THERE WAS optimism a year ago among municipal and business leaders across Western Massachusetts, who predicted reinvention and resiliency would help carry the region as it worked to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, a year later, as hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal American Rescue Plan Act have been invested and millions more from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have headed our way, the
positive thinking continues up and down the Connecticut River valley. There are still struggles ahead, not the least of which are inflation and the ever-looming threat of a recession.
The theme for Outlook 2023, “Survive & Thrive,” could not be more appropriate. While challenges
THIS YEAR WAS filled with success, excitement and growth for businesses across Western Massachusetts. I was honored to step into my new role as president of the Springfield Regional Chamber in July, eager to build upon the strong reputation and success this organization has enjoyed.
Despite a difficult three years, our region has continued to adapt – emerging more resilient, bold and strong. When the pandemic hit in early 2020, the Springfield Regional Chamber’s goal was to ensure all our members were supported and had the tools and information they needed to continue thriving.
Through virtual programming and timely and essential updates, our members and the entire Western Massachusetts region have emerged from the pandemic with a changing perspective, new opportunities and a renewed
sense of purpose and enthusiasm. As we enter 2023, an exciting area of opportunity for the chamber has been the ability to return to hosting in-person events highlighting industries, businesses and opportunities within the Greater Springfield region. We’re thrilled to have revived the chamber’s Rise & Shine Business Breakfast series, which provides an avenue for education and spotlights our members and their impact. Last year, we celebrated MGM’s 10th anniversary
still remain, it is evident no matter where you go, whether it’s in Greater Springfield or north to Franklin County that people are thirsting to have their communities, businesses, educational institutions and life in general emerge from the shadow of the pandemic. They want to support local businesses, eat
local food and unite to help the region thrive. There are clear signs everywhere that not only did people find innovative ways to confront the challenges of COVID-19, but they evolved and resolved to be stronger than ever to be prepared for any new changes ahead.
As it was a year ago, if you
need a job, there are plenty to be had. Health care, in particular, is confronting workforce shortages that approach crisis levels. Western Massachusetts’ manufacturers are ready and waiting to not just hire but also train the skilled employees they need to continue thriving.
The Springfield Regional and all of Western Massachusetts’ active and engaged chambers of commerce are united in their efforts to help and mentor the business community forward.
For this Outlook 2023 edition of Business Monday, the mayors of all cities in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, along with the leaders of all the region’s chambers of commerce, were invited to share their perspectives on the theme and the strides made during 2022. Here are their submissions.
The Republican’s annual Outlook edition provides me the opportunity to reflect on where Springfield, as a community, has been over the past year and to embrace our collective journey forward.
By C AROLyN ROBBINS Specialto The Republican
B.JOHN DILL, president and chief executive officer of Colebrook Realty Services, knew the office market was springing back to life after the COVID-19 pandemic when he looked out his window at the 12-story TD Bank building at 1441 Main St. and noticed the parking lot was beginning to fill up.
“We are seeing
return to the office,” Dill said in an interview, noting that more cars in the building’s adjacent parking lot signaled workers were returning to downtown. “But we’re still not back to pre-COVID levels,” he said. ”The question is what will the market look like when it returns to ‘normal?’”
Evan Plotkin, president and chief executive officer of NAI Plotkin Realty at 1440 Main St., also noticed an uptick in activity at his company’s headquarters on the 14th floor of the 17-story One Financial
As 2022 started, Springfield and its residents and businesses were still healing from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the city was recovering, thanks largely to the lifesaving vaccine, the sheer loss that was inflicted on our families, professions and human interactions remained.
A year later COVID and its many variants remain, and, while concerning, we have thankfully learned to proactively adapt. Today, we view the pandemic and its ongoing inconveniences with a healthy sense of control that comes from the availability of vaccines and booster shots and daily life finally seems more normal and cautiously optimistic.
Plaza property.
“Many of our tenants are telling us that half of their employees work in the office and the other half works remotely,” Plotkin said. “There is clearly evidence that the pandemic has changed the traditional workplace, and it remains to be seen whether the impact of the changes will be long-lasting.”
In response to the evolving world of commercial real estate, Dill and Plotkin — each with nearly four decades experience in the field — say they have learned to be more creative as they navigate changes the market.
Besides experience, both of them have strong local ties and are bullish on the future of Springfield.
The work of building the city back from the pandemic economically and physically, with attention to equity and inclusion continues to be our collective priority in 2023. Springfield was provided $123.8 million in federal funding to respond to the impacts of the pandemic. My administration has awarded these funds to address the direct health and economic impacts of the pandemic, as well as to confront the underlying challenges that exacerbated the pandemic’s negative effects on vulnerable individuals, businesses, and neighborhoods.
To date my administration has invested millions of dollars for this purpose, and
Dill began his professional career in Springfield as the Springfield Institution for Savings executive in charge of the bank’s new six-floor 31,857-square-feet project. The building opened in 1982 as SIS’ Center Square. At the time Dill’s firm was spun off from SIS as the building’s leasing agent.
Last year, Dill and a group of local investors bought the building for $5.2 million. TD Bank will retain its regional headquarters and downtown branch — with Colebrook remaining as the building’s leasing agent. The building’s current tenants include the Westmass Area Development Corp. Plotkin, who is the third-generation CEO of the company founded by his grandfather, is also an owner of 300,000-square-foot One Financial Plaza building, which offers sweeping views of downtown Springfield and the Connecticut River.
Evolving workplace drives commercial
“There is clearly evidence that the pandemic has changed the traditional workplace, and it remains to be seen whether the impact of the changes will be long-lasting.”
EVAN PLOTKIN, CEO, NAI PLOTKIN REALTYD IANA Szy NAL
THE MOST COMMON
question I get when I tell people about my job as the executive director of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce is, “What does a chamber even do?”
During the last several years, the answer to that question has surely been challenging for even a seasoned chamber director. However, despite these challenges, my predecessor Julie Coupoulos and leaders at other Western Massachusetts chambers have forged ahead and laid some excellent groundwork. This is evidenced by the fact that even during my first five months, I received multiple inquiries a week from folks interested in starting a business, not knowing where to begin but to call the chamber for help. It’s a welcome confirmation that people do know a chamber exists to support a thriving business community by providing resources and making connections. Three years into the pandemic I am struck by all the momentum Chicopee business community shows, as we celebrated a handful of new businesses in 2022 and are looking to welcome even more this year.
I knew a pair of giant scissors was to become part of my chamber gear, and I’m grateful for the eager call I received from Jim Robinson to arrange my first ribbon cutting for JimBuddy’s Rec Shop in the fall. It sounds like I will get to use those big scissors even more as I review the list of Chicopee businesses set to open or begin development this coming year, from the Hot Table on Memorial Drive to the Baskin warehouse development on West Main Street to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts on East Main Street. I’ve quickly learned, too, that the Chicopee business community has some strong partners in the city, always on the lookout for opportunities to support and attract new business. And I’m grateful those
AS WE EMERGE post pandemic, the city of Westfield is poised and ready to lean forward to tackle the issues all communities are facing. As a community we are mindful of the losses we sustained during the pandemic, and yet we accomplished a great deal in 2022.
BReoR
partners recognize the chamber as an invaluable collaborator when the opportunities arise.
I look forward to a full year of Chicopee chamber’s signature events: celebrating leaders in our community at our annual Shining Stars award gala on March 3; updating our membership about the past year at our annual meeting breakfast on March 23; uniting the business community for a fun day at the annual golf tournament on May 19; and connecting with the community through our fundraising Thriller 5K on Oct. 28.
As I continue to work on filling in the rest of our 2023 calendar, I aspire to ensure our events truly do unite the business community. I think this means not only spreading out events geographically within the city, but also having balance between highlighting new businesses like the Windsor Lounge and showcasing those that have been staples in our community like returning to Masse’s American Bistro for our holiday gathering next December. One of the best ways we can support our member businesses is to give them our business!
I’ve learned a lot during my first five months on the job, and I’m looking forward to supporting and building our Chicopee business community even more in 2023!
Melissa Breor is executive director of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about the Chicopee chamber and its work, go online to chicopee chamber.org.
The city’s government focuses on quality customer service, improving roads and infrastructure, and creating a welcoming workplace for business, large and small.
During this difficult time, companies such as A. Duie Pyle, Advanced Manufacturing, C&S Wholesale, Columbia Manufacturing, Commercial Distributing, Lawry Freight, Lowe’s Distribution, Mestek, Prolamina and Sullivan Transportation kept
their businesses open, providing much needed jobs and revenue for the city. These companies regularly fund and have representatives on the boards of local service organizations. They volunteer at events, and serve on the city’s boards and commissions.
