “This milestone has shaped our internal development, clarifying our identity and purpose for staff and members.” The DEIB workshopping with consultants, which helped refine activities, initiatives, and deliverables attached to the Strategic Plan, took place in the first two quarters of 2023. The work on the new Strategic Plan, which begins in 2024, happened in the second two quarters. A final version of the plan was approved in November 2023 and was made official in January. The initiatives and programs will roll out differently, county by county, because each area’s makeup is distinct from another; applying specificity will ensure effectiveness. “We’re equally vested in the success of all small businesses because, when small businesses succeed, we are all able to grow,” DeLobato said. “When there are different 10

Western Mass Economic Development Council

pathways provided for the differing attributes and personifications of businesses, it ensures they can achieve relevance, and growth. In a perfect situation, I want to see that small business scale to become a large company, a major employer, and a purchaser for procurement. As each business grows, there is a huge impact on the business owner, their family members, and the community.” A closer peek at some other critical facets of the 2024-27 Strategic Plan

Outcomes (where we are going) By 2027:

• Increase job opportunities in Western Mass. Annually track job growth by analyzing membership data and the total number of unfilled full-time positions. • Enhance workforce development. Strengthen workforce development by promoting high‑quality, equitable job growth, workforce strategy development, training, and policy enhancements. • Catalyze two new industry sectors. Promote the growth of two new sectors by annually identifying them through membership engagement and measuring growth by government and private investments.

Strategic themes (how we get there)

• Attract and leverage capital investment in the region for new and existing small/local business, start‑ups, infrastructure, and technology; provide advice that makes our businesses more sustainable, innovative, and competitive. Ensure outreach to diverse constituencies through this process. • Lead our Anchor Collaborative to prioritize local purchasing/endowment, aligning members’ and anchor institutions’ philanthropy, purchasing, workforce development, and hiring to support local businesses and agencies. • Design for job quality, equitable job growth, and workforce strategy, training, and policy. A quality job has the real prospect of being able to learn skills, move up, and earn more, and opportunities should be available to all members of our community. • Influence state and federal legislation that drive systems change and inclusive access to create sustainable economic opportunities. • Convene and connect local and state‑wide economic development and legislative stakeholders to identify problems and provide solutions to close the economic wealth gap.

Strong, Dynamic EDC OUR LEADERSHIP IS FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING THE REGION’S ECONOMY THROUGH COLLABORATION. WE ARE THE DRIVERS OF GROWTH.

Meet our team

Rick Sullivan

Xiomara Albán DeLobato

PRESIDENT & CEO

Karen Tetreault

Anne DeWolf

Aurora Pierangelo

Steve Wolf

VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF OF STAFF

Carrie Dzialo

Kayla Soto

SENIOR ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST, OPERATIONS TEAM

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Anne Kandilis

SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST, OPERATIONS TEAM

Hannah Reuter

INITIATIVE DIRECTOR, SPRINGFIELD WORKS/ WORKING CITIES CHALLENGE

CLIFF EFFECT PILOT PROGRAM DIRECTOR, SPRINGFIELD WORKS/ WORKING CITIES CHALLENGE

*Systems Change Workforce Development

MANAGER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, OPERATIONS TEAM

Hope Ross Gibaldi

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VALLEY VENTURE MENTORS *Regional Entrepreneurial Economic Development

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

OUR SUBCOMMITTEES DEEPEN THE WORK AND

make memberships

more valuable. Created in 2022, the EDC’s six subcommittees study and report on these key focus areas: DEIB, education, infrastructure, legislation, new industry sectors, and strategic planning. The small groups engage our membership, enhance general participation, and refresh the level of commitment from our community leaders. The work of our subcommittees informs the EDC team and its varied initiatives and provides the knowledge that allows us to forecast and adapt to near-constant economic shifts. We are grateful for the time our members and community leaders spend on committee work, and we thank them for their dedication to economic growth and equity in Western Mass.

REPORTS FROM OUR COMMITTEE CHAIRS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & BELONGING (DEIB) SUBCOMMITTEE Chair, Crystal S. Neuhauser, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Bay Path University The focus: To bridge the EDC’s organizational work on

creating and cultivating an inclusive space and influence the work of the broader membership and community. The EDC is a convener, and the DEIB Subcommittee serves as a conduit to help business partners deliver on DEIB to impact growth and business performance for a more inclusive economy.

The work in 2023: The DEIB Subcommittee was very

involved in the DEIB road-mapping sessions led by Leading Culture Solutions. Once the EDC adopted our DEIB roadmap, the subcommittee took oversight of the evolving document that would ultimately inform the update of the new strategic plan, including the modifications of initiatives for 2024; the first year was level-setting on how we could have the most impact and determine the priorities that will have long-lasting results for the EDC and the community. 12

Western Mass Economic Development Council

EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE Chair, Sandra J. Doran, J.D., President, Bay Path University The focus: To advocate

for educational policy that will influence and support workforce development while helping to prepare the next generation to live, work, or serve. To raise awareness and leverage the higher ed system in Western Mass.

The work in 2023: We heightened the importance

of both secondary education and higher education in relation to the growing and ever-changing workforce across the commonwealth and in Western Mass. With workforce being a major focus for the EDC in 2024, the subcommittee will identify strategies that effectively pipeline talent from secondary and higher education, which will certainly impact the growth of the region.

