Connect, grow is chamber’s mission

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.

Progress, growth ahead for West Side

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.

Nicole LaChapelle