Just recently, we celebrated the grand opening of the “Recharge Room” at West-
In 2023 Chicopee is ready to adopt a comprehensive plan to coordinate and provide smart development and growth in the city.
field Middle School. Elm Electric donated and coordinated donations of materials to design a relaxing space within the school, offering respite from the unique stressors faced by educators in last few years.
In Westfield, our banking
industry is very generous. Particularly, Westfield Bank, PeoplesBank and Bank ESB have given hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding and hours of volunteerism. It seems no special event or program in the city is possible without their
systems. Technology services and hardware will be replaced and upgrade to improve service to the residents. A better working environment and improved services is the goal for phase two.
John VieauData has been gathered, and the community input has been reviewed with a draft comprehensive plan developed. The Planning Department is working to finalize the plan and move forward.
Taking part in the ceremonial groundbreaking on June 2, 2022, for the new Food Bank of Western Massachusetts headquarters in Chicopee are, from left, Big Y president and CEO Charles D’Amour, Chicopee City Councilor Joel McAuliffe, Chicopee Mayor John Vieau, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, and food bank executive director Andrew Morehouse.
Additionally, the city has completed the phase one project at City Hall and will be starting on phase two. The second phase plan will provide increased handicap accessibility, improved air quality, effective office locations and spacing, improved security and updated
Safety has been a concern for the city and measures are being developed and strategies are being designed to improve pedestrian safety. The Department of Public Works, along with the city engineer and our Police Department, are working together to implement safer streets. Use of flashing cross-walk signs, flashing stop signs, repainting lines and crosswalks, increased issuing of citations, potential addition of speed tables and other solutions are under consideration in a street-by-street review of problem areas.
Additional officers will be attending the police academy with the new academy open in Holyoke. This will reduce the
ColuMniST Column Name MeliSSa
oke is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023 with a yearlong salute to our past and an ambitious agenda for our future. Holyoke’s birthday party kicked off with the 23rd annual Three Kings Day observance. Staff from the Office of Planning & Economic Development joined community organizations, Nueva Esperanza, Mayor Joshua A. Garcia and many others to mark Three Kings Day and announce the launch of the sesquicentennial.
The land that became Holyoke was first settled in 1745 and officially became a town in 1850. In 1873, Holyoke incorporated as a city. Fifty years ago, in 1973, Holyoke celebrated the 100th anniversary of its incorporation with galas and community events. Now, 150 years after its incorporation, Holyoke is a vibrant community — home to a rich variety of cultures and traditions.
This year we look forward to promoting and growing several of Holyoke’s signature events, including the internationally famous St. Patrick’s Parade, the Great Holyoke Brick Race, the Patronales Festival, Celebrate Holyoke, the Paper City Food Festival and the Rotary Summer Concert series. A comprehensive and growing list of events for 2023 can be found at ExploreHolyoke.com on the community calendar.
All local organizations have been encouraged to list their events as part of the 150th celebration. The 150th Committee already is working with the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee to help
organize the 70th annual parade down the streets of the city and the St. Patrick’s 10K Road Race on the weekend of March 18 and 19.
We invite everyone to join us on April 6 as the city marks its “Date of Incorporation” during an event when we will dedicate City Hall to Holyoke. That event will be followed by a reception. The committee is actively looking for volunteers, sponsors, and engagement from the community to make this 150th celebration the best it can be.
In addition to the 150th events, the city is expanding its public art projects, establishing Main Street as the Puerto Rican Cultural District and working with MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) expert whose title is “fellow.”
The city of Holyoke already has collaborated with Beyond Walls to revitalize downtown Holyoke in conjunction with the city’s tourism plan, created the ARTery small works gallery, and was granted the Making it Public 2023 grant for temporary public art.
The Beyond Walls murals are a substantial attraction for visitors and affirm a sense of culture and community for the residents of Holyoke. The murals have brought light and color into our neighborhoods, embracing the beauty of Holyoke and its people. Public art complements the experience of coming downtown to shop and support local artists, restaurants, and small businesses. The Office of Planning and Economic Development is prioritizing expanding public art. This investment will help
UNLIKE 2021, where businesses were navigating inand-out of unemployment, closures, decreased hours and working to find a way to successfully pivot amidst a global pandemic, 2022 faced its own unique challenges: increased product pricing; demands for working wages; and a strong need for grant funding.
Serving the Greater Holyoke community, we have seen remarkable business growth, but as a chamber of commerce, we need to continue to be creative in how we maintain relevance in a growing society that can easily find the tools a chamber typically offers for free on the internet. Over the past year, the Greater Holyoke Chamber has gone through a rebranding — showcasing a fresh and modern logo, a membership structure that is comparable to our local economy and offers free networking events for our members.
We have seen tremendous growth over the past year, growing our membership by 45 new members. Leading the chamber, it is important for me to be the bridge for our businesses and for our community because the community’s support is necessary for our local businesses to thrive.
Holyoke is now celebrating its 150th year which will bring our community together and, in turn, support our businesses. The chamber is honored to play an instrumental role in the milestone as acting as its fiscal sponsor, aid in organizing an annual gala and being a point of contact for folks looking to sponsor our birthday year.
We work closely with the city of Holyoke and a variety of city leaders and organizations to bring people from all over into Holyoke to celebrate and support our local businesses and the events that they are holding, and hope that you choose to come and
the city’s marketing efforts, address quality of life by beautifying underutilized spaces and creating a better-lived experience in downtown Holyoke for residents and visitors alike. Re-establishing retail is a challenge in any area, including downtown Holyoke. Addressing underutilized properties and blight is necessary for cultivating a safe and welcoming retail environment. The Office of Planning and Economic Development is actively working with the MassDevelopment TDI fellow on numerous projects and partnerships to provide on-the-ground economic development expertise and collaborative leadership. The TDI fellow will have access to various tools to help accelerate development on High Street.
Complementing public art in Holyoke, the Puerto Rican Cultural District is currently
being established in partnership with city government and Nueva Esperanza. The Puerto Rican Cultural District will offer more opportunities and funding for public and private spaces around the city.
To support this project, the city has established the El Corazon Advisory Committee, a decision-making body in the heart of the city. The district and El Corazon placemaking project are brought to life through activities and embracing Puerto Rican culture. This is essential in reviving and celebrating the culture of Holyoke.
For more information on the 150th celebration and projects, visit Exploreholyoke. com. If you would like to volunteer for the 150th celebration, please email konstans@
Above, Edwin David Sepulveda, from Puerto Rico, stands in front of a 50-foot by 85-foot wall mural he created on a building on High Street in Hoyloke on June 19, 2022. Sepulveda
Left,
celebrate our birthday with us.
Additionally, MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) is a program for Gateway Cities designed to accelerate economic growth within focused districts. The program works with cross-sector partnerships to engage community members in actionable planning, implement local economic development initiatives, and spur further public and private investment. Through this initiative, the chamber and our TDI fellow have begun to form a High Street Business Association. During our kickoff, we brought together dozens of business owners to share information about upcoming
holyoke.org to find out how you can get involved.
Aaron Vega is director of planning and economic development for the city of Holy-
oke. To learn more about the city, its economic development initiatives and the 150th anniversary celebration, go online to holyoke.org.
is part of the Beyond Walls street art organization. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)
a large crowd watches a heat in Great Holyoke Brick Race on Race Street in Holyoke on Oct. 15, 2022. The brick race is among the Paper City’s signature events that will be highlighted during this year’s observance of the 150th anniversary.
(DAVE ROBACK / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)
“Now, 150 years after its incorporation, Holyoke is a vibrant community — home to a rich variety of cultures and traditions.”
CoLUMnISt
Column Name Aaron VEGaHolyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia speaks during the dedication ceremony for two new Habitat for Humanity homes at 113 and 117 Jackson St. on July 18, 2022. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)
Agawam Mayor William P. Sapelli, center, joins Autumn Mist Farm owner Derrick Turnbull in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the new Autumn Mist Farm, a farm-to-table restaurant and meat store, located at 1157 North Westfield St. in Agawam on Oct. 4, 2022. Joining the ceremony were friends, family, and local officials. Autumn Mist is among a series of new businesses that opened last year in Agawam.
(THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)
softball and soccer fields in the future.
THE AGAWAM YOU
see today is strong and resilient. It is strategically prepared to meet the challenges of the future. We genuinely “Strive to Thrive” every day.
As we get back to business as usual post-pandemic, we reflect on what we learned and how we used that knowledge to move in a positive direction and improve operating procedures going forward. We are presently dealing with skyrocketing inflation affecting prices on everything from electricity to eggs. Agawam, as always,
will weather through these challenging times and make strides in our community by means of creative budgeting and strategic grant applications.