INFRASTRUCTURE SUBCOMMITTEE Chair, Craig Reed, Chief Financial Officer, All State Materials Group The focus: To act as a

catalyst and influencer to support infrastructure projects and focus areas that will help support regional economic opportunity, growth, and resilience. The group also advocates for the continued development of roads, bridges, and additional infrastructure monies from the federal government, remaining inclusive of rural and urban regional development.

The work in 2023: Our subcommittee focused on

the cost of doing business around green energy developments, including strategic and equitable investments in transportation, including freight rail and broadband.

LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE Co-Chairs, David Chase, Vice President, Commercial Lending, Freedom Credit Union Diane Syznal President, Springfield Regional Chamber The focus: To keep an eye on the

larger issues that impact economic development and growth, such as advancements in transportation, the economic development bond bill, workforce, housing, public health, and education.

The work in 2023: Close

collaboration with the local chambers, allowing the subcommittee to coordinate and amplify its voice on the business issues that are important to our members. Overseeing business, taxes, regulation, the cost of doing business, and quality of life and providing an opportunity for policy makers to hear the Western Massachusetts perspective on these important issues.

NEW INDUSTRY SECTORS SUBCOMMITTEE Chair, John Cook, PhD, President, Springfield Technical Community College The focus: To leverage our local

colleges and universities and strengthen relationships by laying out a B2B model for universities and local companies. Clean technology has tremendous opportunity to develop in Western Mass as a hub for clean tech, accessible to individuals across the Commonwealth, and by growing minority-owned and womenowned business enterprises.

The work of 2023: Many committee members were part

of organizations joining the pursuit of federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) Tech Hub funding. With a proposal submitted in early August, the envisioned Tech Hub facilitated by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), focused on quantum technologies, which very much aligns with the New Industry Sectors Subcommittee outlook. As the EDC continues more broadly to catalyze initiatives in our region, the subcommittee offers a specific forum to deeply consider Clean Technology, Cyber Security, Food Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the aforementioned Quantum Tech. Combined with technology-driven changes in the sectors of Healthcare, Education and Advanced Manufacturing, all of which remain sectors essential per our labor market blueprint, we look forward to ramping up convening and consideration in 2024.

STRATEGIC PLANNING SUBCOMMITTEE Co-Chairs, Tricia Canavan, CEO, Tech Foundry, and Christina Royal, PhD President and CEO, Infinite Unlearning, LLC The focus: Planning the future of the EDC and charting the course for the work of the organization. The goal for the group is to improve the economy for everyone in Western Mass. The work in 2023: The work of our committee took place in earnest in the second two quarters of 2023, when we crafted a new three-year Strategic Plan that will guide us from 2024 through 2027. The Strategic Planning Subcommittee took a deep dive, looking at our vision, core behaviors, and our purpose as an EDC, and we very intentionally crafted a new plan in alignment with our DEIB goals. To view the new plan, visit westernmassedc.com. (See story page 10.)

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Membership The EDC is governed by a Board of Directors that includes elected representatives of the EDC’s membership. The membership includes the region’s mayors, CEOs of major corporations, and the chancellors and presidents of area colleges and universities. These local leaders are instrumental to the direction and the success of our EDC.

EDC Executive Committee

Christina Royal

Gus Kim

Sam Skura

Jaimye Kelley

CHAIR PRESIDENT AND CEO, INFINITE UNLEARNING, LLC

FIRST VICE CHAIR VICE PRESIDENT AND LEGAL COUNSEL, MGM SPRINGFIELD

SECOND VICE CHAIR PRESIDENT, BAYSTATE MEDICAL CENTER & SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, HOSPITAL OPERATIONS, BAYSTATE HEALTH

TREASURER SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMMERCIAL BANKING, M&T BANK

Cesar Ruiz

Charlie D'Amour

George Arwady

Tricia Canavan

CLERK PRESIDENT AND CEO, GOLDEN YEARS HOME CARE SERVICE

MEMBER AT LARGE PRESIDENT AND CEO, BIG Y

MEMBER AT LARGE PUBLISHER AND CEO, THE REPUBLICAN NEWSPAPER

PAST CHAIR CEO, TECH FOUNDRY

Board of Directors and Membership NEW MEMBERS: REPRESENTED WITH AN •, BOARD MEMBERS: REPRESENTED IN BLUE ITALICS

Tom Tilas, Vice President, AECOM/Tishman Alfred Griggs, Al Griggs Industries, Inc. Craig Reed, CFO, All States Materials Group Hubert Benitez, President, American International College Barry Roberts, ABID Chair, Amherst BID

James Hickson, Senior Vice President Commercial Regional President, Berkshire Bank Sue Kristjansson, President and CEO Berkshire Gas Daniel Finnegan, Partner, Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas, LLP Kate Campiti, Associate Publisher, BusinessWest

Tim Ingerson, CFO, Balise Auto

Elle Bonnevie, Group Controller Engine Systems, Tell Tool, Cadence Aerospace

Dena Hall, Executive VP Chief Marketing Officer, bankESB

The Honorable William Sapelli, Mayor, Town of Agawam

Sandra Doran, President, Bay Path University

Paul Bockelman, Town Manager, Town of Amherst

Mark Keroack, President and CEO, Baystate Health

The Honorable John Vieau, Mayor, City of Chicopee

Western Mass Economic Development Council

The Honorable Nicole LaChapelle, Mayor, City of Easthampton

Paul Picknelly, President, Monarch Enterprises

The Honorable Roxann Wedegartner, Mayor, Town of Greenfield

Daniel Moriarty, President, Monson Savings

The Honorable Joshua Garcia, Mayor, City of Holyoke

Beverly Daniel Tatum, Interim President, Mount Holyoke College

The Honorable Jennifer Macksey, Mayor, City of North Adams

Kevin O’Shea, Director of Government Affairs, National Grid

The Honorable Gina-Louise Sciarra, City of Northampton

Jeffery Sullivan, President and CEO, New Valley Bank and Trust

The Honorable Linda Tyer, Mayor, City of Pittsfield

Hubert McGovern, President and CEO, OMG, Inc.

