Outlook 2020

Outlook2020 J

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estern Massachusetts’ cities and towns, the state, businesses and industry, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, colleges and universities, public schools, legislators, chambers of commerce, health care institutions, arts groups and philanthropists are all working to confront what has been one of the major challenges facing the region: a skilled workforce for the future.

The combined resources of our region’s most major asset – worldclass colleges and universities – and our business community are making serious inroads to address the needs of the regional economy.

What are the next steps in finding workers to fill the region’s jobs?

How can the talent be developed?

LOWER PIONEER VALLEY CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER

Education &jobs Automotive Technology Program

IN THE 21ST CENTURY

CHICOPEE COMP

Career & Technical Education Program

And most importantly, how can the talent be retained in our region to maintain strong and steady growth here?

Outlook 2020 highlights some of our region’s longtime businesses that are confronting the challenges of having an educated workforce as well as entrepreneurs who have chosen this region to begin their businesses.

Great things are happening in Western Massachusetts thanks to collaboration, innovation and positive thinking, all focused on powering forward in the year ahead.

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 Economic Development Council  MassMutual  Manufacturing  Transportation  PVPC  Springfield Museums  AIM  Cybercrime  Junior Achievement  MGM  Entrepreneurship

EDUCARE SPRINGFIELD Early Childhood Education Center

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY 

Engineering Program

K  Banking & finance

 Early education  Universities & community colleges  Manufacturing

 Vocational and technical programs

 Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents

UMASS

LM

Institute For Applied Life Sciences

INSIDE

Outlook 2020 feature stories can be found in Sections J, K, L and M as well as on the covers of the A, B and C Sections in today’s Sunday Republican.

 Retail  Agriculture

 Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network

 Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau  Entertainment & tourism

 Success stories

 Real estate  Food & dining

 Big Y  Small businesses

 Building & construction

 Cannabis  Nonprofits

 Automotive  Energy  Craft brewing

 Hospitals & health care

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Higher education enriches WMass economic future The University of Massachusetts flagship campus in Amherst has expanded the impact of its research and contributed $2.069 billion to the regional economy in 2015, according to data provided by the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts. Below, the 28 stories of the W.E.B Du Bois Library stand tall on the UMass-Amherst campus. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

Richard K. Sullivan Jr.

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rom a future economic development point of view, one of the biggest strength of Western Massachusetts is being home to some of the best world-class colleges and universities.

A recent University of Massachusetts publication, massachusetts. edu/impact, finds each campus of the University of Massachusetts has a tangible and intangible impact on its host region, through economic development, hiring, student and employee spending, and service and engagement activities.

UMass is a key thread in the cultural and economic fabric of Massachusetts. The university system has a direct connection to one in 10 Massachusetts households and has an annual economic impact on Massachusetts of more than $6 billion every year.

The university’s flagship campus, UMass-Amherst, has expanded the impact of its research and contributed $2.069 billion to the economy in 2015.

While UMass may be the largest institution, each of colleges and universities has similar, proportionate impacts on Western Massachusetts.

Mount Holyoke College brings approximately 2,200 students to South Hadley each year. In addition, it has an annual payroll of more than $65 million and a workforce of more than 1,200 faculty and staff, nearly all of whom live in the area. In fiscal 2018,

In September, Elms College launched a new education initiative – the Center for Equity in Urban Education – to increase the number and diversity of qualified educators and school leaders in Chicopee, Holyoke and Springfield. Modesto Montero, left, head of Libertas Academy Charter School, shakes hands with Elms president Harry E. Dumay after signing the paperwork at the event.

(HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

Mount Holyoke paid more than $13.6 million to vendors in Western Massachusetts for goods and services.

The Technology Park at Springfield Technical Community College has created approximately 700 direct jobs and an additional 1,067 jobs are created in the regional economy due to the multiplier effect.

A recent study conducted for Holyoke Community College showed that students who graduate with an associate degree saw an average increase in annual earnings of about $10,000 a year, compared to those with only a high-school diploma. The study calculates that the total economic impact of HCC on the Pioneer Valley is nearly $215 million annually.

Each of Western Massachusetts’ colleges and universities has been

Nationally and internationally, education is the calling card for Massachusetts.

It is time to leverage higher education as the calling card for our region. an important driver of the regional economy for generations. But, taken together, I believe they will become an even more dominant part of the region’s economy.

The largest barrier to growth for businesses, not just in Western Massachusetts, but across the country, is workforce, finding the workforce to

Trinity Health, Cooley Dickinson and Holyoke Medical Center in its growing nursing and medical science programs and has started a new urban education program in partnership fill open jobs, developing the necessary talent for current and future jobs with the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation and our region’s public and, then, retaining the talent once school systems. jobs are filled.

Being home to world-class higher • Bay Path University is becoming education institutions also means we the recognized leader in cyber+ education, holding an annual conference, are home to the “talent.” The talent sponsored by Bay Path’s cybersecuis sitting in the classrooms, and each rity-computer science department year Western Massachusetts graduthat offers undergraduate degrees in ates well over 10,000 students. Nationally and internationally, education computer science, computer security, is the calling card for Massachusetts. digital forensics, and information It is time to leverage higher education assurance, as well as a master’s degree program in cybersecurity as the calling card for our region.

Locally, higher education is moving management. Co-sponsored by the to grow its partnerships with business Economic Development Council of and focus on important sectors of our Western Massachusetts, this conference attracts over 300 attendees with economy while looking to grow into speakers from around the globe. new sectors.

• Elms College, for example, • UMass-Amherst is becoming a SEE SULLIVAN, PAGE J15 partners with Baystate Health,

Maintain momentum to move WMass forward

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n December, Springfield won a notable distinction: It was named a “surge city”

by Inc. Magazine, which called it one of the 50 best cities in the U.S. to start a business.

Of course, MassMutual’s 31 founders would have said the same thing when they started our company here nearly 170 years ago. While our city has seen its share of challenges since then, recognition like this reflects our ability to overcome them. In short, Springfield is again on the rise – and has momentum we haven’t seen in a long time.

Yet it’s also a reminder that others are taking notice of the energy here.

And that means Springfield – and our region as a whole – is now on a bigger stage, where it is fiercely competing with other cities for talent. Momentum is only as strong as your ability to maintain it. And for us, we can’t let it stop.

There’s no shortage of reasons to choose Western Massachusetts – top universities, a strong support system for entrepreneurs, and an affordable, high quality of life, to name a few. By investing in these areas and collaborating across sectors to strengthen them, we can build the workforce we need to keep our local economy strong.

For starters, our higher education system is home to some of the most cutting-edge research and education in the U.S. The College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst is ranked in the top 20 graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report for both computer science and artificial intelligence.

Public-private partnerships that forge a stronger link between education and business can help keep these programs at the forefront. For example, the MassMutual Foundation provided UMass-Amherst a 10-year grant in 2016 to continue to enhance its data science and cybersecurity programs, enabling the university to hire additional faculty, offer more courses and attract more students.

That’s helped grow CICS enrollment to more than 2,300 students, with more than 60% of graduates choosing to remain in Massachusetts. This growth not only helps

“We all know Western Massachusetts is a great place to live, with a high quality of life at an affordable cost compared to many cities. But to make it even better, we need improvements in infrastructure – and one of the biggest opportunities is to build connectivity to other areas,” says Roger Crandall, president and CEO of Springfield-headquartered MassMutual. At left, the Springfield skyline is framed by fall leaves from Agawam across the Connecticut River. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Roger Crandall build a talent pipeline to fill one of the fastest growing segments of our economy, but also serves the greater good – whether graduates use their skills to safeguard people’s privacy, fuel advances in medicine, or make financial security more affordable and accessible to those who need it the most.

Of course, promising talent like CICS graduates will only stay here if they find exciting, meaningful work.

Small businesses and startups are often the engines of job creation, but they don’t always have access to the capital and support they need to grow.

This is especially true for minority-owned businesses, which often face structural barriers that limit opportunities.

Fortunately, another strength we have is the network of organizations helping to address this dynamic. For example, Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) provides training, access to capital, and connections for smalland medium-sized business owners

of diverse backgrounds. Since coming to Springfield in 2018, ICCC has helped more than 90 local businesses – many of them minority-owned and/ or women-owned – grow revenue, raise capital and create jobs.

Similarly, Valley Venture Mentors helps local startups scale and grow, matching entrepreneurs with mentors and offering an accelerator program that can accommodate people with day jobs or family commitments. Another organization, Entrepreneurship for All, offers Spanish language support to entrepreneurs through a pilot program in Springfield and Holyoke.

When MassMutual and other com-

traveling between the innovation hubs of the commonwealth is slow, frustrating and environmentally harmful.

It doesn’t have to be this way, but it does require a bold solution. A highspeed, east-west rail would provide an efficient, safe and green way to connect Springfield with the other areas, spurring more opportunities for job seekers and making it easier for companies to attract talent.

This project has strong bipartisan support at the state, local, and federal level, which makes it a promising prospect. While it may take years and the dedicated advocacy and support of many stakeholders, there are few long-term investments that could have a more lasting impact on our future than this one.

Ultimately, I believe maintaining our momentum is achievable because I’ve seen what the people of the Pioneer Valley can do when they work together across business, academia, government, and the nonprofit sector to solve problems. MassMutual is proud to be actively involved in these efforts.

After all, the willingness to collaborate is perhaps the most important asset our community has when it comes to building the workforce our economy will need in the years ahead.

Partnerships not only amplify our strengths but also showcase Western Massachusetts as a place with a shared vision – a place that is building a bright future to benefit us all.

panies support these organizations, we don’t just help them reach more entrepreneurs. We also help ensure our startup community is more inclusive and better reflects and values the diversity of our region.

And finally, we all know Western Massachusetts is a great place to live, with a high quality of life at an affordable cost compared to many cities.

But to make it even better, we need improvements in infrastructure – and one of the biggest opportunities is to build connectivity to other areas.

Only 90 miles separate Springfield Roger Crandall is chairman, president and Boston, but the inevitable traffic makes it feel much farther. Right now, and CEO of MassMutual.

Valley Venture Mentors is among the Western Massachusetts organizations that MassMutual supports in its efforts to help local startups scale and grow. In this photo from 2019, Valley Venture Mentors celebrates the grand opening of its new Bridge Street headquarters in downtown Springfield. “We also help ensure our startup community is more inclusive and better reflects and values the diversity of our region,” says MassMutual president and CEO Roger Crandall. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | J3

Together always was and always will be a better way.

For over 168 years, MassMutual has been an active member of the Springfield business community, and we’re proud to support those working to make our city a success.

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In times like these, employers have to invest a lot more effort than usual in workforce development, and workers can see that the effort involved in education and training will very likely pay off for them. Everyone’s interests are aligned.

Eric P. Lesser

Lifelong Learning Accounts bode well for future

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HIS PAST FALL, REsearchers at Google tested a quantum computing system that performed a calculation in less than three-and-a-half minutes that would take the most powerful computer on Earth 10,000 years to complete.

Their discovery was immediately compared to the Wright brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk.

The future is arriving with breakneck speed. In coming years, a combination of artificial intelligence, robotics and quantum computing will upend every facet of American life, from health care to food preparation to shipping and logistics.

These breakthroughs have unparalleled potential to improve quality of life. The Google quantum computer, for example, and a similar innovation under development at IBM, could unlock hidden patterns in biology, helping to cure previously untreatable diseases or better encrypt sensitive data and ensure privacy.

But the rapid pace of technology will also have negative impacts, especially around the future of work. A recent report from the McKinsey Global Institute estimates that automation and accelerating technology could cause as many as 32% of workers to change occupations by 2030.

As the nature of work changes, we must also ensure worker protections stay up to date as well.

SEE LESSER, PAGE J15

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Thriving workforce takes united effort

HIS YEAR, WE have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve and expand the Western and Central Massachusetts workforce to meet the changing demands of the economy. How we choose to meet this challenge will determine the course of our region’s future.

Our assets are considerable: world-class, innovative employers and institutions of higher education; effective workforce development boards; dedicated community organizations; and eager workers looking for better career paths that will provide their families with economic dignity and security.

Success will hinge on every one of these individuals and groups fulfilling their promise. That includes me, and I have committed to pursuing this goal with the full weight of my position as chairman of House Ways & Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over many workforce development programs.

There may be no better chance at workforce investment in our lifetimes: The United States is in the midst of its longest-ever economic recovery, now in its 11th year.

Jobs numbers have climbed for about 115 consecutive months. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, its lowest point in half a century. Wages are rising.

In times like these, employers have to invest a lot more effort than usual in workforce development, and workers can see that the effort involved in education and training will very likely pay off for them. Everyone’s interests are aligned.

And that is fortunate because the challenge is steep: The nature of today’s work is changing so quickly that good workers may repeatedly find their skill sets out of date and in need of renewing over the course of their careers. Take manufacturing, for example.

For the past 50 years, the percentage of the country’s income earned from manufacturing has held steady, but it has become so much more automated and efficient that a third of manufacturing jobs have disappeared since 1990.

In 1980, it took 25 workers to generate $1 million in manufacturing output. Today it takes five, with much different skills than their predecessors had.

Our region is incredibly fortunate to be home to employers who are succeeding in this more competitive environment. Here in Massachusetts, manufacturing accounts for about a 10th of our economy, and it is a highly advanced industry.

Machine shop employers throughout the Pioneer Valley have shared with me their concerns about finding qualified and skilled workers to meet their growth targets.

State and local partners are conducting an extensive effort to find candidates with potential and train them for those roles – all of which are backed by federal policies that support the workers, the employers and the entities carrying out the

Richard E. Neal training.

Opening up opportunities like these is at the core of my work chairing the House Ways & Means Committee. Last June, our committee passed H.R. 3300, the Economic Mobility Act, to expand the workforce and help low-income families remain in the workplace. My legislation strengthened the Earned Income Tax Credit for single taxpayers without children, ensuring that federal taxes don’t pull working individuals’ incomes below the poverty line. And because parents who can’t find and afford quality child care can’t work, our committee voted to extend child tax credits, expand access to the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, and increase federal investment in affordable child care.

Knowing that our region’s healthcare providers are struggling to find good workers, my

Looking to the coming year, I plan to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move a large infrastructure package, including a workforce development title. In the current tight labor market, any major increase in infrastructure will require investment in the workforce needed to construct, operate and maintain it.

Among other priorities, I also hope to dedicate committee effort this year to ensuring that our higher education tax incentives still effectively support the changing profile of higher education students and the labor market they enter upon completion.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, greets workers during This year offers us a chance a ceremony at CRRC MA rail car facility in Springfield on Dec. to imagine the future Western 23. Neal says he supports all efforts to improve and expand and Central Massachusetts the region’s workforce and is “committed to pursuing this goal workforce we’d like to see. with the full weight of my position as chairman of House Ways Bringing it to fruition will take & Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over many workdedicated effort from all of us, force development programs.” (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO) and I’m eager to work with you to build it. committee also recently apalso increased funding for the proved legislation to grow the Reemployment Services and Richard E. Neal, D-SpringHealth Profession Opportunity Eligibility Assessment profield, is the congressman from Grant program and bring it gram, which gives unemployed the 1st Congressional District to Massachusetts to help parworkers tools and assistance to of Massachusetts and chairs the ents currently left out of the find new jobs.

House Ways & Means Commitworkforce train for in-demand Our committee is also taking tee. You can learn more about the congressman and his work health careers with a future. on the challenge of keeping To make sure workers can parents, family caregivers and online at neal.house.gov. His district office in Springfield is quickly transition into new people with serious illnesses located at 300 State St., Suite jobs after being displaced, the in the workforce using paid 200, 413-785-0325.

Ways & Means Committee has family and medical leave.

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Technology has always impacted the workforce, of course. A century ago, the largest share of American workers was employed on farms. More recently, ATM machines replaced many functions performed by bank tellers, and now online banking is replacing ATMs. Credit card machines replaced full-service gas stations decades ago, and digital photos put darkroom operators out of work. But the scale and pace of the coming wave of automation has the potential to dwarf any previous transition, as Google’s quantum computing discovery makes clear.

The very nature of work itself is changing. The Brookings Institution recently completed a survey of 545 occupations covering 90% of American workers and found that the average digitization across all fields rose 57% since 2002. This pace will only accelerate.

The era of signing up for a job after graduating from high school or college and retiring after 30 years at the same company is in the past. Workers now and in the future will be expected to learn new skills and incorporate new technology as their career progresses.

This means our education and workforce policies need to change dramatically by focusing on shorter, iterative training that keeps workers current with the latest technology.

One way Massachusetts can help is through the creation of Lifelong Learning Accounts.

These accounts, funded by the state, employers and employees themselves, would allow for more specific skills training as workers progress in their career.

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, regional and municipal officials and workers pose for a photo during a Dec. 23 ceremony at the CRRC MA rail car facility in Springfield to celebrate passage of the federal fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which provides CRRC the chance to bid on future projects. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | J5

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Passenger rail links vital for WMass

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The Connecticut River whizzes by as Curtis Clark of Springfield settles into his seat on the CTrail 1:50 p.m. train out of Union Station last month. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

TRANSPORTATION

Train routes gaining steam As Valley Flyer marks 6 months, study on east-west rail continues

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By Jim Kinney

jkinney@repub.com

ail boosters wanting to make the new Valley Flyer service from Springfield to Greenfield permanent have a ridership goal to meet.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

“What we know anecdotally is that it is popular.

People are riding the train. For someone who needs to go to New York City for work, it’s a game changer.”

MAUREEN MULLANEY, FRANKLIN REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

ended Sept. 30.

Passenger volume on the Vermonter, which also runs through Springfield on a north-south route, was up 1.4% from 97,909 to 99,280.

Numbers for the Valley Flyer line were not available.

The east-west Lake Shore Limited – a once-daily trip from Boston to Chicago and back – saw passenger volume grow by 5.9% from 337,882 to 357,682.

More than a million riders have used the Hartford Line commuter rail service since its launch in 2018. The 1 millionth ride occurred during the busy Thanksgiving travel period in late November.

Ridership on the Hartford Line, connecting commuters to destinations between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield, has been growing at a rate of 25% year-over-year.

The rail line is on track to

exceed 750,000 passenger trips during its second year, outpacing the 666,960 passenger trips Connecticut authorities had forecast.

At times, CTrail’s Hartford Line has suffered growing pains, according to Roscoe.

Trains have filled over capacity, disrupting travel and forcing CTrail to use buses.

On the Valley Flyer north of Springfield, the hand count of passengers will come at the same time the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission undertakes work on a $350,000 marketing and branding campaign aimed at making more people aware of the train and its schedule, according to Maureen Mullaney, transportation program manager for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments in Greenfield.

“We would like the marketing campaign to focus not only heading south but to go from New York to here,” Mullaney said. “What we know anecdotally is that it is popular. People are riding the train. For someone who needs to go to New York City for work, it’s a game changer.”

But what about someone who needs to, or wants to, go to Boston instead of New York City? Commerce has flowed up and down the Connecticut River valley since colonial times. But in Massachusetts, political power is an east-west affair.

A study of the viability of and requirements for an eastwest commuter rail line is due sometime this spring.

But speaking in late January, at an event celebrating the completion of Platform C at the station, Gov. Charlie Baker struck a cautionary note. He said the state needs to complete a thorough analysis of all the options before

moving forward.

Championed by state Sen. Eric P. Lesser, D-Longmeadow, the study has already looked at six scenarios combining different routes, different numbers of stops and different trains and train cars.

A commuter train trip from

SEE TRAIN, PAGE J18

Kimberly H. Robinson

Be warned, as a pilot program, the state Department of Transportation is fully prepared to discontinue our up-valley rail service if they don’t see the type of ridership levels they are setting for the (Valley) Flyer within its first two years. to a variety of places in a way that may be different from today. And having choices about how to do that in sustainable ways that do not negatively impact our environment is important to maintaining our great quality of life. Supporting different, accessible options for getting around both inside and outside of our region are vital to our continued success.

It is no secret that increased transportation choices lead to more and better options for our workforce. Or that a SEE ROBINSON, PAGE J18

Gov. Charlie Baker speaks on Jan. 24 at the ceremonial ribbon cutting of Platform C at Springfield Union Station. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, listens at left. Pioneer Valley Planning Commission executive director Kimberly H. Robinson says passenger rail service is a “powerful means” of expanding economic activity and workforce development opportunities for the region. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

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The service, which also stops in Holyoke and Northampton, started Aug. 30. By 2021, the service must reach 24,000 passengers a year – basically double the number of people who traveled the line before more trains were added in August – or the state will pull its $1 million-a-year funding.

The north-south route is the latest in a number of dramatic expansions of rail service and rail infrastructure, including the $103 million renovation of Springfield Union Station.

For boosters of the Valley Flyer, the first task is to figure out how close they are to reaching the ridership goal, says Dana Roscoe, principal planner with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. The commission and its partners are sending people out to train platforms with crowd-counting clickers in their palms so they can get an accurate and timely count of who’s coming and going by train.

Amtrak, which runs the trains, only publishes ridership data once year.

“We can’t just have an annual number and go with that,” Roscoe explains. “At this point I honestly can’t tell you how we’re doing. My sense, completely anecdotal and word-of-mouth and from visiting stations, is that we are probably doing OK, but we are absolutely not where we need to be.”

The $2 million subsidy is not the only government money that has flowed into the Valley Flyer tracks.

In 2010, Massachusetts was awarded $70 million in federal stimulus funds for design and construction of the Knowledge Corridor along the Connecticut River. Track restoration began in 2013 and was completed in late 2014.

Amtrak’s Vermonter service was rerouted onto this shorter and faster line, avoiding a turnaround in Palmer.

Amtrak in October published new, higher passenger numbers for Springfield Union Station.

Amtrak’s New Haven-Springfield route, which works in concert with the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s CTrail Hartford Line, reported a 26.5% passenger increase from 286,477 in fiscal 2018 to 362,442 in the fiscal year that

At right, a CTrail train waits for passengers at Springfield Union Station last month.

Below, a rider boards the CTrail 1:50 p.m. train out of Springfield last month.

HE PIONEER VALley, an area long associated with innovation and entrepreneurship, is striding into a new decade, one which will be filled with change. And this region can approach the decade of the ‘Twenties’ filled with optimism and enthusiasm, reflecting back on our prior successes at responding effectively to such change, and to capitalize on the opportunities this inevitably brings.

The region’s ability to adapt to shifting economic, demographic and environmental forces has ensured a continuing quality of life for our residents for many years. We must continue that tradition in the coming decade as we face new challenges.

One such challenge we at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission see is the future of work and how it is evolving.

Not only is the nature of work, or what we do, changing, so is where we work in relation to others.

For instance, we are witnessing in real time the formation of economic mega-regions such as the Acela Corridor – comprised of metro areas like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston – which collectively represent a sizable portion of the nation’s GDP. As the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has been discussing the workforce dynamics of our region with others, the importance of the issues cited above continue to be affirmed. For instance, working effectively in the future may mean getting around

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | J7

MANUFACTURING

CRRC survives trade war, delays Rail car maker eyes hiring, warehouse

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By Jim Kinney

jkinney@repub.com

RRC MA had a rough 2019 marked by trade tensions between the U.S. and China, production delays on the subway cars it’s building for Boston’s MBTA, mechanical problems with finished cars that forced them out of service, and a six-month delay in its project building rail cars for Philadelphia.

cent to the factory, said Vince Conti, director of business administration at CRRC MA. The company needs the space to store bulky equipment like heating and air conditioning units before they get installed in train cars.

The plant is also hiring. It had 122 production employees in December and recently hired another 41, with 15 that were due to start in January and another 65 in the rest of 2020.

Production will ramp up on MBTA Red Line cars this year. Work begins on the order for Philadelphia in the spring, and work on cars for Los Angeles begins after that.

Cars come to Springfield as unfinished metal shells built in China. They are shipped by sea to the port of Albany, New York, and then brought by truck to Springfield.

Here, workers install all the electronics, interiors, motors and other equipment. More than 60% of the components are U.S. made, in accordance with the CRRC contract.

Crews at the CRRC factory in East Springfield continue to work on Orange Line cars for the Boston-area subway. A recent deal in Congress will allow the Chinese-owned manufacturer to continue operating in the U.S. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

In 2014, CRRC received a $566 On top of that, Washington lawmillion contract from the MBTA makers, spurred by espionage fears to build 152 Orange Line cars and and by CRRC’s competitors, wanted 252 Red Line cars in Springfield. In to make it illegal for transit agencies 2016, the state upped the order with to use federal money to do business another 120 Red Line cars, with prowith the Chinese-owned company.

That’s quite a list of challenges for the year that began shortly after Gov. Charlie Baker’s visit to see the first MBTA Orange Line cars roll out of the assembly floor in East Springfield. They were the first passenger rail cars built in Springfield since Wason Manufacturing Co. went out of business during the Depression.

But as 2020 dawned, CRRC was getting a handle on its production delays with a new plan of action for the factory floor, new pads for the undercarriages of its Orange Line cars, and a legislative compromise brokered by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, that will allow the company to get paid with federal money.

Also, workers are already building more capacity at the $95 million, 204,000-square-foot factory on Page Boulevard. They are building a Production at CRRC in East Springfield will ramp up this year on the Red 48,000-square foot warehouse adja- Line cars for the MBTA. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

duction on those set to begin in June has an option to purchase 10 more 2022 at a cost of $277 million. cars. CRRC also opened a factory in Chicago to make cars for that transit The state, under then-Gov. Deval Patrick, went without federal money system.

Competitors have been agitating for its subway car order so it could against CRRC, saying the Chinese require that they be assembled in government subsidizes the compaMassachusetts. Federal rules preny in an attempt to vent states from such drive others in the requirements if they Production will use federal money. industry out of busiramp up on MBTA ness. U.S. lawmakers CRRC was one of Red Line cars this considered rules that the competitors who would have blocked chose Springfield as year. Work begins CRRC from accepta possible factory on the order for ing federal funds for location. So did Philadelphia in the orders like the ones Hyundai Rotem of South Korea. CRRC, spring, and work on from Philadelphia L.A. That would the largest manufaccars for Los Angeles and have spelled the end turer of rail cars in begins after that. for CRRC in the U.S., the world, won the which will need to contract. keep taking new orders to keep its In 2017, CRRC got a contract to factories open. build 64 subway cars for the Los Neal, chairman of the powerful Angeles metro in a deal that could be worth as much as $647 million. The House Ways and Means Committee, fought back, securing a compromise same year, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in a Pentagon spending bill that ordered 45 double-decker comcouldn’t have moved forward withmuter rail cars from CRRC at a cost out his say-so. of $137.5 million. Today, the cost is The law includes a grandfather up slightly to $138 million. SEPTA SEE CRRC, PAGE J18

3128927-01

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Museums immerse visitors in learning

Kay Simpson

T

HE SPRINGFIELD Museums at the Quadrangle embrace our critical role as a vital center of informal education that reinforces classroom instruction and workforce development. The Quadrangle is a unique, interdisciplinary complex that blends science, art, history, literacy and Dr. Seuss, to inspire children and adults to explore and learn together.

Over the past three years, the museums have gone through a period of unprecedented expansion and growth.

The opening of the bilingual Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in 2017, combined with an ever-increasing emphasis on immersive, interactive exhibitions and hands-on learning, have doubled the museums’ attendance and enhanced our reputation as a regional and national tourist destination.

In addition, the museums are an unparalleled commu-

Spark!Lab, a hands-on innovation maker space developed by the Smithsonian, provides opportunities to hone creativity and problem-solving skills for people of all ages at the Springfield Museums.

(SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS PHOTO)

feet of interior exhibitions are continually evolving to offer the best of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) education in a multisensory environment. Serving children, adults, families and schools throughout a multistate area, the museums are committed to providing intergenerational learning and 21st century skills

In keeping with the philosophy that active engagement is essential to education, the museums launched 2020 on Jan. 17 with the formal opening of the Smithsonian Spark!Lab in the Science Museum. Speakers included representatives from the Smithsonian, officials from

Two children in the Cat’s Corner pose for a picture with Dr. Seuss’ beloved Cat in the Hat. Staff at the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum are developing and facilitating ongoing literacy-based activities in the Cat’s Corner.

(SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS PHOTO) (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

lems and challenges, develop solutions and put their own ideas in action all while building important workplace skills like critical thinking, teamwork and adaptability.

for students.

In addition to opening the Spark!Lab, the Jan. 17 announcement recognized the exciting renewal of another three years of funding from the MassMutual Foundation for the museums’ in-depth partnership with the Smithsonian. The partnership will provide the museums with access to the collections, educational programs, exhibition Originally opened at the and resources of the nation’s MassMutual, elected officials and members of the museums’ Smithsonian, Spark!Lab is the preeminent cultural instituflagship educational initiative tion.

Board of Trustees.

Spark!Lab is a dynamic of the Lemelson Center for The partnership is essential STEM-based makerspace that the Study of Invention and In- to the museums’ Evolution novation. Spark!Lab will posi- Campaign that is reimaginexemplifies the museums’ tion the Springfield Museums ing the Science Museum for approach to stimulating the as an important hub for STEM the future. Projects for 2020 learning process. Instead of education that buttresses include the installation of an following step-by-step instructions to create a specific school curricula and helps interactive replica of the Inproject, visitors identify prob- reduce summer learning loss ternational Space Station that

By developing future generations of lifelong learners, building community and elevating the profile of Springfield, the museums are essential to the growth and success of the regional economy. nity asset that employers can leverage to attract and maintain talented employees who value the quality of life where they live and work.

First established in 1857, the Springfield Museums’ beautiful campus of historic museum buildings, the outdoor Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden and more than 200,000 square

development though activities that enable risk-taking, imagination and reasoning.

Taking a page from Springfield-born Dr. Seuss, whose books made reading fun, visitors of all ages learn through playful experimentation and guided discovery against the backdrop of the museums’ world-class collections.

includes displays of astronaut artifacts. The nearby planetarium will be completely updated with a new projection and audio system.

The Evolution Campaign in the Science Museum is integral to a sweeping museum-wide revitalization of our encyclopedic collections and historic displays. In addition to the new Spark!Lab, the museums offer open-ended art instruction in George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum’s Art Discovery Center and ongoing literacy-based activities in the Cat’s Corner of the Dr. Seuss Museum. Facilitated by staff members, the activity centers are designed to be accessible to the widest range of people, without regard to SEE SIMPSON, PAGE J14

EDC ED DC Membership Membership

The year 2020 brings with it a fresh start, a new decade, and an opportunity to improve and expand on the great assets we have here in western and central Massachusetts.

With world-class and innovative employers, institutes of higher education, and eager workers, there is no better place for a strong investment in workforce development than right in our own backyard.

I am proud to champion these initiatives and so many more as your voice in Washington.