New businesses have opened, including Autumn Mist Farm, Soapy Noble Car Wash, HRA Realty, Neilsen Realty, the Riverside Pub, Fearless Cards, Diva’s Nail Salo, Yori Korean restaurant and Rocky’s celebrated a grand reopening.
In addition, existing businesses such as OMG and HP Hood are expanding their operations. The Games and Lanes property is being
EVERYONE IS FRUStrated.
Whether you believe it to be culture-, climate-, crypto-, COVID- or corporate-driven, everyone is frustrated, anxious and uncertain about the future. There are innumerable problems, no clear solutions and it’s likely only going to get worse before it gets better.
Inflation has placed pressure on prices, supply chain issues are threatening sales and a labor shortage has made it difficult to find and retain talent, which is to say nothing of the recession.
In moments of uncertainty, there are many things businesses can do to not only survive but thrive.
Think back to the 2008 Great Recession, and, coincidentally (or not), the same period Venmo, Instagram, Uber and WhatsApp were all founded. They say constraints breed innovation.
Great companies are run by great leaders, and great leaders are transparent and direct with their teams. They communicate, motivate and inspire their employees to move the needle in a meaningful way every single day.
What’s clear is that thriving in the future will not mean the absence of challenges and disruptions. Rather, it means adapting, adjusting, prioritizing and creating resilience to manage through instability.
Thriving means not only planning for but embracing the new insights and capabilities that COVID-19 has accelerated to reimagine the future altogether.
The difference now is that we have a chance to make a change. We have the opportunity to hit the reset button to reimagine norms and assumptions in ways that were not possible before. We can realign the nature of work, the workforce and the
aggressively marketed for development, and the Colvest Group property at the corner of Main and Suffield Streets is scheduled for development including a Starbucks and an urgent care clinic. The former Cincotta farm on Springfield Steet is also available for development. High-speed fiber service is scheduled for installation by GoNetSpeed during the coming year. This service has been highly anticipated by many residents.
The property at the Southgate Plaza is currently under renovation for use as a furniture store. A public
auction for the former Chez Josef property on Shoemaker Lane will be conducted in the coming weeks, after which we anticipate commercial development there.
Agawam has received state and federal infrastructure monies through the efforts of U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren as well as state Sen. John Velis. We are grateful to Sens. Markey and Warren for securing funding for deep gutter work on North Street and to Rep. Neal for Main Street sewer interceptor project funding.
Sen. Velis was instrumental for obtaining funding for townwide water and sewer repairs and upgrades.
Tuckahoe Farm will be transformed into a public recreational access property, allowing recreation opportunities and environmental improvements. This 292-acre property along Pine Street will include rehabilitation to the existing dam, preserving the pond for fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Walking paths and bike trails will also be developed. This passive recreation project is Phase I of a projected two-phase plan to be carried out in 2023 and 2024. It is our hope to include active recreation such as baseball,
Renovation to the former HUB Insurance property on Suffield Street for the purpose of a new police headquarters is scheduled to commence this spring with a projected completion date of summer 2024. This renovation will essentially create a new state-ofthe-art facility for all law enforcement needs. Street and sidewalk improvements are continuing throughout Agawam. In addition, Eversource has joined in our efforts by agreeing to repave all areas, which were disrupted during utility service upgrades and enhancements. Agawam is positioned to thrive and adjust in the coming year to any and all changes, whether they be initiated locally or through state and federal means. Past experience, teamwork and a common sense approach to issues will, as always, guide Agawam into the future.
William P. Sapelli is mayor of Agawam. To learn more about Agawam, visit the municipal webstie, agawam. ma.us.
For the town of West Springfield, 2023 is slated to be a significant year of progress, including considerable infrastructure improvements with a continued focus on reimagining public services while expanding opportunities for economic growth and development.
workplace to build resilience for the long haul. We have the opportunity to thrive.
The good news is that it’s made many entrepreneurs smarter, stronger and more adaptable. The bad news, though, is that difficult times are just getting started. Surviving and thriving in the coming years will require businesses to demonstrate grit and an ability to adapt quickly and implement the right strategies.
Inflation, employment-unemployment struggles, cost of living and small business survival are the challenges we are facing post pandemic. We need to band together to fight for our local region and ensure our local economic success. How do we do this? By supporting each other, shopping local, remaining active in our business community and spreading the word about the great many businesses in our area. The West of the River Chamber of Commerce plans to help our local businesses by giving the tools and assistance necessary to adapt and thrive in the coming year in order to meet the challenges that 2023 will inevitably bring.
Robin Wozniak is executive director of the West of the River Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about the chamber and its work, go online to westoftheriverchamber. com.
IN ADDITION, DURING 2023, West Springfield will continue its planning efforts towards the 2024 celebration of the 250th anniversary of the town’s incorporation in 1774.
A major infrastructure improvement that is set to break ground in 2023, following years of planning, development and public input is the redesign of Memorial Avenue, one of West Springfield’s main commercial corridors. The redesign will improve pedestrian and bicycle access as well as address safety concerns for one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the city.
Another major infrastructure improvement that will begin in 2023 is the redesign of the intersection of Westfield and Elm streets along Route 20, located at the center of the city’s Central Business District. The redesign will include a traffic
circle replacing the current intersection, which will also improve pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular circulation in the downtown area.
Over the past several years, West Springfield has seen a resurgence of businesses opening and expanding in the downtown area, and the redesigned intersection will enhance the city’s efforts to revitalize its Central Business District.
2023 will see the opening of at least three new restaurants in West Springfield: West Side Bar and Grill, located downtown on Elm Street; Caffeine’s Midtown, also located downtown on Westfield Street; and Wood-n-Tap, located on Riverdale Street (at the former Carrabba’s property).
In addition, the city recently amended its ordinances to allow for the retail sale of marijuana. Six entities submitted proposals in response to the
city’s request for proposals and at least two businesses will be selected by the city in early 2023 to proceed with the permitting process.
West Springfield will continue its economic development efforts by advertising through a request for proposals the seven additional liquor licenses the city recently obtained through the special legislation process, with the approval of the state Legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker. These additional licenses are focused on the downtown Central Business District and the Route 20 neighborhood business corridor. Details regarding the application process will be released to the public in the coming months.
Planning efforts for the 2024 celebration of the 250th anniversary of the town’s incorporation are already well underway and will intensify significantly in 2023. A planning committee has been
named, with the town’s chief of operations Carly Camossi and community member Sarah Calabrese, who is the resource development director at Boys & Girls Club of West Springfield, serving as co-chairs.
The committee has already planned several events — one for each month of 2024 — and continues to seek public input and sponsorship support for the celebration. Businesses or residents can email celebrate250@tows.org for additional information regarding planning activities or sponsorship opportunities.
In addition, my administration will release another legislative package to the council, which will focus again on updating existing regulatory schemes to meet the needs of the 21st century, with a flexibility to integrate innovation without losing the character of this community.
This pond sits in the former Tuckahoe Turf Farm property in Agawam. The 292-acre property along Pine Street will include rehabilitation to the existing dam, preserving the pond for fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Walking paths and bike trails will also be developed. It is the planned first phase of a project to be carried out in 2023 and 2024. (TOWN OF AGAWAM PHOTO) William P. Sapelli Above, Robert Alger, project manager at NV5, gives West Springfield Mayor William C. Reichelt a tour of the new Philip G. Coburn Elementary School in May 2022. The new school debuted for the 2022-2023 school year. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO) Left, West Springfield Mayor William C. Reichelt and District 2 Councilor Mike LaFlamme join Nalinee Ninsri, Jirawat Ninsri and Darin Kantarattanakul for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the grand opening for Thai Shallot restaurant at 2260 Westfield St. in May 2022. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)
years I have written this column looking forward to the coming year. After two years under the threat of COVID, it feels like we’re finally out of the woods. As I look back on the past year and forward into the next, I have been struck by one word that continues to resonate: Resiliency.
We often use “resiliency” in public policy discussions, but, typically, it’s in terms of climate change. To be clear we’re building a city that is more prepared to withstand the increasingly erratic and severe weather that comes with climate change; Easthampton has major road, sewer, and wastewater projects scheduled through at least 2030.
Easthampton’s first comprehensive Climate Action Plan will be created, cataloging what steps we take next to minimize carbon output while maximizing impact. It helps plan for assertively negotiating solar PILOTS, electrifying the city fleet and migrating to more efficient water, sewer and wastewater technology. Each
of these projects is meant to future-proof our city against the changes in the world around us, creating a cleaner environment as well as expanding economic development possibilities in the coming years.
Just as we’re building a city that is more prepared for the changes we’re seeing in the climate, we’re making those same investments in our future through building new schools that will better prepare our children for the next economy and the changing world that we’re all experiencing. Similarly, we’re bringing in new businesses and new development to ensure that our tax base grows and remains strong in the coming years.