The Honorable Domenic Sarno, Mayor, City of Springfield

Herbie Flores, President and CEO, Partners for Community

The Honorable Michael McCabe, Mayor, City of Westfield

Kristin Carlson, President, Peerless Precision, Inc.

The Honorable William Reichelt, Mayor, Town of West Springfield

Thomas Senecal, President and CEO, Peoples Bank

Daniel M. Glanville, Vice President Government Affairs, CT-West Region, Comcast

Peter A. Picknelly, Jr., President, Peter Pan Bus Lines

Raymond Lanza-Weil, President, Common Capital Inc. Megan Burke, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Western Mass Steven M. Roberts, Former Owner, F.L. Roberts, Community Partner Dianne Fuller Doherty, Community Partner • Kevin Dillon, Executive Director, Connecticut Airport Authority Paul Scully, President, Country Bank Jia Bo, Chairman of the Board, CRRC MA Maurice O’Connell, Senior Director State Relations, CSX

Sam Hallemeier, Director, State Affairs, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association • James Kelly, President, Polish National Credit Union Al Kasper, President and CEO, Savage Arms Erin Bissonnette, Senior Energy Account Representative, Secure Energy Peter Carmichael, Park President, Six Flags New England Sarah Willie-LeBreton, President, Smith College Mary-Beth A. Cooper, President, Springfield College John Cook, President, Springfield Technical Community College

Paul Belsito, Executive Director, Davis Foundation

Todd Goodrich, CEO, Sulco Warehousing & Logistics/Lancer Trans & Logistics

Gene Cassidy, President, Eastern States Exposition

Ann Marie Dowd, President, Tamarack Advisors, LLC

Shawn Pace, Site Manager Indian Orchard, Eastman Chemical/Solutia

Robert Babcock, Marketing President, Western-Central MA, TD Bank

Harry Dumay, President, Elms College

Robert Bolduc, President, The Hope Foundation for Youth and Families

James Hunt, Vice President for Regulatory Affairs & Community Relations, Eversource

Ben Markens, President and CEO, The Markens Group, Inc.

Alicia Barton, CEO, FirstLight Power, Inc.

Kevin Vann, Chairman, The Vann Group

Seth Stratton, Managing Shareholder, Fitzgerald Law

Deborah Bitsoli, President, Medical Group & Provider Services, Trinity Health

Matt Garrity, President, Florence Bank Steve Cary, President, Focus Springfield David Chase Sr., Vice President Member Business Services, Freedom Credit Union

Kumble Subbaswamy, Chancellor, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Daniel Butterfield, President, US Tsubaki

Michelle Schutt, President, Greenfield Community College

Ellen Cummings, Regional Director, External Affairs, Central & Western MA, Verizon

Anthony Worden, President & CEO, Greenfield Co-Operative Bank

Keith Fairey, President and CEO, Wayfinders •

Richard Swift, President, Health New England

Patience Hetrick, News Director, Western Mass News-Gray Television

George Timmons, President, Holyoke Community College

Robert Johnson, President, Western New England University

James N. Lavelle, General Manager, Holyoke Gas & Electric

Philip Goncalves, Senior Vice President, Westfield Bank

Edward Garibian, President, LLumin

Tom Flaherty, General Manager, Westfield Gas & Electric

Jaimye Kelley, Senior Vice President & Team Leader, M & T Bank

Linda Thompson, President, Westfield State University

Ron DeCurzio, CEO, Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co.

John Libera, WMDC Chair, WestMass Development Corp.

Timothy Kennedy, President, MassLive Eric Weinstein, Lead Government Relations Advisor, MassMutual

Patience Hettrick, General Manager, WFSB-TV/Western Mass News Robert Simone, Vice President and General Manager, WWLP-22 News Elizabeth Dineen, CEO, YWCA of Western Massachusetts •

John Maybury, President, Maybury Material Handling

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Lifting up our affiliates

We stand as the organization known for its commitment to achieving results. Our track record speaks for itself, positioning us as the reliable connection for making things happen. We attract the right people to the room and into our reach. We create reasons to bring them together, imagining different opportunities for folks with like-minded goals and interests. We provide resources and influence, and every now and then, we offer food. This is how we build alliances, collaborations, and networks for the businesses and industries we serve. We help them connect to the assets they need so they can take action.

We lead the way to economic achievement for all of our stakeholders.

Western Mass Economic Development Council

For nine key partners—or affiliates—in the region, we also serve as an umbrella organization they can turn to for business services such as IT and accounting support, participation in group health insurance, pension plans, and 401K plans. Providing such an assist helps them cut costs and conserve effort so they can apply their resources in ways that allow them to have greater impact on their work and in our communities.

We are the happy hosts for our affiliates, too. We advocate for them by bringing into their midst the people they want to meet, or the people whose support they need. We connect BIDS, chambers, and cultural partners to state, federal, and municipal officials. We help them lobby for legislation. We convene stakeholders. Our affiliates are primarily leaders in economic development within specific industries or districts. We help make them more powerful.