Congressman Richard Neal

MasssMu MassMutual Mutu t al Life Liffe Insurance Co Baystate Health B Ba aystaate Hea eaalt lth h SSpringfield pri ring ngfie ng field fie ld Baystate Franklin Baysta taate Fra ank nkllin Baystate Mary Baysta tate Ma ta ary LLane ary anee Bays state Nob ble l Baystate Noble Bays state Wing g Baystate Eversource Everso s urce Republican The R Re epubliccan UMass Cluster UMas ss Amherst Amheersst Cluste ter te MGM SSpringfield pringfie field fie Big Y Columbia off MA Columb bia i Gas o TD Bankk Davis D Da vis Foundation Fo oundation o Westfield West We stfie st field Bank fi fie P Pe eop pleesBank PeoplesBank Yankee Yank nkkee ee Candle Candle Mercy Merc rcy Medical rc Meedical Center M C nter Ce CRRC C MA MA Allll St States Material Al tat ates M ateria at eriaal Group er Grou Gr oup Polish h National Nationa n l Credit na Crred ediitt Union Uni nio on o n Motor Balisee M o orr SSales ot ales al e es Bradley Int’l Airport Bradle ey In nt’ t’ll Ai A rpor rp ortt Cartamundi Cartam mundi Community Comm munity Foundation F undaation Fo n Freedom Union Freedo om Credit Cred edit ed it U nion on on Markens The Ma arken ns Group, Group,, Inc. Gr Inc ncc. n Farm Workers N. E. Fa arm rm W orkers Council Cou ouncil Inc. OMG In nc. c Peerless Peerle esss Precision, Pre reci re cisiion cisi ci on, Inc. on, Inc. In Pride Prid Pr idee Stations id Stattiio St ons ns & Stores Sto tore ress re Sarat Sa arraaatt Ford Ford Fo Sulco Warehousing Su ullcco Wa W are reh ho housing ho U.S. U U. U.S .S. Tsubaki Monson Mo ons nson o SSavings a in av ngs Universal U Univ Un nivver e sal Plastics Corp Peterr Pan Bus Lines Spherion Sphe erion Staffing Mayb bury Material Handling Maybury Chicopee Chico opee Electric Light Dufault Dufa ault Vann & Co Eastern East tern States Exposition Greenfield Gr reenfield Community College Gr Greenfield Gr Co-Op Holyoke Community College

ECONOM ECONOMIC MIC DEV DEVELOPMENT EV VEL ELOPMENT COU COUNCIL OU O UN NC CIL www.west stter ernm n assedc dc.c dc c.c .com www.westernmassedc.com

Verizon Veeri rizzon Country Country Bank Eastman Chemical, Chem mical, Inc. Berkshire Bank Health New Eng England ng gland d Cab Ca ble ble bl Comcast Cable WWLP-22 News AECOM/Tishman AECO COM/ M Tishman n Const.

Co ons nst. t Berkshire Berk rksh s irre Gas Co sh o CBS 3 Springfield d News New ews Friendly’s Massachusetts Mass Ma ssssac achu chu husetts Mun. Mun.. wholesale Mu National Grid Nationall G riid Six Flags Ne New England N w EEn ngl gland Monarch Enterprises Mona Mo narc na rch rc h En nteerrp prise sees b nk ba nkES ESB ES bankESB Bulkley Richardson Gelinas B lk Bu lkle leey Ri R char ch a dsson on aand nd G e inas el Peoples United Peeop oplees Un U nitted nit ed Bank Ban ankk Key Key Bank Ke B nk Ba Florence Bank Flor Fl oren or ence en ce SSavings aavvin ngs B an nk Mass s Live ss vee MassLive

Holyoke Holyyo okke Medical Medi Me ed cal Center Ceent n er Holyoke Electric Holyyok Ho oke Ga Gass & El lec ectrric Mount Holyoke College Mount Ho Mo Mou oly lyok okke Co Coll llleg e e Smith Smit Smit Sm i h Co College Springfield College STCC STTCC C UMass UM Amherst United Personnel Service Interscape Commercial Environments Western New England Univ Westfield Gas & Electric Westfield State Univ BayPath University Community Bank Steve Roberts A.L. Griggs Industries BusinessWest For information call Rick Sullivan President & CEO (413) 755-1300

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | J9

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is nearing the end of its $30 million renovation project. Above, an exhibit on Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird is among the attractions. At right, from top, new touchscreens offer guests an interactive experience viewing inductees; guests can also place their own feet on representations of shoes of Hall of Famers. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

ENTERTAINMENT & TOURISM

Hoop hall slam dunks into new era $30 million capital drive funds major transformation

T

By RON CHIMELIS

rchimelis@repub.com

he current Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame site is its third location in the physical sense. In real terms, it’s the fourth, a virtually brand-new version of an existing structure.

“We will wrap up all our new construction in 2020,” says John L. Doleva, president and CEO with pride and satisfaction. “The outside of the dome was finished (in 2019). Individual lights will

be installed in March, after the weather breaks. When it’s done, 40% of the inside will have been redone from the 2002 version.”

From its modest 1968 beginnings on the campus of Springfield College, the hall of fame has moved twice, first in 1985 to a larger location on Columbus Avenue and then in 2002, to its current spot, adjacent to its previous location.

Every 17 years or so, the hall of fame enters a new era, and its time has arrived again. It’s not moving, but the 2020 version of basketball’s Mecca has undergone such a thorough upgrade that it has the feel of a new and exciting place.

“We are bringing a new way of telling the story of basketball,” Doleva explains. “All of our plaques (of enshrined hall of famers) are coming off the

third floor and into a much more immersive display.

It’s not just a picture and a paragraph anymore. We’re very pleased with how it came out.”

A $30 million capital campaign provided for the transformation of the hoop hall, which has firmly established itself as the sport’s singular tourist stop in ways unimaginable during its first 40 years.

About $20 million has been invested in the interior, work that Doleva says will not only elevate the experience for visitors, but provide a revenue source as well.

“Center Court is being redone with all new lighting and a 14-by-40 foot LED (light-emitting diode display) screen. We think that will make it a phenomenal place for dinners, corporate meet-

“It’s been a long process, but with these renovations and what we have to offer, we’re ready to give our visitors an unmatched experience.”

JOHN L. DOLEVA, PRESIDENT, NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, stands in the new Hall of Honor room. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

list of nominees includes at least three veritable NBA superstars (Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett), a WNBA legend (Tamika Catchings) and other notable stars of the game.

This year’s ceremonies will take place more than week ings or receptions,” Doleva Aug. 28 through 30 will feabefore Labor Day. That’s a says. change from previous years. ture the final choices from a The year 2020 will be huge spectacular class of nominees.

“This time frame works Selections will be anin ways beyond even the atbetter for TV and for travel, tention-grabbing renovation. nounced at the NCAA Final especially this year with such a Enshrinement Weekend from Four in April at Atlanta. The SEE HOOP, PAGE J19

THE RETURN OF MANUFACTURING Job Creation • Education & Training • Building Partnerships It’s Not Just a Job It’s a Career.

CRRC MA MANUFACTURING FACILITY

A key player in the local economy.

3129813-01

www.crrcma.com

J10 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

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‘Demographic cliff’ threatens workforce

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

DIG IN.

A D E L I C I O U S D I N N E R AT DELANEY’S GRILL OR THE MICK

John R. Regan

K

RISTIN MAIER Carlson, president of Peerless Precision in Westfield, grew up around the family-owned shop from the age of 15. She learned from her father the importance of providing educational and training opportunities to prepare employees for the demanding work of high-tolerance manufacturing.

Peerless — which makes parts for aerospace, defense and medical products — spends significant time ensuring that expert-level workers pass along their skills to younger colleagues.

Carlson is also deeply involved with local schools.

She sits on the steering and advising committee for Westfield Technical Academy and West Springfield High School’s Pathways to Prosperity Program, and the company opens its doors annually to Westfield Middle School for

I

Kristin Maier Carlson, of Peerless Precision in Westfield, is honored by Associated Industries of Massachusetts with a Next Century Award for creating a new era of economic opportunity in the region and state. At left is Joanne Hilferty, chairwoman of the AIM board, and at right is John R. Regan, president and CEO. The award was presented at Wistariahurst in Holyoke. (DANNY NASON PHOTO)

student tours “We want to show kids that manufacturing can be a cool and rewarding option for them,” Carlson says.

Peerless Precision is among hundreds of members of Associated Industries of Massachusetts using creativity and hard work to address a persistent shortage of skilled workers across almost every industry. It’s one of the reasons that AIM honored Carlson and Peerless in September with an award for

contributions to the Massachusetts economy.

But employers scouring the region for the people to fuel growth had better fasten their seat belts. The labor crunch caused by the cyclically strong economy is about to become much worse as the commonwealth hurtles off a demographic cliff that could shrink the Massachusetts labor force within eight years.

These demographics of an aging state highlight

SEE REGAN, PAGE J16

Cybercrime is major business threat urge to panic, feeling confident that you can simply recover from backups. But then you see your IT guy standing in the corner shaking his head.

The backups have been wiped out.

Scenario 3: Your CFO gently grabs you by the arm and leads you to a quiet corner.

He explains that earlier that Delcie Bean morning he received an email from a hacker, explaining that they had stolen a copy of the To be successful, CEO’s email mailbox, sifted businesses must through it and found some very embarrassing emails that overcome that fear reference current and former of the unknown, employees, customers and vendors. The hacker is threatembrace the ening to forward those emails opportunity to to the parties involved unless learn and be a ransom is paid by the end of the day. willing to be Imagine yourself as the CEO vulnerable. Too in those scenarios or thoumany businesses sands of other similar ones.

Think about the enormous pit are spending way in your stomach. That feeling too little time, of panic and fear. How could focus and resources you have let this happen?

What would you give to make on identifying it all go away? their risks, finding If businesses are to succeed practical solutions and thrive in this new world of and educating their infinite cyberrisk, they can’t until that moment to act. They employees. can’t wait until their networks are breached, their data is stolen or they have the proverbial normally processes those gun to their head. payments is out sick. The hacker pulls a few names from To be successful, businesses your website, looking for any- must overcome that fear of one else who might have the the unknown, embrace the authorization to wire money. opportunity to learn and be They take the chain of emails willing to be vulnerable. Too that has been going back and many businesses are spendforth, forward it to all of those ing way too little time, focus people and say that they need and resources on identifying payment by end of day or else. their risks, finding practical solutions and educating their They then fake the caller ID employees. of the vendor the payment is In the end, not only do they owed to, call your business suffer the consequences, but and say that they are following up on the urgent email so do their employees, their they just sent. Once they have customers, their vendors and someone on the phone, they the communities in which provide wiring instructions they operate. and trick your employees into In a world where cybercrimiwiring hundreds of thousands nals are operating with virtual immunity from our laws, it is of dollars to the wrong place. more crucial than ever that we Scenario 2: You arrive to a admit that we can do more, polite, yet concise message we can do better and we’re not which is being displayed on every computer in your office, afraid to get the help we need. notifying you that your entire Delcie Bean is CEO of Paragus network has been encrypted Strategic IT in Hadley. To learn and it will cost $1 million to more about Paragus and Bean, unlock your data.

For a moment, you fight the go online to paragusit.com.

SLEEP IN. A G R E AT N I G H T ’ S S L E E P AT D. H OT E L & S U I T E S

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MAGINE YOU ARE THE CEO of a successful and thriving company. You wake up and think to yourself, “Today is going to be a good day.” You walk through the front doors with your head held high, say hello to your employees and co-workers as you work your way toward your office. But as you get closer to your door, you sense an odd tension. Several members of your leadership team are huddled together, speaking in hushed tones. You know something is wrong.

Did a big customer fire you?

Did something happen to one of your employees?

No. You’ve been hacked.

This scenario has been playing out at small- and medium-sized businesses across the United States – including right here in the Pioneer Valley. Cybercrime is the single greatest external threat to any business. And it’s only getting worse.

Back to our hypothetical example for a moment. Let’s explore three real scenarios that have occurred to several businesses right here in Western Massachusetts.

Scenario 1: Your biggest vendor has called to report that you haven’t paid them.

But Sally, your trusted CFO, says the payment was sent out days ago. How is this possible?

A hacker sent out an email campaign to all of your employees, notifying them that their passwords were going to expire. Three of your employees fell for it, clicked the link and provided their passwords to the hacker. Nothing bad happened right away, no one reported it and business went on.

Meanwhile, the hacker immediately logged into their email accounts, set up a rule to forward all of that employee’s emails to a Gmail account and then logged out. Now, even when that user changes their password, the hacker still gets access to their email.

That hacker then sits, watches and waits for the next three, six, even 12 months, looking for the perfect opportunity.

Then, they find it.

They see that a payment is late for a very large purchase and the controller that

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | J11

Educated, motivated workforce is imperative

T

HE ADVANCED manufacturing companies in Massachusetts’ west region are primarily small- and medium-sized enterprises that are part of a supply chain that is primarily engaged in producing precision mechanical parts, components and sub-assemblies utilizing high technology equipment, lean manufacturing, and world-class technology development.

As president of the Western Massachusetts chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association and president of MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, we know that for our region’s companies to remain competitive within their existing supply chains they must have a technologically relevant incumbent workforce and a sustainable pipeline of new employees.

Currently, these companies continue to experience a critical shortage of qualified employees in targeted occupational classifications along their employment continuum, and this reality is constraining their future growth and expansion.

In order to respond to this matter, the MassHire Hampden, Franklin-Hampshire, and Berkshire workforce boards, in collaboration and consultation with the machining association, other regional advanced manufacturing companies and our regional educational institutions, produced a five-year manufacturing plan covering 2019 through 2023 for our region.

The plan addresses the companies’ needs to make certain that the curriculum taught in our manufacturing programs is aligned with our technical needs and requirements, employability readiness skills are prioritized and embedded into the curriculum, and career awareness initiatives that educate parents on the viability of advanced manufacturing as a personally and financially rewarding career pathway and profession are accelerated.

Successful implementation of the five-year manufacturing plan will require continued commitment and engagement, sustainable funding, leveraging of regional assets and a willingness to be innovative and take prudent risks. Throughout these five years, economic and business conditions will change and will require ongoing dialogue and deliberation to

Invest in women to counteract ‘business as usual’

A

Above, Rick Collingwood, a foreman at Peerless Precision machining shop in Westfield, works on a part.

At right, Amanda Bouvier, of Westfield, performs final inspections on parts. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTOS)

Kristin Maier Carlson

An educated and motivated workforce is today’s economic imperative and the key to success for the advanced manufacturing companies in the west region.

have the desire, willingness and energy to produce at a high level without needing to be told what to do, how to do it, who David M. Cruise should do what, when it needs to be done or what the end ensure that the plan reflects result should be.� current economic and business Our business outlook is realities. bright, our west region partnership is laser-focused on the An educated and motivated workforce is today’s economic tasks ahead, and every chalimperative and the key to suc- lenge presents us with exciting cess for the advanced manufac- opportunities to be innovative and responsive. turing companies in the west region.

Wayne Chaneski, presiKristin Maier Carlson is dent of Smart Manufacturing president of Peerless Precision in Solutions, recently stated, “A Westfield and current president motivated workforce operates of the Western Massachusetts so effectively that things just chapter of the National Tooling get done. These employees and Machining Association.

David M. Cruise is president and CEO of MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board. To learn more about the tooling and machining association, go online to ntma.org; to learn more about the workforce board, go online to masshirehcwb.com.

T THE WOMEN’S Fund of Western Massachusetts, we examine what challenges and opportunities women and girls in our region face. If we can solve some of these challenges and amplify some opportunities, our entire region will progress.

Just as this year’s Outlook is focusing on education and jobs, education and employment were two key indicators we examined in the 2019 Status of Women & Girls in Western Massachusetts report.

As our report indicates, “Academic achievement among women continues to show growth, and regionally women are completing higher levels of education than their male counterparts.

However, women continue to participate in the labor force at lower rates than men, and, on average, continue to earn less than men.�

We dove into some aspects of this data, including the gender wage gap and information specific to each county. We expect to drill into certain data such as why some women are opting out of labor force participation.

We expect the answers to be complex and likely to involve transportation, affordable, accessible quality child care, the need for flexible work schedules and more.

Why dive deeper into finding out why women are not participating in the Western Massachusetts labor workforce as much as men? The answers can be the key to leveraging untapped talent and resources regionally.

They will help resolve the dissonance between the fact that women are leading the

T

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While more women now represent Western Massachusetts, we still have a long way to go toward shared leadership. way regionally in educational attainment but the reverse is true as to employment, earnings and leadership achievement in a variety of sectors. Focusing on women also moves those furthest from the goal of prosperity toward it.

Our data shows that Western Massachusetts women experience poverty at a higher rate than men, with the exception of Hampshire County, where the rate is comparable. Solving the complex puzzle of poverty for women is essential to regional success as Western Massachusetts is more impoverished than the rest of the state, with Hampden County leading these sad statistics. (You can learn more about this data among our key findings on page 11 of the report.)

At the Women’s Fund, we think, act and invest strategically to change systems that hold women and their SEE HAGHIGHAT, PAGE J19

Israel a beyond: CULTURE CELEBRATION!

Scientists Planners Designers

Improving mobility.

Enhancing communities.

Contributing to economic vitality.

SpringďŹ eld, MA 413.747.7113 3127916-01

413 . 737 . 4313

www.vhb.com

Engineers

The American Association of Jewish Lawyers & Jurists: Discussion on Israel • An Evening with Daniel Gordis • Family Tashlich at the Mill River • Shabbaton with Rachel Korazim • Tot Shabbat & Tot Sha-potluck • Sukkot Ruach Celebration • Simchat Torah under the Trees • Jewish Family Jam • Seasonally Shabbat Community Dinner • Women’s Philanthropy: Carl Laemmle Fillm Screening • Talk by Dr. Lisa Fishbayn Joffe • Read-Aloud Month • Partnership2Gether: Israel and Beyond: †Ѵ|†u; ;Ń´;0u-াom ĹŽ m|;uu;Ń´b]bo†v u;v;m|-াom =uol =†Ѵ-ĹŠ bŃ´boa • Rachel’s Table: Stuff a Truck • Bountiful Bowls • Volunteer Appreciation • Foodraiser • Gleaning • PJ Library: PJ Purim • Page to Stage Musical Puppet Show • Sparkle Havdallah • Apple Picking • Community Shabbat • Pioneer Valley Film Festival • Shabbat Shabloom • March for Peace • SAJE Programs • Challah and Jam • Game Night for Jewish Adults

jewishwesternmass.org

Donna Haghighat

J12 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

“We are proud to have come from a duct tape-covered toilet paper roll — our first prototype that did actually work — to an injection molded part that will be manufactured and assembled here in Western Massachusetts.”

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

FORGE-ing manufacturing forward Greentown Labs’ initiative links present to future

F

By NATASHA ZENA

Special to The Republican

ORGE is bringing together the best of new and old Western Massachusetts. Serving the area’s startups by pairing them with manufacturers, the nonprofit organization is keeping the manufacturing industry for which the Pioneer Valley has long been heralded in the spotlight yet another generation.

Formerly named Greentown Learn and launched as an initiative under clean technology incubator Greentown Labs in Somerville, FORGE is rebranding and establishing a distinct identity of its own as it grows to offer the support of its manufacturing initiative beyond Greentown Labs’ cleantech portfolio.

FORGE helps innovators as they develop new products, through the process of rendering prototypes and early production runs all the way through commercial scale.

Executive director Laura Teicher says FORGE expects its Springfield Technology Park location to continue to grow in serving the east-west connection between Massachusetts’ robust innovation and manufacturing ecosystems.

MATT FIORETTI, CFO, QUIKCORD

Above, state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, and state Rep. Brian Ashe, D-Longmeadow, listen as Toner Plastics president Jack Warren shows how products are made in the East Longmeadow facility. At left, FORGE’s director of regional initiatives Adam Rodrigues speaks prior to a tour of Toner Plastics on Jan. 14. Formerly named Greentown Learn and launched as an initiative under clean technology incubator Greentown Labs in Somerville, FORGE is rebranding and establishing a distinct identity of its own as it grows to offer the support of its manufacturing initiative. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

retirement, Rodrigues notes, finding and training the next generation of workers is a critical need.

The work FORGE is doing with developing a brand and increased storytelling will not only work to bring business to the manufacturing community but raise its profile as well.

“I have a manufacturing background, and I’m a WestAssociation, Adam Rodrigues, workers in manufacturing. director of regional initiatives The investment is an attempt ern Massachusetts resident. I at FORGE, says Western Mas- to strengthen the stellar have a lot of passion for what I’m doing,” Rodrigues says. sachusetts is home to more advanced manufacturing than 200 precision manucommunity that suffers from a “Through (Valley Venture “There is an excellent, We currently have two offices, facturing companies. “Some shortage of qualified labor to Mentors’) Mentor Nights critical cluster of manufactur- in Somerville and in Springare quite small and a lot are early on, I met Quikcord, a sustain its growth. field, and in the future we multigenerational.” ers here (in Western Massalocal startup. When they did A 2014 joint study by the their pitch, I told them, ‘What want to open more locations Last year, the workforce chusetts), specifically with New England Council and to capture any and all startups boards in Hampden, Franklin, Deloitte found that advanced I’m trying to do is meet guys precision and R&D capabililike you and connect you with ties,” Teicher says. “There’s a in the state.”

Hampshire and Berkshire manufacturers are suffering regional resources. What are number of startups we’re able Referred to as a precision counties received a collective from a lack of brand awareto serve out of Valley Venture manufacturing “hot spot” by $625,000 from the state’s ness needed to attract talent. your design needs? ManufacMentors and (the University With many of the multigener- turing needs?’” the regional chapter of the Na- Advanced Manufacturing ational workers now nearing of Massachusetts at Amherst). tional Tooling and Machining Training Program to train SEE FORGE, PAGE J18

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J14 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

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Financial literacy, economic education keys for JA

W

The Art Discovery Center presents opportunities for visitors to create their own works of art while surrounded by bold colors and intricate designs inspired by the Asian art collection in the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum.

(SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS PHOTO)

Simpson

antidote to tough challenges that include: the pervasive digital landscape, increased CONTINUED FROM PAGE J8 emphasis on teaching-toage or ability. the-test in schools, practice These ongoing activities of over-scheduling children are enhanced by ever-chang- and disparities in learning ing exhibitions that feature opportunities among children dinosaurs, contemporary art, of different backgrounds. heroes and superheroes and In response, the museums environmental conservation. welcome visitors of all backSimilarly, the childhood home grounds through authentic educational and social expeof Theodor Seuss Geisel in riences that enable them to Forest Park is being renovated for ultimate use as a connect with one another. By cutting-edge House Museum developing future generations and Innovation Center that of lifelong learners, building will offer seminars and work- community and elevating shops on multiculturalism, the profile of Springfield, the entrepreneurship and creative museums are essential to the expression. growth and success of the The current issues facing regional economy. education and preparing students for the workforce make Kay Simpson is president and our approach to learning and CEO of the Springfield Museskills development more ums; to learn more about the important than ever. The museums, go online to spring fieldmuseums.org. museums offer a powerful

ESTERN MASSAchusetts, like many other areas, is facing the challenge of securing an educated future workforce. Across Massachusetts businesses are “waging war” against securing qualified talent.

The Associated Industries of Massachusetts reported that “hiring skilled employees remains one of the central economic challenges in the long-term plans for Massachusetts.”

Across the region, businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools and post-secondary educational institutions are working together to solve the problem. The Springfield Regional Chamber created a subcommittee on workforce education to follow trends and support bills in the state Legislature that support 21st century skills development and workforce readiness.

The solution is not easy. It requires changing the public education system, embracing hands-on learning, to build real-world understanding and to support workplace-ready skills. It also means making changes to the existing workforce development system to ensure that people of all ages are being taught the skills that employers need.

Teaching the skills that people need to be successful in the 21st century workforce does not mean only the technical skills. Technical skills and computer literacy are a must in today’s workforce, but just as important are: the ability to communicate effectively, including talking, listening and writing; problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability or flexibility, multitasking and information literacy.

There are many programs in place now that are working

Approximately 600 middle and high school students from more than 20 schools across Western Massachusetts took part in the Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts’ 14th annual Stock Market Competition held at Cedars Banquet Facility in Springfield in November.

This is Arizona Arbour conferring with her teammates from Pathfinder Vocational Technical High. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

nities. Early college programs also reduce the time and expense of earning a college credential while increasing the likelihood of completion.

In Western Massachusetts, early college programs are offered at Holyoke Community College and Westfield State University; and • Innovation Pathways, Jennifer A. Connolly designed to give students coursework and experience to create a skilled workforce, in a specific high-demand including: industry, such as information • Early college programs, technology, engineering, designed to blend elements healthcare, life sciences and of high school and college to advanced manufacturing. provide students with the op- Innovation Pathways are portunity to experience and designed to create strong complete college level acapartnerships with employers demic coursework on a clear- in order to expose students to ly articulated pathway and career options and help them simultaneously gain exposure develop knowledge and skills to a variety of career opportu- related to their chosen field

of study before they graduate high school.

Currently, MassHire Franklin Hampshire Employment Board and Tech Foundry partner with Northampton High School for an information technology pathway.

MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board partners with West Springfield and Agawam high schools to create an advanced manufacturing pathway. Business owners like Kristin Maier Carlson, president of Peerless Precision in Westfield, work tirelessly throughout the year offering students opportunities to learn about careers in advanced manufacturing.

Last year Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts partnered with

SEE CONNOLLY, PAGE J19

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | J15

CASINOS

MGM Springfield playing the odds The casino hosted its first-ever professional boxing event in May 2019 and promises to continue booking fights.

And he pointed to constant tweaks to the mix of gambling, restaurants and attractions offered as part a promotion called “You said it.

We did it.” In 2019, initiatives ran from the spectacular to the prosaic: • Installed more signs on Interstate 91 and the Massachusetts Turnpike directing people to MGM Springfield • Added Spanish 21, a blackjack variant • Increased the number of roulette tables • Offered $5 minimums on some table games from 6-9 Gambling revenues at MGM Springfield still lag. The casino reported gross gambling revenue a.m. on Mondays through Fridays of $18.9 million in December — the lowest full-month revenue figure in the casino’s 16-month • Added weekend brunch history. Employment at the casino is stuck at about 2,500. That’s 500 fewer workers than

By Jim Kinney at the Cal Mare restaurant MGM promised the state and city it would hire as it campaigned for a gaming license. jkinney@repub.com • Installed more promo(THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTOS) tional kiosks on the casino t would take floor MGM Spring• Presented MGM Live, a summer concert series, field weeks, as well as live music in the not months or Lobby Bar on Fridays and years, to get a Saturdays • Partnered with Greysports betting operahound to offer daily motor tion up and running. coach service to New York and Boston All it needs, said One place that isn’t competformer President Miing with MGM Springfield is chael Mathis, is the Tribal Winds in East Windsor, Connecticut. That proOK of the Legislature posed casino appears stalled. and of Gov. Charlie The Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots Baker. proposed Tribal Winds at the “That advocacy is a major former Showcase Cinemas off focus of ours in the first Interstate 91, 13 miles south quarter,” Mathis said recentof Springfield. But it is still a ly while talking about how vacant lot and the town’s top 2020 might shape up for the elected official hadn’t even $95 million resort casino promised the state and city it near Westfield.

The disappointing numheard from developers since in Springfield’s South End would hire as it campaigned MGM Springfield also plans bers follow gross gambling taking office in November. revenue of $19.9 million as it enters its third year of for a gaming license. to welcome a Wahlburgers Andrew Doba, a spokesin November, which at the man employed by the tribes operation.

MGM officials said Kelley restaurant at the corner of time was the second-lowthrough their partnership, Mathis and Vice President was not available for interMain and Union streets in est monthly total since the MMCT Venture LLC, reviews. Mathis said before and Chief Financial Officer 2020. casino’s first full month of sponded to questions from his departure that MGM has Courtney Wenleder left the Wahlburgers is owned by had to adjust its headcount operation in September 2018. The Republican with a writcasino in January following the Dorchester-bred Wahlten statement. berg family, including lead to match its needs and that MGM Springfield reported record-low gambling revenue number for December “We continue to make MGM Springfield is constant- chef Paul Wahlberg and gross gambling revenue of ly hiring for many of its jobs progress on Tribal Winds, his brothers, actors Mark and months of lackluster $21.6 million a year ago in revenue numbers reported to as it deals with attrition. including working with the and Donnie Wahlberg. The December 2018.

If sports betting happens, it the Massachusetts Gaming would help MGM draw visiCommission. tors and compete with sports MGM Springfield will continue to face questions in betting operations that are already legal in neighboring 2020 with a new president, states like New Hampshire, Chris Kelley, at the helm.

Rhode Island and New York.

Gross gambling revenue is, Rivers Casino in Schenectaaccording to state numbers, dy, New York, advertises its stagnant or falling. Employsports betting with a billboard restaurant chain is the subject ment at the casino is stuck state and federal government Meanwhile, revenue was — visible only to eastbound at about 2,500. That’s 500 to get MGM’s latest round of of the family’s reality TV up at Encore Boston Harbor fewer workers than MGM drivers — on Interstate 90 litigation dismissed,” Doba show, also called “Wahlburg- in Everett. Encore reported ers.” Mark Wahlberg visited wrote. “We look forward to $13.5 million in gross gamMGM Springfield during con- bling revenue in December working with state leaders struction and was there on 2019, making it the casino’s as we continue our effort to best month since its opening preserve Connecticut jobs opening day in August 2018 touting the restaurant. in June. and revenue.”

Mathis pointed to MGM’s Mathis acknowledged the MGM is having a positive use of local suppliers and competition from Encore and impact on the region’s tourist contractors and the job elsewhere. But he said MGM economy as a whole, said opportunities presented by is changing its marketing Mary Kay Wydra, president of MGM-sponsored events. The and offerings and plans to the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. series of Aerosmith concerts rely on more entertainment According to a Visitors Bulast summer necessitated and events to draw crowds. reau’s survey, that works out the hiring of 130 stagehands He cited the Boston Red Sox to an average of $572 spent at MassMutual Center, for Winter Weekend in January, example. which drew thousands to the per traveling party per day: SEE MGM, PAGE J19 But the gambling revenues MassMutual Center. still lag.

As reported to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission in January, MGM Springfield reported gross gambling revenue of $18.9 million in The 2020 Boston Red Sox Winter Weekend took place at December — the lowest fullMGM Springfield and the MassMutual Center in Downtown month revenue figure in the Springfield in January. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO) casino’s 16-month history.

Legal sports betting on tap for 2020

I

MGM Springfield will continue to face questions in 2020 with a new president, Chris Kelley, at the helm. Gross gambling revenue is, according to state numbers, stagnant or falling.