The new Tasty Top development is turning underutilized property into dynamic, mixeduse space that will welcome hundreds of new residents to our city. The Massachusetts LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce has chosen our city to open a regional office because they recognize the type of ecosystem we’re building in Easthampton. While this might seem to be a small thing to some, the chamber is an open and willing partner, working to solve problems for local business owners and will help attract new businesses to our city. Their presence in Easthampton signals there is a safe space to incubate where there was not in the past. The Chamber is an open, willing partner to solve problems and build bridges among stakeholders. Easthampton welcomes and supports their work.
Adapting to rapid market changes, Blueprint Easthampton’s operations move to our longtime partner, the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce. This deep partnership allows programming to expand and diversify, including English and Spanish curricula. On the city side, we’re
going to use dynamic data to drive our decisions in municipal decisions around issues like parking, plowing and potholes.
Data is the new currency of a municipality. Fresh, constantly updated data drives us forward — tracking how our infrastructure is holding up depending on current traffic patterns, who accesses what city facilities and who does not, correlating speeding with accidents. Data will drive Easthampton’s decisions for future investments, expenditures, and services.
Throughout the pandemic we were able to respond in real time to spikes in COVID positivity, growing out Department of Public Health by 300%; similarly, we can use data to provide improved and
more timely, appropriate city services to address the needs of our residents.
From a municipal planning viewpoint, 2023 brings the first coordinated review of our spending, division of labor, operations, and policies starting with the internal workings of City Hall. In early 2023, the city and School Department are undergoing an audit to identify inefficiencies, overlap, and undetected bias.
One deliverable will be an outwardly-facing dashboard with key community indicators. This will provide an extra layer of transparency that will allow residents to track outcomes along with city officials. This is just one of the ways we are looking ahead, planning for the time when federal
funding dries up, doing our best to prepare for the “cliff effect” that is going to impact so many cities and towns. Ultimately a stronger Easthampton means more resilient businesses, organizations and people. Like any ecosystem, diversity ensures longevity and strength. We will only continue to grow as a resilient city if we continue to change, to adapt and to include more voices in the conversation. Change is not on its way; change is a constant. Let’s embrace it together for collective resilience.
Nicole LaChapelle is mayor of Easthampton. To learn more about the city and its economic development initiatives, visit the municipal website, easthamp tonma.gov.
ANEW YEAR BRINGS us new opportunities. What does the outlook for 2023 look like? Well, I do see some bumps ahead, but I see successful businesses who are versed in adapting at a moment’s notice and are prepared to overcome challenges that may arise. We are stronger because of where we have been and what we have learned.
ALTHOUGH THE Chamber of Greater Easthampton had already been working on how we might evolve to better serve our membership and community at large, it became clear that one way we could do that was to refine a purpose-driven mission around economic development through such means as: professional development; leadership education; WorkHub on Union; relationship building; resource navigation; business resource connection; technical assistance; educational programing; marketing-promotion; and entrepreneurial support.
This is a big endeavor, but we are well on our way
For instance, we have launched our online marketplace, Easthampton Shop Where I Live. This is a very exciting, hyper-local
ecommerce opportunity for chamber members as well as non-members providing Easthampton-based businesses or members of the creative community the opportunity to offer online shopping. Easthampton Shop Where I Live provides the customer with the ability to shop multiple Easthampton businesses with one cart, one check out.
When I last spoke of the WorkHub on Union project we were in the feasibility study phase of things. Well, I am excited to share that we are now in phase two of the project and actively seeking funding to proceed with the buildout of the Chamber’s co-workspace, with the intention of starting construction as soon as possible.
We are extremely excited about the WorkHub and the potential for expanded entrepreneurial and small business
support and educational programing!
Mind Your Own Business, the chamber podcast, also enters into its fourth year as we head into 2023. This is where I get to have conversations with chamber members, entrepreneurs, local thought leaders and business leaders and all who have an interesting story to tell. My main drive is to get to know who they are, what they do and most importantly why they do it! So, if you haven’t already checked us out anywhere you get your podcasts! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Hampshire County Tourism Guide. I am extremely proud to be chair of the production committee and what we have consistently produced. This guide is displayed in 200-plus hotels, museums, attractions and more in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York,
including Grand Central Station. It is also included on area campuses for alumni, families, and conferences. There is also an online guide that anyone can access! It is our mission to promote as well as acquaint visitors both local and from afar with the wonders and excitement of Hampshire County! These are but a few of the programs the Chamber has been working on to ensure that our members, businesses, and entrepreneurs not only “survive” but indeed thrive while building the tools necessary for long-term sustainability and confidence when up against the next disruption how ever that may arise!
Maureen “Moe” Belliveau is executive director of the Chamber of Greater Easthampton. To learn more about the chamber and its work, go online to easthamptonchamber.org.
The East of the River FiveTown Chamber of Commerce looks forward to continued growth and building successful business and strong communities for a vibrant 2023. Our goal is to build communities that promote businesses, bring visitors to our area, in hopes that those visitors become residents and investors in the prosperity of the five towns we serve. We are proud of the growth and development of our businesses.
In 2022, we celebrated milestone anniversaries for our members, and we are proud to say that when time came for growth and expansion they stayed in the communities where they began their dream.
There is no business like small- to midsize businesses, and they are top on our agenda. We look for opportunities to leverage our platforms to promote their mission and vision. As we step into the new year we continue to partner with other chambers and look for resources that help enhances business in our community. Through our partnership with other chambers, we bring opportunities to learn, grow
Grace Baroneand connect with fellow business owners and community members. When communities flourish everybody wins. Uniting with our neighbors through the common bond of chamber crates a stronger voice for Western Massachusetts.
The ERC5 offers welcoming and purposeful opportunities to polish up on our businesses skills and catch up with other industry leaders through our signature events. We offer in person networking resources monthly. Networking events provide opportunities for us to come together, connect with friends, and engage in conversations that challenge us to think creatively.
ERC5 Chamber’s mission is to unite businesses and community. Our continued goal is to provide our businesses the resources they need to move forward, and the only way we can do this is with the continued support of the businesses and communities within the five towns we serve.
Grace Barone is executive director of the East of the River-Five Town Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about the chamber and its work, go online to erc5.com.
“We will only continue to grow as a resilient city if we continue to change, to adapt and to include more voices in the conversation. Change is not on its way; change is a constant. Let’s embrace it together for collective resilience.”At left, the Chamber of Greater Easthampton website. Maureen Belliveau
From the moment the commonwealth began to ease COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, Northampton’s response has been simple: bring people back safely to both of its downtowns.
Downtown Northampton has long been a vibrant center of commerce, entertainment and dining in the heart of Western Massachusetts. However, in early 2020 in Northampton, as elsewhere, pressures on local businesses increased as the pandemic caused people to move to remote work, shifted even more shopping habits online, prompted some venerable businesses to choose the moment to retire and close their doors, and generally made people concerned to attend gatherings. This dramatically decreased the number of trips people made to downtown Northampton and Florence, significantly stressed
Northampton’s treasured downtown businesses and reduced the city’s local tax receipts and parking revenue.
The way to bring people back has been to support great outdoor entertainment and experience-based initiatives of all kinds. Northampton’s pandemic recovery has been a model for public and private partnerships. The city and the business community forged a tight relationship to be nimble and responsive to changing circumstances downtown.
In the spring of 2020, thanks to desperately needed infusions of
resources from the state and federal government, the city quickly stood up outdoor dining in the public way to define a new way to attract customers to Northampton’s restaurants. The city also offered direct assistance to local businesses struggling to survive in the form of small grants, as well as distributing personal protective equipment, exemptions from fees and regulations, free parking, and other creative initiatives.
By the spring of 2021, the spirit of collaboration deepened as Northampton businesses got creative, and the city continued to prioritize programming downtown events in close partnership with the Northampton Arts & Culture Department and the Downtown Northampton Association. The city supported the innovative Summer on Strong initiative that saw Strong Avenue, home of multiple restaurants, close to vehicular traffic for the season to allow for a pedestrian and outdoor dining promenade with
live music several times a week. The installation was a smashing success, with all of Main Street benefiting from the increased traffic generated by the beautiful streetscape and the desire to enjoy the cozy downtown respite.
In 2022, (we) spearheaded the next phase of Northampton’s recovery efforts, financially supporting the city and its downtown partners’ focus on providing exciting entertainment opportunities outside.
Again, with the generous aid of state programs like Regional Economic Development Organization rounds and other state and federal grants, the city of Northampton successfully launched a new outdoor community gathering space on upper Main Street for food and music (Masonic Street Live), added public seating and provided additional tangible support (funding and booking entertainment, planters, flowers and more) to the immensely popular Summer on Strong outdoor dining program, actively programmed
WALKING THE length of Main Street in downtown Northampton, one might stroll quiet sidewalks and pass empty storefronts and wonder whether Northampton’s best days are behind us — whether a looming recession on top of a challenging period of COVID recovery might be the final nail in some sort of economic coffin. At least that’s what skeptics would like to believe.