Meet our affiliates. AMHERST BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 35 South Pleasant St., Amherst amherstdowntown.com

Formed in 2014 to promote business and cultural activity in Amherst, the BID continues to build on its work. This year, the organization developed more creative innovations that attracted visitors to the downtown—everything from outdoor dining parklets to new holiday lighting and trees in Sweetser and Kendrick parks. A focus remains on downtown clean-up and beautification, along with improving signage. The BID is also going bigger and better and newer with outdoor events from the 10th Annual Block Party to the 4th Annual Fire & Ice Festival. New businesses continue to locate in town, and The Drake: Live Music & Performance Venue is bringing tens of thousands of visitors to Amherst, along with over 1,000 performers of all ages, genres, and ethnicities.

ERC5 EAST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 280 North Main St., Suite 2, East Longmeadow / erc5.com

The ERC5 Town Chamber of Commerce experienced a remarkable year with record-breaking numbers in membership. The growth and support from the community have been truly inspiring. One of the major accomplishments this year was the successful launch of a podcast series, which has received an incredible response, with enthusiastic engagement from members and the wider community. The offering has become a valuable platform for sharing insights, knowledge, and stories that resonate with our audience. ERC5 is also proud to highlight the significant number of ribbon-cutting ceremonies celebrated this year as these events symbolize the growth and success of local businesses. Furthermore, the organization’s commitment to education and community support remains unwavering. It continues to take pride in awarding scholarships to deserving students from the five towns served. Another significant achievement is the progress in creating an Age/ Dementia Friendly community for all five towns.

FOCUS SPRINGFIELD 1200 Main St., Springfield focusspringfield.com

Under new leadership with Stephen Cary, executive director and producer, Focus Springfield continues to serve the city with three separate channels on the Comcast network in Springfield, offering community, education, and government programming.

FOCUS’ online presence has found traction via YouTube, on which 3,500 subscribers can view over 1,300 videos. FOCUS became the model regionally for remote/hybrid broadcasts in the public access station industry with almost $500,000 invested in equipment upgrades at City Hall. As a result, FOCUS Springfield captured first prize in the Community Engagement category at the Mass Creators Awards ceremony. FOCUS is most proud of its work during the pandemic with work for the government Channel 9 and ensuring access to government meetings. Leaders look forward to 2024 and directing more attention back to other educational and public broadcasts. Whether covering the Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival, following high school athletic teams to the state championships, or producing PSAs, FOCUS Springfield is excited to keep residents informed and also reach a wider online audience regionally to share the many positive attributes for Springfield.

GREATER SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 1441 Main St., Springfield explorewesternmass.com

In 2023, the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) conducted several studies, including a Visitor Profile, Resident Sentiment, and Economic Impact Study. The results confirmed that tourism in Western Mass is back to pre-pandemic levels and contributes over $1.3 billion in total sales to the local economy. The research shows that the tourism and hospitality sector is now the third largest employer in Western Mass with over 11,466 jobs supported. One of the major highlights of the year for the GSCVB was hosting an inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Western Mass event, which promoted the Western Mass region to triathletes. The organization’s leaders were proud of the six communities that stepped up to assist in providing a first-class sporting event that will continue to grow in future years. The GSCVB is a membership-based Destination Marketing Organization promoting the Western Mass region.

MAKE-IT SPRINGFIELD 286 Bridge St., Springfield makeitspringfield.org

Make-It Springfield began in the fall of 2015 as a one-month, pop-up makerspace in a vacant storefront in downtown Springfield. In that one month, volunteers hosted over 40 workshops in technology, art, engineering, bicycle repair, cooking, and sewing, and over 450 community members took part in the offerings. Given the wide show of support, founders stretched the initial seed money to keep the space ANNUAL REPORT 2023

(springfieldculture.org/programs/aep6/), highlighting many achievements, including that Springfield Nonprofits Arts Sector generated $82.4 million in economic activity and supported 1,483 jobs. The Springfield Cultural Partnership hosted eight events, collaborated with 15 community events, paid over 64 local artists, and held 10 creative sector advocacy roles. Springfield Cultural Partnership’s mission is to foster civic engagement and arts education in the City of Springfield by creating and sustaining a vibrant cultural environment, authentically engaging institutions, artists, and the community.

SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 1441 Main St., Springfield springfieldregionalchamber.com

open for several more months, and DevelopSpringfield, the Springfield Business Improvement District, and Silverbrick Lofts collaborated to help Make-It find its current home, which opened in 2016. Make-It Springfield is a growing and thriving organization that serves the creative needs of a diverse community.

SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 1243 Main St., Springfield springfielddowntown.com

The Springfield BID, established by property owners in 1998 as a private, not-for-profit corporation, caters to the diverse needs of the entire downtown community. Its core mission revolves around revitalizing and connecting downtown Springfield through a range of programs and additional services aimed at fulfilling local requirements. The oldest BID in the state, the organization spearheaded a collective endeavor among various stakeholders, fostering a district that is clean, secure, and dynamically alive for all who engage with it. The focus lies in fostering heightened business engagement, visitor experience, elevating property worth, and drawing in more investment to further develop the area.

SPRINGFIELD CULTURAL PARTNERSHIPS

127 State St., fourth floor, Springfield springfieldculture.org The year 2023 was a wonderful one for arts and culture in Springfield. The community celebrated the Americans for the Arts’ AEP6 Study results 18

Western Mass Economic Development Council

The Springfield Regional Chamber proudly aligns its mission with that of the EDC. For over a century, the chamber has worked to strengthen and improve the region’s economy as “the voice of business” for hundreds of members. As supporters for innovation and prosperity, the Springfield Regional Chamber drives economic vitality through business support, legislative advocacy, member communication, and partnerships—and by convening leaders and influencers and championing local business growth. Its members work across all industries in the for- and nonprofit sectors. As part of its work, the chamber promotes member businesses and organizations through events, media outreach, newsletters, social media, and its website.