Just Like

Sullivan

through college.

The faculty, staff and students of our colleges and uniCONTINUED FROM PAGE J2 versities also impact the quality leader in water technology and of life in the region every day: building technologies.

• Springfield College faculty • Western New England Uni- joined physician assistant versity has a growing pharmacy faculty members from colleges school but is also bringing its and universities throughout engineering and marketing Massachusetts to be a part of studies program together to a working group focused on create an exciting innovation addressing the opioid crisis in and entrepreneur program.

Massachusetts. The group rep• Greenfield Community resented a first-in-the-nation, College annually celebrates cross-institutional partnership STEM Week in partnership toward the prevention and with the state Executive Office management of prescription of Education and the STEM drug misuse.

Advisory Council. STEM Week • Westfield State University students contribute over is a statewide effort to boost 60,000 hours a year in the interest in science, technology, engineering and math for local community. students from kindergarten • The American Internation-

al College baseball team collected and donated over a ton of food, with the help of Peter Pan Bus, to two local charities.

• Smith College has created Project Coach, which works with young adults striving and experiencing work, life and education in Springfield.

Our colleges and universities have been an integral part of the quality of life in our region and our economy. Moving forward together I think our future is very bright.

Richard K. Sullivan Jr. is president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts. To learn more about the council and its work, visit the website, western massedc.com.

Lesser CONTINUED FROM PAGE J4

For example, a precision machinist could use the fund to enroll in a 12-week course to learn a new 3D printing system, or a nurse could use the fund to learn a new health care technology. In both cases, the worker will earn a higher wage and bring the new skills with them to future employers.

Luckily, in Western Massachusetts we have many organizations already working on this transition. The Regional Employment Board of Hampden County already operates an evening training program where people can learn specific skills like CNC machining, in many cases doubling their salary after only a few months of training.

Lifelong Learning Accounts could be used to fund these programs.

New policies that make benefits portable, so that workers can bring their health and disability insurance, sick time and other benefits with them from job to job, will help ensure security and dignity in a changing economy.

As the nature of work changes, we must also ensure worker protections stay up to date as well. Vital services such as health care, disability insurance, sick time, and other worker benefits are tied to an industrial-model of employment that has long since passed. A younger generation of workers is expected to change careers as many times as their parents changed job titles.

Many gig economy workers, like Uber drivers, Airbnb hosts or GrubHub delivery drivers, do not qualify for benefits like health insurance, workers’ compensation, or sick time.

That needs to change. New policies that make benefits portable, so that workers can bring their health and disability insurance, sick time and other benefits with them from job to job, will help ensure security and dignity in a changing economy.

The coming years will bring unprecedented challenges and disruptions to how our economy works and how workers prepare and train for their careers. But smart and flexible public policy can harness these changes to create new opportunities for prosperity and security shared by all.

State Sen. Eric P. Lesser, D-Longmeadow, represents the 1st Hampden & Hampshire District. He is chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. He is also co-chair of the Future of Work Policy Group organized by NewDEAL, a national network of pro-growth, progressive state and local elected officials.

2020

Vision

Springfield d is i your clear l view i for f success!

You too can be part of the good economic development initiatives in Springfield.

Let the Springfield pride, power and strength translate into your business prosperity needs.

Respectfully, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno Office of Planning and Economic Development 70 Tapley Street Springfield, MA 01104 (413) 787-6020 Mon.-Fri. 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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J16 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

At far left, a former STCC grad and student at Central Connecticut State University, Shamae March, works as a routing machine operator at Universal Plastics in Holyoke. A “handful” of workers have come from STCC in the three years Universal Plastics co-owner Pia Kumar has been involved with the college. At left, Raynaldo Rivera shows off a part after it comes out of a vacuum forming machine.

(DAVE ROBACK PHOTOS)

MANUFACTURING

Universal Plastics carries on region’s manufacturing legacy Partnerships with Bay Path, STCC help feed workforce

P

By Lori Stabile

hires, according to Kumar.

“The person that goes to STCC is the person we want,” Kumar ia and Jay Kumar wanted to opersays. “They are looking to ate a business together. They were make their lives better.”

Kumar is similarly involved ready to leave behind the hustle of with Bay Path, where she also New York City and their Wall Street is looking for interns, and is in Monique Garla, a forming adminstrator at Universal Plastics, stands in front of a project board she helped create. Women the process of hiring one for careers. comprise 30% of Universal Plastics’ workforce. the corporate finance departThey heard through a family 2020, Pia Kumar says. ment. She notes that Bay Path (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO) Pia Kumar, co-owner of friend about Universal Plastics It has 110 employees in Holy- caters to the first-generation Universal Plastics in Holyoke, in Holyoke, a manufacturer oke and 400 company-wide. college student and focuses on children of employees attend. accountability, and improved stands in the company facility. specializing in custom thermo- Women comprise 30% of women.

It also sponsored a food drive, the company’s culture. This (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO) forming.

Universal’s workforce.

“I got involved with Bay Path collecting more than 300 was put in place with funding “We felt it was the right “We’re growing and always because I want to help break pounds of food for Lorraine’s from MassMEP (Manufacturbusiness in terms of culture, looking for new people,” she the stereotype that graduates Soup Kitchen in Chicopee and ing Extension Partnership).

The initiative enabled the comsize and what we could afford says. from a women’s college don’t the Sutton Senior Center. here,” Pia Kumar, co-owner While it can be difficult have opportunities at a manuIn 2018, the company found pany to share information and and chief strategy officer, says. to find employees, Kumar facturing company like Univer- itself facing a problem – it had metrics and create clarity on its “We moved from New York notes recent relationships she sal Plastics,” Kumar shares. more work to do than it antici- workflow, Kumar explains.

“We believe it’s helping us City and never looked back.” has forged with Springfield Universal Plastics is familypated. To help employees rally, retain people. We’ve seen That was eight years ago.

Technical Community College and community-focused. It they offered overtime and Since the Kumars took over and Bay Path University in hosted a first-time homebuybonuses to get the work done, attrition go downward in the past year,” she says. “People the private company, it has Longmeadow to help with that ers’ program workshop for em- Kumar says. grown threefold, and they have effort. ployees and regularly donates They also instituted a “lean” want to come and work and do a good job, and we’ve given expanded the company beyond She recalls talking with her books to Holyoke’s Morgan El- initiative that Kumar said SEE PLASTICS, PAGE J19 its 100,000-square-foot head- husband about staffing issues. ementary School, where many increased communication and quarters where they specialize “I said, ‘We have so many in custom thermoforming for great schools in the area. Why aerospace, medical and indus- aren’t we doing internships?’” trial products.

Kumar says. “I said, ‘We Universal Plastics Group Inc. have to connect with these now has four other facilities, schools.’” in Sutton, and Howes Cave, Kumar serves on the advisory New York, which also feature board for STCC’s mechanicustom thermoforming, and cal engineering technology sites in Middlefield, Ohio, program, a role that helps give which offers injection molding, her a voice in the curriculum structural foam and gas assist, and a line to potential employand Latrobe, Pennsylvania, ees. A “handful” of workers featuring injection and blow have come from STCC over the molding. The facility in Holypast three years she has been oke is its largest. As of this year, involved with the college, she all operate under the Universal notes.

K Plastics name.

STCC, with its manufacturPUC PIA KUMAR, CO-OWNER, THE RE. E H Universal Plastics will ing focus, has been an asset UNIVERSAL PLASTICS GROUP, S P STO remain focused on growth for when it comes to finding new HOLYOKE Special to The Republican

“I got involved with Bay Path (University) because I want to help break the stereotype that graduates from a women’s college don’t have opportunities at a manufacturing company like Universal Plastics.”

Regan

workforce by younger people.

Clayton-Matthews says the Massachusetts labor force CONTINUED FROM PAGE J10 will stop growing in 2028 if the necessity for business, current fertility, mortality and government, and educational migration rates continue. institutions to collaborate Educating and training so that every Massachusetts Massachusetts residents for resident has access to the skilled jobs is particularly imlearning needed to share in portant against the backdrop the economic success of the of a bifurcation of the labor commonwealth. We can no market into distinctly highlonger afford to leave anyone wage and low-wage occupabehind. tions. There are 53 million If you think that’s overly U.S. workers — around 44% dramatic, consider this — the of the total workforce — who Massachusetts economy work in jobs with a median contracted slightly during the hourly wage of $10.22 and third quarter of 2019, not bemedian yearly earnings of cause of an economic down$18,000, according to a Noturn, but because the comvember Brookings’ study. monwealth’s employers are Education represents the starting to bump up against clearest pathway to move peoworkforce capacity limits. ple from those types of jobs to With a 2.9% unemployment the high-wage positions being rate and employers creating created in Massachusetts. approximately 52,000 net And Massachusetts is awash new jobs last year, some in those new-economy jobs. companies have postponed Another recent study found expansions or put off bidding that Boston was among just on new business because they five metropolitan areas that just can’t find the people to do accounted for 90% of all U.S. the work. high-tech job growth between The challenge will become 2005 to 2017. more immediate during the The good news is that Masnext decade. sachusetts has already taken Research by economist Alan substantive steps to address Clayton-Matthews at Norththe labor shortage. The state eastern University projects Legislature passed a landthat employment growth in mark school funding reform Massachusetts will slow to in November that includes less than half a percent by accountability measures that 2021 as accelerating retireemployers believe will ensure ments by baby boomers that students are prepared for the new economy. The comoutpace additions to the

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monwealth has also invested in vocational schools and encouraged the training of incumbent workers through the Work Force Training Fund and other programs.

Our education systems value all our young people, regardless of ZIP code.

We must also encourage and celebrate collaborative efforts to extend opportunity to as many people as possible — efforts such as those undertaken by Kristin Maier Carlson at Peerless Precision, the remarkably successful job-training program operated by the Hampden County Sheriff ’s Department, and initiatives such as Tech Foundry and the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership.

We need to acknowledge economic inequality while overcoming it by creating real pathways for achieving economic security, lest we drive our public discussions and our politics down an ever more resentful and unconstructive path. Better education, better workforce training and development, a strong business climate across Massachusetts — all this creates more opportunity.

John R. Regan is president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts. To learn more about the association and its work, go online to aimnet. org.

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Looking for the next, best (ad)venture Venture capital group taps local talent to go national

By NATASHA ZENA

tool to help families, financial advisers and schools through The Alchemy Group is tak- the challenging process of ing a nontraditional approach planning for (and paying for) to venture capital. higher education; OmpracWith an eye on spotting tice, a live interactive online early stage startups in the yoga experience using twoPioneer Valley with massive way video so live teachers can scale potential, the venture guide live students; and Marcellamoda, a five-year-old capital firm takes a partnership approach by working global e-commerce fashion with founders to upgrade brand producing edgy, mintheir business model, add imalist women’s contempodifferentiating technology rary streetwear and one of the to their enterprises, provide premier brands on Etsy.

More than half of Alcheseed funding and assign veteran executives as coaches. my’s portfolio companies They staff project-specific are co-founded by women. roles from a virtual network Although the firm didn’t speof senior business and techcifically seek companies with nology experts. female founders, Gearing Partners Chris Bignell, Brett says it is an exciting developM. Gearing, Kevin Sanborn ment. and Chris Sims believe this “We are certainly seeing approach makes sense for a more women in founding or region that is ripe for venture co-founding roles. We are capital investment but still also seeing more women participating in funding roles for lacks the polished, readystartups which may provide to-invest deals that venture investors in larger markets are support for founders looking to fund their businesses,” he familiar with. says. “Additionally, and even more exciting, is that we have “We provide capital also seen female founders operating in STEM-related fields and advisory that were once predominantly services male. We believe that diverto sity on all fronts will improve performance.” startups Aclarity co-founder and to get CEO Julie Bliss Mullen says them to it’s important for investors to Special to The Republican

the next level and make them fundable.”

SEE ALCHEMY, PAGE J18

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | J17

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Righting the writing process Fundraising is next chapter in Bookflow startup story

By NATASHA ZENA

desktop version at bookflow.pub. The platform currently has 850 users, the Lisa Papademetriou knows a thing or majority falling within the 25 to 35 age two about writing. demographic.

Having written and published over 70 Bookflow’s first go-to-market customer books, including two that landed on the is writers, both professional and hobbyists. Papademetriou has identified several New York Times bestseller list, when other markets for the platform, including someone of her pedigree in the writing blogging and journaling. business says the business of writing can For now, she’s focusing on the next chapuse an overhaul, people are bound to ter in Bookflow’s story – fundraising. “It’s listen. so very chicken and egg, it’s fascinating,” “I was in editorial with Harper Collins, Papademetriou says, noting the age-old Disney Press and Scholastic. I was a story battle many entrepreneurs face – founders editor, and I worked with writers to imneed funding to get to the next level, yet prove their work,” she explains. “I became need to get to the next level in order to very adept at understanding how stories function and how writers can quickly see if Lisa Papademetriou, of Northampton, attract funding. a story is going to work. Story structure is Last year, she joined forces with launched the Bookflow startup. Bookkind of my thing.”

Launch413, a firm headed by Paul Silva flow helps users build storytelling skills, and Rick Plaut, that helps startups become Papademetriou was teaching her “thing” practice effective writing habits and scalable but instead of taking an equity to students in a master’s of fine arts degree increase productivity by allowing users stake, shares in future revenue. in writing program at Sierra Nevada to capture, retrieve and organize their “We’ve got our first paying customers.

College when an observation turned into ideas. (ELLEN AUGARTEN PHOTO) That’s a huge milestone for us. We’ve also inspiration for her new startup, Bookflow. met a lot of product development mileFor a woman who compares writing “What I noticed is that a lot of them stones,” she says. “Right now I’m focused to running, goal-setting and motivation were reading books on how to be better on the cost of acquisition milestones. It’s had to be an integral part of the platform. writers. I was like, ‘I wish I could be with “Sure, anyone can (write), but if you want all about establishing the lifetime value them when they were actually doing the to get better you have to commit to doing it of the customer. How long do they stay writing.’ They would grind their gears. on the site? Trying to up engagement. regularly,” Papademetriou explains.

They would read a book and try to do all We’re really focused on getting the cost Bookflow gives users the ability to set 100 tips. I wished I could come up with of user acquisition as low as possible. goals like how many words they want to a process,” she says. “I told some people Testing our messaging on Google ads and write or when they want to finish. They I wanted to write a book on writing, but none of the books on writing are helpful.” can utilize writing prompts and reflection seeing what has the best conversion rate.”

If she’s able to grow Bookflow successquestions and track their progress and proHer husband, technologist Ali Usman, ductivity. Users can also easily rearrange fully, she has the potential to leave quite with whom she co-founded Northampan imprint on the publishing world on both scenes or chapters with a drag and drop ton’s Click Workspace in 2011, had a sides of the coin as an author and entretool and export their work at any time. suggestion, “How about an app?”

“I was like, ‘That’s a great idea!’ It will Papademetriou says everything is stored preneur.

“I’d like for my legacy to be that of a accomplish everything that I am trying to on the cloud, and the system is constantly guide. Studies have revealed that writing accomplish,” Papademetriou says. saving as you work. “There’s no concern can lead to both mental and physical “Because I am a writer, it wasn’t that that it’s not getting updated. You can hard to find people who were willing to try download it anytime you want,” she says. health benefits similar to those of meditation. The thought and observation it out,” she adds. “The minute we had a Bookflow is offering a 45-day free trial. required to write anything – a journal, very basic version of the app – I am a mem- “If you write on it and decide you don’t ber of a small listserve for writers – and an essay, a novel, a memoir, or anything want to continue, you can still download asked if people were willing to try it out, a any material you’ve put on there even after else – changes us, hopefully pushing us bunch of people hopped on it right away.” the trial is over,” she says. toward deeper understanding. I’d love Bookflow helps users build storytelling to be someone who helped everyone After successful beta testing, Bookflow skills, practice effective writing habits and is now in iteration 1.0. While the mobile see the importance of sitting with ideas, increase productivity by allowing users to application still has limited functionality, shaping them, and sharing them,” Papademetriou adds. capture, retrieve and organize their ideas. all of its features can be accessed on the Special to The Republican

Brett M. Gearing, Alchemy Group

Alchemy is betting that the ability to work closely with the teams and fill any gaps they may have gives the startup a better chance at reaching its next stage of maturity, a definite edge in a culture where nine out of 10 startups fail.

“We invest and advise in early stage ventures regionally and mostly in the Pioneer Valley,” says Gearing. “We provide capital and advisory services to startups to get them to the next level and make them fundable.”

Alchemy launched its first fund in January 2017 with $1 million.

Gearing says the skill set of the firm’s partners makes for a well-rounded firm. Their combined years of experience in fundraising, investment services, startup advisory and business development spans nearly three decades.

Alchemy’s first portfolio of companies have become recognizable names in Western Massachusetts and are quickly gaining national attention for the innovation they bring to their respective markets.

“We have some really topshelf quality deals that have large market opportunities.

We closed our first portfolio in September with six companies,” Gearing says.

Those companies include: New England Breath Technologies and its Breath Health monitor which removes painful finger pricks from the daily lives of diabetics and pre-diabetics, using biomarkers in breath to accurately monitor, blood glucose levels instead; Aclarity, a cleantech startup developing and commercializing patent-pending electrochemical water treatment devices to clean the world’s water and wastewater; Motion Coach, a rehabilitation and personal training platform that uses real-time video and computer vision to reinvent home workouts and clinical teaching for the $35 billion physical therapy market; Pay 4 Education, a

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J18 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

FORGE

Alchemy

CONTINUED FROM PAGE J12

CONTINUED FROM PAGE J17

Quikcord is a military-inspired paracord device that dispenses cord without tangling and has a built-in “smart blade” and emergency signal feature. Rodrigues was already in the process of creating a working relationship with manufacturer Cartamundi in East Longmeadow. “I figured out how Cartamundi wants to work with startups and at what stage. Quikcord was at that stage, and I made the connection,” he said.

Matching startups like these with the correct resources is critical at the early stage, according to Teicher.

“Startups with hardware and physical product are more capital intensive upfront,” Teicher explains. “If they don’t make the right design and supply chain design, they can easily run out of runway.”

Quikcord chief financial officer Matt Fioretti says that when he and his co-founder Matt Adams started this process years ago, they had no idea there were resources locally to help them navigate the waters.

“FORGE put us in contact with prototypers, manufacturers, plastics consultants and showed us many different programs that were vital to our early progression,” Fioretti says. “Now we are proud to have come from a duct tape-covered toilet paper roll — our first prototype that did actually work — to an injection molded part that will be manufactured and assembled here in Western Massachusetts.”

He adds, “A lot of our required assembly materials were sourced right here in the Pioneer Valley as well. Working with FORGE has been nothing short of amazing, and we have learned so much. We couldn’t be more appreciative of their help and supportive of their mission.”

Funded in part by the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation as well as the Springfield Technology Park, where FORGE occupies free office space, the initiative has helped over 190 startups source their supply chain with right-fit and ready, local connections to manufacturers.

Best of all, the startups have an 85% survival rate which proves, Teicher says, that FORGE has identified and provides a critical intervention for these new companies.

develop relationships with female founders and fund their ideas when the time is right in order to pave the path to capital for future female entrepreneurs. She also says Alchemy has had a significant impact on her startup.

“Working with the Alchemy Fund has been arguably the best decision I’ve made at Aclarity to date. Chris Sims, who we hired as vice president of strategy, has an ingenious way of organizing

%%SATFOL-%%3MONTH%%2DATE OUTLOOK 2020

and articulating various company plans from sales cycles to manufacturing.

Having the support of Chris and the Alchemy Fund has advanced our company leaps and bounds so we can focus on selling water treatment solutions to facilities that need them,” Mullen says.

For now, the firm is focused on its current startups as well as simultaneously fundraising for a second fund that it projects will be two to three times larger than the first one and provide funding for approximately 10 to 15 startups.

Crews at the CRRC factory in East Springfield continue to work on Orange Line cars for the MBTA. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

CRRC CONTINUED FROM PAGE J7

clause that allows CRRC to sell more cars to its current customers, and gives it a two-year grace period to bid for any transit contract other than the Washington Metro.

Neal said at a mid-December announcement that the two-year grace period might become permanent.

He said he’s urged CRRC to get investment from domestic backers to improve its standing with the federal government.

“They got caught up in an international trade dispute,” Neal said at the time.

That dispute is ongoing, although President Donald Trump has suggested a deal could be reached with China. It’s unclear what any

deal would mean for CRRC, which operates under a 25% tariff on some imported components and on the steel it uses.

Neal pointed to his success negotiating a new United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. That deal required buy-in from the Trump administration and from organized labor as well as the governments of Canada and Mexico.

At the factory, Conti said CRRC is somewhere around 60 cars behind its production schedule for the MBTA. But workers are being retrained and factory practices updated. He said CRRC plans to get back on track in early 2020.

“We’ve had some good meetings with them,” he said of the T. “They are not happy. But they understand.”

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Robinson CONTINUED FROM PAGE J6

diverse labor force that takes advantage of these choices creates a stronger workforce, which ultimately results in a more competitive and resilient region.

A top-notch transportation system for the Pioneer Valley is key to realizing our potential, which is why the planning commission considers this to be one of our biggest priorities. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has a history of working to address these issues and championing the needs of our communities.

One recent example is the first two successful seasons of ValleyBike Share – those blue-and-white bikes you may have seen in Amherst, Northampton, South Hadley, Holyoke, and Springfield – which are strategically placed to give folks a two-wheeled option to cover short trips.

This 21st century amenity has already become a mainstay in major metros across the globe, and by offering the

Amtrak’s Valley Flyer made its first trip through Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke and Springfield on Aug. 30. Kimberly H. Robinson, executive director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, says, “This service is exactly the type of connection we want to expand upon and foster.” She cautions, though, that ridership will determine its fate. (MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PHOTO)

for the Flyer within its first two years.

Last, but certainly not least, is the regional battle cry for east-west passenger rail to Boston. Championed by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and state Sen. Eric Lesser, among others, a study is currently assessing six different approaches to achieve this connection. It is our consistent assertion that any A top-notch transportation system for cost-benefit analysis must not simply judge fare-box revethe Pioneer Valley is key to realizing our nue, but rather the totality potential, which is why the planning of economic activity such a service would generate for commission considers this to be one of our our region. biggest priorities.

The Pioneer Valley PlanThis past August, the ning Commission is incredsame here in the valley, we commonwealth launched the ibly proud to be supporting are not only providing our Valley Flyer north-south pas- our great quality of life by region’s current workers, working on our region’s worksenger rail service, supplestudents, and visitors with a menting with two additional force transportation needs. great active mobility option, Our efforts, along with those trips in each direction the but also sending a message previously once-daily Amtrak of the many tremendous govto potential employees that ernment agencies, civic and this is a world class region. Be Vermonter from Greenfield, on the lookout for additional Northampton, Holyoke, and service organizations in our region, are focused on creatcommunities joining the Val- Springfield, down through leyBike system next season. ing and maintaining commuHartford and New Haven to Next, let’s talk passenger nities of opportunity for our points south including New workforce and residents, and rail. Our proximity to the York City. This service is a region we are proud to call developing Acela Corridor exactly the type of connection we want to expand upon home. means that connecting to it effectively is vital to our future and foster, but be warned, as Kimberly H. Robinson is execonomic success. We believe a pilot program, the state Department of Transportation is ecutive director of the Pioneer passenger rail is a powerful fully prepared to discontinue Valley Planning Commission. means of tapping into this our up-valley rail service if To learn more about the comeconomic engine, lest we be left behind. This will not only they don’t see the type of rid- mission and its work, go online give valley residents options to ership levels they are setting to pvpc.org. commute to job opportunities not yet available here in the valley, but will entice major employers to consider establishing a regional presence in our communities as well.

Cities such as Worcester and Lowell, for example, have seen increased economic activity due in part to their connectivity via commuter rail to Greater Boston and beyond.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS IN DOWNTOWN SPRINGFIELD

But even the longest rail trip, boosters say, would take cars and buses off Boston’s clogged streets and allow Western Massachusetts residents access to the booming Boston economy.

Train

and Windsor Locks.

This summer, Connecticut will begin construction at Windsor Station, a project meant to be completed in 2021. The project will include platforms on each side of the tracks, sheltered waiting areas, real-time train arrival displays, snow melt systems at ramps and on platforms, parking on both the east and west sides of the tracks, and security cameras and emergency phones.

Area (TOD) downtown and the development at Montgomery Mills.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE J6 Connecticut’s plans also Springfield to Boston could include: take between 80 and 105 • adding a second line of minutes, but only if the state tracks along the Hartford Line builds a new rail line along north of Hartford to increase the Massachusetts Turnpike the frequency of service; and connects it to Springfield • creating a connection Union Station and Worcester from the Windsor Locks train Union Station. station to Bradley InternationThe trip is only marginally al Airport; and longer – about 90 minutes to • adding digital displays at just under two hours – if new each Hartford Line station to rails are built basically along provide real-time passenger the existing freight rights of information on service.

WATCH THE VIDEO way with curves straightened On a recent southbound trip, To see Don Treeger’s out. a CTrail train from Springfield video about CTRail Minimal upgrades – better was nearly empty, and riders service to Springfield, go online to YouTube.com/ track and signals and restoring said it doesn’t fill up until MassLive some double-tracked sections Hartford. But at least one rider of rail – would get the Springboarding in Springfield was on field-to-Boston travel time his daily commute.

In December, construction down to just about two hours.

Connecticut subsidizes the But even the longest rail trip, began on the Windsor Locks fares in order to take cars off boosters say, would take cars Station in the new downtown Interstate 91. and buses off Boston’s clogged location. The project will CTrail from Springfield to streets and allow Western include a single platform, a New Haven, a 49-mile trip, Massachusetts residents multiuse trail with conneccosts $12.75 one way. The train access to the booming Boston tions to the Canal Trail via from Springfield to Greenfield Bridge Street, parking, and economy. costs $16 or $24 depending Setting up east-west rail other amenities like the newly on when tickets are ordered, would take time. The CTrail constructed Hartford Line Roscoe said. service opened in 2018, 14 stations. The 510-foot-long The timing of the Greenfield years after the first feasibility platform will be fully complitrains is also off. A commuter ant with the Americans with study and after three years of with a job in Springfield can construction, which cost more Disabilities Act, with level make a morning train, but than $760 million. Of that, the boarding from every train car, return trips are either in the state of Connecticut is spend- Everhart wrote. middle of the afternoon or late ing $564.3 million, and $204.8 The project also includes at night. million came from the federal reconstruction of Route 159, In one other innovation, the government. closing Church Street at Route Pioneer Valley Transit AuAnd work will continue, says 159 and improvements to thority is working to unify its Judd Everhart, spokesman for nearly 1.5 miles of mainline ticketing system with commutthe Connecticut Department er rail, so passengers can buy track. This project would of Transportation. Work will all their tickets for a bus trip complement the town’s new take place this year in Windsor Transit Oriented Development connecting to a train in one go.

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Plastics CONTINUED FROM PAGE J16

them the tools to do that.”

The items Universal Plastics makes are varied. Everything they make is custom. They do not stock parts, Pia Kumar explains. She said companies will have specific needs, and they will work with Universal Plastics’ engineers throughout the design and manufacturing process.

The process of custom thermoforming entails heating plastic to a pliable temperature, then it is formed to a specific shape in a mold and cut to create a product. Multi-access CNC machines are used, Kumar says.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | J19

“People want to come and work and do a good job, and we’ve given them the tools to do that.”

Peters is vice chairman and Michael Peters handles strategic sales, according to Kumar.

The company was founded in Chicopee in 1966, and moved to Holyoke approximately 20 years ago.

Chase and global director of Pia Kumar is enthusiastic strategic partnerships at Amer- about the future of manufacturican Express, while Jay Kumar ing in Western Massachusetts is a former options trader at and the U.S. She says Universal JPMorgan Chase. She says she Plastics has witnessed a lot of enjoys working and living in “reshoring,” the practice of Western Massachusetts. She bringing manufacturing back and Jay have three children and to the country from overseas a dog. because customers are “not While Jay’s father, Sunil Kugetting the quality they want mar, helped the couple find the overseas.” business, his role today is that “There is a lot of hope for of a strategic adviser, Pia Kumar manufacturing,” Kumar said, says. The Kumars took over the noting the “rich history of manbusiness from the Peters family, ufacturing in Western Massachusetts.” who are still involved. Joseph

PIA KUMAR, CO-OWNER, UNIVERSAL PLASTICS GROUP, HOLYOKE

They make everything from special compartments and containers for jet engines to items used in airplanes, including the plastics for seat backs, tray tables, screen holders, and foot and arm rests. The airline seating work is done in Holyoke.

“We have expertise in airline seating and have been doing it for a long time. In the last five to six years it ramped up, and we started doing it in much higher volumes than the business had ever done before,” Kumar says.

They also made the signs for New York City bus stops, as they are now plastic instead of metal, as well as kayaks, bows of submarines used by the Navy and air ducts for the Space Shuttle. The birthing tubs at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton and Baystate Medical Center in Springfield also are made by Universal Plastics.

“We are in a niche that works for us,” Kumar says.

Pia Kumar is a former investment banker at JP Morgan

Hoop CONTINUED FROM PAGE J9

MGM Springfield plans to welcome a Wahlburgers restaurant at the corner of Main and Union streets in 2020. Wahlburgers is owned by the Dorchester-bred Wahlberg family, including lead chef Paul Wahlberg, above, and his brothers, actors Mark and Donnie Wahlberg. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

MGM CONTINUED FROM PAGE J15

$201 on lodging, $70 on shopping, $68 on transportation and gas, $57 at the casino, $32 on attractions, $30 on cultural activities and $51 on miscellaneous expenses.

“That’s a whole category of spending we didn’t even have before,” she said.

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said MGM’s impact is best felt among downtown restaurants that say they benefit from the increased foot traffic.

Red Rose Pizzeria expanded after the casino opened and Nadim’s Downtown reports

more business. Even Theodore’s Blues, Booze, and BBQ on Worthington Street, a few blocks from the casino, reports seeing stronger business when there is a major event at MGM. Mathis had little to say about MGM’s corporate strategy of selling real estate and then leasing back the facility and operating it. Parent company MGM Resorts International has done that at its Bellagio Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, and has said its real-estate divestment plans will likely include MGM Springfield.

MGM would continue dayto-day operations under that scenario, Mathis said.

Haghighat

our legislators regionally, we have already seen progress as highlighted in our report.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE J11 While more women now families back. represent Western MassachuAs International Womsetts, we still have a long way en’s Health Coalition CEO to go toward shared leaderFrancoise Girard states, “By ship. We also align with orgainvesting in the individual, the nizations such as the Western burden remains on women Massachusetts Women’s Bar Association to encourage more to lift themselves and their children out of poverty, while women to apply to be judges.