But as we continue to navigate the long-lasting impacts of COVID while wrestling with the prospect of a recession, our downtown community is not just surviving or recovering — we are growing.
Like the proverbial crocus that pushes through the snow as a harbinger of spring, signs of new energy are popping up all over Northampton and we’re claiming it: 2023 is going to be a magical year.
As we entered the new year, I hoped to avoid using words that became so prevalent during the pandemic: pivot, resilience — and yet I’m relying on those same words to convey the obstacles our community continues to confront. The economic reality in Northampton: declining sales as customers rein in personal spending together with a panoply of cost increases (higher labor costs, rising gas prices, inflation) is tightening small business budgets. Tighter budgets mean less money to spend on staff, smaller marketing budgets, reduced offerings and price increases.
Sound familiar? These financial challenges have become commonplace since the
start of the pandemic — but at least this time we’re armed.
Weathering COVID has made our small businesses resilient, experienced pros who, having survived the pandemic, are not about to let the threat of a recession close them. Many adaptations made to business practices during COVID have left our business community better able to weather eco -
nomic storms:
Stronger online presence: One of the community-wide changes brought about by COVID was an increase in online presence for all of our small businesses. For some, it was their first foray into online sales; for others, an opportunity to expand online capability. Looking to order something for your child’s birthday? It’s now as easy to order from A2Z Science & Learning Store as it is to order from Amazon.
Diversified offerings: Restaurants who once were dine-in, now offer take-out; others have expanded to offer ‘pantry’ selections in addition to meals. Debating ordering breakfast? Order from Jake’s and you can not only order breakfast, but grab eggs, milk,
house-made vinaigrettes, pancake mix and more at the same time.
Receptive customers: Shop Local was an important pre-pandemic sentiment, but the toll that COVID took on small businesses highlighted this need. While customers may be spending fewer dollars, they are more conscious about where and how they spend. This translates into spending at small, independent businesses because they offer higher-quality goods, a more personalized experience and because communities now truly recognize the difference purposeful spending can make, and the potential loss to the uniqueness of a downtown when a small business closes.
But we are not just tightening our belts and hunkering down to weather another economically challenging time. Our downtown community is welcoming new businesses, celebrating the expansion of others, hosting events and looking forward to new projects breaking ground. Since the start of COVID, we have had over 42 businesses open here in Northampton.
A highlight: Tellus & the Satellite Bar, who has taken over space in the lower level of Thornes Marketplace, is one of several establishments bringing true night-life back to downtown Northampton. Looking to dance after 10 p.m. in downtown Northampton? Now you can.
Right on Main Street, Spill the Tea Sis Apothecary has burst onto the scene, filling their cozy space with genuine warmth and expanding to offer monthly events with a huge following. Downtown’s newest business, Splendor Solis Books, just opened its delightfully welcoming doors on Market Street.
Retail and restaurants aren’t the only areas experiencing growth: the Parlor Room kicked off 2023 by establishing itself as a nonprofit and school of music. They continue to book a fabulous mix of artists to perform, and have added a wide variety of classes and workshops that enable the community to engage with the Parlor Room in a new and exciting way. Hidden from sight for now are several new businesses
Pulaski Park with music and dancing events, relaunched the Taste of Northampton to overwhelming success earlier this fall — nearly 10,000 attended — and supported the relaunch of the popular Florence Night Out, a celebration of the art, music, performance, and businesses of the city’s other downtown in the village of Florence. These initiatives helped increase foot traffic during the daylight and evening hours, bringing more life back to the downtown corridor. Every metric Northampton measures has improved thanks to these efforts, including rebounding local receipt tax collection figures to near pre-pandemic levels. In addition, the city earned a designation as a Vacant Storefront District as part of the Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program. Businesses or individuals looking to lease and occupy a vacant storefront in the district may apply to the city and the state for financial incentives and tax credits.
IF 2022 WASN’T CONFUSING ENOUGH WITH A bulging recession in the midst of a roaring recovery, then one might wonder how any business or organization can survive and thrive in 2023.
As we settle into this new year, the economic outlook couldn’t seem more dire: record inflation; rising interest rates; stock market declines; and massive layoffs. And let’s not forget all the other challenges businesses have been grappling with since the start of the pandemic, including workforce shortages and supply chain issues.
It’s not a rosy picture, especially for businesses that are still struggling. But the past three years have taught us that “pivot” is the name of the game during these uncertain times, that optimism and opportunity go hand in hand, and that resilience requires big changes to old processes and new investments in tools and technologies that create competitive advantages. As a mission-minded organization for a thriving economy and community, the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce is here for the challenge and stand ready to continue to support our business community.
Every year, we rally around three simple yet powerful themes — create connections, foster collaborations and build community — to advance the chamber mission. We then reflect on lessons learned as we consider ways to bring innovation to our programs and leverage technology to enhance our delivery.
To create connections, our monthly Arrive@5 networking events are currently attracting
over 100 people who want to build personal relationships. Many of our solopreneurs and small business owners tell us that these events help them find practical solutions and resources to navigate through common challenges or overcome obstacles. By partnering with a different investor (member) each month who serves as the Arrive@5 host, we in turn introduce host businesses to new prospective customers. Also, our supporting sponsors stay connected and visible in the community.
Through our Link & Learn educational series, we are equipping businesses and individuals with hyper-local insights and expert advice on various topics that range from how to improve operations to how to attract new business or capitalize on a trend or opportunity. An important distinction is that our experts are local and they bring a level of understanding and relevance to the discussion that provides for a more engaged, interactive, and fully involved experience for attendees. The best part is that the tips, tricks, templates, and tools that a participant might get from a Link & Learn event are all absolutely free and open to the community at large, not just investors of the chamber.
One example of how the chamber is fostering collaborations is through its Vibrancy Project — a 20-month long initiative that was launched last May by the chamber’s Economic Development Committee and will continue through the end of 2023. Led by a diverse group of key stakeholders, local leaders, and volunteers, the project is designed to achieve two primary goals: (1) help revitalize Northampton’s downtown business community and surrounding commercial areas,
AT THE BEGINNING OF 2020, the city of Greenfield was poised for a rebirth and revitalization of its business, manufacturing and commercial environment. New restaurants were opening and thriving in our compact, walkable downtown area along with recently established entertainment venues, providing art, music and stage performances.
Our industrial park, although completely built out, is home to many businesses and advanced manufacturers, most with deep roots and long-term stability in Greenfield, providing hundreds of jobs. We embraced and were ready to let the world know of our “rurban” city at the crossroads of Route 2 and Interstate 91, situated as we are among the hills and rivers of beautiful Franklin County.
Greenfield offers the best of a rural-plus-urban lifestyle for residents and visitors, with its hospital, Baystate Franklin and medical centers; downtown YMCA complex; its community college, Greenfield Community College; and its transportation center, the John Olver Transit Center providing bus service to area residents along with daily Amtrak rail service to New York City and Montreal.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed many things about the city’s economic development plans for the short term, nearly all of 2020 and the first half of 2021, but it did not change the grit, determination and resiliency of its business and government leaders. Throughout those months my administration, working with community and economic development director, MJ Adams, put into place as many business viability and revitalization programs as possible with the help of state and federal money intended to pump life into our economy and sustain our businesses, which were feeling the stresses and challenges amid the shutdowns and lingering uncertainties of the COVID virus and its variants.
During that time, the city also broke ground on a new $20 mil-
lion library and solidified a location for its new $21 million fire station. Both buildings are located on Main Street at the east end and west end. Construction continues on both buildings, and the library will open in early summer of this year and the fire station will open in early 2024. These projects are a testament to willingness of Greenfield citizens to fund essential services that serve our city and surrounding communities. We believe that investment sends the right message to developers and businesses interested in locating in Greenfield.
Today, the city remains resilient and focused on setting the stage for continued economic development. It has a robust downtown redevelopment strategy focused on transformational change incorporating available housing, retail, and commercial opportunities. The recent sale of a downtown anchor building, Wilson’s department store, is pivotal in that transformation.
“Wilson’s has long been an anchor in our downtown and its closure a few years ago certainly left us with a gap,” I said at a press conference after the sale in November. “We, in the city, could not let this property remain vacant and sought to work with any party that wanted to go along with our vision for a livable, walkable, downtown, with a more centrally located workforce and income-adjusted housing.”
Working in partnership with the Community Builders, MassDevelopment and the Franklin Community Cooperative (Green Fields Market), the city invested in and facilitated the acquisition of the property to provide 65 new units of workforceand income-adjusted housing, a new expanded location for the grocery market, and eventual additional retail space on Chapman Street.
