Recovery, collaboration, and commitment

A Message From Our Board Chair

In many ways, 2022 felt like a turning point for Western Massachusetts and the nation.

As our region continued to recover from the pandemic, the EDC of Western Mass was at the forefront of efforts to collaboratively drive economic and workforce development with an inclusive lens. Through partnerships with a wide range of organizations, businesses, and community leaders at both the state and regional levels, in 2022 the EDC sought to provide responsive and innovative leadership to mitigate the ongoing impacts of the pandemic while also seizing the opportunities presented during the recovery.

A defining theme in this work has been partnership, working with stakeholders to benefit all in our community through a focus on local hiring and procurement and related workforce development, and small business support to help the community thrive. Our region should be proud of significant progress made by partners involved in both the EDC’s Springfield WORKS project, as well as the regional Anchor Collaborative Initiative, a joint project led by Baystate Health and the EDC.

One of the most exciting achievements of these efforts is the passage of a pilot program to address the Cliff Effect—a negative economic impact experienced by those receiving government assistance who begin working without sufficient income to offset the benefits lost—through the state legislature. Initiated by the EDC and Springfield WORKS, this pilot initiative was six years in the making and passed as the result of the work of many partners, including The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and legislators around the state.

In addition, the EDC, in recognizing the critical importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) priorities, has taken significant steps to advance this work, starting with the EDC itself—with the goal of expanding DEIB outward, providing resources for the region in the future.

The opportunities presented by 2023 are many, and the EDC board, members, and staff will seek to continue to leverage opportunities to make measurable positive impacts for the people and organizations of Western Mass. Exciting initiatives on the horizon include:

• Welcoming a new cohort into the Anchor Collaborative.

• Launching the recently passed Cliff Effect Pilot across the commonwealth.

• Concluding our current strategic plan and developing new three-year goals to serve businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, and the citizens of our region.

• Expanding the EDC’s involvement in education issues, including the creation of an Education Committee to bring increased awareness and support to our youth and schools during critical post-pandemic recovery.

• Continuing to convene leaders from around the region and beyond to advance dialog and progress.

As we look at 2022 in the rearview mirror, it is clear how lucky we are to live in the 413. The unwavering commitment to, and love for, this region by so many who live here, and the innovation and collaboration evidenced throughout the pandemic and into the recovery, is notable. The strength of businesses and nonprofits large and small, the livability of Western Mass, and the fact that we are, collectively, small enough to be agile and collaborative with enough resources and brain power to get things done make our area special.

I’m bullish on Western Mass, without a doubt. My hope for this year is that regional leaders and organizations, through the EDC, will continue to step up, collaborate, and build upon our strong foundation of progress to create even greater positive impact for all in our region.

Tricia Canavan EDC BOARD CHAIR