When we see innovative leaving in place the systems strategies in our region that of oppression that cause or help women and their families contribute to this poverty in the first place.” One way we do succeed despite challenges, we this is by changing who holds highlight these.

For instance, thanks to the elected leadership through creative thinking and underour Leadership Institute for standing of our board member Political and Public Impact.

Pia Kumar, Universal Plastics, Aiming for gender parity in

high-profile class,” Doleva says. “It will fill the hotels at what is normally a slow time.”

The induction ceremony in Springfield will take place Saturday, Aug. 29. It’s a departure from the traditional Friday-night scheduling, which felt rushed, since regional fans and officials were leaving work for the event, Doleva says. That leaves Sunday as a Community Day to wrap up a memorable weekend.

The hall of fame is also being recognized by the U.S. Congress. A commemorative coin will be introduced at the Final Four and figures to become popular with collectors.

“Proceeds will go to the hall of fame,” Doleva says. “We expect a seven-figure net result.” The U.S. Mint is expected to do a colorized version for the first time, he adds.

Springfield’s economic resurgence has dovetailed with the hall of fame expansion and renovation. The basketball shrine has developed a winning relationship with MGM Springfield, which serves as a cornerstone to downtown and tourism growth.

“We enjoy a very meaningful relationship with MGM Springfield, focusing on building overall visitation to the region and developing events that benefit both organizations and the region,” says Doleva. “A great example of our partnership is the inaugural MGM Basketball Hall of Fame Golf Classic, hosted by hall of famer Ray Allen, which took place last July. The hospitality of MGM, combined with the star power of many participating hall of famers, made this a new signature event for participating premium level basketball fans visiting Springfield.”

The hoop hall continues to represent all of the many aspects of a sport whose roots trace to its 1891 invention in Springfield. No other

a Holyoke-based manufacturer run by Kumar and her husband, Jay, is having great success retaining the 30% of women in their workforce. Of those women, the majority are single mothers.

Kumar knew that the key to retaining these women and attracting others was to focus on the challenges that kept these women from reporting to work and staying on the job. Universal Plastics took the bold step of hiring a full-time employee whose job it is to help employees navigate barriers outside of work.

For example, Universal Plastics allows flexibility in attendance when needed for

A view of the refurbished theater in the renovated Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

sports museum embraces so many different categories: men; women; pros; collegians; high schools; international stars; African-American pioneers from the pre-integration era; great teams otherwise forgotten by time; administrators; and even referees.

A new exhibit details the history and purpose of the NBA Players Association. The union has shown its appreciation, and its regard for the museum, with a $1 million donation.

That gift means a lot to Doleva, for it represents his vision of what the hall of fame is all about: inclusion of all branches of the sport and acceptance throughout basketball of Springfield as its curator of history and modern trends.

“It’s been a long process, but with these renovations and what we have to offer, we’re ready to give our visitors an unmatched experience,’’ he says.

single mothers. Kumar finds “our single moms are our most dedicated employees.

They appreciate our partnership in their professional and family’s success. They are the folks who show up to work on that first beautiful day of the year when others may call out sick.”

Other nonprofits are also thinking creatively about barriers faced by their stakeholders. For example, Berkshire Community College has a Campus Cupboard, a free food nutrition resource center that is thoughtfully arranged to invite students to leverage it without fear of stigma.

These Universal Plastics and

Berkshire Community College strategies counteract “business as usual” and demonstrate the promise of innovative thinking in education, jobs and our region’s prosperity. At the Women’s Fund a key way we create access and opportunities for women is by educating our region and inviting partnership in finding solutions to the challenges women and their families face.

Donna Haghighat is CEO of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, 1350 Main St., Suite 1006, Springfield. To learn more about the women’s fund and its work, go online to Mywomensfund.org.

Connolly CONTINUED FROM PAGE J14

MassHire Hampden County, Associated Industries of Massachusetts and local School-To-Career organizations to host an interactive, hands-on career fair for students in grades 7 through 12. The goal of JA INSPIRE was to raise awareness of the outstanding career opportunities available in Western Massachusetts, along with the world-class post-secondary educational institutions from the region, how to visual a career pathway.

Over 50 businesses and educational institutions participated in the event, which was attended by nearly 400 students.

Students learned firsthand from business professional the skills and education needed to be successful in the workforce.

Providing students with opportunities to visit businesses, to learn about different careers, up close, is a great starting point.

Looking ahead there will be opportunities to offer new programs in addition to expanding programs such as early college, Innovation Pathways, JA INSPIRE and job shadowing, such as: • Credentials for Success, an initiative to build a strong talent pipeline that fuels growth and opportunity in our companies and economy by ensuring every student is prepared for college, career, and citizenship.

The program expands opportunities for high school students to earn credentials linked to labor market demand in fields and jobs that pay higher living wages, putting students on pathways to success, fueling a diverse, highly skilled workforce pipeline; and strengthening the economy and businesses; and • Expanding Access to Computer Technology by increasing access to and participation in computer science education in grades kindergarten through 12 and ensuring that underserved students have equal access to computer science coursework.

In order for our region to develop and secure a future workforce it is vital that we work together.

Western Massachusetts has a rich tradition in innovation and a wealth of businesses and educational institutions to support building a great future.

Jennifer A. Connolly is president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. To learn more about JA and its regional programs, go online to jawm.org.

A U TO C A R E PAG E

The importance of routine vehicle maintenance Owning a car is a big responsibility. Drivers who plan to keep their vehicles for the long haul must emphasize maintenance if they want to keep adding miles to their odometers. In fact, the automotive information site CarAdvice says that routine maintenance may be the most important thing drivers can do for their vehicles.

A vehicle needs consistent care if it is to run efficiently. Maintenance also reduces the risk of roadside breakdowns and costly repairs. Here’s a look at some of the benefits of staying on top of maintenance. · Saves money: Even though maintenance costs money, sticking to a consistent maintenance schedule can save big bucks in the long run.

For example, the cost of rotating and aligning tires is considerably less than repairing a car after a major blowout and paying for a tow and tire replacement.

· Maintains a maintenance record: When the time comes to sell the vehicle, having a log of routine maintenance indicates to potential buyers that the vehicle was well cared for. · Keeps compliance: Vehicles covered under manufacturer’s warranties typically need to be maintained in adherence to factory-recommended maintenance schedules.

This ensures that the vehicle is in compliance and will be covered in the event of a warranty claim.

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· Identifies safety issues: Routine inspections and work performed by reputable service stations help drivers stay abreast of recalls or issues that can affect the safety of the vehicle.

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MORE OUTLOOK 2020: Springfield’s new development guru Timothy Sheehan, Page A1 tomorrow

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Educare teaches the youngest of kids, engages community EDUCATION

Next generation learners ...

Anthony S. Caprio

Kids enjoy the unique peg wall at Educare Springfield, now open on Hickory Street, near Springfield College.

Above, preschooler Elijah Quiñones is enthusiastic as he shares some of his work at Educare Springfield. To see a gallery of photos from the newly opened facility, go online to MassLive. com.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

T

By Carolyn Robbins

Special to The Republican

he sleek new $14.4 million Educare building at 100 Hickory St. is now buzzing with the sounds of 141 infants, toddlers and preschool children from Springfield’s Mason Square neighborhood.

These children will be among the latest beneficiaries of a ground-breaking early childhood education center that has already made a positive impact on children’s lives in 23 Educare facilities from coast-to-coast.

Educare Springfield, located on land donated by Springfield College and adjacent to Elias Brookings School, is the 24th in the network of full-day, year-round schools in a public and private partnership founded 25 years ago by Susan Buf-

... new generation school

I

N 1919, WESTERN NEW England University was born from a simple idea of making a high-quality, private college education accessible and affordable to people seeking to improve their lives and their futures. We remain true to that mission and uniquely positioned to lead in the future with programs that are tied to workforce relevancy and geared for students at every stage of their work lives.

Ours has been a remarkable evolution. From just three programs taught in rented space at the Springfield Central YMCA, Western New England has grown to offer 90 bachelor, master’s, doctoral, certificate and combined degree programs. Our strength is in the unique breadth of our offerings and in the special opportunities afforded our students — from cross-disciplinary programs such as our six-year bachelor in engineerSEE WNEU, PAGE K15

The new $14.4 million Educare building at 100 Hickory St. is now buzzing with the sounds of 141 infants, toddlers and preschool children from Springfield’s Mason Square neighborhood.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

fett, daughter of billionaire philanthropist Warren Buffett, to serve at-risk children from birth to 5 years old in diverse communities.

The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, dedicated to improving educational outcomes for disadvan-

taged children, is the lead partner for Educare Springfield, which will be operated by federally funded Holyoke-Chicopee-Springfield Head Start. Children drawn from other Head Start sites in the city began arriving at the new center Jan. 6.

MANUFACTURING

Big parts, big business Meridian continues Holyoke’s legacy of manufacturing

During a series of open houses at Educare Springfield, Head Start executive director Janis Santos said parents of children attending programs in the sparkling, state-of-theart facility are overwhelmed with

SEE EDUCARE, PAGE K14

Western New England University’s engineering program imparts a proficiency in technology to help students navigate a rapidly changing workplace environment.

EDUCATION

Present meets future at UMass-Amherst Core Facilities gives biotech, other firms research support

By Lori Stabile

Special to The Republican

From parts for Patriot missiles to 30,000-pound pieces used for hydroelectric dams, Meridian Industrial Group sets itself apart from the competition by specializing in large part CNC precision machining.

“Not a lot of companies across the country are doing the size of the work we are,” Meridian president Steven E. Grande says. “We have a

WNEU focuses on career readiness

By Ron Chimelis

rchimelis@repub.com

Quality inspector Adam Forest uses a FaroArm to inspect a part at Meridian Industrial Group in Holyoke. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

nice niche. That’s part of the reason we are experiencing the prosperity we are experiencing.”

Adds Grande, “We get

work all across the country.

Companies are searching for someone willing and able to handle large parts.”

SEE MERIDIAN, PAGE K19

“Not a lot of companies across the country are doing the size of the work we are. We have a nice niche. That’s part of the reason we are experiencing the prosperity we are experiencing.”

Steven E. Grande, president, Meridian Industrial Group

Walking through the corridors of the University of Massachusetts Institute for Applied Life Sciences is like a journey through time travel.

The present blends into the future. This ship’s captain is proud of not only what the institute’s ultra-modern SEE UMASS, PAGE K16

A researcher at work at the University of Massachusetts’ Institute for Applied Life Sciences.

The institute’s Core Facilities program allows companies and agencies to access the research facilities for a reasonable fee. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

OUTLOOK 2020

K2 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Monson Savings makes financial literacy a priority

E

Steven E. Lowell

NHANCING FINANcial literacy within our communities has always been a focus for Monson Savings Bank, and, over the past few years, the bank has received requests from schools, businesses partners and community organizations from all over Western Massachusetts looking to offer their students, employ-

ees and members a financial literacy program that can help them better understand how to manage their finances, achieve their goals and protect their assets.

Several years ago Monson Savings set a goal to be the leader for financial literacy in our area. Our first priority was to understand the financial education needs of the com-

The statistics were staggering, stating that in 2016 the GOBanking Rates survey found that 69% of Americans had less than $1,000 in total savings and 34% had no savings at all. munity. We quickly found out that financial literacy was a widespread concern and that just about everyone could benefit from learning more about financial issues.

In 2017 we began attending

meetings for the Emergency Savings Innovation Challenge at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, an effort that was directed at helping people learn to save just $400 in case of an emergency.

The statistics were staggering, stating that in 2016 the GOBanking Rates survey found that 69% of Americans had less than $1,000 in total savings and 34% had

SEE LOWELL, PAGE K12

BANKING & FINANCE

Banking of future today at PeoplesBank Pedlar Banking Center highlights tech advances

A

By Keith O’Connor

Special to The Republican

The New Valley Bank & Trust Co., the first startup bank in Springfield in 11 years, opened for business in 2019 with two offices, one in Monarch Place downtown and one in Sixteen Acres. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

BANKING & FINANCE

United merged, Valley returns WMass banking scene takes twists, turns amid mergers

“We are still looking, always looking (for new locations).

(We’re) very bullish on Western Massachusetts and the Pioneer Valley.”

By Jim Kinney

jkinney@repub.com

When People’s United Bank decided to close a branch in tiny Huntington following its acquisition of United Bank, customers cried out.

In response, Westfield Bank bought the Route 20 location and plans to open a branch of its own there.

And when TD Bank announced it would close its branch in Springfield’s Mason Square neighborhood at the end of January, the community cried out. City and state officials and even members of Congress got involved, fearing a “banking services desert”

Matthew Sosik, president and CEO, Hometown Financial Group

where people might have to use high-cost prepaid cards instead of checking accounts.

It would be, according to state Sen. James Welch, D-West

SEE BANKING, PAGE K3

TM machines.

Online banking.

Twentyfour-hour access. How the banking industry has changed with the advent of computers and advanced technology from the days when you would make a deposit, the clerk would register it in a book, then write you a receipt of the deposit.

“Technology has changed many aspects of our personal and professional lives.

Banking is no different, but certainly the technological changes in our industry have been to the consumer’s benefit. Banking has never been more convenient thanks, in large part, to these new advances,” says Thomas Senecal, president and CEO of PeoplesBank.

The longtime bank’s newest innovations – including its VideoBankerITMs – can be found at the Pedlar Banking Center on Northampton Street in Holyoke. The most impressive aspect of the new center, opened last year on the site of the old Yankee Pedlar, is how it mixes technology and tradition, Senecal says.

The PeoplesBank Pedlar Banking Center in Holyoke features one of the bank’s newest innovations, VideoBankerITMs through which customers can interact remotely with a live person on a video screen. (PEOPLESBANK PHOTO)

“There are so many historic elements and attributes to the Pedlar, yet it functions as a modern, environmentally friendly banking center.

‘Walls that breathe’ could be one of the more intriguing environmental technologies that the center has, but certainly customers will find our new VideoBankerITMs incredibly useful and convenient,” Senecal says.

The bank president noted it

“seems like only yesterday” that PeoplesBank was the first community bank in the market to launch mobile banking.

Today, their focus is to extend banking hours and convenience through their growing VideoBankerITM network.

At the Pedlar Banking Center, the drive-through lanes are where the VideoBankerITMs are located. Customers will interact with a live person

SEE PEOPLES, PAGE K7

“The VideoBanker position is a unique role that requires the skill set of a banking center associate with the ability to work autonomously like a call center agent. Our VideoBanker team members need to be able to function as if they are a teller, customer service representative and a banking center manager all in one.”

THOMAS SENECAL, PRESIDENT AND CEO, PEOPLESBANK

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | K3

“People still need to see you. I’ve used the term ‘bricks equal clicks.’”

JOHN F. HEAPS JR., CEO, FLORENCE BANK

Nick Fyntrilakis

Insurance agents expand workforce

W

SEE INSURANCE, PAGE K12

bought United Financial Bancorp, the holding company for United Bank, in July for CONTINUED FROM PAGE K2 $759 million. It rebranded the Springfield, as bad as a “food locations with People’s Unitdesert,” where folks have ed logos. It will close three access to packaged junk Springfield-area branches in addition to the Huntington food but no fresh fruits and location, including former veggies.

United Bank branches at 1355 The message of both Boston Road and at Monarch episodes is clear: Customers Place in Springfield and a might like online banking and mobile apps, but they still location at 85 Elm St. in West Springfield that People’s want access to face-to-face United bought in 2018 from services.

Farmington Bank.

“People still need to see Meanwhile, an old name you,” says John F. Heaps Jr., came back. New Valley CEO of Florence Bank, who Bank, the first startup bank will retire in May after 25 in Springfield in 11 years, years of leading his bank. opened for business in 2019 “I’ve used the term ‘bricks with two offices. One is in equal clicks.’”

Monarch Place and one is in Adds Kevin Day, Florence Bank’s president, the physical Sixteen Acres. Valley Bank was the name of a long-gone bank branch gives people peace of mind. “One is prob- bank in Springfield. lem solving, one is advice,” Matthew Sosik, president Day says. “You can’t stick a and CEO of Hometown Financial Group in Easthampcard in a machine and get advice. But you can at one of United Bank’s our branches. The valley is a place where people like to talk roots in West to each other.”

Springfield went Florence Bank opened a branch in Springfield’s back to 1882.

Sixteen Acres neighborhood ton, a holding company that in late 2018 and renovated its older offices to have fewer does business locally as bankteller lines and more modern ESB, says local banks can take advantage of mergers like amenities.

United Bank and Peoples’ Maybe soon you can get United by picking up customadvice not from a machine, ers who don’t want to deal but through a machine.

Holyoke-based PeoplesBank with a larger institution.

Not that Hometown Fiis one of the banks installing nancial hasn’t made some higher-tech teller machines acquisitions itself, including that connect users via video Pilgrim Bank in Cohasset, with staffers working in a Abington and Millbury remote location.

An old name in banking dis- Savings banks. “We are going appeared in 2019. That’s the to be focused in 2020 in constant in an industry where assimilating those brands,” mergers and acquisitions are Sosik says. “And making sure frequent. United Bank’s roots that we’ve normalized our opin West Springfield went back eration, and then we’ll look at other growth opportunities.” to 1882.

A new bankESB branch People’s United Financial

Florence Bank is building its newest branch at the former site of the Hu Ke Lau restaurant in Chicopee. In December 2018, it opened a branch in the Sixteen Acres neighborhood of Springfield. In this file photo, president and CEO John F. Heaps Jr. is joined by city and bank leaders in cutting the ceremonial ribbon. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

opens in downtown Amherst sometime early this year. “We are still looking, always looking. (We’re) very bullish on Western Massachusetts and Pioneer Valley,” he says.

Heaps says Florence Bank will open its newest branch in Chicopee – at the former Hu Ke Lau site on Memorial Drive – in the fall. There will be other locations, Heaps says, but he had nothing to announce.

Northampton Cooperative Bank, a division of Greenfield Cooperative, opened a new location in South Hadley late in 2019.

PeoplesBank will open a banking center at 450 Center St. in Ludlow in the third quarter, according to Matthew Bannister, first vice president for marketing and innovation. Ludlow is a new market for PeoplesBank. The location is a former Mobil station near Starbucks at Exit 7 of the Massachusetts Turnpike.

In another new market, PeoplesBank will open in Enfield in early 2021 and at the corner of Lyman and Newton streets in South Hadley in the latter half of 2020.

PeoplesBank bought Con-

necticut’s First National Bank of Suffield in 2018 and integrated those operations into its own in 2019. The Suffield locations changed brands to become First Suffield Bank, a division of PeoplesBank. PeoplesBank renovated its offices in East Granby, Connecticut, in December.

In Holyoke, Peoples Bank opened its new banking center at the site of the former Yankee Pedlar restaurant in 2019. The bank preserved and restored the Hildreth House, which was at the heart

of the Pedlar, and converted it into community meeting space.

PeoplesBank closed two offices in Holyoke and merged operations into the Pedlar center. Bannister says the bank in the second quarter will add a video-enabled teller machine at the former Highland Street branch, replacing the standard ATM there now. The fate of the building on that property is undetermined, as is the fate of the former South Street branch, Banister said.

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OUTLOOK 2020

“By the year 2060, the plurality (of students) will be people of color.”

EDUCATION

YVES SALOMON-FERNANDEZ, PRESIDENT, GREENFIELD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Community colleges, industries partner Health care to manufacturing, needs tied to studies

By Carolyn Robbins

Special to The Republican

Jeffrey P. Hayden, executive director of the Kittredge Center for Workforce Development at Holyoke Community College, sums up the role of the region’s community colleges this way: “It’s to help students get a job, get a better job or do a better job.”

Community colleges from Springfield to Greenfield and

Holyoke to Enfield are rising to the challenge facing employers across the region who need skilled workers to keep their businesses thriving in the next decade and beyond.

The link between the community colleges and region’s industries has never been stronger, based on recent interviews with the leaders of Springfield Technical, Holyoke, Greenfield and Asnun-

tuck community colleges.

Whether it’s health care, manufacturing – or newer job sectors including the gaming and cannabis industries – community colleges are continually assessing what skills workers will need to fully participate and prosper in an ever-changing workplace.

And they are making those decisions with the help of area employers.

STCC has made a significant investment in its new health science degree program in recognition that the health care sector is one of the region’s biggest employers, according to college president John B. Cook.

STCC launched the program in 2018 with the aim of exposing students to a variety of health careers. To help with

SEE COLLEGES, PAGE K10

“Our goal is to design courses and programs to meet industries with a high need.”

JOHN B. COOK, PRESIDENT, SPRINGFIELD TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

EDUCATION

Voke programs find students with passion, plan Collaborative school effort offers 1-of-a-kind career technical center

I

By Ron Chimelis

rchimelis@repub.com

f enthusiasm were an occupation, Donald G. Jarvis would have his next career all lined up.

Jarvis is the principal of the Lower Pioneer Valley Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) in West Springfield, where high school students from 10 different communities receive technical training with an eye on future college or work.

He knows firsthand how vocational training has advanced in the past generation and how the perception has been altered with it.

“When I grew up in Chicopee, I liked what I saw in the carpentry program at Chicopee Comprehensive (High School). But my guidance counselor said, ‘You’re too smart for that,’” Jarvis recalls.

Dismissing that bias, Jarvis was too smart to pass up the opportunity. In today’s students, he sees ambition and clear goals replacing the in-

Career and Technical Education Center junior Eve Stetson, left, of Southwick, works on a CNC machine as part of the machine technology program. At right, junior Hayleigh Paine, of Ludlow, works in the kitchen as part of the culinary arts program at the Lower Pioneer Valley Career and Technical Education Center in West Springfield. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

decision that might otherwise complicate their choices.

“Academics are an expensive exploratory,” he says.

“Some kids might take a major in college and find they don’t like it, so they switch – or some drop out. With vocational training, we can see they have a passion and a plan.

They know what they want to do, and that motivates them.”

Jarvis thinks CTEC is one of Western Massachusetts’ bestkept secrets. A collaborative begun in 1974, it has been at its Brush Hill Road location

since 2005, housed in a building of 150,000 square feet over 28 acres that was once the site of Western Massachusetts Electric Co. “When I started (26 years ago), we had eight programs and 130 students,” Jarvis says.

“Now, we have 11 programs and 475 (students).”

The collaborative takes students from public school systems that do not have their own vocational space, including Agawam, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, South Hadley, Southwick, Tolland, West Springfield and Wilbraham. Those communities represent eight distinct school districts and are economically, culturally and ethnically diverse.

The collaborative does not remove students from their home systems. Instead, they spend half of each day on academics in their district schools, where they can also play on sports teams or participate in other extracurriculars.

Students travel by bus to CTEC for the other half of their school days, ninth- and 11th graders in the morning, Junior Trinity Brueno, of Ludlow, plays with children in the child 10th and 12th graders in the care facility as part of the early education and care program at afternoon. This is the only colthe Career and Technical Education Center. laborative of its kind in Mas(HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN) sachusetts, and it stands as

Ninth-grade student Brianna Lakota, of Easthampton, works on her project as part of the machine technology program at the Lower Pioneer Valley Career and Technical Education Center.

(HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

testament that state officials are serious about vocational training.

“In the last five years, we’ve received more than $4 million in grants. We’ll take every penny,” Jarvis says.

As he tours the facility, the principal maintains an optimism and enthusiasm for

each sector, opening doors to classrooms and work spaces he says will open doors for the kids.

“Students only know what they’re exposed to, so when you tell them about our advanced manufacturing program, they don’t know what

SEE CENTER, PAGE K12

“The (machine technology) program is 4 years old. We’ve put in $1.5 million in the last two years alone, and our kids come out ready to start out at $17 or $18 an hour.”

DONALD G. JARVIS, PRINCIPAL, LOWER PIONEER VALLEY CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER

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OUTLOOK 2020

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | K5

Elizabeth Kloc, owner of Harmony Springs Beverage Co. in Ludlow, stirs the flavoring for a batch of soda.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

WATCH THE VIDEO

m

To see Don Treeger’s video about Harmony Springs sodas, go online to YouTube.com/MassLive

SUCCESS STORIES

It’s all about the water at Harmony Springs sodas ‘Harmony in a bottle’ makes for longtime popularity

S

By ELISE LINSCOTT

Special to The Republican

ince 1908, Harmony Springs – founded in Northampton – has been producing and bottling artesian sodas, growing to a collection of 23 flavors today, from birch beer, grape and blue raspberry to seltzers including peach and lemon-lime.

Old soda bottles are on display at the Harmony Springs Beverage Co. The company moved to Ludlow 48 years ago after beginning in Northampton in 1908. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

The real magic behind Harmony Springs’ success comes in the artesian spring water, sourced from the well below the Ludlow facility where the company has been based since 1948. That well is one of the reasons current president and former chemist Elizbeth Kloc bought the company seven years ago.

“You can feel the taste,” Kloc says of the pure water, cane sugar and vibrant flavors, which don’t leave an aftertaste. The sodas are always bottled in glass because plastic and aluminum bottles and cans can leach heavy metals and chemicals into the products, she says.

The water also leans toward alkaline on the pH scale, measuring at 7.1, which lends itself to better taste than acidic water, according to Kloc.

Most of the machines in the house-sized manufacturing facility on Yale Street in Ludlow are nearly 70 years old, and many weren’t in great condition when Kloc bought the business. It took about six months to get them fixed up and running smoothly again, she says. Previously, the soda production was at a much lower rate and the products were only sold by home delivery.

Monika Krotysz places bottles onto the production line at Harmony Springs Beverage Co. Harmony Springs produces and bottles its artesian sodas at 136 Yale St. in Ludlow. Its sodas are sold in retail stores such as Big Y, Target, Hannaford and Christmas Tree Shops, in addition to regional convenience stores and restaurants. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Today, Harmony Springs’ sodas and seltzers (and one diet cola, which Kloc added at the request of restaurants) are sold in retail stores like Big Y, Target, Hannaford and Christmas Tree Shops, in addition to regional convenience stores and restaurants.

The facility can make 50 bottles of soda per minute on average, for a total of five to seven pallets per day (and there are 60 cases to a pallet) between the crew of seven employees, including Kloc.

Kloc, who immigrated from Poland to Brooklyn years earlier with just $100 in her pocket and almost no English language skills, now mixes the soda flavors herself in a second-floor “syrup room.”

The room is filled with vats for melting sugar and blending flavors that are later piped through tubes down to the first-floor filling machine when it’s time to bottle.

“I love my flavors,” Kloc says. “I try to create the best.”

Customers, too, are loving

Dariusz Knotysz stocks the shelves for retail sales at the Harmony Springs Beverage Co. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

the six new flavors that have been added since Kloc took over the business, including peach seltzer, ginger beer and pineapple, she says.

Kloc is also working on adding new flavors to Harmony Springs’ current line of four seltzers.

She is says she is particular about the companies from which she sources in creating her sodas and seltzers with fruity flavors and without preservatives.

Originally from Rzeszow, Poland, Kloc never saw herself buying and operating a soda company. But after

hearing from a friend who had worked at Harmony Springs that the company was for sale, Kloc investigated, thought about it for six months and then decided to buy the business.

It’s been a labor of love, she says, growing the company into what it is today. Working in the facility can be difficult, she notes, but the mostly Polish crew has become like family and has helped Harmony Springs run like a well-oiled machine.

To learn more about Harmony Springs, go online to drinkharmonysprings.com.

PREPARING THE PIONEER VALLEY'S THINKERS, PREPARING THE PIONEER VALLEY'S LEADERS, THINKERS, LEADERS, AND DOERS. AND DOERS

R A N S F O R M I N G E D U C AT IO O N T H R O U G H I NN N O V AT ION N T R A N S FO R M I N G E D U CA O N T H R O U G H I N N O V AT I T R A NS S F O R M I N G E D U CAT T I ON T H ROUG H IN N NOVAT ION A N S F O R M I N G E D U C AT I O N T H R O U G H I N N O VA AT IO N T RANS FORMING EDUCAT IO TRANSFORMING INNOVATION ROU G H I NNO O V AT I O NEDUCATION O N T R A N S F THROUGH O R MVISIT I N GHCC.EDU ED UCAT T ION T H ROUG H INNOVATIO TO LEARN MORE A N S F O R M I NG ED D U C ATIO O N T H R O U G H IN N N O V AT IO N T RANS FORMING EDUCAT IO T H R O U GH INNOVA AT IO O N T R A N S F O R M I NG G E DU U C AT IO O N T H ROUG H INNOVAT ION T H ROUGH IN NO O VA AT IO O N T R A N S F O R M I N G E DUCA AT ION T H ROUG H INNOVAT I

OUTLOOK 2020

K6 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Palmer company builds a better motorcycle seat

Keith Lopes, left, works on fabricating a custom seat and Thuy Ngo works in the sewing department at Mustang Motorcycle Seats in Palmer. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTOS)

SUCCESS STORIES

Mustang marks 40 years of comfortable riding

C

By Janice Beetle

Special to The Republican

omfort is what sets Mustang Motorcycle Seats apart.

Riders from around the world look to them to give their backs — and their back ends — a break. “With Mustang seats, you can ride all day long,� says Michael Beeltje, Mustang’s product development and category manager.

While all motorcycles built by big names like Harley Davidson, Indian, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha come from the manufacturers with factory-installed seats, Beeltje says riders are likely to get uncomfortable after an hour of riding on them.

Mustang seats are handmade, sculpted from metal and fiberglass and then covered with a cushioning layer that’s a propriety combination of polyurethane foam, according to Beeltje and Diane LeDoux, director of operations. “That’s our secret sauce,�

Beeltje says, noting Mustang finishes its product with a layer of vinyl or leather. “There’s not too much automation in the process, except for cutting the materials,� he explains. “The product that you see and interact with — everything has been made by people here in Palmer.�

Comfort and quality were

“The product that you see and interact with — everything has been made by people here in Palmer.�

MICHAEL BEELTJE, MUSTANG MOTORCYCLE SEATS

Michael Beeltje, product development and category manager, and Diane LeDoux, director of operations, stand by a motorcycle outside the fabrication department. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO) Mustang Motorcycle Seats are manufactured at the Palmer Technology Center.

(DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

Jon Higgins drills holes for the motorcycle seats before they go to assembly at Mustang. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

the mission standards back when Mustang Motorcycle Seats was founded in Palmer in 1980 by Al Simmons and Gary Kendricks. Simmons named the business after the P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft that flew to fame in World War II. “He had a number of passions,� Beeltje says of Simmons. “He was a pilot and a motorcyclist.�

In 2004, a corporation called Motorsport Aftermarket Group, accessories division, acquired Mustang, which grossed $11 million in sales last year.