The Community and Economic Development Department continue to work with downtown property owners where we can in order to
promote upper-story redevelopment for housing and offices. An entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in two co-workspaces on Main Street. The food manufacturing and distribution sectors are fueled by our local farm-to-production pipeline at the Franklin County CDC.
More planned industrial space is on the way! Although developable land at the I-91 Industrial Park is sparse, the city is working on a single, large lot expansion in the park and continues to work with the Greenfield Planning Department to rezone a 40-plus acre section across Route 2A from the I-91 Industrial Park, with easy on-and-off access to Route 2 and I-91 as additional planned industrial space geared to attracting more advanced manufacturers.
Roxann Wedegartner is mayor of Greenfield. To learn more about Greenfield and its economic development initiatives, go online to the municipal website, greenfield-ma.gov.
IF I NEVER SAY THE word ‘pivot’ again, it will be too soon.
Even now, nearly three years after the pandemic began, the word ‘pivot’ still seems to creep its way into almost every conversation I have with business leaders, most of whom, tend to share my disdain both for the word and what it represents.
And for good reason. With an economic winter in the forecast, an organization’s ability to pivot and adapt in 2023 will likely be as critical as it was back in 2020. Area small business leaders will need to strategically adjust products, services, practices and policies to stay relevant and competitive in an ever-evolving market.
This is especially true in rural communities across the United States. Many of us had not yet fully recovered from the Great Recession when the pandemic hit. Surviving businesses have been rewarded with inflation, staffing shortages, supply chain issues, an offensive lack of affordable child care (and fair wages for said child care workers), a housing crisis, an aging population, and transportation barriers, all of which have the individual potential to
debilitate our small businesses and the communities they call home.
But, of course, with challenge comes opportunity and, in Franklin County, our ability to pivot is made possible by my favorite ‘P’ word — partnership.
Partnership is Franklin County’s superpower.
Arguably, access to a strong, local network has never been more critical to our individual or our collective success.
Franklin County businesses lean on local resources for locally sourced solutions and are supported by our chamber and our collaborative regional partners like the Franklin County Community Development Corp., the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, MassHire, Common Capital, Community Involved
in Sustaining Agriculture and Greenfield Community College to name a few.
We are all welcoming 2023 with a steadfast commitment to our communities. At the Chamber, we ambitiously sought out to create even more marketing, networking, and educational opportunities to support our member businesses and nonprofits. We closed out 2022 with new leadership, new programming, and a new identity.
Our new Franklin County Chamber of Commerce logo is a visual reminder that our chamber connects the dots for all 26 of the Franklin County communities we serve.
As Franklin County’s Regional Tourism Council, we are attracting legions of firsttime Franklin County fans with our new “More to Franklin County” brand, which is the foundation for our new standalone tourism website debuting this February. In December, we received the exciting news that the state Office of Tourism and Travel awarded our fiscal 2023 regional tourism council grant application a 75% increase in funding over last year, allowing us to launch our most aggressive marketing plan to date. We are encouraged by
the commonwealth’s investment in Western Massachusetts and the endorsement of our plan to increase the $79 million tourism brings into Franklin County each year.
With premier destinations like Yankee Candle, Historic Deerfield, Berkshire East, Crumpin-Fox Golf Course, the Green River Festival and Tree House Brewing Co., sprinkled in every corner of the county, there is always more to explore here for both visitors and residents alike.
Franklin County is also famously home to some of the most beautiful outdoor recreational parks in the state, and we look forward to expanding our partnership with our WMass Outdoor collaboration with Hampshire County and partnering with the newly-established state Office of Outdoor Recreation to enhance outdoor adventure opportunities locally and support the associated eco -
nomic, environmental, and quality of life benefits they bring. Outdoor recreation creates healthier communities and healthier economies, and we are hopeful that the office will drive growth for the sector and for jobs across the region.
Franklin County has long been known as a great place to relax and unplug, but thanks to new broadband high-speed internet access, disconnection is now optional, not required. For decades, many Franklin County households and businesses struggled as they lived in towns without last mile broadband access. As celebrated by Gov. Charlie Baker in December in Ashfield, towns across north-western Massachusetts, including Franklin County, now have high speed internet access. In fact, out of the 26 municipalities in Franklin County, 10 have fiber-to-the-premise broad-
band networks. This access to last mile broadband has removed a significant barrier for families, entrepreneurs, and businesses interested in Franklin County.
Franklin County’s beautiful farms, robust craft beverage scene, thriving arts and culture industry, and great restaurants and shopping only add to the attraction. Franklin County has it all. Healthy industries, a growing creative economy, a deep talent pool, golf courses, bike paths, river views, history combined with innovation, and unlimited market potential. Whatever 2023 holds, I know that Franklin County businesses will innovate, collaborate, and yes, pivot, to thrive in an ever-changing economic landscape.
Left, Greenfield City Hall. Below, storefronts on Main Street in downtown Greenfield include the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center at 289 Main St. Hawks & Reed features multiple venues within a single space, along with a co-working center. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)The building was originally built on spec by an-out-of town investor during the 1980s with the now-defunct Bank of Boston becoming its major tenant. Current tenants include MassLive, the Spirit of Springfield, the University of Massachusetts Honors College students Art and City Program run by John Smith, and Palazzo’s Café.
Plotkin, whose building overlooks Court Square, is a Western Massachusetts history buff and art lover. Keenly aware of his family’s legacy of promoting the revitalization of the city, his business sponsors the annual Jazz & Roots Festival.
Both Dill and Plotkin have witnessed the ups and downs of the region’s commercial real estate market and are wellequipped to weather any headwinds on the horizon.
In the post-COVID world, they are sizing up what customers want and need. In many cases, they said, tenants are seeking a smaller office imprint, new space configurations and improved amenities.
Plotkin said the hybrid workplace — working from home and spending a few days a week in the office — is still common, although one of his tenants has closed an office altogether because the company’s workers have been more productive at home, he said. In an unconventional move, he added, Plotkin helped two tenants merge into one space
because one had too much space and the other didn’t have enough. “Employers are more sensitive to employees’ needs,” Dill said, adding that his company is undertaking a new design for its second floor of its six-floor building.
With more people working from home, space that employers once occupied is no longer needed, Dill said. “The jury is out on the open floor plan,” he added. “We are going to see smaller meeting rooms and more windows that bring natural light into the building.”
The ebb and flow of activity in office market in Western Massachusetts mirrors statewide trends identified in the Future of Work Report
commissioned by the BakerPolito adminstration to evaluate the ways COVID-19 has changed work habits across the commonwealth.
The June 2021 state study, prepared by McKinsey and Co., found that around “a third of Massachusetts residents can work remotely — a higher percentage than other states — because of a high share of jobs in sectors
lending themselves to remote work such as technology and professional services.”
The report also found that remote workers could continue with hybrid work going forward. “The impact to urban cores will depend on the extent of this hybrid work. A day of remote work per week could have modest impact, while an average of three days or more of remote work per week would have more significant impact,” the report said.
While the Greater Springfield commercial real
estate market faces some of the same influences as the market in larger national markets, including Boston, Dill said the local market is smaller and more manageable. “All real estate is local,” he said.
Class A office space in Springfield now commands about $20-a-square-foot, compared to comparable buildings in Greater Boston that rent for between $70and $80-a-square-foot.
The shrinking in-office workforce will impact how much space employers
need, posing a challenge for commercial real estate professionals whose profitability is tied to low vacancy rates.
“It’s all supply and demand,” Plotkin said.
Two unpredictable variables that could impact the office rental market this year are the recent climb in interest rates — and rising reconstruction costs due to supply-chain problems, Plotkin said.
Dill said he expects more activity in the office market this year. “I expect that
workers will spend four days a week in the office and one day at home,” he said. Plotkin also believes the lure of the office will also draw workers back to downtown offices. “Working at home at the kitchen table can get pretty stale,” he said, adding that he thinks working remotely is a temporary situation. When workers come back in full force, they will be greeted with the dynamic downtown streets filled with coffee shops, restaurants and retail stores.
support.
We are also fortunate to have Witalisz Real Estate and Park Square Real Estate; whose agents are very active in the charitable and community endeavors of the various city organization, including Westfield on Weekends largest event, PumpkinFest. Westfield strives to provide the business market with a safe place to live, work and play. In partnership with the Westfield Chamber of Commerce, led by Eric Oulette, and Peter Miller’s community development office at City Hall, more than a dozen new businesses opened their doors in 2022, with several more due to open in the first months of 2023.