WESTOVER AIRPORT 255 Padgette St., Chicopee westoverairport.com

Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation is a quasi-public agency created in 1974 to convert former military property at Westover Air Force Base to civilian use. The corporation has acquired over 1,300 acres and has developed them into four industrial parks and the civilian airport. Over 50 companies have located in the parks, employing over 3,200 people. Today, the corporation manages the highly secured dayto-day operations of Westover Metropolitan Airport, the maintenance of four industrial parks, and the continuing development of commercial and industrial real estate at each of the parks. Of note at Westover in 2023: • The Atlantic City public charters resumed out of the airport in 2023 after ceasing operations due to COVID. • A 28-foot-high door was installed on its 31,500 square-foot heated hangar, which can accommodate ultra-long range business jets.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, OPPORTUNITIES WITH OUR

2023 Developers

Conference We know we are the region of choice, and one major facet of our work in economic development is spreading that knowledge. We use our biannual Developers Conference to help get the word out. We plan, strategize, invite, and execute, and our dedicated economic development professionals across the state and the region respond to meet and invest, so we can all grow. With MGM Springfield as our Host Sponsor this year, we met in Springfield, and were thrilled to have keynote addresses presented by Governor Maura Healey and Yvonne Hao, Secretary of Economic Development of Massachusetts. We also presented a panel of CEOs who offered the compelling reasons behind their strategic investments in Western Massachusetts. We are grateful to the following lead sponsors: Platinum Sponsor, MassMutual; Host Sponsor, MGM Springfield; Breakfast Sponsor, Golden Years; Lunch Sponsor, Westmass Area Development Corporation; Silver Sponsors, M&T Bank and Onyx Partners; Supporter Sponsors, Baystate Health, Eversource, MassDevelopment, and Westover Airport; Business Sponsors, Berkshire Bank, CRRC, Fitzgerald Law, Freedom Credit Union, Lisa Oleksak-Sullivan, and Westfield Bank.

Our breakout sessions focused on Maximizing Municipal Incentives; Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship; and a City Showdown Lightning Round, in which municipal officials revealed their visionary plans for unlocking the potential of owned properties, identifying key areas of opportunity, and shaping post-pandemic development.

“No other region

compares in terms of quality of life and the variety of opportunities.” Brian Connors

Deputy Director of the Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Roughly 400 leaders from Western Mass and across the state attended, bringing their knowledge and expertise, and networking and brainstorming face to face, rather than via email or Zoom. “It was a great event, and everyone on the staff had a hand in it,” says President and CEO Rick Sullivan. “We put together an impressive lineup, including CEOs and leaders from businesses of all sizes that form the backbone of our region. We represent a diverse mix of communities, all united in our dedication to supporting regional business growth.” Brian Connors, deputy director of the Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development, says, “No other region compares in terms of quality of life and the variety of opportunities. We have a strong network of partner organizations that work together and are here to help you locate your investment, grow your business, attract talent, and enjoy the wonderful cities and towns that make this region so special.”

“It was inspiring to see people from different backgrounds, ages, and industries all eager to learn about the region’s development and future.” Xiomara Albán DeLobato, EDC Vice President and Chief of Staff

Western Mass Economic Development Council

EDC Vice President and Chief of Staff Xiomara Albán DeLobato said this year’s conference was particularly successful because emerging leaders in economic development came to the table along with established developers, commercial real estate agents, and elected officials. There were also more attendees, more presentations, and more impactful conversations. “We made resources more accessible to everyone through this conference, which can be typically challenging,” DeLobato says. “It was inspiring to see people from different backgrounds, ages, and industries all eager to learn about the region’s development and future. The excitement lasted even after the event, creating a buzz that's still going strong.” The conference solidified much of the work the EDC has done in the past few years, and it was evident among attendees that Western Mass holds exponential opportunity for growth. “It was a high-level success for the EDC in our ability to convene not only within the region but also from companies and developers across the Commonwealth and in neighboring states and showcase the opportunities here,” Sullivan says. He said the perspectives shared by the four impressive CEOs—Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health; Charlie D’Amour, president and CEO of Big Y; Susan M. Kasa, president of Boulevard Machines; and Anton Melchionda, founding partner of Onyx Partners— validated the strength of Western Mass investments.

We look forward to our next Developers Conference in 2025, and we hope to see you there!

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Western Mass Economic Development Council

A glimpse at our

strategic

accomplishments in 2023

As we work to achieve the mission of the Western Mass EDC and stimulate and strengthen the economy in the Pioneer Valley, we are involved in countless partnerships, affiliations, programs, and public policy initiatives.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Creating solutions and equitable economic opportunity Springfield WORKS is committed to improving the economic landscape for the disadvantaged, so when leaders learned last year that 40 percent of the population did not know how to access community resources, improvement was swift. Springfield WORKS and eight community partners collaborated to implement a trauma-involved and responsive-ready, willing and able approach to help case managers build stronger connections with their clients and a more open flow of communication; after a repeat survey in 2023, 94 percent indicated they knew how to access the support they needed. “We moved the needle,” said Anne Kandilis, director of Springfield WORKS. “This was a wonderful experience for case managers, mentors, and clients.” The work was funded in 2023 by a $500,000 Community Empowerment and Reinvestment grant (CERP) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development and focused on facilitating systemic socioeconomic changes in the city of Springfield. (In 2022, we received $400,000, and in 2024, we’ll receive $450,000.) Partnering agencies educated 170 participants about where they can access important community resources, and 147 of them received direct referrals to help reach their employment goals. Fifty-five percent of respondents were referred to a new resource with successful results. Of those involved, 100 percent reported a positive experience. Agency staff learned skills to provide better services. Clients experienced a sense of safety, connection, and trust to discuss difficult and personal issues that had been barriers to success. This achievement is an example of only one of dozens of successful initiatives Springfield