In a typical year, roughly 41,000 seats are produced there, and they are sold both directly to consumers and through distributors and dealers. “You can have something very basic — just a simple driver seat — all the way up to premier touring packages with heat included,� Beeltje says.

This year marks the 40th

Joe Arsenault works in the fiber chop shop at Mustang Motorcycle Seats. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

anniversary of the original opening. Mustang has grown exponentially since Simmons and Kendricks launched with a workforce of 12 full-time employees and two part-timers. Today, there are 97 staff members, 87 of whom work full-time.

Mustang began operations in a building with 1,536 square feet of space. The current warehouse and showroom in the Palmer Technology Center — which came to be in 1999, two years after the tampon manufacturer Tambrands shut down — occupy 90,112 square feet.

Mustang moved into the 300,000-square-foot center in September 2007 from the original location in the basement at Maple Tree Industrial Center. It is now one of several dozen businesses within the center, ranging from motorcycle seats to chocolate and children’s care.

LeDoux says the new space holds the company’s manufacturing, warehouse, sales, customer service, parts development-new products and shipping departments. “The center gave us room to expand and create additional production lines,� she says.

Both LeDoux and Beeltje say the center also helped boost their branding as a New England mill on a rural river. “It’s a New England country factory,� LeDoux says, describing the interior’s hardwood floors, exposed brick walls and wooden beams and noting that groups of motorcyclists come to tour the factory each year. “It’s a great branding tool. It’s a new England atmosphere.�

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | K7

EDUCATION

Not your grandfather’s voke-tech school Chicopee Comp takes skills training to whole new level

N

By RON CHIMELIS

rchimelis@repub.com

ot only is this not your grandfather’s vocational training program, it’s not even your much older sibling’s.

“This is the vision we’ve had a long time in coming,” says Kenneth R. Widelo, director of Career & Technical Education at Chicopee Comprehensive High School, where skills training prepares students for opportunities in the modern age. “We have finally educated parents and students that coming into this program is not just to get a job or occupation. They can get enough training for college.”

For decades, programs like Comp’s carried the unfair stigma that technical training was less a choice than a last resort. The term “vocational” is not inaccurate, but it is incomplete – suggesting the antiquated image of an “alternative school” to students

At left, students at work in the culinary arts department of the Career & Technical Education program at Chicopee Comprehensive High School. In an industrial kitchen, students gain training in a controlled setting but also get the opportunity to show their abilities in the community. At right, Sarah Livingston works in the wood shop department of the Career & Technical Education program. Industry representatives visit Chicopee Comp to keep students abreast of trends in the private sector. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

savings for college, regardless of what career path they eventually take.

“Our career center is where we do career inventory,” explains Carl Ingram, coordinator of the program and essentially Widelo’s right-hand man. “We find what students might be interested in. We identify their strengths and work on their weaknesses.

We tell kids and parents that this is their last chance to get a free education.”

The equipment has never been more modern, and the curriculum choices are impresStudents in the Career & Technical Education program at Chisive. Less than 20 years old, copee Comp at work in the metal fabrication shop. The metal the Chicopee Comp building was constructed with room for fabrication program turns out six to eight graduates each year.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN) technical education in mind.

“Years ago, we were the alternative school, but that’s all gone. In getting their education, our kids have the best of both worlds.”

Kenneth R. Widelo, Chicopee Comprehensive High School

The electrical program is not restricted to the confines of the high school walls.

Crews leave the premises to work in the city, making community involvement a crucial element to the program. On a regular basis, eight to 10 students go out each day to provide services to municipal locations including the libraries and the senior center.

Widelo has been involved in vocational training for 35 years. He’s essentially the father of Comp’s career and technical education program, CARL INGRAM, PROGRAM COORDINATOR, CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION AT CHICOPEE COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL which he has developed for the past 26 years, with who didn’t stack up as college graduates each year. The po- Ingram also providing more The culinary area is a part-changers. These kids material. Today, more than tential exists for growth. “We than 25 years of experience. year old, and the result of a learn to do much more.’’ ever, it’s not a one-way street $100,000 state grant. In an could place 15 or 20 kids (in The metal fabrication They are proud to know but an intersection that can industrial kitchen, students program turns out six to eight jobs) each year,’’ Ingram says. these programs do more than lead to college, the business gain training in a controlled world or a valuable trade. setting. Bolstered by a recent Widelo has encountered $150,000 grant, Comp’s ma“anti-vocational” bias (or at chine tool technology rivals least skepticism) all his life. that of established private Much of it came from parents’ companies, Ingram says. own recollections of schools Carpentry?

“Our kids are building a from decades ago. Today’s programs have won them over house,” he says. “We are securing the property for another – as they have the students. one. We’ve got enough for work To them, career training is the next two or three years.” “cool,” an option to be taken The automotive section “is seriously and valued.

Hands-on skills are in great where we develop our future demand. Students are also auto technicians,’’ Ingram prepared for part-time jobs, explains. “These are not just which can be translated into mechanics. Mechanics are

“These are not just mechanics. Mechanics are part-changers.

These kids learn to do much more.’’

Peoples CONTINUED FROM PAGE K2

on the video screen, called a VideoBanker.

“Our first three full-time VideoBankers were proudly hired from within. However, the position may be filled in the future by internal or external candidates with the right qualities,” Senecal says.

“The VideoBanker position is a unique role that requires the skill set of a banking center associate with the ability to work autonomously like a call center agent. Our VideoBanker team members need to be able to function as if they are a teller, customer service representative and a banking center manager all in one.”

The advent of the VideoBanker does not mean the elimination of positions, he stresses. “These are additional staff who have the added benefit of being able to service many different locations from one central hub at our Whitney Avenue headquarters,” Senecal explains.

Innovation is one of the core values of PeoplesBank.

“We will always be one of the first to embrace proven technologies that benefit our customers,” the bank president says. “One other benefit that technology has brought to banking is the ability to process transactions more quickly and efficiently, and also to offer many new ways to access your account information – in a banking center, as always,

but now through our customer solutions phone lines, on line, or from your phone or tablet.

Long gone are the days when you were limited by bank hours.”

All of the new technology moves, according to Senecal, must also be the safest for customers. “Personally, I don’t view these new technologies as any more risky than I do a paper check, which has your account number and routing number printed right on the front of every check,” he says.

As for the future, the convenience, speed, and security of banking technology will continue to increase at a very rapid pace, Senecal notes.

PeoplesBank has other advancements planned in the days and months ahead, such as a newer, streamlined account opening process, and the bank recently added a service called Zelle, which allows customers to make person-to-person payments easily and securely. It has also introduced a state-of-theart online-mobile mortgage application, which allows customers to complete an entire mortgage application in a quick, convenient manner.

“What a change that represents to most consumers, and it is one of the factors that has allowed us to get our ‘turn times’ down to an amazingly short period,” Senecal says.

“We know we will be able to continue to use technology to increase service to a lot of our clients.”

just send students through a different pathway of the public school system. To graduate from any career technical program, each student is required to earn certification from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Some go on to four-year colleges. Others begin careers in trades. Some choose two-year institutions such as Springfield Technical Community College, where they are often able to carry over college credit from high school.

“Years ago, we were the alternative school, but that’s all gone,’’ Widelo says. “In getting their education, our kids have the best of both worlds.”

The pathway to a promising future for motivated high school students.

■ Earn a minimum of 12 college credits while still in high school ■ Participate in college readiness, career preparedness and financial aid awareness programs Successful participants are given preferred admission to Westfield State upon completion of the Westfield Promise.

QUESTIONS? Contact Ryan Meersman at (413) 572-8316 or email rmeersman@westfield.ma.edu

westfield.ma.edu

K8 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

MANUFACTURING

Wrapping up all occasions 3rd generation takes Sullivan Paper Co. into 9th decade

S

By CORI URBAN

Special to The Republican

ullivan Paper Co. Inc. could be wrapped into this description: It is a third-generation, family-owned business that produces specialty papers and foils, and in addition to its world famous gift wrap, the company also produces papers for the back of game boards, box coverings and functional papers.

As one customer says, the company “makes the most wonderful wrapping paper.�

From game boards to the coverings for boxes for leading gift and cosmetics companies, Sullivan Paper Co. is a manufacturer of specialty papers. The company’s display room features examples of the items the firm makes. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

Sullivan’s papers can be found at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Homegoods, the Container Store, Ross Stores, Papyrus, Dillard’s, Macy’s and other smaller stores.

The company was founded

by George and Elizabeth Sullivan, who in 1940 set up their one-color printing press at 30 Hanover St. in Springfield. The business began by supplying

Art director Diane Harper, left, and designer Krista Buoniconti pick out paper samples for a project at Sullivan Paper Co. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

specialty paper to the New England Card & Paper Co. and grew to add more distributors.

Today, three of the founders’ grandchildren lead the company. Michael E. Sullivan serves as chief executive officer, Joe George Sullivan as president and Edward C. Sullivan as chief operating officer.

Sullivan Paper has 145 fulltime employees, with about 25 more in the summer. “We like to bring in local high school and college age – age 17 or older – summer help to help any local kids looking for a summer job before we go to a temp agency for labor,�

Edward Sullivan explains.

Training is provided on the job. “We can take a high school graduate or even someone with a GED and train them to run our machines,� he adds, noting that there is no easy remedy “and definitely not a quick fix� to the shortage in skilled labor that many manufacturers face. “However, with less high school students going to college, it will be important to direct these students into

A third generation of their family, from left, Michael E. Sullivan, chief executive officer, Joe George Sullivan, president, and Edward C. Sullivan, chief operating officer, are taking Sullivan Paper Co. of West Springfield into its ninth decade. They are standing in the company press room. To see a gallery of photos about Sullivan Paper, go online to MassLive.com. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

“People of all ages like to open a wrapped present and watch children open a wrapped present. Our motto is, ‘If it’s not wrapped it’s not a present.’�

Edward C. Sullivan, Sullivan Paper Co., West Springfield

This Lancome fragrance box is an example of the specialty paper work done by Sullivan Paper Co. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

of a shrinking (market) pie.�

Sullivan Paper also will look into diversifying its product the trades and the manufacbe a great employee.� selection into new markets. turing sector. Schools should Asked about the challenges And in an age of “reuse, grow and enhance programs Sullivan Paper might face in reduce, recycle� what keeps allowing for additional school- 2020 and how they will be ad- people buying wrapping paper dressed, he replies, “As always, is “all in the presentation,� to-work programs.� the government’s unfunded Sullivan says. “People of all Sullivan Paper’s needs for skilled labor have not changed mandates are a huge concern. ages like to open a wrapped present and watch children greatly over the years. “There There will also continue to be competition from those open a wrapped present. Our have been advances in technology. However, if I can figure buying Chinese products and motto is, ‘If it’s not wrapped it out, I’m pretty sure anyone dumping these lesser quality it’s not a present.’� can,� Sullivan says. “Also, products into the same stores Sullivan Paper is headquartered at 42 Progress Ave., West although they sound similar, (Sullivan Paper) supplies.�

Springfield. For more informaif someone has the ‘aptitude’ As the world changes, he tion, call 413-734-3107 or visit and a positive ‘attitude,’ that is adds, the company will have all we require to train them to “to fight hard for a bigger piece sullivanpaper.com.

An Alliance for the Ages

Christopher B. Milne-Managing Director, Gage-Wiley Michael R. Matty-President, St. Germain

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | K9

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

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K10 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

EDUCATION

Westfield Promise made and delivered Early college effort provides bridge from high school

both juniors and seniors and allows students to earn up to 12 college credits. Nearly 130 high-school juniors were selected this year to participate in what is now the third class

By ELISE LINSCOTT of the Westfield Promise proSpecial to The Republican gram. Along with Westfield’s and Holyoke’s public high s a high schools, students at Springschool field’s High School of Commerce and Putnam Vocational student, are also eligible.

Dominick “There’s more to college than just where you want to go Garcia and what you want to go for,” knew he wanted to says Garcia, now a freshman go to college, but he and computer science major at Westfield State. “That’s where didn’t know what to they kind of hit home, showing expect in terms of you what life is like as a college dorm life and academ- student.”

For example, in his first year ic demands. of the program, Garcia took He also didn’t know where to a class taught by a college turn to find out. professor and a high school Garcia’s mother graduated co-teacher – English Compofrom Holyoke Community sition 1 – that “showed what College and was encouraging the workload was like for him to pursue a four-year college without being thrown degree, he says. directly into a college classroom where it’s sink or swim,” That’s when he signed up for the Westfield Promise he explains. program, offered through The Promise program also Westfield State University, an gives students the opportunity to stay in Westfield’s early college program now in dorms during the summer its third year that’s offered at with other students in the several area high schools, including Holyoke High School, same grade. This was another where Garcia entered the pro- of Garcia’s favorite aspects gram during his junior year. of the program, and one that The program is offered to differentiated it from other

A

“There’s more to college than just where you want to go and what you want to go for. That’s where (Westfield Promise) kind of hit home, showing you what life is like as a college student.”

Dominick Garcia, freshman, Westfield State University

early college dual-enrollment programs, he says.

Westfield State president Ramon S. Torrecilha takes particular pride in the Promise program and its growing success. “Nearly 60% are students of color and more than half will represent the first generation in their families to go to college. Many are low-income, as well,” he says, calling it a win-win for the students, their schools, the university and the larger community.

“Social justice demands that we create more pathways so that students born into less fortunate circumstances have the same opportunities as their more affluent peers,” Torrecilha wrote in a September column about Westfield Promise. “We believe that the route we have forged is working to provide the promise of something better, ultimately disrupting the cycle of poverty and providing skilled workers for our evolving economy.”

Colleges

Westfield State University adjunct professor of history, ethnic and gender studies Robert Williams teaches history in 11thgrade “stretch courses,” a college-level course that’s stretched out over an academic year rather than in one semester as part of the Westfield Promise program. (WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY PHOTO)

a college-level course that’s stretched out over the course of an academic year rather than in one semester.

“The level of work they’re doing in my classroom is unlike, I believe, anything else they’re doing in any other history class at these public high schools,” Williams says. “It’s stretched so the rigor is not as much of a time crunch. We’re able to spend more time supporting them, which is so important. But when they write a 2,500-word essay for me and are analyzing peer reviewed scholarship, regardless of how long it takes them, that’s something they’ve accomplished.”

The program can also help keep students out of trouble and their “heads in school,”

according to Garcia’s mother, Amanda Zemrock.

“They were very supportive of these kids and they really opened their eyes – and doors – and showed them that college life is hard but worth it,” Zemrock says. “It helped him make a decision that college was right for him, because he got that experience before having to jump into it completely.”

If there’s one piece of advice Garcia would give to high schoolers considering signing up for the Westfield Promise program, it’s to “commit and give 100%” in order to get the most out of it.

“It certainly takes a certain level of discipline, and, in college, you’ll need that to make it through classes,” he says.

“Be ready to give it your all.”

“We want to get students excited about the opportunities, and we want to help them connect with employers.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE K4

the effort, the college received a $500,000 state grant to purchase medical patient simulation equipment, providing students with hands-on experience.

One of the beauties of the health science degree, which typically takes two years to complete, is that students are able to pass state licensing exams and get jobs as EMTs or patient care technicians right away, Cook says.

“All of these certifications improve students’ employability,” he says. “Our goal is to design courses and programs to meet industries with a high need.”

For example, STCC recently launched an online certificate training course to prepare students for careers in water resource management. The program provides career opportunities for students who will be qualified for jobs such as water systems manager, water treatment operator and water quality technician.

The college received $30,000 from the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission to fund the development and offering of the online course, which is free to any community college student across the commonwealth.

Other initiatives include “an asphalt academy” for construction workers, mechanical engineering training and a curriculum for entry-level jobs that require only shortterm training.

Like STCC, health care education is also a priority at Holyoke Community College.

President Christina Royal says the commitment to expanding health care training speaks to the school’s recently revamped mission:“educate, inspire, connect.”

“We want to get students excited about the opportunities,” Royal says. “And we want to help them connect with employers.”

Holyoke’s community health worker program, for example, is designed to prime the pipeline for jobs immediate jobs in health care fields, according to Rebecca Lewis, chair of the HCC Foundations of Health program. In doing so the college is partnering with the region’s health care providers like Baystate Health, Holyoke Medical Center and others.

Enrolling in the health care worker certificate program can be the first step toward a career in higher paying jobs – and breaking the cycle of poverty for some HCC students, Lewis says. In an effort to be

Garcia ended up taking four courses through the Westfield Promise program, including law and politics and others in political science.

All would later apply toward Common Core credits for his major. He’s considering a minor in political science, and he’s glad to have gotten a head start in order to avoid potential scheduling conflicts that could arise while taking mandatory classes for his major, Garcia adds.

“The transition between high school and college tends to be the most difficult year,” says Robert Williams, who teaches at both Westfield State and in Holyoke High School as part of the Promise program. “You have a lot of students who aren’t able to handle that transition and drop out. From a retention standpoint, providing an academic bridge is really useful.”

Williams teaches history in 11th grade “stretch courses,”

CHRISTINA ROYAL, PRESIDENT, HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Asnuntuck’s interim chief executive officer, Michelle Coach, says its Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center is thriving, turning out graduates who get good-paying jobs in Connecticut’s

aerospace industries.

Asnuntuck has forged strong relationships with both small and large companies through the manufacturing technology center, she says. It’s a two-way partnership, with the college

training the workers and companies providing the jobs.

For example, she says, aerospace component manufacturers have pledged $200,000 in scholarships for Asnuntuck students.

Greenfield Community College president Yves Salomon-Fernandez, second from right, joins government and business leaders at the opening of Newell Brands’ Home Fragrance research and development lab on Dec. 6 in Deerfield. From left are state Sen. Joanne Comerford, D-Northampton, state Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester, House chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology, Salomon-Fernandez, and state Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Greenfield, as they light up candles in the burn room.

(HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

accessible, HCC gives college credits to students for prior work experience or credits earned without attaining a degree.

“They don’t want to repeat what they’ve learned on the job,” Hayden explains. “We’re acknowledging that they have learned and know a lot.”

HCC tries to get students into a job right off the bat, he adds, noting, for example, students who get jobs as pharmacy technicians may be inspired to continue on in school to become a pharmacist.

As HCC continues to offer relevant training for workers in new industries, it recently added a Cannabis Education Center. “We’re working with the culinary division about edibles containing cannabis,” Hayden notes, adding that in Holyoke alone there are 13 businesses that have applied for 21 cannabis licenses.

Predictions indicate the cannabis industry has the potential to grow to 400 or 600 workers in the next two years, according to Hayden.

Cook, Royal and leaders at the other community colleges also recognize they must do a better job recruiting and enrolling low-income and minority students as demographics continue to shift. “(The) overarching view for higher education – and STCC in particular – is that it must be dynamic in navigating enrollment declines. That means finding new students who are nontraditional,” he says.

STCC students run the gamut in age and background from 18 to 50 year olds – individuals with some college to others right out of high school, according to Cook.

“Our typical student is not typical – and that’s typical,” he

says. “Every type of student studies here. That is the norm.”

Royal agrees that is critical to meet “students where they are,” when they arrive on campus. “It’s our job to be responsive to the needs of the community – and the needs of the community are changing,” she says.

Greenfield’s new president, Yves Salomon-Fernandez, an immigrant whose native language is Haitian Creole, learned both English and Spanish when she was a student at Boston Latin. Minority enrollment in Greenfield’s rural campus is increasing, she says.

In the fall of 2018, GCC enrolled 1,822 students, of which 22% reported as students of color.

Salomon-Fernandez sees expanding opportunities for minorities as an imperative, given shifting regional and national demographics. “By the year 2060, the plurality will be people of color,” she says.

Greenfield Community recently formed the Future of Work Advisory Committee, which consists of employers, chambers and the regional workforce board in order to better understand trends and expected changes in key industries in the upper valley.

The college, which has developed partnerships with local employers like Yankee Candle and BETE Fog Nozzle, is also seeking to expand its reach in its rural area.

The college is engaged in its first major strategic planning effort involving students, faculty and staff, boards, alumni and partners in the community. The college is also launching a new diversity, equity and inclusion plan.

T HIS is ST CC Discover Your Career Research job and salary trends with STCC’s Career Coach Find the STCC programs connected to job growth Find civilian careers related to your military service

stcc.edu/coach Supporting students.

Transforming lives.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | K11

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K12 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

Lowell

OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Automotive section benefits from donations by region’s car dealerships

CONTINUED FROM PAGE K2

(HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

Center

new cars,� says Jarvis, who notes the competition among dealers who want new auto CONTINUED FROM PAGE K4 technicians with the skills to that means,’’ he explains. work on their particular vehicle models and types. “You don’t know until you try, A $100,000 tool crib gives so when they see it here, they students the best equipment. can see how such programs The use, handling and recan be exciting for them.� placement of tools is carefulOne of the biggest reasons ly monitored to make sure the state has been promoting there’s a place for everything technical training is demoand everything goes back in graphics. If young high school its place – in good condition, or college graduates get jobs, most are more likely to stay in at the end of every day. the area.

Machine technology is When possible, which producing graduates who, is most of the time, CTEC if they so choose, are ready Junior Emma Cronin, of Southwick, plays with children in programs mimic conditions to join the workforce. “The the child care facility as part of the early education and care of business or industry. In program is 4 years old. We’ve program at the Lower Pioneer Valley Career and Technical cosmetology, for instance, put in $1.5 million in the last Education Center. The collaborative takes students from public students learn not just basic two years alone,� Jarvis says. school systems that do not have their own vocational space, inskills but marketing, entrepre“And our kids come out ready cluding Agawam, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, neurship, health and safety. to start out at $17 or $18 an Ludlow, South Hadley, Southwick, Tolland, West Springfield An overriding component hour.� and Wilbraham. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN) of every program is safety.

The culinary arts program Another is hands-on experifeatures a Java Cafe and a ence within the community.

Even within the vocational world,� he says. bistro where students provide Jarvis describes how, when Students in the health assisprograms, classroom work full food service. This is not tant program travel off-site learning the Pythagorean matters. As he tours the west simply a cooking class but a to Mercy Medical Center in theorem in geometry class, wing that houses carpenfull-scale preparatory proSpringfield, the Soldiers’ Home try, automotive technology, gram that has sent graduates students might ask when landscaping and machine in Holyoke and area nursing they would actually need this to work as chefs at MGM technology, Jarvis describes Springfield, Fenway Park and homes to hone their skills. information in life. But in a While CTEC is primarily a a curriculum of about 40% construction project, it comes other premier locations. technical training site, a hand- book work and 60% experiThe CTEC program makes to life as valuable knowledge. ence in the shops. ful of academic programs it challenging – and fun.

The automotive section “Classes on the left, shops exist. Some are designed for When applicable, culinary benefits from donations by special-needs students, Jarvis on the right. They align them- the region’s car dealerships. arts advancement is designed says. selves well for use in the real “They want kids to learn on to mimic TV shows such as

“Chopped� and other such popular competitions.

The landscaping curriculum embraces turf management, design, floor culture, plant science and plowing, to name some. Every May, the greenhouse is home to two-week plant sale that produces $15,000 in revenue.

CTEC is also self-reliant in many areas. All printing needs are handled in-house, for example.

As with other modern technical training programs, CTEC does not mean the forfeiture of college dreams.

Students have options of four-year colleges, community colleges or workforce employment. In many cases, Springfield Technical Community College offers credits for CTEC programs.

What excites Jarvis most, perhaps, is not just the curriculum but the mood of the student body. “We’ve sent people to state and national competitions in many of these areas and consistently done really well,’’ he says. “They get a passion for learning here, and they want to be here. What we do is all about safety, quality control and preparing students for the opportunities they’ll have when they leave.�

Insurance

ment pipeline, and working to ensure that our vital industry remains strong for decades to come.

bring in and perpetuate the businesses they’ve spent their lifetimes building up; CONTINUED FROM PAGE K3 • Flexibility: An insurance evolving marketplace, they agency career offers work-life also understand their clients’ balance, with a schedule that unique circumstances. After can accommodate vacation all, they are members of the time, travel, and seeing your same community, with a vested kids’ Little League games; interest in their neighbors’ • Meaning: Insurance is safety and success. a helping career, where you Insurance is a growing field with more than 400,000 job openings across the country.

In 2017, U.S. News & World Report ranked “Insurance Agent� fourth on its list of best jobs. As the industry continues to evolve in new and exciting ways, we are actively looking to recruit the next generation of insurance agency professionals.

The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) is a trade association that represents nearly 1,200 independent insurance agencies across the commonwealth. These small- and medium-sized local businesses employ approximately 10,000 workers in well-paying jobs and contribute more than $1 billion annually to the Massachusetts economy.

The association’s member agencies, including 103 right here in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, are actively seeking to expand their workforces – a welcome change in this region, where jobs in the tech and biotech sectors are few and far between.

What does an insurance career offer? • Advancement Opportunities: An entry-level agency employee can pursue training and professional designations that pave the way for continuous advancement — with or without a college degree; • Stability: More than 40% of Massachusetts insurance agencies have been in business over 50 years. As we enter 2020, many individuals who run agencies or companies are retiring. They are looking for new talent to

make a real difference in people’s lives by helping them rebuild when they suffer a loss; and • Community: Our association members contribute a total of $8.5 million to charities annually, in addition to countless hours of volunteer work for local civic, cultural, and religious organizations.

Independent agents know their clients as friends and neighbors, coaches and volunteers. They give generously of their time and money, and care deeply about the communities and people they serve.

At MAIA, we are committed to identifying new talent, partnering with organizations to create a workforce develop-

Nick Fyntrilakis is president and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents. To learn more about the association, go online to massagent.com.

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no savings at all. Financial experts recommend having six months of expenses set aside in a savings account in case of an emergency, but how do people living paycheck to paycheck make that happen?

What happens to these people when they experience an emergency? They have to charge it, or, if they have poor credit, they stop paying their rent, mortgage, electricity or heat bills to help pay for their medical emergency or car repair so they can continue going to work. Taking a step back, would these people be in the same position if they had been formally taught about financial literacy, budgeting, credit, savings and paying bills?

With this direction and understanding, we took the time to ensure our financial literacy program was simple to understand and relevant to peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily lives. We brought budgeting into their world so they could relate to how easily they can make it work for them.

There is a significant need within our communities for the basic budgeting tools.

Everyone knows how much money they make weekly or annually, but not many people can tell you their monthly total of expenses. Having a complete understanding of where all your money is going is key and just the beginning.

From there, we explain how a budget is an ever-changing tool that will help you make the right choices in life so you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fall behind or into the trap of living paycheck to paycheck.

Opening multiple savings accounts, one for each financial goal, will help to ensure you are on track for savings in each of your goals is just one of the financial tips we provide during our financial literacy training.

Opening a 401(k) plan earlier than later has a dramatic effect on the amount of money set aside for oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retirement and can make a difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long run. Even a difference of waiting 10 years could be the difference of $250,000 or more by the time retirement comes.

Along with the financial literacy class on budgeting comes learning about credit scores and how to manage your score to get the lowest borrowing rates. Understanding the use of multiple credit cards, fees, payments, limits and outstanding balances is also helpful. We discovered that there is a significant population that has experienced an emergency in life that not only set them back financially but also affected their credit score.

We looked at young borrowers going into college who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have credit or have very little credit and came up with a new program to help them build up credit.

With no credit check required, Monson Savings now offers a Credit Builder Savings Program which will help people build or rebuild their credit scores and provides the customer with a self-determined funded account in the end. This is a much better way than resorting to applying for high rate credit cards at 24% interest.

The best part about the financial literacy courses we offer is that each class will be customized to hold the attention of the audience within the time allowed either through their workplace or a community-based event.

We have been able to reach a variety of different people of all ages and financial backgrounds, but the one thing they all have in common is they always have the same response, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wish someone taught me this earlier.â&#x20AC;?

Steven E. Lowell is president of Monson Savings Bank; to learn more about the bank and its programs, go online to monsonsavingsbank.com.

The shop for the automotive technology program at the Lower Pioneer Valley Career and Technical Education Center in West Springfield.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | K13

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

AUTO REPAIR/SERVICES JACKSON’S AUTO SALES & SERVICE, INC. 1307 Park Street (Rte. 20), Palmer, MA 01069 (413)289-1016

HEATING/AIR MARTIAL ARTS CONDITIONING/PLUMBING

UECHI-RYU KARATE ACADEMY 52 Gladdu Avenue (Memorial Dr.), O’CONNELL OIL 25 Texas Road, Northampton, MA 01060 Chicopee, MA 01020 (413)534-4740 www.uechi-ryukarateacademy.com 413-568-6800 Oconnelloil.com

SPARTAN AUTO CARE CENTER HEATING SERVICE 631 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109 CONTRACTORS 865 Memorial Avenue,W. Springfield, MA 01089 S.G. RACETTE PLUMBING, LLC (413)781-2480 / (413)739-2175 Springfield, MA 01128 BUILDING MATERIAL (413)786-6764 www.sgracetteplumbing.com A. BOILARD SONS, INC. LUMBER & BUILDING MATERIALS THE HEAT DOCTOR, INC. 476 Oak Street, Indian Orchard, MA 01151 HEATING SPECIALISTS (413)543-4100 Agawam, MA 01001 (413)789-2416/www.heatdoctor.com

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DRYWALL CONTRACTORS CHAMPAGNE DRYWALL, INC. 36 Russo Circle, Agawam, MA 01001 (413)786-4989

SIDING

S.G. RACETTE PLUMBING, LLC Springfield, MA 01128 (413)786-6764 www.sgracetteplumbing.com

FINYL VINYL-SIDING-WINDOWS-ROOFING 33 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (413)592-2376 www.finyl-vinyl.com

H & R HOME REMODELING, INC. ROOFING 2345 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095 FINYL VINYL-SIDING(413)589-0553/(413)283-4444/ WINDOWS-ROOFING (508)347-7002 33 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 www.HandRHomes.com (413)592-2376 HOME HEALTH CARE www.finyl-vinyl.com

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NESCOR 148 Doty Circle, AMERICAN RUG PHILIP BEAULIEU & SON W. Springfield, MA 01089 1594 Dwight Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 HOME IMPROVEMENT (413)739-4333 (413)533-3000 217 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 www.nescornow.com american-rug.com (413)592-1498 PHILIP BEAULIEU & SON GENERAL CONTRACTORS INSULATION HOME IMPROVEMENT H & R HOME REMODELING, INC. 217 Grattan Street, NESCOR 2345 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095 148 Doty Circle, W. Springfield, MA 01089 Chicopee, MA 01020 (413)589-0553/ (413)283-4444/ (413)592-1498 (413)739-4333 (508)347-7002 www.nescornow.com www.HandRHomes.com

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INTERSTATE CUSTOM KITCHEN & BATH CONDITIONING SERVICES PRECISION SHEET METAL 558 Chicopee Street, Chicopee, MA 01013 FABRICATION (413) 532-2727 ALLIED HEATING & CUSTOM POWER COATING www.interstatekitchens.com AIR CONDITIONING 101 Circuit Avenue, W. Springfield, MA 01089 R.R. LEDUC CORPORATION CARPENTRY (413)732-5599 100 Bobala Road, Holyoke, MA 01040 (413)536-4329 PHILIP BEAULIEU & SON HOME ADDITIONS/GARAGES www.rrleduc.com HOME IMPROVEMENT 217 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (413)592-1498

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TRUCK/MOTORHOME REPAIR DAVE’S TRUCK REPAIR 1023 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104 (413)734-8898 www.davestruckrepairinc.net

WINDOWS FINYL VINYL-SIDING-WINDOWS-ROOFING 33 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (413)592-2376 www.finyl-vinyl.com NESCOR 148 Doty Circle, W. Springfield, MA 01089 (413) 739-4333 www.nescornow.com PHILIP BEAULIEU & SON HOME IMPROVEMENT 217 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (413)592-1498 WINDOW WORLD OF WESTERN MASS., INC. Hampton Ponds Plaza, 1029 North Road, Westfield, MA 01085 (413)485-7335 www.WindowWorldofSpringfield.com

If you are a member of the Better Business Bureau and would like to be listed on this page call (413) 788-1165.