Mina’s Wine and Spirits continued its sponsorship of a
weekly concert series organized by Artworks of Westfield, and a few retailers on School Street, including Hillside Chic and Be Bella Boutique, are gaining popularity with the help of cross promotion and marketing campaigns and special events.
Other businesses hit significant milestones. It has been 40 years since Pinsley Railroad acquired Pioneer Valley Railroad, and they are still on track.
North Elm Butcher Block celebrated its 75th anniversary, and is going strong, thanks in part to the innovation of adding a food truck to their list of services.
Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport, in its 99th year of operation, is continuing to grow.
While the Bismarck was originally a hotel in the 1860s and throughout most if its life, it has evolved over its 160 years and is now home to several small
retail businesses, including Pilgrim Candle, which has been in operation for more than 30 years. These, and many other longstanding businesses have navigated tough times before, and their resilience is once again proving itself in these challenging times. Columbia Manufacturing is more than 150 years old!
During the height of the pandemic and in the months since, several of our wonderful service organizations stepped up to partner with the Westfield Public Schools to help feed children, seniors, and families when there was a need.
Tina Gorman and her team at the Westfield Senior Center, Bill Parks’ and Bo Sullivan’s team at the Westfield Boys and Girls Club, Andrea Allard and her team at the YMCA and Rebecca Hart, of the
Westfield Food Pantry, are at the forefront of these efforts and they have done their best to ensure that those who suffer food insecurity have a reliable source of nutritious meals.
A healthy local economy is driven by a healthy community that takes care of each other and supports our local businesses. By weaving charitable efforts and fostering a sense of community with solid, innovative business practices, Westfield has survived the last few years of a difficult economy.
Looking ahead, I know that by continuing to do so will carry us through whatever challenges we face. In recent months,
a new initiative to improve relations between Westfield State University has emphasized this sentiment. Residents and representatives from the business community, the city, the university, and several community cultural partners have united to carve out ways to build mutually beneficial relationships that will impact economic development, and quality of life. This effort captures the spirit of Westfield. Together we are better, and we are better together.
Michael McCabe is mayor of the city of Westfield. To learn more about the city and its economic development plans, go online to cityofwestfield.org.
“Employers are more sensitive to employees’ needs.
The jury is out on the open floor plan. We are going to see smaller meeting rooms and more windows that bring natural light into the building.”
B. JOHN DILL, CEO, COLEBROOK REALTY SERVICES
“I expect that workers will spend four days a week in the office and one day at home. ... Working at home at the kitchen table can get pretty stale”B. John Dill
we are actively working on implementing the projects, programs and initiatives that have been awarded funding.
Springfield will have all of its funding committed well before the federal deadline of December 2024, and I am confident our funding will be fully allocated by the stipulated 2026 deadline.
Construction activity continues in Springfield despite the pandemic-related supply chain issues and increased cost of materials. Big Y’s work on their new downtown location at Tower Square has commenced and, once completed, will end the food desert condition that has challenged those living in downtown for decades.
A true dining district is taking root around Worthington Street with the addition of three fantastic new restaurants in the past few months alone with more to come.
The demolition of the old Civic Center garage has been completed and the construction of a new state-of-the-art garage has now commenced.
The new garage will be so much more than just a garage. It will have significant amenities, including ground-floor retail and restaurant space. The garage will look out on to active open space that will be programed with entertainment and retail uses. Further, Bruce Landon Way will also become activated programming space for the MassMutual Center, as needed.
All of these efforts are to enhance the connections between the city’s museums and the cultural amenities in the heart of downtown. Highlighting this is the city’s significant investment in open space and public infrastructure in and around Court Square, Main Street and Court Street, which will further enhance public engagement with the park, allow for larger public events on Court Street and stimulate additional economic development within the area. Construction on that project will begin this coming spring.
The redevelopment of 31
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with the chamber and its vast accomplishments for the region since its opening. We’re looking forward to shining a light on the various industries in the new year, including nonprofits and tourism.
We were also thrilled to host our dynamic, signature events, such as Fire & Ice, highlighting the region’s diversely talented restaurant industry. Last year, our Annual Meeting spotlighted members’ contributions to the region, including our Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year, Evan Plotkin. We connected with our incredible legislative delegation and other government officials at our government reception, heard directly about the local economy of neighboring communities at our Mayor’s Forum and celebrated the success of our region’s most successful businesses at our Super 60 Luncheon. These events brought people together in a room full of energy and enthusiasm made even more vibrant by years apart.
This coming year will be one of connection. I have made it my top priority to meet as many members as possible, to learn about their business or organization and begin building strong collaborations throughout Hampden County.
Most notably, I am endeavoring to work closely with the other chambers in our area, knowing that partnering will benefit all our members. We sought to deepen relationships with existing members, celebrated the commitment of long-time members’ anniversaries, and welcomed many new members into the Springfield Regional Chamber fold. This, in part, is due to our re-established Ambassador Program. We’re thrilled to extend our reach through our Chamber Ambassadors.
Elm St. as market-rate housing continues in earnest as does the redevelopment of the Knox Building in Mason Square as affordable housing.
Springfield continues to rebuild and renovate its schools with construction advancing on the new state-of-the-art
$95 million DeBerry-Swan School. A request for proposals has gone out to the real estate development community, both nationally and locally, regarding the redevelopment of the Colonial Block and the Masonic Building on Main and State streets and a third, smaller office building on Stockbridge Street. Bringing economic life back to these buildings through adaptive reuse which is complementary to the Main Street Convention Center District is a key priority of my economic development team in the coming year.
The city’s neighborhood commercial districts were significantly impacted by pandemic. As we come into spring residents will see millions invested into planned improvement projects throughout the city. These improvements include infrastructure, traffic controls, open space, lighting, tree planting and trimming, just to name a few. Reinvestment in neighborhood commercial districts and the small businesses within
In the coming year, the Springfield Regional Chamber will once again amplify the voices of the local business community by setting a member-driven legislative agenda and tapping the resources of our Legislative Steering Committee to advocate on behalf of our region. We will focus on healthcare, workplace and workforce, budget and tax policy, energy, infrastructure and environment.
Additionally, the chamber recognizes that workforce issues will continue to be the biggest challenges for our member businesses. We will convene leaders in education, training, employment, and rehabilitation with local industry leaders with an eye to breaking down barriers to employment and creating a
provides residents with direct access to goods and services and enhances neighborhood identity.
The housing development pipeline in Springfield is strong with 424 housing units expected to be developed in the city in 2023, with 22 home-ownership units and 402 multifamily residential rental units.
In 2022 the Baker-Polito Administration closed the book on a gubernatorial administration that was marked by outstanding leadership and significant
accomplishment, especially for our Springfield. Throughout their tenure they kept a close eye on the often-forgotten needs of Western Massachusetts, particularly Springfield. 2023 brings new, but highly experienced leadership at the Statehouse. The election of Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll was indeed historic and consequential. I look forward to working with them in addressing the needs of Springfield at the state level such as east-west rail, econom-
Left, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, left, joins then-Gov. Charlie Baker, first lady Lauren Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito as they tour progress on the 31 Elm St. project in Springfield’s Court Square on Sept. 22, 2022. The $62.8 million project will see the 13-31 Elm St. property transformed into housing, office and retail space. Additional streetscape and sidewalk work is planned.
(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)
more prepared and resourceful workforce.
All these initiatives, partnerships, and exciting programs are imperative to continue to allow us to do what we do best: serve our members and provide them with the tools
they need to navigate recovery challenges. We’re thrilled to continue our work in the coming year and look forward to advocating on behalf of our members to make the Greater Springfield Region a stronger, health-
ier, and brighter place.
Diana Szynal is president of the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about the chamber and its work, go online to springfield regionalchamber.com.
Above, officials smash concrete during a ceremony to decommission the old Civic Center Parking garage in downtown Springfield on Aug. 29, 2022, to make way for a new facility. From left are state Rep. Bud L. Williams, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, then-Gov. Charlie Baker, state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, state secretary of administration and finance Michael Heffernan, then-Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and David M. Gibbons, executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.
Left, former state Rep. Benjamin Swan, D-Springfield, left, gets set to attach the steel beam for the topping-off ceremony at the new Deberry-Swan School on Union Street in January 2022. Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is on the right. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)
ic development and infrastructure investment.
In closing, I wish you and your families continued good healthy. After what our community has endured together these last few years, I encourage all of us to keep our families and loved ones a little closer, embrace each other a little tighter and to be more thankful for the things that enrich our lives each and every day.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to Springfield’s residents, busi-
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and (2) reinvest in Northampton as a regional destination for entertainment, shopping, and dining. The project focuses on five key areas to support job growth, promote downtown activities, encourage new business development, build buzz about events, and identify new funding sources for downtown activity. With a Travel & Tourism Recovery Grant by the state Office of Travel & Tourism when the Vibrancy Project was launched last May, the Greater Northampton chamber partnered with the Easthampton chamber to promote 27 summer festivals, outdoor dining pavilions and premier performance venues.