Western Mass Economic Development Council

“We moved the needle.” Anne Kandilis, Director, Springfield WORKS

WORKS engaged in in 2023 to confront longstanding barriers to economic success. Grounded in a belief in equitable access to economic growth, resilience, and opportunity, the organization is committed to breaking down years of systemic inequalities and biases that have impacted marginalized communities of color and created longstanding barriers to economic mobility. Kandilis says, “We develop and drive the strategies to create economic growth and look for opportunities to drive career pathways. The EDC provides a backbone for our work.” Another key project in 2023 was a collaboration with the Springfield public schools and Holyoke Community College’s career readiness program. Because the para educator track at HCC is a popular one chosen by young parents who want to work and keep a similar schedule as their children, Springfield WORKS assisted HCC with workforce training. The Springfield schools got involved as an employer partner, providing internships to HCC students in the para educator track. So far, eight cohorts have been completed since 2021.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS FOR SPRINGFIELD WORKS IN 2023 WERE PLENTIFUL; ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDED: • Securing a $100,000 Urban Agenda grant in partnership with HCS Head Start, Square One, Springfield Partners for Community Action, Springfield Jewish Community Center, and Holyoke Community College to expand the TwoGeneration/Whole Family Approach to Career Pathways model in Early Education and Care. The goal is to address the workforce crisis in early education by investing in the early education workforce. The funding provided by the Executive Office of Economic Development assisted in outreach and recruitment of participants, training and coaching and stipends for teacher mentors, support, evaluation, and communication of results. • Receiving an award from the National Fund for Workforce Solutions Industry Partnership and Community College planning grant to lead a collaborative design of a state Certified Nursing Assistant to a Licensed Practical Nursing living wage career project with Baystate Health, Holyoke Community College, Mass Hire Hampden County Workforce Board, and the Western Mass Nursing Collaborative. • Creating a partnership with 413Cares to customize a tool to assist residents, case managers, and coaches in finding the resources they need in the Greater Springfield area to support a successful journey to employment. • Hosting a roundtable with Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s President Susan M. Collins. Anne Kandilis also joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland for their #FedTalk discussing how the #BenefitsCliff impacts individuals and families, employers, policymaking, and the #economy overall. • Unveiling a new website late in the year at springfieldworks. net/about-us-partners/our-mission/, offering data on existing economic inequities; ideas for strategic change through community empowerment, economic mobility, and policy change; and measures of success.

“We develop and drive the strategies to create economic growth and look for opportunities to drive career pathways. The EDC provides a backbone for our work.” Anne Kandilis, Director, Springfield WORKS

Our partners in the 2023 CERP project are HCS Head Start, Inc. Helix Human Services Holyoke Community College Home City Development, Inc. MassHire Springfield New North Citizens’ Council Springfield School Volunteers and Square One. ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Helping workers step away from the precipice and avoid the Cliff Effect

will offer basic financial literacy and budgeting to set a course for meeting basic needs. The pilot will provide cash payments to up to 100 individuals who are participating, ensuring the new income does not negatively impact other benefits they receive.

In 2022, the state of Massachusetts invested $1 million in the Cliff Effect Pilot Program, and in August 2023, Hannah Reuter came on as director of the EDC initiative, working through Springfield WORKS. Her charge is to help Massachusetts’ low-income workforce reach financial stability through complex means that involve collaboration with a range of workforce leaders.

Also in 2023, the EDC secured a third-party evaluator for the pilot who will, in partnership with Reuter, assess the impact of the pilot on families in the region as well as on employment, job satisfaction, financial well-being as a family, and mental health. “We have not officially launched this work but will do so in 2024. We are talking with partners who will support our work on the employer side,” Reuter says.

For many earning low wages, a promotion or a raise comes with a cost—the loss of housing vouchers or SNAP benefits (food stamps) —and can be so negatively impactful that accepting any forward momentum is not possible. “Income may increase but benefits decrease, and the new income is not enough to cover the cost of the benefits they lose,” Reuter explains.

“What’s unique about the pilot is we are an overlay for all these actors and can coordinate for our participants rather than perpetuating the fractured and siloed status-quo” Hannah Reuter Cliff Effect Pilot Program Director

Her work will bring together three key players in eliminating the Cliff Effect—employer partners, financial coaching organizations, and the Mass Department of Transitional Assistance and other safety net providers and agencies in the state, as well as individuals. “The Cliff Effect exists because all these players don’t typically cross over. They’re not incentivized to collaborate,” Reuter says. “What’s unique about the pilot is we are an overlay for all these actors and will support our participants holistically rather than perpetuating the fractured and siloed status-quo.” Employer partners provide jobs and career pathways that include credentialing and training, and Reuter is in conversation with hospitals in Springfield, Worcester, and Boston for a first cohort of the pilot. Financial coaches 26

Western Mass Economic Development Council

Valley Venture Mentors gathers resources for ‘broad and ambitious initiatives’ Hope Ross-Gibaldi, executive director of Valley Venture Mentors, holds the firm belief that Western Mass could be a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship if it had a stronger, more unified front. In 2023, VVM gathered funding to support its broad and ambitious initiatives to build a Western Mass coalition of entrepreneurial ecosystem stakeholders. “That takes regional leadership and a willingness to collaborate,” she says. “That’s what we’ve been working on, and so much of 2023 was about building the foundation for that.” Located in the heart of downtown Springfield and founded in 2011, VVM has a mission to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful and sustainable businesses through entrepreneurial education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Its vision is to support transformational growth for startups and our entrepreneurial ecosystem, scale successful local businesses, and change the face of the economy in Western Massachusetts.