K14 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

At left, Nikki Burnett, executive director of Educare Springfield, is no stranger to Springfield and the Mason Square neighborhood from which students come, having grown up there herself.

With over a decade of experience in leadership, she holds an undergraduate degree in leadership and organization science from Bay Path University, where she is completing her master’s degree in leadership and negotiation. At center, this interactive playscape is among the toddler-sized, kid-friendly features of Educare Springfield. At right, Educare Springfield has seven classrooms for infants and toddlers and five pre-kindergarten rooms, like this one. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Multiple studies have shown that quality early education gives children a big academic and social advantage when they reach kindergarten — and that the advantage continues through elementary and high school and beyond.

Educare

This is the multipurpose room at Educare Springfield.

The bright, spacious rooms with their oversized windows are designed to be more engaging for the children.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE K1

gratitude for the opportunity their children will enjoy – and for center’s role in the revitalization of the Old Hill neighborhood that was devastated by the June 1, 2011, tornado.

“I have had so many residents from Mason Square calling me to say ‘thank you for bringing this to our neighborhood,’” Santos said.

At one of the family open houses, one of the attending moms, whose childhood Hickory Street home was destroyed by the tornado, said the reuse of the land by Educare was a wonderful outcome, according to Nicole Blais, Head Start’s community engagement director. Another mother related that she felt like her child “had been accepted to baby college,” Blais shared.

It’s easy to see why parents and community members are wowed by the Educare facility.

Design of the building – bright, spacious and well-equipped classrooms with oversized windows overlooking jauntily designed play equipment – is meant to be welcoming and open to the neighborhood, according to Nikki Burnett, newly named executive director of Educare Springfield.

In addition to seven classrooms for infants and toddlers and five pre-kindergarten classrooms, the center has conference rooms for community and parents’ meetings. Among the many bells and whistles, there’s a laundry room, a sanitizer for children’s toys, outdoor spaces with toddler-sized equipment, mini-bathroom stalls and sinks. There will also be a room where mothers can breastfeed their infants, some as young as 6 weeks old.

Burnett, who grew up in the Mason Square neighborhood, is excited about the role Educare can play in revitalizing the community as well as providing the neighborhood’s children with a leg up on their educational journey.

“So much rich history has come out of this neighborhood, and so much rich history is still being made. I am excited to be a part of it,” Burnett says. “If we’re not improving the trajectory of the whole family we’re not doing enough for the children.”

The proximity of Educare to the $27 million Elias Brookings School, which reopened in 2015 after the tornado ravaged the old school, and Springfield College is no accident. And neither is its partnership with Head Start, the federal program begun in 1965 to provide early childhood education for low-income families.

Educare stipulates its sites must be located next to elementary schools and must also develop partnerships with institutions of higher learning. Educare facilities across the country are also operated

by Head Start because of its pioneering mission.

Graduates at Educare Springfield will have an easy transition to Brookings school, where Burnett’s childhood friend Terry Powe is principal.

“We will definitely be collaborating,” Burnett says.

Educare Springfield will also partner with Springfield

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

College, which is just up the hill from the pioneering early childhood center. “I like to think of this section of the neighborhood as a cradle-to-college corridor,” Burnett says.

Burnett has high praise for Santos, the Davis foundation and the educators with whom she’s worked since assuming her leadership role. “They are at the heart of this story,” she says.

Linda Davis-Delano, director of educator preparation and licensure at Springfield College, has been working with a committee whose members include Davis foundation executive director Mary Walachy and Head Start’s Santos to define and shape the college’s role in the project.

“This will be a demonstration site of what high-quality early education and care looks like and what it will require,” Burnett says, explaining that Educare includes an extra layer of educational professionals working with children and families. There will be three – sometimes four – teachers assigned to each Educare classrooms.

Members of the Educare staff will benefit from professional development programs and ongoing coaching on classroom techniques and nationally recognized best practices.

The community discussions with Springfield College and others have centered on how the college can interface with and support Educare’s mission “to provide a comprehensive program that incorporates everything science says young children need to flourish.”

Davis-Delano says Springfield College’s partnership with Educare will be college-wide involving every department – not just faculty and students in the Education Department. “We’ve talked about lots of different ideas,” she says. “The sky is the limit.”

For example, one idea is the involvement of the college’s physician assistant program in providing checkups for Educare children. Others might include the development of topical programming for Educare families as well as opportunities for student internships and classroom observations.

Educare plans to involve the larger community in its mission. The board of Springfield Business Leaders for Education, a nonprofit group

promoting education reform, recently held its meeting in an Educare conference room.

Last month, a dozen department heads from Springfield College toured the building to spark ideas for future collaboration.

At the September 2018

groundbreaking for the center, Davis foundation senior director John Davis said the arrival of Educare in Springfield “is a clear demonstration that we are investing in the education of the children beginning at birth.” When the foundation learned about how the mission

of Educare dovetailed with its own, it was determined to bring a center to Springfield, he said.

At one point, local officials had walked away from the project out of cost concerns.

But after receiving $9.6 million in funding from an anon-

ymous out-of-state donor Educare Springfield became a reality.

Educare hopes to provide a model for best educational practices for public and private schools striving to close the early literacy gap between poorer communities and richer ones, according to Michael Burke, vice president of the Chicago-based Buffett Early Education Fund.

Multiple studies have shown that quality early education gives children a big academic and social advantage when they reach kindergarten — and that the advantage continues through elementary and high school and beyond.

The project also received state support for the project, including about $3.5 million in new market tax credits, a $1 million Early Education and Out of School Time grant and a $1 million MassWorks grant for public infrastructure work, as well as private and corporate support. In addition to money raised for the project, officials have set aside $7 million for an endowment to support the school’s operating expenses.

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OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | K15

WNEU CONTINUED FROM PAGE K1

Nikki Burnett

Early edâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new era launched

E

DUCARE SPRINGfield is ushering in a new era in early education with the opening of the 24th Educare school in the nation, and the first to be established in Massachusetts.

This research-based program will prepare young, at-risk children for school success.

Educare Springfield is located next to the Elias Brookings School on land donated by Springfield College. Educare schools are specially designed places that nurture early learning and send a bold message about the value of investing in the first five years of learning, when a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brain experiences its most rapid growth.

Educare Springfield will serve three target populations: 141 Head Start-eligible children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old; their families with intensive family engagement and workforce development opportunities; and our community as a landmark demonstration lab school for college students, researchers and other early education providers while also providing data for best practices and policy change in the early education field.

As someone who was born and raised in a home in the Mason Square neighborhood, my role as the first executive

SEE EARLY, PAGE K19

ing-juris doctor program to our doctor of pharmacy-masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of business administration program for those on a path to management.

Beyond our own campus, we have forged partnerships with both public and private institutions to give our students affordable pathways to professional programs in such fields as behavior analysis, law, optometry, physician assistant and pharmacy.

Given a buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no surprise students and families are laser-focused on return on investment and that is where Western New England University stands apart from the pack. Despite the challenges higher education institutions are facing â&#x20AC;&#x201D; fewer traditional college-aged students, for example, and unprecedented competition â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we remain innovative, agile, inclusive and student-focused.

According to a recent report from the career website Zippia, Western New England University has been ranked fifth in the nation and first in Massachusetts when it comes to the preparing graduates who receive federal financial aid for the job market. The analysis utilized data from the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College Scorecard looking at employment rates of students 10 years after graduation.

This report is a powerful testament to the career-readiness of our 48,000 alumni.

Western New England has also joined the ranks of doctoral universities in the latest update to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It was named to the newly created Doctoral/Professional Universities category, after having been categorized among masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colleges and universities in the previous framework. Last September, US News and World Report also placed Western New England into a new category â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Western New England University started in rented space at the Springfield Central YMCA in the 1919-20 school year. Today, career readiness is one area of focus in Western New England Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business department. (WNEU PHOTOS)

National Universities â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in its Best Colleges 2020 rankings.

This category moves us from regional to national, into the company of many of the top universities in the country.

Underscoring these changes is a focus on career-readiness that has long been central to our educational model and instrumental to the success of our graduates.

Experiential learning is integrated into our undergraduate curriculum, offering opportunities for internships at 1,000 sites, industry-sponsored engineering senior design projects, fieldwork, and research projects for real clients. That same experiential focus is found in our professional programs such as law, pharmacy, and occupational therapy.

As part of our $35 million Campaign for Our Second

The model pharmacy at Western New England University is one area that includes an experiential focus.

prepare them to navigate a rapidly changing workplace and career paths yet to be imagined.

In my 24 years as president at Western New England, much has changed, yet much has remained the same. I am Experiential learning is integrated into our undergraduate proud to have led our institucurriculum, offering opportunities for internships at 1,000 sites, tion through an era of unprecindustry-sponsored engineering senior design projects, fieldwork, edented growth in academic offerings, athletic promiand research projects for real clients. nence, and the expansion of our beautiful and welcoming uates with our comprehenOur vision for the future Century, our Career Decampus. sive first-year program and lies in meeting students velopment Center will be We are confident in the extends to a four-person team bright future ahead for Westreimagined to offer a multidi- where they are â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and taking of advisers that remains with ern New England University mensional approach to career them where they want to go. our students throughout their and for the students we will exploration and advising Whether that is a student and greater connection to course of study. All programs prepare to be workforce ready transferring from a comfor generations to come. munity college or a working employers and internship emphasize the development professional needing specific of transferable skills prized sponsors. Through advisory boards, outreach by our certificate programs that Anthony S. Caprio is presiby employers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; leadership, Center for Graduate and could later be applied toward teamwork, critical thinkdent of Western New England Advanced Studies, and the a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree, we are here ing, communication and University. To learn more, go proficiency in technology to online to wne.edu.

Faculty2Business initiative to support their dreams and where all business professors dedicate time each semester to connect with the business community, we strive to anticipate the changing needs of the workforce.

ambitions.

Western New England, which became a university in 2011, is also renowned for our culture of student support, which begins for undergrad-

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K16 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

OUTLOOK 2020

UMass

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Towns, governments and service agencies should know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s available. When they do, their first comment is, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We had no idea.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE K1

systems can offer business or government services, but about the ongoing discovery by potential partners that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s there. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Towns, governments and service agencies should know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s available,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; says Peter Reinhart, the instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founding director. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When they do, their first comment is, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We had no idea.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

Thanks to a state voucher program, large corporations and small, start-up businesses alike can join government agencies in taking advantage.

What UMassâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Core Facilities offers would often be far too complex, too expensive or both for many private enterprises to undertake.

PETER REINHART, FOUNDING DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES

Peter Reinhart has assembled a â&#x20AC;&#x153;dream teamâ&#x20AC;? of the best faculty and student minds at UMass, working in dozens of ways to improve health, the environment, and quality of life as a whole.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

WATCH THE VIDEO

m

To see Don Treegerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s video about Core Facilities at the University of Massachusetts Institute for Applied Life Sciences, go online to YouTube.com/ MassLive.

Companies and agencies can access the UMass facilities for a reasonable fee, far below what they would pay for their own equipment.

Robert Bardwell

Embracing change key to public education

I

F THERE IS ONE thing that can be said about kindergarten through 12th-grade education it is that change is inevitable, but it also usually comes about at a snailâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pace. There are many initiatives and best practices that should be more prevalent in our schools, but the question is how soon will we see them become integrated into the everyday fabric of our schools.

Here are nine trends that you can look forward to in 2020 and beyond:

United States thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s used to assess energy expenditure for long duration (24 hours or more).

Military personnel face enormous stress levels. A skin patch is being designed to better safely manage those levels.

The variety of opportunities They can now take advanis enormous. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One company tage of whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s called â&#x20AC;&#x153;collabis working on how to protect oratories,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; by which a private the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (endangered) business retains control of coral reefs. We can help with its own intellectual property that research,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Reinhart If schools are not The University of Massachusetts Institute for Applied Life Sciences, established in 2014, works explains. (a huge issue in science and teaching students to translate fundamental research into innovative products and services worldwide. research), but makes use of While many of these studies about coding, (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN) equipment and human exare national or global, Core pertise that have grown in the Facilities offers services as virtual reality, The various facilities do Massachusetts-based comprogramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nearly five-year ex- (the interaction between basic as allowing a dance augmented istence. Part of that time was light and matter), a human panies, the voucher program more than help companies group to study its motions reality, artificial spent planning the best use magnetic resonance center offers subsidies ranging from find solutions. Their techniand technique.

50% to 75%. Smaller compa- cians are discovering ways to of space for the more than 30 and advanced digital design The Institute for Applied intelligence core facilities the life sciences and fabrication, just to name nies with fewer employees help people in everyday walks Life Sciences building itself and wireless and, therefore, fewer resourc- of life. building offers. a few. was constructed with a strattechnology, egy to put available space to optimum use. then they are â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was finished in stages, disadvantaging and built from the bottom up. their students.

The north wing was completed before the south portion was started,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Reinhart says. â&#x20AC;˘ Social emotional â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a stand-alone facility, learning: With the dramatic increase in student menrun professionally and open tal-health concerns, teen to any industry that wants to suicide rates and students use its resources.â&#x20AC;? requiring additional services As its name becomes and accommodations, every known, Core Facilities has single school is scrambling welcomed a string of interesting visitors. The National to meet these growing Aeronautics and Space Adneeds. While adding addiministration (NASA) is one. tional support staff to deal At left, a view inside the roll-to-roll fabrication and processing Core Facilities dry clean room. At right, Elena Bliss is an MRI Clothing manufacturers are with these demands is helptechnologist at the University of Massachusettsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Institute for Applied Life Sciencesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Human Magnetic Resonance Center in Am- looking for designs the next ful, this alone cannot be the herst. To see a gallery of photos about the instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Core Facilities program, go online to MassLive.com. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN) generation will be wearing, solution. Schools must also retrain staff on how to teach and caloric intake is somees enjoy the larger subsidies.

One goal of the human The result is 30 distinctive and discipline students thing they keep in mind.

The Human Health and research and science faciliCore Facilities are meeting Performance Center facilities magnetic resonance center differently. New curricReinhart has been surties under one roof. Just the is to partner with regional Reinhartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision of creating ula focused on studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; include exercise intervention rounded by advanced scispace needed for some of this health care facilities and per- synergy and cooperation ence, technology, medicine well-being and emotional and outcomes, studies in haps bring patients on-site. It between the worlds of sciwork would rule out many needs will have to be added and research all his life. He human motion, a calorimis not, they stress, a competi- ence, academics and private eter and sleep monitoring still allows himself a sense of companies. So they come or integrated into existing industry. Not long ago, these equipment. Life-changing tion with hospitals. wonder as he walks through to UMass, a university that programs and courses; advancements are being â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a medical research worlds operated indethe building, watching skilled has risen into top-25 status â&#x20AC;˘ Technology: If schools among Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public uni- facility. Its main purpose will pendently and in an outdated made in nutrition and disease graduate students operate are not teaching students versities, in no small part due always be research,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Reinhart and disconnected manner about coding, virtual reality, control. One example is sophisticated devices that will augmented reality, artificial to programs like this one. says. One potential outcome that, in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high-tech cli- better identification of the unlock clues and solve mysâ&#x20AC;&#x153;When I talked with the intelligence and wireless mate, is costly and inefficient differences between the teries leading to a healthier, is the creation of new, effecchancellor (Kumble Subbas- tive medical devices. technology, then they are to the point of being self-desafer and more imaginative normal aging process and wamy) about starting this feating. world.

Companies and agencies disadvantaging their stuAlzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease. dents. In a world of mobile program, he saw it as natural can access the UMass faciliâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve brought (innovation â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is team science. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The whole-room calorimapps, drone technology, from) industry back on cam- eter features two separate to bring in someone with ex- ties for a reasonable fee, far very cool technology,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he says perience in both industry and below what they would pay chambers, including the driverless cars and robots, pus,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Reinhart says. after some thought. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Actually, the academic field,â&#x20AC;? Reinhart for their own equipment. For largest single chamber in the itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all pretty amazing.â&#x20AC;?

And vice versa.

SEE BARDWELL, PAGE K18 says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That strengthens the credibility factor.â&#x20AC;?

Reinhart certainly qualifies. As head of neurodegeneration at Wyeth-Pfizer, a premier biopharmaceutical company, he directed a portfolio of drug development programs in Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and neuromuscular diseases among other research projects. His tenured professorship at the world-famous Duke University Medical Center is just part of a long list of accomplishments and credits.

What heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done at UMass-Amherst goes beyond individual tributes. Reinhart has assembled a â&#x20AC;&#x153;dream teamâ&#x20AC;? of the best faculty and student minds, working in dozens of ways to improve health, the environment, and quality of life as a whole. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of really cool biomedical engineering going on here,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he says.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | K17

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

PET PARADE FEBRUARY PET WINNERS OF THE MONTH

and the winners are...

★ First Place ★

★ Runner Up ★

Chiefy the Goldendoodle

Mustang & Kitty

Owner: Kimberly Conant

Owner: Melissa Rustemeyer

Care

GAVIN’S 5 FUN FACTS

Coleen’s Favorite Pet to Adopt Diesel, 8yo Male, Terrier/Pitbull.

Available for adoption at Dakin Humane Society

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First prize winner will receive a Gift Certificate to either Three Free Days of Boarding, or a Spa Day to the first place Pet Parade Winner! (A $75 Value!) from Porter Road Pet Care (of East Longmeadow) The gift certificate will be e-mailed to the winner of each month’s Pet Parade.

by Gavin Smith - 3rd Grade Alfred G. Zanetti Montessori School

Diese

l

Pet Parade Monthly Tips

1

Iguanas are able to hold their breath for up to 30 minutes.

2 3

A garter snake can give birth to 85 babies.

4 5

Americans own more than 60 million pet birds.

A bird’s heart beats 400 times per minute while they are resting.

A grizzly bear’s bite is strong enough to crush a bowling ball

Pet ownership can be beneficial to children dogs have fewer respiratory infections and ear infections and need shorter courses of antibiotics than children who have not had contact with pets.

A study from Dennis Ownby, MD, a pediatrician and head of the allergy and immunology department of the Medical College of Georgia, found that having multiple pets decreases a child’s risk of developing certain allergies. He found that the children who were exposed to two or more dogs or cats as babies were less than half as likely to develop common allergies as kids who had no pets in the home.

Pets also may foster social interactions, which can benefit children who are shy. Inviting others over to meet pets can help children make friends and find others with similar interests.

Children may also confide in pets and develop their self-esteem.

Studies have indicated that the type of pet a family has, whether it’s horses, dogs, snakes, etc., does not matter, as all companion animals have the potential to benefit children.

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by sending us your favorite picture of your pet and kid together for a chance to win The Republican’s March Pet Parade Photo Contest. The winner will be announced March 5, 2020. Submit your photo now at https://contest. masslive.com/March-Pet-Parade/ Photo Submissions and voting will be accepted until March 1, 2020.

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peers without family pets to turn to.

Data from a small study conducted by researchers at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University reported that adolescents who had animal experience were more likely to see themselves as important contributors to communities and more likely to take on leadership roles.

Pets also can help children develop into well-rounded individuals. Playing with a pet requires children to engage in physical activity and can help stimulate motor skills. An English study conducted in 2010 and published in the American Journal of Public Health found that children from dog-owning families spent more time in light or moderate to vigorous physical activity and recorded higher levels of activity counts per minute than kids whose families did not own a dog.

Pets may help with allergies and respiratory ailments as well. A 2012 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics discovered that children who have early contact with cats and

3128099-01

If youngsters have been eyeing fuzzy kittens or boisterous puppies at nearby shelters or pet stores, parents may want to give in to those cries for a family pet. Pets are added responsibilities, but the health benefits associated with pet ownership may be well worth the investment of time and effort.

Caring for a pet is sometimes viewed as a childhood rite of passage, but there’s much more to the experience than just learning responsibility.

Experts say a child’s emotional, cognitive, physical, and social development can be enhanced through interaction with a family pet. Studies continue, but the effects of family pets on children was heavily researched by developmental psychologist Gail F. Melson in 2003. Melson looked at literature on child-animal relationships and found that children who had pets were better able to understand biology and children who could turn to pets for unconditional emotional support were less anxious and withdrawn than their

K18 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

EDUCATION

Rethinking child care for working parents Square One’s innovative program responds to need

Madino Idoor is among 35 state-licensed child care providers working with Square One in Springfield to serve 200 children whose parents work second and third shifts as well as on weekends for area manufacturers, bakeries, restaurants and MGM Springfield.

By CAROLYN ROBBINS

I

Special to The Republican

n many ways the child care center that Madino Idoor and her daughter, Saaidya Hussein, run out of a house in Springfield’s Forest Park neighborhood is like any other across the city.

There’s playtime, snack time, singing and dancing and arts and crafts projects to keep the children occupied.

But, unlike typical homebased child care centers, the six children they care for don’t arrive at Idoor’s house until late afternoon. And they don’t go home until the wee hours of the morning when their parents pick them up.

Five of the six children they serve are 6 years old and younger.

That means Idoor changes diapers, feeds the children, tells them bedtime stories and makes sure they brush their teeth. Then, she tucks them

Bardwell

(SQUARE ONE PHOTO)

into bed – and sometimes ministers to a child who wakes up in the middle of the night for reassurance or a trip to the bathroom – while their parents are at work.

Two-year-old Amir, whose father works the night shift at a local bakery, has begun to call her Nanny, Idoor says. “Sometimes I let him Facetime with his mom,” who is employed by Uno’s, she adds.

Idoor and Hussein are among 35 state-licensed home-based child-care providers working with Square One to serve 200 children whose parents work second and third shifts as well as on weekends.

The state’s Early Education Commission has been very

lies than ever before. Creating more tolerant and supportive schools and communities are CONTINUED FROM PAGE K16 needed to make sure all students feel welcome and have we desperately need skilled workers to not only maintain the opportunity to maximize the technology we currently their achievement; have but also to develop the • Highly qualified teachers: Teacher preparation technologies of tomorrow; • Restorative justice: This programs at most colleges is a relatively new perspective across the region are suffering on student discipline that from fewer qualified applistresses a more equitable and cants, which means fewer teachers to fill the vacancies student-centered approach as waves of baby boomers to managing behavior. The retire. This vacuum can lead to basic tenant is that students who have been harmed have a hiring noncertified and poorly chance to convey their feelings trained teachers. The reasons for this disturbing trend – poor to those responsible for the salaries, the lack of support for harmful act(s). While not the teaching profession overall revolutionary, the idea that and the negative challenges students become more empowered and engaged in their that teachers face daily; disciplinary outcome creates • Standardized testing: a more positive school climate While Massachusetts still resulting in less violence and administers the MCAS testing conflict; program in grades 3 through10 • Multiculturalism and and requires passing three diversity: In our ever increas- high school tests to earn a ing diverse and changing sodiploma, the national trend is ciety, schools must adapt, into reduce the amount of high corporate and embrace these stakes testing. We also see a changes since our students greater number of colleges come from more diverse fami- backing off from requiring

helpful as the agency has grown its Family Child Care program to include evening and overnight care, according to Kristine Allard, chief development and communications officer for Square One. The program began in September 2018.

“We are the only system of care providing evening and overnight care in Western Massachusetts,” Allard says, noting that there are limited providers in other parts of the state. Other providers across the state are paying close attention to the round-the-clock child care model that is aimed at addressing the needs of working parents.

The pioneering program

standardized testing as part of the admission process due to the inequities associated with such testing. While standardized testing will never disappear entirely, we can look for a decreased focus, instead spotlighting what is most important – better teaching and student engagement as a way to improve student performance; • Teacher strikes: While there have not been widespread strikes in our region, nationally teacher unions have been pushing for improved working conditions, increased wages and better services for students. Fortunately, the average teacher in Massachusetts earns far more ($79,710) than the average teacher nationally ($60,483).

And the infusion of $1.5 billion over the next seven years as part of the Student Opportunities Act that Gov. Charlie Baker signed recently sends a clear message that equitable education funding is a priority for lawmakers; • Athletics: After years of enormous growth, there

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harkens back to the days when children stayed with grandparents and other family members when their parents were working night-shift jobs.

“The bond between caregivers and the families they serve is unbreakable,” Allard says.

“They all share the experience of living with an extended family,” For example, at Idoor’s house Friday is movie night, complete with popcorn and other treats.

The idea for an all-hours system of caring for children began percolating five years ago when Smith & Wesson reached out to the agency about providing child care, according to Allard.

“They couldn’t recruit workers – especially women – for second- and third-shift jobs because there was no place to bring their children,” she explains. Other employers in the region had the same problem, which led to discussions on how Square One might develop a model to meet the need.

Allard and Dawn F. DiStefano, Square One vice president, spent countless hours trying to come up with a model to help Western Massachusetts families and employers.

One of the challenges was that the hours of second shifts vary by industry, according to DiStefano. “For example, MGM Springfield’s second

shift is different from Smith & Wesson’s second shift,” she says.

The problem was solved as Square One worked with individual providers to see if they could open during hours that worked for families. Soon the idea became a reality. Square One announced 18 months ago that it would offer child care on nights and weekends.

The agency did so by expanding its home-based child care partners by six, who agreed to provide the service.

The program has grown sixfold in the last year. And the hope is to expand the program from the 35 now operating, Allard says.

Under the innovative model – the only such one in the commonwealth – the state provides funds for administrative costs to run the program. In turn, Square One helps providers navigate the ins and outs of running a small business. “We do the books, payroll and paperwork – and they do the child care with the support of professional development training session,” Allard says. “Ultimately, it’s their business.”

Idoor, who previously worked at Goodwill Industries, says she and her daughter appreciate the support they receive from Square One. “They keep us on top of our game,” Hussein says.

The program received

are fewer students participating in high school sports, especially in highly physical contact sports such as football.

Districts which often had to cut players or had multiple teams to provide all athletes a chance to play are struggling to field full teams, particularly at the junior varsity levels. Look for an increase in co-op teams.

Esports (sport competition played via video games) will become more popular as they

provide a safer alternative for students; and • School safety: With the increased number of school shootings across the country and other violent acts on school grounds, school administrators and police officials are trying to better understand why and provide improved prevention and training for students and staff. Activities like shelter-in-place and lockdown drills are now the norm.

“(Smith & Wesson) couldn’t recruit workers – especially women – for secondand thirdshift jobs because there was no place to bring their children.”

Kristine Allard, Square One

support from employers Smith & Wesson, MGM Springfield and Baystate Health, along with strategic funding from the Center for Human Development, Focus and Lenox.

Square One also received $100,000 in financial support from community partners, including Lyman Wood.

Square One’s home-based child care programs serve another 500 preschool children in its day programs, such as the Tommie Johnson Child & Family Center at 255 King St. Allard says Square One’s childhood education network is ultimately working to prepare children for the workforce of the future while helping their parents stay employed without worrying about who is minding their children. Home day-care providers are also earning a salary and receiving professional development training.

“It’s a win-win-win situation,”DiStefano says.

Time will tell what exactly will happen with these nine trends in the coming year(s), but one thing is certain. We must be ready to accept and embrace change because it is happening around us whether we like it or not.

Robert Bardwell is a school counselor and director of guidance and student support services at Monson High School.

Visit bobbardwell.com.

If you received health care last year, you likely were helped by a Springfield College graduate.

OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Meridian

“We have to grow incrementally at the right pace.

I always have this idea that prosperity can end at any time.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE K1

Grande purchased the business, then known as Central Mass. Machine, in 2009.

But the company’s history in Holyoke dates back to 1881 when it started as a foundry, blacksmith and machining business under the name J&W Jolly Inc. The original foundry turned out 7 tons of cast iron a day and employed 200.

For Grande, who spent 20 years as a Springfield police officer, the company intrigued him. He wanted to run a business again, having previously operated a small firm that sold building materials to contractors, a venture he started when he was laid off by the Police Department.

And, although he lacked a manufacturing background, Grande liked that the company was known for its ability to take on large projects. While there is a manufacturing presence in Western Massachusetts, a lot of it involves smaller components. That’s where Meridian differs, Grande notes.

Meridian has evolved over the years, says Grande, who runs it with his son, Benjamin P. Grande. Steve Grande’s wife, Lisa, handles human resources.

“We bought kind of an old, kind of tired (company with) older equipment,” Grande says, explaining they then “reinvented the business.”

STEVEN E. GRANDE, PRESIDENT, MERIDIAN INDUSTRIAL GROUP

At left, machinist Mike Randall measures a part at the Meridian Industrial Group in Holyoke. At right, Benjamin P. Grande, general manager and partner, left, and his father, Steven E. Grande, president, run the Meridian Industrial Group. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTOS)

and throughout the U.S. And, while its large part, precision CNC machining remains its area of expertise, it also has a variety of smaller CNC lathes and mills for machining small parts, mostly for the commercial, aerospace and defense industries.