Based on tax receipts reported by the city of Northampton through the first six months of fiscal 2023 (May-October 2022), meals tax revenue grew 11.3% and lodging tax revenue increased by 12.9% in comparison to the same six-month period in the prior year. We believe the next phase of the Vibrancy Project
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The city continues to pursue efforts to modernize and enhance the services we provide to the public, including our school department’s continued emphasis on social emotional learning programs. Both the community and the school district have seen a significant influx of migrant and refugee families and we continue to work to ensure their needs for assistance and services are being met.
nesses and employees for their continued belief, investment, dedication and commitment to our city. I recognize and appreciate that Springfield would not be the great city that it is without the contributions made by each and every one of you. Thank you.
Domenic J. Sarno is mayor of the city of Springfield; to learn more about the city and its economic development initiatives, go online to springfield-ma. org.
can help generate the same kind of growth despite the current economic headwinds. And, finally, building community will matter just as much in 2023 as it has in previous years. We’re stronger together when we work collectively to keep local dollars local and build coalitions across neighboring communities. The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce will continue to work with our elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels to advocate for small businesses and non-profits, our travel and tourism economy and economic development in our city and county. The 2023 outlook may not be rosy, but the Northampton business community has demonstrated the grit and resilience necessary to navigate any challenges that may lie ahead. After all, resilience is the essence of being able to survive and thrive.
Vince Jackson is executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about the chamber and its work, go online to northamptonchamber.com.
In West Springfield, we continue to pursue all efforts and initiatives to ensure that West Springfield remains a community where it is desirable to raise a family, own a business and age with dignity. We are excited for everything that 2023 has in store for the community and hope to continue to thrive post-pandemic.
William C. Reichelt is mayor West Springfield. To learn more about West Springfield and its economic development initiatives, go online to townofwestspringfield.org.
backlog of candidates waiting to attend the police academy. Our second C-3 community policing unit will open in Willamansett this year, providing more extensive public safety coverage of that area.
Infrastructure projects and improvements are also on target for 2023. The Bemis Pond dam safety project with removal of the dams, removal of the pond and bringing the stream back to its original state is ready. These improvements will prevent washouts of Front Street and dam failure resulting in potential damage to our electric plant and service. Another infrastructure project is the continuing sewer separation and road reconstruction projects in Fairview. Funding has been dedicated to these projects and they will move toward competition.
Projects to make Chicopee more attractive to residents and businesses are moving forward. Chicopee will begin construction of the first post9/11 Service Dog Park for public use near the entrance
to Westover Air Reserve Base. The park will provide information on the qualities of service and what is needed to work as part of a unit. It will have stations that encourage reflection on what it means and what it takes to be of service. The first memorial we know of to service dogs will be included in the park to recognize the service dog contributions to our safety.
Recreational amenities will also be available at the park.
Development of housing will continue with the planning and permitting of the Main Street Baskin property for about 100 housing units and the Oak Street project will add housing units to the area as well. The Uniroyal site will be released for a request for proposals in the year ahead, completing years of
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Most recently, the city funded a bridge lighting project to artfully illuminate the railroad bridge over lower Main Street, with the goal of encouraging development of the area affectionately called “Paradise East” and connect Historic Northampton, the Northampton Center for the Arts and Market Street in the public consciousness with the rest of downtown.
As we look to the future, the city is working with local stakeholders to imagine a future for downtown that fits with today’s consumer wants and needs. Toward that end, the city plans to embark on a major state-supported redesign
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grant opportunities and ways that business owners can apply for funding for storefront improvements. Business owners were meeting their neighbors and we were able to hear how the chamber and TDI can support existing businesses while also creating an environment that encourages new business development.
Despite the challenges of this phase of the pandemic, and the challenge that chamber of commerce organizations across the country are experiencing in staying relevant, we have adapted our offerings in order to better serve our members. Now more than ever, business owners are seeking human connection and are eager to grow their networks and find opportunities to meet new people. We are thrilled to be able to continue to provide more in-person
Officials including then-Gov. Charlie Baker, right, and U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, to Baker’s right, view the 360-degree air traffic control simulator during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, on April 26, 2022, for the University of Massachusetts Amherst Aviation Research and Training Center at Westover Airport in Chicopee. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)
reclamation and brownfield remediation.
The Chicopee Clean City Initiative is a city- and community-led effort to promote a cleaner and greener environment in the city of Chicopee. The initiative aims to engage residents, businesses, and local organizations to take action toward reducing litter, increasing recycling, and beautifying the commu-
nity. The goal of the initiative is to create a cleaner and more sustainable environment for residents to enjoy, while also promoting economic development and pride in the community. The initiative encourages residents to report illegal dumping and to participate in clean-up events, and recycling programs. It also provides education and awareness about the importance of preserving the environment and promoting sustainable practices.
The old Center Library building has gone through planning and is ready for redevelopment. Plans call for it to be used as meeting space, potential office space for city commissions and departments and space for presentations. The Center Fresh market will use this space if weather prevents the outdoor market. Our educational infrastructure will also be improved
with the location of the school administration offices being reviewed and the start of the Anna Barry School building project. These projects will provide a long-term solution to the needs of the public school district. We will continue to engage our students and increase their interest in learning through expanded career technical education programs.
Chicopee continues to make progress through thoughtful, comprehensive planning and financing of projects and services. Challenges are being addressed and solutions are being developed to make Chicopee a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
John L. Vieau is mayor of Chicopee. To learn more about Chicopee and its economic development efforts, visit the municipal website, chicopeema.gov
Above, then-Gov. Charlie Baker, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, and Chicopee Mayor John L. Vieau join state and local leaders, along with leaders of the Air Reserve’s 439th Airlift Wing, on April 26, 2002, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of runway renovations. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)
Left, cars buzz through Chicopee Center by the City Hall and the Chicopee Center Library as the Christmas lights sparkle in this photo from 1986. The city is moving ahead in 2023 with plans to redevelop the library. The old Center Library building has gone through planning and is ready for redevelopment as meeting space, potential office space for city commissions and departments and space for presentations. (DAVE ROBACK / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)
project for Main Street in 2025 and 2026. The proposed model imagines businesses that provide hands-on consumer experiences in the commercial center, supported by greater amenities for bicycles and pedestrians, and less of a focus on supporting the automobile in the city center.
Whatever the next few years bring economically, residents and consumers alike can be confident that Northampton will continue to be a successful place to do business, and a wonderful place to live, shop, eat and experience exciting entertainment.
Gina-Louise Sciarra is mayor of Northampton. To learn more about the city, visit the municipal website, northamptonma.gov.
events that bring our community together and have a robust schedule planned for the year ahead.
Through funding from the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp., we will continue to provide customized oneon-one technical assistance for businesses struggling to navigate this new normal, free of charge for our members, Holyoke businesses, and EforAll/EparaTodos graduates.
To ensure that we encapsulate all members of our business community, we also will provide an interpreter as needed, again, these services are all complementary and a way for us to ensure that we are able to help business and economic growth in Holyoke.
Lastly, the Greater Holyoke Chamber is the leading organization behind the Holyoke Farmers Market. Our summer and winter markets help support small business farmers, crafters and artists and bring folks into our community. With the collaboration of
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headed to downtown Northampton later this year. JP Morgan Chase is in the process of renovating the space inside the former Silverscape Designs building in the heart of downtown, while ASSEMBLE is moving from Thornes Marketplace to an empty storefront at the corner of Main and Old South streets.
Lessons learned, changes made and partnerships formed during COVID are enabling our downtown community to not just survive the threat of a recession, but to navigate it with confidence while continuing to each play their unique role in making downtown Northampton the ever-evolving, creative, special place that it is.
Holyoke Health Center and Valley Transporter we provide free transportation services to and from the market at every affordable housing location in the city.
We are passionate about closing the food security gap in our community and we also are able to support our small businesses and provide them additional exposure to the community to help them grow.
2022 was certainly a year that faced many challenges, but when we all come together as a community with strong leaders and passionate business owners, we are able to navigate and come out stronger than ever! I am so honored to lead the business community in an upwards direction through 2023.
Jordan Hart is executive director of the Greater Hoyoke Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about the chamber and its work, go online to holyokechamber.com.
Amy Cahillane is executive director of the Downtown Northampton Association. To learn more about the association, go online to northamptondna.com.
This 1971 view shows businesses along Holyoke’s High Street. In partnership with MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative, a program to foster growth in focused districts, the city and the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce are working to form a High Street Business Association. During its kickoff, dozens of business owners gathered to share information about upcoming grant opportunities and ways they can apply for funding for storefront improvements. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)