SOME KEY VVM INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS IN 2023 INCLUDED: • Designing the Anchor Ready Program: This comprehensive and collaborative initiative will cultivate a resilient and diverse local supplier pipeline for targeted goods and services. The program targets BIPOC, LGBTQ and women entrepreneurs and small businesses in the trade industry and will provide wrap-around services and resources to prepare and scale vendors for contracts with anchor institutions. Sessions will include but are not limited to: Technical Assistance for Certification Completion; Securing Diverse Sources of Capital and Investments; Financial

Planning and Production Forecasting; Understanding and Mastering RFPs, Bids, Contract Quotes, and Procurement Demands. • Embarking on a journey to help build the Western Mass Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Coalition. This work was done through resource mapping, expanding digital access, and building the social infrastructure of the ecosystem in collaboration with community partners that included Springfield’s Office of Planning and Economic Development; participation in the National League of Cities’ City Inclusive Entrepreneurship Program; and a partnership with the Springfield Creative City Collective.

In 2023, VVM gathered funding to support its broad and ambitious initiatives to build a Western Mass coalition of entrepreneurial ecosystem stakeholders.

• Fostering the Springfield Creative City Collective. This coalition of economic development stakeholders focused on the transformation and revitalization of the greater Springfield creative and cultural economy, through sustainable and culturally proficient initiatives that interconnect advocacy, racial equity, social justice professional development, strategic investment, and entrepreneurial ecosystem-building. VVM’s initiatives aimed to heal, empower, invest, and sustain the Greater Springfield area through strategic, community-based economic development including programs and events, consistent technical assistance to underserved populations, community professional development opportunities, as well as regional mapping of arts, culture, entrepreneurial, and economic resources to increase overall accessibility. ANNUAL REPORT 2023

REDO grant continues to bolster our work Each year, we receive state Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) grant program funds that allow us to help area municipalities and community partners, and provide services that support the development of the local economic engine. Over $700,000 in REDO funds were received in 2023, allowing us to earmark assistance to small and diverse businesses, property owners, and downtowns.

ANNE DEWOLF, OUR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, SAID IN 2023, REDO FUNDS ALSO HELPED THE EDC: • Provide business support to a broad scope of leaders in industries from manufacturing to higher ed. • Host a State of Manufacturing event in Springfield in collaboration with FORGE, offering an evening of discussions about what’s on the horizon for manufacturing in Western Mass. Leaders in manufacturing in the region had a chance to network and take part in small table discussions on such topics as the advantages of manufacturing localization and how to find and collaborate with local customers, and best practices and networking with other manufacturers. • Secure fiscal support for municipalities and projects, including Blandford, Greenfield, Holyoke, Northampton, South Hadley, Springfield, Ware, the ArtsHub, and the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce. • Assist entrepreneurial systems with expanded investments and mentors. • Connect businesses to technical assistance, workforce training, commercial real estate access, academic research, and other resources. 28

Western Mass Economic Development Council

Readying our anchor businesses for systems change in procurement The work of the Western Mass Anchor Collaborative to increase local procurement opportunities for women- and minority-owned businesses and propel hiring and career pathways for BIPOC and marginalized populations is a journey, not a sprint. Yet, we made great strides toward system change in procurement in 2023. Several of our anchor institutions have signed commitments to local, diverse purchasing, and we’ve rallied CEOs from our eight anchors because their buy-in is key. Anchor institutions are economic engines that require consistent, large-volume purchases, are significant employers in their regions, and have the capacity to be investors in their communities. The neighborhoods with the greatest inequities can be found in our own backyards and often are communities of color impacted by the legacy of disinvestment and discrimination. Founded by the EDC in 2021 in partnership with Baystate Health, the Anchor Collaborative’s mission is to foster equitable communities by putting each anchor’s purchasing and hiring power to work for diverse businesses. Larry Dixon, an independent contractor with experience in corporate social responsibility and social impact, worked with our anchors on overall goals and also helped proctor signed agreements in 2023 from Baystate Health and Holyoke Community College to increase spending with local, women- and minority-owned businesses. Baystate Health worked closely with the EDC and Common Capital to build out a diverse business mentorship pilot that “onramps” local vendors and grows their business with Baystate. The EDC worked with Friendly Ride Transportation (FRT) to help them become a certified minority vendor through the Massachusetts State Supplier Diversity Office, while Common Capital coordinated with Baystate and provided technical assistance to FRT that has resulted in Baystate utilizing its services more. The Baystate Diverse Business Mentorship pilot serves as a model to grow other local, diverse vendor contracts within Baystate and other anchors, as they identify needed categories of goods and services. Because it’s critical that CEOs of our anchor institutions understand the work and stand behind it, we held a retreat with these leaders, facilitated by the Healthcare Anchor Network, a national advocacy group for anchor institutions and collaboratives. “It was important that we gathered CEOs together as well as HR directors, purchasing directors, and DEIB directors,” Dixon says, adding, “During the retreat, each institution started to plan its own internal activities to drive the work. They’re grappling with how this fits in with their own initiatives and how to build an institutional framework.” In smaller, individual sessions, Dixon also began to grow each anchor’s internal teams with HCC, the University of