“It’s a source of pride to be involved in some of the military stuff that we are,” Grande In addition to says. celebrating its 10(CNC stands for computer year anniversary numerical control, and CNC machining is a manufacturing last year, Meridian process in which pre-prowas recognized grammed computer software at the Statehouse dictates the movement of factory tools and machinery.) as Manufacturer Changes made at Meridian of the Year by included transitioning from the Legislative big commercial projects to more sophisticated jobs, Manufacturing Grande explains. For examCaucus. ple, Meridian is now involved in the space program, as it maThat meant an investment chines parts for rockets used of up to $4 million in new to deliver satellites. It also equipment and technology makes sonar and components and moving from a traditional for Navy submarines. manufacturing facility to one The work is done out of Meridian’s South East Street fafocused on advanced manufacturing. cility, which features 60,000 They also changed the square feet of machining name to Meridian in January space. Grande says they are 2014. Grande said the Central in the beginning stages of Mass. name didn’t fit, as the discussions about a possible company was in Western Mas- expansion. They currently sachusetts, and they wanted employ 23 people. a name that was more “sleek” The success of the firm can and had more of “an aerobe seen in its growth over space feel.” the past four years. A private Today, the company serves company, it does not release customers in New England sales figures, according to

Early CONTINUED FROM PAGE K15

director allows me a full-circle experience. Mason Square and the surrounding neighborhoods are rich in history and with Educare Springfield, history in the making.

Having worked for much larger nonprofit organizations in the region, I am extremely blessed to be playing a role in the strategic planning and the building of powerful and sustaining partnerships to help Educare succeed in the place I call home.

While Educare Springfield itself is a brand-new facility, the Educare model has a 20-year history of impact and success. The Educare Learning Network consists of 24 schools and has a strong track record of providing high-quality, data-driven programs that have led to strong child and family outcomes. Educare Springfield was birthed from necessity and a spirit of service to the children and families of Springfield.

Growing from one school on the South Side of Chicago about 20 years ago, Educare now is a powerful national network serving thousands of children in schools across the country. In 2000, the Ounce of Prevention Fund and the Irving Harris Foundation worked together to create Educare Chicago, an early childhood school serving around 150 children.

Three years later, the Buffett Early Childhood Fund and

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | K19

the Ounce of Prevention Fund joined forces to form what is now the Educare Learning Network (ELN).

Together, they worked to expand the effort of helping to narrow the achievement gap for more children living in poverty by building more schools and creating a network of early learning champions around the country.

The four core features of Educare are: • Data Utilization – The Educare model is built on a foundation of research. We will engage in year-round intensive research with a local evaluation partner that will inform best teaching practices and ways to improve our school. As part of the mission to go Beyond the Walls, Educare Springfield will also serve as a statewide demonstration site where we can share professional development with other early education providers and serve as a learning hub for students of various disciplines at our many institutions of higher learning; • Embedded Professional Development – Educare teachers are provided daily embedded professional development through master teachers who offer reflective learning as well as hands-on instruction. This embedded professional development is intended to support teachers in their daily work as well as encourage and enable them to have a successful career path.

Through our model we are also able to offer professional development opportunities

Machinist Chuck Embury, left, cleans off his work space at the Meridian Industrial Group. At right, looking over the results of an inspection are, from left, general manager Benjamin P. Grande, machinist Angelo Commisso, machinist apprentice Jonathan Jimenez and quality inspector Adam Forest. To see a gallery of photos, go online to MassLive.com. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTOS)

Grande, but last year experienced a 20% increase due to new military contracts, a rise in defense spending and the continued expansion of the space program. This year, Grande says, the company is on track for growth between 5% and 7%.

“We have to grow incrementally at the right pace,” Grande says. “I always have this idea that prosperity can end at any time.”

He credits his son, who started working at the business approximately a year after he bought it, with guiding its success, also noting the importance of longtime employees who have helped achieve goals.

In addition to celebrating its 10-year anniversary last year,

Meridian was recognized at the Statehouse as Manufacturer of the Year by the Legislative Manufacturing Caucus.

It was among 78 businesses to receive the honor, and state Rep. Aaron M. Vega, D-Holyoke, presented the award to the Grandes at the ceremony.

“What they do is just really cool,” Vega said. “I think it continues the manufacturing history we have here in Holyoke.”

Grande says he finds his employees through staffing agencies and training programs in the area such as Tech Foundry, which is a Western Massachusetts IT training program. “We’ve found terrific employees through Tech Foundry,” Grande said.

Most employees Meridian

hires have some experience in the field, but not all, Grande says, noting they brought on some former East Longmeadow High School athletes who his son knew. The combination of their strong math and science skills, competitiveness and ability to work as team players proved to be assets, according to Grande, who also is from East Longmeadow. Several of these employees were underemployed or working in jobs with no chance for advancement before coming to Meridian, he notes.

Perks to attract and retain employees include benefits such as a 401(k) with a company match and a quarterly bonus program for meeting goals. He says the company

also pays for its machinists to attend courses such as Mastercam (a computer-aided software program for manufacturing employees) and CAD-CAM (computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing), and cross-trains so workers can fill in for each other during absences.

“We always try to use the resources we have in-house,” Grande says. “It gives us more flexibility, especially when it’s difficult to find employees.

“We’re constantly trying to keep up with technology, constantly innovating and constantly dealing with market forces,” he adds. “We’re constantly upgrading equipment and looking at how we do things and improving when we can.”

to early education providers outside of our network; • High-Quality Teaching Practices – At the core of Educare’s quality is being able to offer teachers the best opportunity to give children the best instruction on a daily basis. Our model calls for three teachers per classroom, affording targeted time with each student. This, along with the instruction provided by master teachers and best

practices derived from our research, ensures the highest quality teaching practices; and • Intensive Family Engagement – We know that enriching children must be holistic in an approach that is inclusive of their families.

We are engaging parents in a supportive, authentic and effective manner that helps to empower them as their child’s first and most important teacher. Our practices

also include two-generation workforce development and a host of family engagement and community services.

We know that all children are born with potential. Sadly, there are not always equitable opportunities available to realize such potential. We live in a society of excess and unfortunately, some children and families are carrying an excess of disparities in relation to housing, food inse-

curity, transportation, living wages as well as education.

With the birth of Educare Springfield, we aim to provide the tools needed to the children we will serve that will help them thrive and succeed in their lives.

For a

Nikki Burnett is executive director of Educare Springfield.

To learn more about Educare Springfield, go online to educarespringfield.org.

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K20 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

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Outlook2020

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Talent is homegrown at Big Y

A

Maggie D’Amour

S WE BEGIN A NEW decade, it is clear that the retail grocery industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace.

Customer expectations and desires continue to migrate toward trends like home delivery, online ordering and ready-to-eat meals.

In our ever-changing world of technological advancements and innovation, the industry is becom-

Maggie D’Amour, store director of the Big Y Chicopee World Class Market, with members of her team. From left are Luis Gonzalez, Deb Hewes, Brandon McElligott, Samantha Hurlburt, D’Amour, Marta Mijal, Jermaine Reid, Kim McGovern and Jason Kotfila.

ing more and more competitive and demands “out of the box” thinking in order to continue to serve our customers.

In our 84 years in business, Big Y has undoubtedly evolved from our first 900-square-foot market which originated in Chicopee.

Our founders, Paul and Gerry D’Amour, probably could not have imagined what one of our current

(JONATHAN WILSON / BIG Y FOODS)

SEE BIG Y, PAGE L2

“Tenants and businesses alike need to know that you are there and you will be responsible for the success of the complex.”

JEFFREY LEBRECQUE

Jeffrey Lebrecque, chief operating officer of Center Redevelopment Corp., outside his office at the Village Commons. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

Mark Keroack

RETAIL

Full house for nearly 2 decades Local ownership, management key to longevity

T

By KEITH O’CONNOR

ypically at this time of year “going out of business” signs begin to show up in storefronts at area malls, either because a particular chain is going belly-up or the business simply can’t afford the rent any longer.

INSIDE

Baystate language effort breaks down barriers with grant from Lyman and Leslie Wood, Page L17

Things are dramatically different for the Village Commons, located across from the Mount Holyoke College campus in South Hadley.

Jeffrey Lebrecque, chief operating officer and director of operations, says they have been spared seeing “going out of business” signs hanging in their storefronts for a number Jeffrey Lebrecque says there is “a feeling of community” at the Village Commons. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO) of reasons.

“Our rents are more acceptable, and we are all mom and pops,” he the Village Commons is owned by a fill the space. Being locally owned no longer be based upon making a explains. “Although we just landed South Hadley couple. Our long-term and managed is important to our deal, collecting the rent and walking a national franchise called Board tenants are beginning to retire after success. away,” Lebrecque adds. “Tenants & Brush, which has 250 stores and 20-plus years here, so it’s more of “Today’s retail environment is and businesses alike need to know SEE COMMONS, PAGE L18 are going strong, this franchise at a retirement thing. But we quickly complicated and evolving, it can

INSIDE: Venerable Odyssey Bookshop at the Village Commons defies odds, Page L18

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Beating addiction could be as close as smartphone Abhinav Parate

A

N IMPORTANT and ongoing priority for Baystate Health is preparing for the future healthcare needs of the communities we serve and beyond.

One of the biggest challenges we face is the growing shortage of nurses and physicians. There are multiple initiatives, both statewide and within our organization that have been developed to address these shortages.

Special to The Republican

Akshaya Shanmugam

Baystate keeps training close to home

From nicotine to opioids, WMass startup eyes success

By NATASHA ZENA

Special to The Republican

Amherst-based Lumme Inc. is working to crack the code on addiction, using a cutting-edge addiction treatment platform that combines wearable technology and machine learning with behavioral psychology.

The idea for Lumme sprouted from the doctorate thesis work of co-founder Abhinav Parate while a student in the School of Computer Science

SEE ADDICTION, PAGE L6

For example, secretary Rosalin Acosta, of the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, and I co-chair the Massachusetts Healthcare Collaborative, commissioned by the governor. Our work is to mitigate the economic impact of an anticipated shortage of 40,000 healthcare workers in the state over the next five years.

Our focus is on workforce development programs for nursing, mental health workers and home health aides.

At Baystate Health we have been anticipating these challenges and have implemented programs locally to help address them.

As long ago as 2006, Baystate Health recognized the opportunity for local students to learn about healthcare careers. One of our oldest and perhaps most impactful programs is the Baystate Springfield Educational Partnership.

Student-centered, this partnership provides educational enrichment and medical experiences for high school students, primarily from the Springfield Public Schools, to encourage an interest in academic paths in the healthcare field.

SEE BAYSTATE, PAGE L17

L2 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

“It’s very different in America compared to Kenya. In Kenya people look at you as wiser as you age. They congregate around you to hear you speak. But sometimes in America, (aging) becomes very lonely.”

JOSEPH NGARUIYA, A BETTER LIFE HOMECARE

Mercy Medical Center president Deborah Bitsoli, left, and Sister Mary Caritas Geary meet with staff and community members at Mercy in November at the launch of the 61 Day Challenge that works to inspire the community to start making healthy habits at the most challenging time of year, the holiday season. (MERCY MEDICAL CENTER PHOTO)

Mercy: Recruit local, retain local

I

STARTED MY CAREER in health care as a teenager, working in the dietary program of my local hospital, the same hospital where my mom worked the overnight shift in the Emergency Department for more than 25 years. Before I started that job, my mom told me something that resonated with me: “Always focus your attention on the person in front of you.”

Her advice was to approach every patient with a smile, no matter what kind of day I was having. My commitment to modeling this approach has served me well. Great customer service is one of Mercy’s highest priorities and one on which I am sharply focused as I begin my role as president of Mercy Hospital and its affiliates.

HEALTH

Perseverance, devotion pay off for immigrant entrepreneur Home-care firm in Springfield honored for growth in 2019

Deborah Bitsoli most experienced nurses are preparing for retirement, and schools are facing a lack of students enrolling in STEM fields. Combine these factors with a shortage of physicians in primary care and (some) specialty fields, and the result is an ever-shrinking pool of qualified medical providers.

At Mercy Medical Center, we are addressing these challenges with a multipronged approach. Students are the basis for our future success, and we are expanding our partnerships with several local high schools and area colleges. We are using some innovative strategies to connect with students by: • Inviting high school students who are considering a

Every Mercy employee, medical staff member and volunteer has intrinsic skill, experience and talent that is woven into a uniquely resilient fabric that wraps around each patient to support them in their time of need.

Mercy is comprised of a committed team of individuals who come from our community and are invested in serving our community, giving back to all who seek care. Every Mercy employee, medical staff member and volunteer has intrinsic skill, experience and talent that is woven into a uniquely resilient fabric that wraps around each patient to support them in their time of need.

The growing demand for compassionate, qualified medical professionals has become a common challenge for health systems across the country. Hospitals are facing a patient population that includes aging baby boomers, leading to an increased demand for health care resources. Some of our

Joseph Ngaruiya and his wife, Nancy, run A Better Life Homecare in Springfield. The agency provides home health care for about 300 people in Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

career in health care to “lunch and learn” sessions with our senior leaders; • Implementing our new pharmacy residency program, now in its second year; and • Providing internships to teenagers trained as peer health advocates through Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services.

These relationships are symbiotic. They not only help us in terms of future recruitment needs, but also provide opportunities and support for students, helping them forge strong futures and stay local, which in turn benefits our own community.

Equally important to recruitment is retention. The foundation for a great health care system is its employSEE MERCY, PAGE L4

I

By NATASHA ZENA

Special to The Republican

n December 2001, then16-year-old Joseph Ngaruiya migrated from Nairobi, Kenya, to the eastern Massachusetts city of Lowell with his mother, Salome, to join his father, Stephen, who had arrived six months earlier.

Joseph Ngaruiya, of Springfield, receives the 2019 Barry M. Portnoy Immigrant Entrepreneur Award as the fastest-growing immigrant-run business in Massachusetts.

(IMMIGRANT LEARNING CENTER PHOTO)

room apartment.

Jospeh Ngaruiya remembers feeling out of his cultural depths at Lowell High He had never experienced School, a part of a student cold of the magnitude of a body nearly 10 times larger New England winter nor seen than what he was accustomed to in Nairobi, and snow with his own eyes. while he spoke English, his His mother, who had worked as a banker in Nairo- accent was a communication bi, found work as a certified barrier. nursing assistant, and she “Coming from a Thirdand her husband worked 90- World country to a Firstplus hours a week in rotating World country was culture shifts to make ends meet. shock,” he says. His perseHosted by an uncle, Ngarui- verance was celebrated last ya’s two siblings joined them fall, with loved ones in the audience, as he received the the following April, and the six members of the family 2019 Barry M. Portnoy Imlived together in a two-bed- migrant Entrepreneur Award

presented by the Immigrant Learning Center in Boston.

Recognized for the growth of his business, A Better Life Homecare, now-34-yearold Ngaruiya was among 38 nominees from 26 countries honored for the businesses they founded in Massachusetts. The entrepreneurs were praised for creating jobs, serving their neighborhoods and fueling the innovation economy.

“To be receiving an award in America, that’s a huge thing. The ceremony itself was beautiful. I brought a whole lot of family there. It was a very emotional day for us,” Ngaruiya says.

With a mission to ensure that low-income elderly people receive compassionate care at home with their families, Ngaruiya launched A Better Life Homecare in January 2014. Since then, the company, which serves approximately 300 clients in Massachusetts and Connecticut, has grown employment by 233% in the last three years and earns approximately $5.5 million in revenue annually.

Ngaruiya says he has always Joseph Ngaruiya, back row center, with his family and friends, had a love for business. He including his parents, Stephen and Salome, and his wife, was able to combine it with Nancy, at the 2019 Barry M. Portnoy Immigrant Entrepreneur his knowledge of health Award given by the Immigrant Learning Center at the Royal care thanks to becoming a Sonesta in Boston. He was recognized for the growth of his licensed practical nurse after business, A Better Life Homecare in Springfield. (IMMIGRANT graduating from high school.

LEARNING CENTER PHOTO)

SEE GROWTH, PAGE L14

Big Y CONTINUED FROM PAGE L1

modern-day supermarkets would look like.

While this demand for change presents a host of challenges and obstacles, it also presents many opportunities to expand our workforce and develop our current talent pool.

When pondering career options, the retail grocery industry is often overlooked. A closer look into Big Y and our organizational structure will show that we offer a vast spectrum of career opportunities.

Yes, we have the most visible positions, such as cashiers and service clerks, but we also employ HVAC technicians, software developers, nutritionists, graphic designers, warehouse selectors, social media specialists and more. As our business evolves and grows, we are continuously looking for new talent to support new initiatives.

As a member of the third generation of D’Amours, and a Big Y employee for over 20 years, I have had the privilege of witnessing countless peers and co-workers come to the realization that Big Y could become their career.

I have seen 16-year-old service clerks enter into the store director training program a decade later.

I have seen warehouse employees transition into IRT (Information Resources & Technologies) support.

To develop and train our workforce, Big Y’s learning services department creates and maintains training curricula, computer-based training programs and employee resource groups, to name a few examples.

Additionally, we support and encourage our almost 12,000 employees to pursue higher education outside Big Y. It is quite commonplace for Big Y employees to transfer between two Big Y locations: one closest to their college during the school year; and one in their hometown during school breaks. We even offer tuition assistance and scholarships to encourage our employees’ educational pursuits.

Our diverse workforce is made up of people at various stages in their lives and careers, and currently our employees range in age from 16 to 93 years old. We strive to find positions that will leverage the aptitudes, perspectives and experiences of the individual, while also helping them continue to grow.

At Big Y we approach this new decade with the willingness and courage to embrace change and challenge the status quo, while staying committed to our roots and values.

Even as our world trends more and more toward digital platforms and technological modes of communication, we will always value the importance of personal connections and the relationships between our employees and customers.

Maggie D’Amour is store director of the Big Y Chicopee World Class Market. To learn more about Big Y, visit BigY.com.

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OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teamwork is very important to us. If you have a good strong leader who leads by example, you are more apt to have a solid team behind you.â&#x20AC;?

MICHAEL J. WANCZYK III, PRESIDENT OF WANCZYK EVERGREEN NURSERY INC., AT RIGHT

AGRICULTURE

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We are the growers. Come to the sourceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

David Lindner, 3, of Greenfield, pulls a wagon filled with plants at the Wanczyk Evergreen Nursery in Hadley. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)

3rd generation takes helm at Hadley nursery business

S

By CORI URBAN

Special to The Republican

ome of the values Michael J. Wanczyk III, president of Wanczyk Evergreen Nursery Inc., has learned working for the family business are integrity, honesty, hard work and perseverance.

He says he has learned to appreciate the value of money and respect and to have confidence and be true to himself.

He tries to treat all his employees as he would want to be treated.

Wanczyk is the third generation of his family to work in the business that his late grandfather, Michael J. Wanczyk, began in 1954.

Now a premier plant grower in the Pioneer Valley and New England, the family-owned retail and wholesale business grows a variety of plants in greenhouses and outdoors, including trees, shrubs, bushes and flowers.

In the early years, his grandfather, who died in 2001, grew corn, potatoes, asparagus and other vegetables before his two sons began growing more ornamental plants for the nursery business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Understanding that there is still work to be done, you can feel good about what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing and build a stronger,

Kristin Hall, an employee at the Wanczyk Evergreen Nursery in Hadley, prepares plants and flowers for arrangement near her sales booth. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to keep healthy nursery stock in our 80 acres to continue to propagate the future sales,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a great feeling knowing that what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re producing is ultimately helping and improving the environment.â&#x20AC;?

Though there are many challenges to running a family business, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the main thing is to stick to your plan and make the changes and upgrades needed to be able to run the business effectively,â&#x20AC;? Wanczyk says.

A number of resources can help small businesses like Michael Wanczyk III, the third generation of his family to operate Wanczyk Evergreen Nursery Wanczykâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, he adds. on Route 9 in Hadley, carries an evergreen to a waiting customer. He has worked at the nursery, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are energy enhancefounded by his grandfather, for his entire life. At right, fall chrysanthemums. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTOS) ment programs that are offered which we will be looking into. more reliable team,â&#x20AC;? Wanczyk and worked in the family busi- satisfying. Now imagine doing Heating greenhouses, irrigasays. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teamwork is very ness alongside his grandfather, that with tens of thousands tion upgrades that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need important to us. If you have a father and uncle. each year. Seeing the roots af- to try and take advantage of, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Learning hands-on and ter weeks (and) months is very and a few others to help lower good strong leader who leads working hard has taught me to gratifying.â&#x20AC;? our operating costs.â&#x20AC;? by example, you are more apt Wanczyk takes pride in being appreciate all of the knowledge Each year there are new to have a solid team behind able to propagate and produce challenges, such as more they handed down,â&#x20AC;? he says. you.â&#x20AC;? many different plants in the people ordering plants online.

Wanczyk studied ornamen- â&#x20AC;&#x153;Taking a 6-inch clipping of tal horticulture at the Universi- an evergreen and being able to nursery yard that sits alongside Changing how they receive ty of Massachusetts in Amherst get it to root and grow is very Route 9. orders, deliveries and handling

Mercy

senior leaders.

Some of the newest strategies we have begun include: CONTINUED FROM PAGE L2 â&#x20AC;˘ Having our senior leadees, which is why colleague ers conduct regular rounds engagement is at the core of on the units to connect with Trinity Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission and colleagues and provide opcore values. portunity for staff feedback; In the short time I have been â&#x20AC;˘ Recognizing and showhere, I have quickly come to ing appreciation for the sacrirecognize the magnificence of fices our caregivers make by Mercy Medical Center, built providing them with holiday meals on Christmas Day ; on the legacy of the Sisters â&#x20AC;˘ Celebrating the selfless of Providence. While Mercy strives to build upon this efforts of our colleagues, legacy, we must also recogsuch as the nurse in our nize that the face of health Emergency Department who care, and the way we deliver gave her coat to a homeless that care, is changing. So, too, patient; is the way we connect with â&#x20AC;˘ Sending a Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff, including the need for a Update to colleagues regularstrong and visible presence by ly that highlights what I have

observed and experienced over the past weeks, such as a recent tour of our Family Life Center; â&#x20AC;˘ Inviting our â&#x20AC;&#x153;Colleague of the Monthâ&#x20AC;? recipients to a board meeting to be recognized for their commitment to our ministry; and â&#x20AC;˘ Implementing a novel electronic system that allows employees to provide input directly to our executive leadership team.

We believe that the best health care is care delivered locally. Our community both cares about and relies upon Mercy Medical Center, which is why we are pushing the boundaries with inventive recruitment, engagement and

the material so it can ship better is going to be a challenge for their business, according to Wanczyk.

Changing with the times is important to the business, he stresses. For example, its field-grown nursery stock was once hand dug by contracted workers. It was labor intensive and hard work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There were no machines to dig, lift, load the plants for you. It was all done by hand,â&#x20AC;? Wanczyk says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now we dig almost everything with a machine.â&#x20AC;?

Making appropriate upgrades whenever possible is helpful, as is being more self-sufficient. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Producing more items with different means of propagation and not having to rely on other sources to produce a seedling for us on items we can easily produce ourselves will really be an advantage,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We adapt and make the changes necessary to maintain the bottom line.â&#x20AC;?

Visit wanczyknursery.com.

retention strategies.

We are committed to further develop programs that mirror community needs, focusing on heart and vascular expertise, bariatric (weight loss) surgery, diabetes and wound care, as well as tackling the opioid crisis head on.

With this forward-thinking mindset, Mercy is prepared to care for our community in the way in which the community deserves throughout 2020 and beyond.

Deborah Bitsoli is president of Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates. To learn more about Mercy and its programs, go online to mercycares.com/ springfield.

Deborah Bitsoli, president of Mercy Medical Center and its affiliates, meets with colleagues at the medical center recently.

One of her strategies is to have senior leaders conduct regular rounds on units to connect with colleagues and provide opportunity for staff feedback. (MERCY MEDICAL CENTER PHOTO)

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OUTLOOK 2020

L6 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Timothy M. Smith, owner of Apex Orchards in Shelburne, is a seventh-generation farmer with his homestead on Peckville Road. To see a gallery of photos of the orchards, go online to MassLive.com.

AGRICULTURE

An orchard with a view

By Cori Urban

Special to The Republican

Timothy M. Smith, general manager and owner of Apex Orchards in the Franklin County town of Shelburne,

might be hard pressed to pick a favorite fruit grown at the family-run operation.

But he would say apples because of the variety that includes ginger gold, royal gala, Cortland, Macoun, empire, honey crisp and the ubiquitous McIntosh.

Customers can pick their own apples, peaches and pumpkins in the seasons

of their harvest. But Apex Orchards also grows nectarines, apricots, quince, pears, Asian pears, blueberries and table grapes. Its fruit is sold in stores across Western Massa-

chusetts, at farmers markets and at the store located right at the orchards.

Abner Peck Sr., a soldier in the Revolutionary War and

“In the early 1900s my grandfather starting moving the farm toward a fruit-growing operation, which it is today.”

Timothy M. Smith, Apex Orchards

SEE APEX, PAGE L9

The Apex Orchards farm store in Shelburne features views to three states, including Mounts Monadnock, Grace and Toby, and the Notch.

(FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)

Addiction CONTINUED FROM PAGE L1

at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Lumme allowed Parate to marry his love of computer science with his desire to have a meaningful impact on people’s lives. He maintains we are living in an era during which we can have powerful computers the size of smartphones in our hands.

“It has more computing resources than the computers I used to work with during my undergraduate days,” Parate says. “The possibilities are endless with such a device that has persistent network connectivity, sensing capabilities and computing resources.

All I had to do next was find a relevant problem to solve.”

A key feature that differentiates a smartphone from any other computing device, according to Parate, is the sensing capabilities that comes with it.

“The embedded sensors like GPS were already being used for providing useful location-based services. Yet there were other sensors, accelerometer and gyroscope, on a phone that were not being utilized to its full potential,” he says. “It didn’t take me long to realize that these sensors have the potential to monitor the health behaviors of phone users. The fact that these phones

Claire Morenon

Innovation, adaptability drive farms’ success

T

HE CONNECTICUT River valley is home to a vibrant local food system that is both visible and participatory, featuring open farmland, busy farmers markets and farm stands, and grocery stores and restaurants featuring locally grown food. Local farms and the businesses connected to them are an important component of the Massachusetts economy and culture, and farmers are key stewards of land and other environmental resources.

In 2019, the federal government published the 2017 Agricultural Census, a massive study released every five years that provides insight into the role that agriculture plays in the state and local economy.

Massachusetts farm sales totaled over $485 million, with nearly 30% of those sales

SEE CISA, PAGE L10

Last year, an abstract of smoke or indulge in other Lumme’s clinical trials was unhealthy behaviors. The presented at the Society user receives a personalized for Research on Nicotine & intervention delivered to his Tobacco’s annual meeting or her phone to help with their craving. The timing and in San Francisco. Lumme’s content of these interventions two-arm blind study with 140 are tailored and based on the smokers across the United States demonstrated a signifiuser’s behavioral patterns.

“It can look at everything a cant difference in the rates of person does on a daily basis quitting (49.2%) versus rates and give them key inforof quitting with the Smokemation about their health. free TXT platform (30.2%).

Current (products on the To date, Lumme has remarket) might tell you how ceived $2.1 million in grant much you walked or slept. funding from the National That’s it,” Shanmugam says. Cancer Institute, National Akshaya Shanmugam, left, and Abhinav Parate co-found“It does not tell you what Institute on Alcohol Abuse ed Lumme Labs. The Amherst-based startup is working to you can do to improve your and Alcoholism, Massachucrack the code on addiction, using a cutting-edge addiction health or what you should be setts Life Science Center and treatment platform that combines wearable technology and doing. What Lumme is trying MassVentures. machine learning with behavioral psychology. (LUMME LABS PHOTO) to do is to also tell you here It has also raised an undisis why and here is what you closed amount of seed investare almost always present can do.” of those smoking “want to ment from Maroon Venture Lumme also aims to be a with the users means they quit but still struggle because Partners Funds, Springfield platform “that helps people can provide a more reliable of ineffective solutions on Venture Funds, Bulldog Innogain deep insights into their picture of the users’ health the market.” She believes vation Group and individual than any other approach one Lumme’s predictive technolo- health and improve their life- investors Michael and Terry style choices,” Shanmugam can think of.” gy will be a game-changer.

Hluchyj, Rubin Gruber, Kate In 2011, Parate’s first adThe digital platform uses diction-related project used sensors on a smartphone “(Lumme) can look at everything a person electrocardiogram sensors and a smartwatch to detect, to detect cocaine use. In late predict and prevent behavdoes on a daily basis and give them key 2012, he began his work on ior that affects a person’s information about their health.” cigarette smoking. health. While it was originally According to the Centers for launched with smoking in Akshaya Shanmugam, co-founder and CEO, Lumme Labs Disease Control and Preven- mind, its technology can tion, cigarette smoking has also be used for a variety of dramatically declined. Today, addictions, including alcohol says. “We also make it hyPutnam and Laura Davis. per-tailored and hyper-perapproximately 13.7% of adults and diet.

In 2017, Lumme was among sonalized for each person. aged 18 years or older smoke The platform provides a dozen prize-winning cigarettes compared to 42% of contextual information asso- What triggers you to smoke companies that graduated is different from what makes from Valley Venture Mentors’ Americans in 1960. ciated with each activity and me smoke. It understands Lumme CEO Akshaya warns the user when he or five-month-long accelerator your patterns.”

Shanmugam says about 70% she is most likely to overeat, program.

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Apex Orchards carries on with 7th generation farmers

(FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)

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OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | L7

Cooley Dickinson is ‘learning organization’

T Providers from a variety of departments at Cooley Dickinson Hospital meet to update each other on the status of their patients. (COOLEY DICKINSON PHOTO)

HE MASSACHUsetts Healthcare Collaborative recently released a report estimating that in the next five years, the healthcare labor shortage in Massachusetts will double to 43,000 vacant positions. The shortage of healthcare workers is both a quality and economic issue.

The shortage will affect patient care potentially leading to delays in care, high employee burnout and poorer clinical outcomes. As large employers in the region, the inability of

Joanne Marqusee healthcare organizations to recruit qualified employees also has an economic impact in lost workforce income –

income which helps fuel other sectors of the economy.

The collaborative identified three job groups with the highest need: registered nurses; direct care workers; and behavioral health clinicians.

The latter are particularly crucial given the impact of the opioid epidemic.

In order to meet the need for workforce in these areas, educational institutions, state government, healthcare organizations and other stakeholders must work together to both increase the number of

people coming into the field and to create new ways for people to increase their skills and develop career pathways.

Specific recommendations of the coalition included: evaluating the certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification process; identifying areas for direct care workers to take on higher level skills; create-update midlevel positions on the behavioral health career ladder; build apprenticeship-style work learning models; and create a Council on

SEE COOLEY, PAGE L14

“Kombucha is a real food. It has lots of probiotics, B vitamins and macro-nutrients.

We both practice emotional body-centered psychotherapy, and kombucha may not be a cure-all, but it’s a nice complement to a healthy routine.”

KRISTIN ANTHONY, LIFEBOOCH KOMBUCHA

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Kristin Anthony, left, and Michael Bennion are the owners and creators of LifeBooch Kombucha, a fermented tea product.

They produce it in a commercial kitchen brewery on Ferry Street in Easthampton.