Massachusetts, Amherst, and the city of Holyoke. At Bay Path University, Dixon met with the DEIB committee, explaining the work of the Anchor Collaborative and helping leaders understand how the initiative fits with its internal efforts. Simultaneously, we held two events that forwarded the work of the collaborative. A Supplier Diversity Networking event, hosted by Baystate Health and led by the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) and EDC, gathered about 50 small and diverse businesses that provide goods and services and could benefit from transformed procurement practices. Vendors made direct connections with our anchors and their procurement team members—essential relationship-building that creates an avenue for information and resource sharing. Big Y developed new partnerships with local vendors leading to new contracts.

Because it’s critical that CEOs of our anchor institutions understand the work and stand behind it, we held a retreat with these leaders, facilitated by the Healthcare Anchor Network, a national advocacy group for anchor institutions and collaboratives. Following a similar model, we hosted a Supplier Diversity Network event with MGM Springfield, not an official member of the Anchor Collaborative but a member of the EDC; MGM is, like us, committed to the region, hence the partnership. Over 100 people attended this event, the majority of them vendors representing Western Mass all the way to Worcester. The MGM procurement team was fully engaged and presented on upcoming contracts that would be available for bid in the coming months. The event allowed vendors to meet the procurement leaders directly and learn about upcoming opportunities so they can begin building relationships with the MGM procurement team and ready themselves to be a competitive candidate. “The event was successful because the MGM team made the effort to connect with the community. They were internally prepared to work with new and different vendors, and they were committed to supporting vendors along the procurement process,” says vice president and chief of staff Xiomara Albán DeLobato, who adds that two new local vendors are currently in the process of extending their services. On the inclusive hiring side in 2023, we dove into workforce development with partners at HCC, Springfield Technical ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Community College, and Tech Foundry to recruit in CDBG’s key impact neighborhoods. Anchor institutions have started to identify key job opportunities each have and will map out training opportunities and a pathway to more skilled positions. The year ended with news that Holyoke and Springfield were awarded a Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program grant from the US Economic Development Administration to support long-term comprehensive economic development with the aim to reduce high, prime-age (25 to 54 years of age) employment gaps and increase wages. Anchor institutions will be part of this work. The award also means that we are finalists to receive $20 to 50 million to implement a comprehensive workforce training system in the targeted census tracts. Additionally, a ninth anchor is poised to come on board in 2024. We are excited that we will also begin to collect data next year both from the anchor teams doing inclusive hiring and those focused on inclusive purchasing. “We have metrics we’ve developed and want to show change,” Dixon says. “In the process of collecting data, we will gain a trend line of how they’re doing.”

Creating a pipeline for green jobs and clean tech contractors As a region, we have been slower than other parts of Massachusetts to develop the clean tech and green jobs workforce, but we’re excited about the advancements we made in 2023. Playing off our ethos as good environmental stewards and drawing on the good work of higher education and educational systems in Western Mass, we know we can contribute to this workforce. “Growing this sector is an economic development strategy that will grow the whole economy,” says President and CEO Rick Sullivan, adding, “Most of what we do has that larger goal.” In 2023, our major work in clean tech was advancing our partnership with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and the Emerald Cities Collaborative, funded by the Mass Clean Energy Center. We launched the E-Contractor Academy with 15 developers and contractors in the first cohort, which wrapped up in November 2023.

Western Mass Economic Development Council

“We’re focusing on what an invigorated green energy sector looks like and how that fits with the infrastructure we have.” Xiomara Albán DeLobato, EDC Vice President and Chief of Staff

The academy is a seven-week training program in which small contractors learn to perform energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofit projects. Participating contractors learned about regulatory and technical demands of green infrastructure projects and how to bid and manage largescale projects that include labor and community workforce standards typical of government, schools, hospitals, and other institutions. Other academy benefits included procurement assistance, monitoring and compliance, and creating affiliations with building and construction trade unions. “It was a huge success. We’re creating a pipeline into project opportunities for these contractors,” says our vice president and chief of staff, Xiomara Albán DeLobato, noting a second Emerald Cities cohort will be convened in 2024. Western Mass has many skilled people in the trades, and we are committed to giving them a competitive edge when it comes to green jobs and clean tech. “We’re focusing on what an invigorated green energy sector looks like and how that fits with the infrastructure we have,” DeLobato says.

Our Fiscal Year 2023 Year-End Financial Review STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS

20% 10% 70%

CONTRACT SERVICES AND EVENT REVENUE MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTION

OUR DIVERSE INCOME STRATEGY SERVES US WELL Our numbers are a testament to our strategy and stability. Each year, we strengthen our strategy to ensure we are stable. The formula works. We have grown and diversified our income streams so that we do not rely on membership dues to operate. For the 10th year in a row, in fact, we have not increased the fees paid by our 90+ members, yet we continue to build and strengthen what we can do. Our staff team grew by two this year, and our 2023 Developers Conference saw more participants and more sponsors as we gathered at MGM—our host sponsor—to reap the benefits of collaboration. Our growth in sponsorships reaffirms the value of our conference for our region. Because our strategy moves us like a well-oiled machine, we are positively impacting the region. Our programs, events, and convenings are educational, resourceful, and impactful. ANNUAL REPORT 2023