LifeBooch Kombucha is made in small batches and is rich in healthy bacteria known as probiotics.

Give your body a Booch boost

Couple cooks up healthy success with kombucha

O

at RiverValley Coop and Cornucopia in Northampton, and Bennion and Anthony hope to expand into more grocery stores and even cafes, restaurants and bars.

LAFOND-COPPEZ PHOTO)

moved to Ferry Street, where there is a 1,200-squarefoot, custom-built brewery.

LifeBooch has a wholesale license and can now produce 600 gallons of kombucha per month.

LifeBooch bottles are now being sold at RiverValley Coop and Cornucopia in Northampton, and Bennion and Anthony hope to expand into more grocery stores and even cafes, restaurants and bars.

“LifeBooch is a great non-alcoholic option while dining, but it can also be added to alcoholic drinks,” Anthony says.

“Kombucha is the mixer you never knew you needed.”

There are currently seven flavors of LifeBooch, including ginger, apple cider and strawberry basil. Bennion and Anthony source local ingre-

SEE BOOCH, PAGE L12

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Bennion grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Anthony, who grew up in Littleton, introduced him to kombucha after they met in Utah.

“I tried it, and it was really weird. But I really liked it,” Bennion says. “I started spending a lot of money on it, so Kristin suggested I make my own.”

During various recipes, flavors and experiments making kombucha, Bennion and Anthony settled together in Western Massachusetts.

“We found a big trick that shifted things in our kombucha production,” Bennion says. “Our friends were trying to buy it from us, and we were drinking it by the gallon.”

It was then that they realized a potential business was at their fingertips.

They searched for a certified kitchen and found a space in

(ELIZABETH

3129462-01

Holyoke. Soon after, Bennion enrolled in EforAll (Entrepreneurs for All), a nonprofit based in Lowell, that joined forces with the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce

By ELIZABETH SPARK Program last year.

LaFOND-COPPEZ “I cannot speak highSpecial to The Republican ly enough of SPARK and nce upon a EforAll,” Anthony says. “Michael previously owned two time, Kris- businesses and, even for those tin Anthony with business experience, so valuable information is had to dis- much shared. The networking is so pute a mo- invaluable, and the funding torcycle repair charge that they offer is incredible.”

Bennion says he had a few while on a road trip out scary experiences with public West. Ready and firm speaking when he was younger, so the EforAll Program with her words, she pushed him in a positive way. approached Michael “We participated in a pitch Bennion, the owner of contest and pitched our business idea in front of peers, the repair shop, and mentors and members of the something rather sur- public,” he says. “We came in second place.” prising happened.

Making public presentations got easier for Bennion, and Not only was Anthony’s he’s thankful for the great repair charge resolved, she community support he’s reand Bennion became instant ceived thus far. “Connecting friends. Their happily-evwith this community through er-after is a story about taking EforAll after moving here chances, intense learning and from Utah was a great way to gallons of kombucha. meet people,” he adds.

Anthony and Bennion Bennion and Anthony are owners and creators of began selling their bottled LifeBooch Kombucha, which kombucha at farmers markets is a slightly effervescent, in Holyoke, Northampton tart-and-tangy fermented tea. and Easthampton, getting to LifeBooch Kombucha is made a point where they realized in small batches and is rich they needed a bigger space to in healthy bacteria known as create their specialized teas. probiotics.

Holyoke’s available space was either too small or too big, so they found a spot in LifeBooch bottles Easthampton. are now being sold LifeBooch production was

L8 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

After 40 years of success, another 40 is the goal for Cornucopia RETAIL

New owners, fresh perspective

F

By GEORGE LENKER

exactly sure which type of business it would be. orty years is a But when the offer came from the Stockwells over a long time to post-holiday dinner, they knew it was a good fit. be in busi“In the back of our minds, ness, but for we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be the new own- amazing if they wanted to the store?’” Jump says. ers of Northampton’s sell “Because after working at Cornucopia, it seems Cambridge Naturals, we delike another 40 is not cided that’s what we wanted to do. We liked it, and it fits just doable, it’s a goal. our lifestyles, so it just made sense.”

The popular natural food That dinner was back in and health store, which was 2016, and the couple couldn’t founded by Bud Stockwell and exactly commit to the buyout.

Sydney Flum-Stockwell in They had moving costs and 1980, was sold to new owners baby bills.

Jade Jump and Nate Clifford “So when it came up, of last year, and, while the coucourse we are interested, but ple plan on maintaining the we were like, ‘Yes, we’re interaspects that have made the ested but we don’t have any store thrive over four decades money,’” Jump recalls with a at Thornes Marketplace, they laugh.

Fortunately, the Stockwells also will bring a fresh perspective and some new ideas to weren’t in any rush. So the the mix. owners signed a letter of Clifford and Jump had both intent, and Jump and Clifford been working at the store for a were able to grow into both few years when they decidrunning the store and, ultimately, owning it. ed to take the plunge. The While the couple say their Stockwells had decided it was time to retire, and in Clifford first nine months running and Jump they had perfect the store had its challenges, heirs-apparent. overall, things have gone They both had worked for really well.

Cambridge Naturals before “Our sales are great, and they moved west after the we’ve got a lot of really birth of their child and had fantastic customer feedback been working on a business and that makes us feel good,” plan where they could work Jump says. “And we are seeing together. They just weren’t quite a few new faces this Special to The Republican

Cornucopia Natural Wellness Market is located inside Thornes Marketplace in Northampton.

(HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

“After 15 years of working for big corporations, I knew being a business owner was something I Whip City Jerky wanted to try.”

owner Tony Neuser has built a successful business at 271 Elm St., Westfield, the home of his beef jerky, beef jerky trail mix, beef marinades and Bow Wow Beef Jerky for dogs.

TONY NEUSER

SMALL BUSINESS

Here’s the beef (jerky) Tasty business grows from jerky to marinades, more

By ELIZABETH LaFOND-COPPEZ

Special to The Republican

LAFOND-COPPEZ PHOTO)

at around 70 partner locations, including regional Big Y and Big Y Express locations, a number of convenience and liquor stores, and some breweries across Western Massachusetts.

He credits Big Y Foods with providing Whip City Jerky excellent market access, which can be difficult for a small business to get. Whip City Jerky will be featured in the Big Y Local Love promotional program for local partners soon.

“We are a homegrown company,” Neuser says. “We love our community. We have fun, but we’re serious about beef jerky and take pride in making it well.”

Whip City Jerky follows a specific operating plan that includes slicing, marinating, cooking, drying and packaging processes, according to Neuser. He says the company works to “pay it forward” by using local suppliers, like Arnold’s Meats in Chicopee.

“We use the very best ingredients and make our jerky by hand with our 10-person team,” Neuser adds. “It’s expensive to make it the way we do, but our customers appreciate the one-of-kind results.”

Quality and safety govern most everything, he says, and Whip City Jerky is a U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected facility. “Most customers don’t realize we have a USDA inspector on site five days a week,” Neuser says.

Every aspect of Whip City Jerky’s production operations has to comply with a strict Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point plan. “Every production decision we make has to consider USDA requirements that includes facility layout and materials, production processes, safety, labeling and nutrition

facts, sanitation, and a number of programs with targeted impacts like our Listeria Control Program, and Critical Control Points,” Neuser said.

Whip City Jerky is bursting at the seams in its current location and hopes to relocate to a larger facility in 2020.

“This year we are going to expand our product line with new products while increasing the scale of our production capacity,” he says. “We have a few more surprises ahead.”

When asked about giving business advice to others, Neuser suggests partnering with someone with good business experience. “Many small businesses fail because of poor business decisions, not poor products,” he says.

Some advice he’s received is in the form of a favorite quote that he’s used his entire life: “Shoot for the moon and even if you fall short, you’ll still be a star.”

To learn more about Whip City Jerky and all retail locations, visit the website, whip cityjerky.com.

DROWNING IN PAPERWORK? TIRED OF MANAGING DOCUMENTS? CAN’T FIND IMPORTANT PAPERS?

act with customers and have really high customer service goals, but making that vision translate has taught them that they need to learn new skills as well.

“You know, in some ways

I thought I was God’s gift to communication,” he adds with a laugh. “But in other ways I totally have to go back to school and learn some stuff.

We all do.”

Overall, Jump and Clifford

feel blessed to have such an experienced and educated staff. “These are people who are really dedicated to the store, and we cherish that,” Clifford says.

SEE CORNUCOPIA, PAGE L16

Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts Address: 222 State Street, Ludlow, MA 01056 Phone number: 413.308.3300 Web address: encompasshealth.com/westernmassrehab Visiting hours: Every day, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Your name: John Hunt, MA, CCC-SLP Title: Chief Executive Officer Tell us about your educational/professional background: I am a speech-language pathologist by background. I have been working in the rehabilitation industry for about 32 years in many roles.

How long has Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts been in business: Encompass Health has had a presence here in Ludlow since the early 1990s, but it was known as HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts until January of 2019 when we rebranded.

Tell us about the change to Encompass Health Western Massachusetts. The decision to rebrand to Encompass Health emphasizes our commitment to working with patients and their families across the entire post-acute continuum. Although we’ve changed names, the same great care we provide has not changed. Our commitment to excellence, incredible patient care, superior quality outcomes and unmatched patient outcomes remains the same.

Describe the services of Encompass Health Western Massachusetts: We provide intensive physical, occupational and speech-language therapies along with rehabilitation nursing and physician* oversight in an acute hospital setting for patients who have survived stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, hip fractures, neurological disorders and other impairments that impact day-to-day functioning.

What is unique about the hospital and the services you provide? As we are an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, our patients receive hospital-level care from rehabilitation experts to help them get back to their communities and regain their independence.

With our intensive, multidisciplinary team approach to patient care, fueled by clinical expertise, compassion and empathy, we can help our patients return to their community safer and sooner, and work to restore their confidence in themselves.

We also provide our patients and their families with extensive education because it is so important for patients to feel comfortable with their ability to live life to the fullest after they leave our hospital. Our patients work very hard to get back to the life they had prior to an injury or illness. It is our job to help them do that and we do it very well.

We are very proud of what we do here at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts. * The hospital provides access to independent physicians.

3128959-01

Tony Neuser never imagined he’d be in the beef jerky business.

This highly educated, former computing services senior executive took a path that led him from Baltimore to Westfield, where he currently runs Whip City Jerky.

Each lot or batch takes two days to process, and the company produces approximately 2,000 bags of beef jerky each week.

“After 15 years of working for big corporations, I knew being a business owner was something I wanted to try,” Neuser explains.

Whip City Jerky, located on Elm Street, is known for its thin-cut, chip-like qualities in 16 different flavors including “Taco,” “Black Peppered Curry” and “Honeydill Mustard.”

The Cowboy Cut is a thicker cut jerky and it comes in “Original.” More Cowboy Cut flavors are planned for 2020.

“The ‘Original’ flavor and ‘Garlic Parmesan’ are the most popular, but everyone has their favorite and will defend why their flavor is best,” Neuser said.

Whip City Jerky also sells beef jerky trail mix, five different flavors of marinades, and Bow Wow Beef Jerky for dogs.

Neuser says Whip City Jerky can be purchased online, at its Elm Street headquarters and

(ELIZABETH

NATE CLIFFORD, CO-OWNER OF CORNUCOPIA WITH JADE JUMP

Cornucopia Natural Wellness Market has an average of 23 employees. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

Profiles in Health Care

year, which is encouraging.”

As far as challenges, Clifford says it’s creating the overall atmosphere they want to see in the store.

“I think the biggest challenge is what is always the biggest challenge: creating a different type of engagement.

And getting our management — including us — to be really committed to being communicative when setting standards that are adhered to,” he says.

“We’re really good at certain things. We have a really good idea of where we’re going and what we want to do.”

With a staff as diverse as Cornucopia’s (23 employees on average at any given time, with an age range from 23 to 65), getting everyone on the same page can be daunting.

Clifford says he and Jump know how they want to inter-

“This is a great town, and there are people like us who are working really hard to recognize where there are issues and make changes. But I think a lot of great things are right on the cusp of happening, and I’m excited.”

OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

I

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | L9

New businesses in Western Mass. compete for talent

HAVE OFTEN MET with a business owner who shares their struggle to find employees to help their business grow. Recruiting and training people can be very difficult in a tight labor market – unemployment is now around 3.6% nationwide.

Many individuals looking to start a business have found that Western Massachusetts offers great support to entrepreneurs and is a great place to start a business. However, new businesses generally find themselves in a disadvantaged position when it comes

Samalid Hogan to competing for talent.

Startups typically cannot afford to pay high wages or incentives well-established businesses are able to offer to

attract employees. But, even well-established businesses have expressed concerns about the future workforce of our region due to the aging population and the fact that the greater share of graduates leave the region after graduation.

The need to create and retain a talented workforce has stimulated the creation of several workforce development programs and planning initiatives. For example, Springfield Technical and Holyoke community colleges have partnered for many

Springfield Technical and Holyoke community colleges have partnered for many years in their Training Workforce Options program known as the “TWO” program to provide affordable professional development and training options. years in their Training Workforce Options program known as the “TWO” program to provide affordable professional development and training options.

Further, the workforce boards of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties have authored a “Five Year Manufacturing Plan” (2019-

2023) with the intention of providing a blueprint to implement workforce development initiatives that will ensure alignment between the programs offered by educational institutions and the skills needed in the private sector.

The planning and programs provided by these partner-

ships are aimed at connecting skilled and talented individuals with great job opportunities. Even so, there are several tactics businesses can implement on their own to grow and retain a talented workforce. Here are some tips: • Focus on Your Company Culture: To develop a

SEE TALENT, PAGE L14

From left: an apple picker checks on quality as part of apple-picking season at Apex Orchards in Shelburne in October; Becca Drew uses a forklift to load 800-pound containers on a truck at the cold-storage warehouse on Peckville Road; and a line of Macoun apple trees burst with fruit in October. The orchards are open for pick-your-own apples each fall. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTOS)

“The government and the weather are always the two biggest challenges we face. With the government, it’s just trying to find the time and money to keep up with the ever-increasing regulatory burden. With the weather, a large part of it is keeping up with the changes that global warming is bringing to this area.”

TIMOTHY M. SMITH, APEX ORCHARDS

Apex Orchards’ retail farm store at 225 Peckville Road in Shelburne is open from August through December.

(FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)

Apex

to keep valuable farmland soil from being built on by development companies for CONTINUED FROM PAGE L6 nonagricultural purposes one of the first generation of that could be detrimental to growers, arrived in Shelburne the environment — and other from Lyme, Connecticut, in grants available through the 1828 and purchased the land state Department of Agriculnow known as Apex Orchards. tural Resources.

Peck’s farm was originally Solar panels were installed a diversified endeavor like at Apex Orchards about 10 Apex Orchards draws its name from its location. The orchards sit at the apex of a hill with a beautiful view. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO) others of that era. The family years ago, so the business raised cattle, sheep, horses, now has the capacity to produce about half the energy pigs, vegetables and apples.

In 2011 Apex purchased an Later a dairy operation and a needs of its cold storage.

“The government and large flock of chickens were additional 175 acres up the road the weather are always the added. from the farm. This was part of Eventually the farm was two biggest challenges we converted to orchards. The face,” Smith says. “With the the original Peck family farm from last dairy cows were sold in government, it’s just trying 1946, and the name of the to find the time and money 1828, and it gives the owners and farm was changed to Apex to keep up with the ever-infuture generations the land to creasing regulatory burden.

Orchards because the orchard sits at the apex of a hill With the weather, a large part diversify and expand the farm, with a beautiful view. of it is keeping up with the In 2011 Apex purchased changes that global warming according to Timothy Smith. an additional 175 acres up is bringing to this area.” the road from the farm. This The farm store is open was part of the original Peck from August to December family farm from 1828, and it and fulfills a longtime dream Visitors to Apex Orchards in Shelburne can pick their gives the owners and future of Smith. It is located at the own pumpkins each fall.

(FREDERICK GORE PHOTO) generations the land to diapex of the hill on Peckversify and expand the farm, ville Road. It features views according to Smith.

There is a self-service shop at For more information, visit to three states including the website, apexorchards.

“Originally the farm was Mounts Monadnock, Grace the warehouse from Christjust a general crop, livestock and Toby and the Notch. com. mas until May. farm. In the early 1900s my grandfather starting moving

/ --" / the farm toward a fruit-growing operation, which it is Have you been injured in a car accident? today,” explains Smith, a member of the seventh generation of the family to work the land. “The farm moved • Medical • Chiropractic • Physical Rehab toward a strictly wholesale operation in the (1950s), and, • Acupuncture • Massage • Alcohol Testing by the turn of the century, • Laser Therapy • D.O.T. Physical Exams we had made the decision to D{ĝ¼{ğÌ ÌĮƨ{ğ X{ǒēĮÿƉ Pğ{Į DçÌƀƉµ move toward a retail, local (413) 781-8900 § +ħħ̼ē{ƨÌ Ìğēÿē ēğēƨǚ § >ļ ̼Dž¨ƨē ğÌ sales operation.”

4 Maple Street, Springfield, MA Smith credits Apex Or§ >ļ {ĮĮDž{ğ ħ{ǙēħDžħ § >ļ Ǔ{ēƨēĮÿ šÌƀēļ¼Ɖ chards’ success to “conser§ >ļ šƀÌĒ{DžƨČļƀēǡ̼ ƀÌųDžēƀħÌĮƨƉ vative operation and a strong work ethic.” Į {ğƨÌƀĮ{ƨēǒÌ ƨļ ¼ÌĮƨ{ğ ēĮƉDžƀ{Į¨Ì The business also has taken advantage of the Massachusetts Agricultural Preser={ĮļČ{ƀ 7{ğ¨Č{Į¼{Įē¸ X¸ = % vation Restriction program ma p lega t er e ha b.c om ìƭƜĒņƔÔƼ § ǓǓǓŨļ{ĝ¼{ğ̼ÌĮƨ{ğŨ¨ļħ — that helps to preserve and ņÔƼǥ >ļƀƨČ{ħšƨļĮ XƨƀÌÌƨ¸ )ļğǚļĝÌ protect agricultural land

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OUTLOOK 2020

L10 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Way Finders is due to complete construction this month on its $16.8 million, 33,000-square-foot headquarters at the site of the old Peter Pan bus terminal.

NONPROFITS

Agency finds its way with new home

W

By Jim Kinney

jkinney@repub.com

Alane Hartley, left, and Russell Braen, co-owners of Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton, are among first-generation farmers who lived and worked elsewhere before coming to Western Massachusetts. In 2011 they helped launch the now highly popular annual Art in the Orchard sculpture display at their farm.

(THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

CISA

maintain this vibrant local food economy and shouldn’t be taken for granted.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE L6 Massachusetts farm real occurring on farms located in estate values are among the the Connecticut River valley highest in the nation, averagregion of Franklin, Hamping $10,400 per acre, comshire, and Hampden counties. pared to a national average of Adjusted for inflation, farm $3,080. Our rising minimum sales are down 8% nationally wage means that labor costs and 10% statewide since the are high here as well. Since the 2012 Ag Census, but up 3% in price of food isn’t any higher in the valley. Western Massachu- Massachusetts than in neighsetts farms are holding their boring states, it can be chalown in an increasingly comlenging for farm businesses to petitive global food system, manage these higher costs. thanks to their constant innoSome state programs can vation and adaptability, and help. For example, Massato the support they receive chusetts has a landmark land from their local and regional preservation program and community. offers tax relief for agricultural

Our corner of Massachusetts has proven to be a desirable location for beginning farmers and other food system entrepreneurs. land. A network of nonprofits, including Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), provide training opportunities to farmers and build consumer support for local farms. These resources are dedicated to local farms because of the benefits they bring to our whole community and the unique challenges they face.

Of course, a strong local food economy doesn’t exist only because of business owners and consumers. Workers are a crucial piece of the puzzle, too.

Many farm jobs are physically demanding, low-wage, and seasonal.

Farm owners report that it’s challenging to fill those roles, and they struggle to balance fair wages with keeping their businesses afloat on razor-thin margins. Many of the skilled and knowledgeable people who work on local farms are disqualified from farm ownership themselves because they have no path to U.S. citizenship. Real change to improve workplace conditions and structural inequities for workers will depend on policy solutions and an engaged community.

Our local agricultural system is special, and it enriches life here in the Connecticut River valley. It attracts entrepreneurs and offers a way forward for long-running businesses. At the same time, farms require support from local residents in order to survive.

Claire Morenon is communications manager at Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA). Visit the CISA website, buylocalfood.org, to learn more or to find local farms, winter farmers markets, and more near you.

Now it’s hoping to improve a neighborhood.

Way Finders is due to complete construction this month on its $16.8 million, 33,000-square-foot headquarters at the site of the old Peter Pan bus terminal at 1780 Main St. The agency will move from its current headquarters at 322 Main St. in April.

“Location-wise, it’s a huge boon,” says Peter A. Gagliardi, president and CEO of Way Finders. “We’ve got parking.

That’s been a problem on the lower end of Main Street, where our offices are now, for a long time. We will be in many ways more accessible.”

Gagliardi announced in December that he’ll retire and leave the organization in June after nearly 30 years.

The board began a search for his replacement in January.

The new location at Main and Liberty streets is also right off Interstates 91 and 291 and directly across the street from Springfield Union Station with its bus and train service.

“Maybe some of our Northampton customers might find it convenient to come down by train,” Gagliardi says, referring to the new Valley Flyer rail service. “Many of our customers certainly make use of the bus service. Perhaps someone who isn’t working with us will now see our offices and decide to come in and see us.”

He hopes Way Finders can further the redevelopment of the neighborhood. Restoration of the Paramount Theater and Massasoit House Hotel just down Main Street is moving forward. The owner of the long-empty Kittredge building around the corner wants to demolish it and redevelop the site.

In December, the MassHire Springfield Career Center, which used to be known as FutureWorks, moved to 95 Liberty St., near the post office and Union Station.

Founded in 1972, Way Finders has 240 employees — most but not all working in Springfield — and an annual budget of $84 million. It helps more than 5,500 households with rental assistance each year, allowing families to

President and CEO of Way Finders Peter A. Gagliardi at the housing agency’s new headquarters on Main Street in Springfield. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

Construction workers are putting the finishing touches on Way Finders’ new headquarters.

The new building will provide more office space for the agency. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

have secure housing at a price people in South Hadley spoke to Gagliardi. that is affordable. out against the plan, and it is Picknelly sold the former SEE WAY FINDERS, PAGE L19 The agency’s programs being redesigned, according helped 463 families purchase a home of their own in the FREE last two years, with more CONSULTATION than 300 home purchases happening in Springfield, representing over $77 million in investment in the region, Gagliardi says.

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Our corner of Massachusetts has proven to be a desirable location for beginning farmers and other food system entrepreneurs. Twenty-seven percent of local farms have a principal producer who has been farming for 10 years or less, and 9.5% have a principal producer who is under the age of 35.

Many of these farmers grew up on local farms and have chosen to return and eventually take over the family business. In addition, our region boasts a crop of first-generation farmers who came to the valley for school, fell in love with farming during a summer job and chose to stay here to start their own farm. Others lived and worked elsewhere before choosing the valley as the ideal location for their farm business, like Alane Hartley and Russell Braen, of Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton.

Non-farmer entrepreneurs have followed this path, too. Terry and Susan Ragasa, of Sutter Meats, chose Northampton because of its proximity to skilled farmers raising quality meat and the surrounding community’s investment in supporting local food and farm businesses.

Farm and food-focused business owners choose to stay here or to build new businesses in this region because of its robust agricultural economy, and the resulting good food and lively community attracts other residents to live and work here, too. The proximity of agricultural land to urban centers, robust educational and technical support for farmers, and a strong culture of community support for local businesses all help to

ay Finders, the housing agency that formerly was known as HAP Housing, is used to transforming properties into affordable housing and using homelessness prevention, landlord assistance and job-search programs to improve lives.

Announcing a closure of a private medical practice.

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OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

“We recognize we have a long way to go. We’re in the early stages of rolling out the industry.”

CANNABIS

Many highs, many lows 1st year of legal marijuana: $400M, bribery scandal

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | L11

STEVEN HOFFMAN, CHAIRMAN, MASSACHUSETTS CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION

NETA in Northampton, shown here, and Cultivate in Leicester made history in 2018 by becoming the first legal marijuana dispensaries to open for recreational sales in Massachusetts.

(THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

Jim Borghesani, a cannabis consultant who was a leader in the fight to legalize marijuana, said he has not

By Shira Schoenberg seen incidents of licensed Special to The Republican stores selling to minors or an uptick in impaired driving, n Nov. although state officials have 20, 2018, not released a comprehensive analysis.

NETA in “What we’ve seen in MasNorthamp- sachusetts is exactly what we’ve seen in other legal ton and Borghesani said. “A Cultivate in Leicester states,” new industry that became made history by bea respected, job-making, coming the first legal taxpaying entity in the state.

It hasn’t resulted in any of the marijuana dispensadoomsday scenarios that prories to open for recre- hibitionists so enthusiastically ational sales in Massa- predicted.”

But at the same time, chusetts. marijuana lobbyist Daniel The year since has been one Delaney said there have been of triumphs and bumps for the bumps. “It’s certainly been a nascent marijuana industry, year where all the problems with 33 open shops, millions of trying to operationalize an of dollars in tax revenue and industry, as opposed to having a burgeoning social equity to look right on paper, have program — in addition to a made themselves apparent,” bribery scandal and a federal Delaney said. investigation.

Looking ahead, the industry has many more hurdles “The industry continues to to overcome in 2020, from roll out in what I think is an effective and controversy-free improving access for black manner,” says Cannabis Con- and Latino entrepreneurs to trol Commission Chairman rolling out the first licenses Steven Hoffman. “It’s rolled for home delivery companies out relatively incident-free; to monitoring vaping-related there has not been big rise in illnesses. crime. We’re licensing pro“We recognize we have a fessional operators who are long way to go,” Hoffman running professional busisaid. “We’re in the early stagnesses.” es of rolling out the industry.”

O

First stores open and expand Some of the industry’s accomplishments can be measured by the numbers. At the end of 2019, there were 33 recreational marijuana retailers and 22 cultivators allowed to commence operations.

The industry conducted $437 million in sales from the day the first shops opened through Dec. 27.

In the first year of recreational marijuana operations, the state collected $12.9 million in marijuana sales and excise taxes, and municipalities collected another $2.25 million.

“Just the fact that so many people who didn’t have access before have access now is really the biggest success story in all of this,” said NETA President Amanda Rositano.

NETA employs 800 people.

Its Brookline store serves around 2,500 people a day, with fewer customers in Northampton.

Rositano said she has found that many customers are looking for relief from medical ailments. “It’s really telling to see so many people are coming into this industry to look for ways to ease their pain,” she said.

Cultivate in Leicester opened with customers waiting in line for five or six hours.

As more stores have opened, the wait is now 45 minutes

at peak times. The company has a chef with six full-time employees, and she is developing products as diverse as cannabis-infused olive oil, maple syrup and Ecuadorian chocolate.

Most retail businesses licensed so far are medical marijuana dispensaries that also sell to recreational customers. A handful of “economic empowerment” applicants, from communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs, have also received licenses.

The Cannabis Control Commission’s relatively slow pace of licensing has angered business owners, who are leasing properties for months while waiting.

Peter Bernard, president of the Massachusetts Grower Advocacy Council, said there are just a handful of newly licensed cultivators. “They’re waiting and bleeding money,” Bernard said. “It’s not really fair to smaller growers.”

In the meantime, many dispensaries are capping the size of flower purchases because of limited supply.

Some stores have also complained about the slow rate of product testing, with just two state-licensed testing labs.

Hoffman said part of the reason for the slow pace is the need to ask many applicants for more information and the wait time for municipal approvals. But he said the commission is working on hiring staff and becoming more efficient.

An expansion of the industry is planned for early 2020 when the commission starts accepting applications for delivery licenses, which will let companies deliver recreational marijuana from a licensed dispensary to someone’s home.

An additional expansion to authorize marijuana cafes still needs legislative approval.

Community reaction More communities are opening up to marijuana sales, as virtually all the temporary moratoria on recreational marijuana businesses have expired.

Around 119 communities have permanently banned recreational marijuana businesses, according to the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

In Agawam, for example, where voters overwhelmingly voted to ban recreational marijuana businesses, City Council Vice President Cecilia Calabrese said there were “quality of life” concerns, and the opioid addiction crisis weighed heavily.

Social equity One continuing challenge for commissioners is how to adhere to a legislative mandate requiring them to encourage members of communities disproportionately affected by marijuana enforcement to join the legal industry.

The commission established a priority licensing category for “economic empowerment” applicants, but few so far have been able to open businesses.

As of Dec. 19, 667 companies had completed applications, but only 22 were economic empowerment applicants.

The most commonly cited problems are inability to raise startup capital and difficulties negotiating host community agreements.

Legal and legislative issues The Cannabis Control Last year’s most sensationCommission started a social al moment came when Fall equity program to give techniRiver Mayor Jasiel Correia was cal assistance to social equity applicants, including racial miarrested for allegedly taking norities and people with drug bribes in exchange for letters of support for marijuana com- convictions. There are 143 enrollees expected to complete panies. the program by April.

More headlines could be coming from law enforcement, after news broke in November Federal issues Massachusetts marijuana that a federal grand jury was investigating the host commu- entrepreneurs will also be nity agreements signed bekeeping an eye on Congress tween multiple municipalities in 2020, where the Democratic-controlled House passed the and marijuana companies.

Host community agreements SAFE Banking Act to let banks are also expected to be a priori- provide traditional services to ty for the state Legislature. state-legal marijuana compaState law today caps the nies. fees communities can charge Today, only a few banks in Massachusetts offer services to companies, but many host the industry, and banks cannot community agreements make loans. Customers generrequire additional fees or ally cannot use credit cards at “mandatory donations.” The Cannabis Control Commission marijuana shops.

State regulators will also asked lawmakers for authority to require changes to host keep an eye on federal public community agreements, but health data, as federal agenlawmakers have not yet acted. cies continue to investigate With the continued existence an outbreak of vaping-related illnesses. In late 2019, the of the illicit market, lawmakCannabis Control Commission ers are also weighing a bill quarantined most vaping prodto create a new task force to crack down — and impose civil ucts, a quarantine that partially lifted in December, amid new fines — on illegal marijuana testing requirements. businesses.

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OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Education critical to Holyoke Medical workforce

Any employee here can receive an amount of up to $5,000 per year in tuition reimbursement for pursuing a degree.

2

020! IT SOUNDS great, doesn’t it?

Sharp like 20/20 vision, futuristic like in “the year 2020” imagining floating cities, space colonies and flying cars.

Well, not quite. It turns out that in the year 2020 we still only inhabit our lovely planet Earth, and we still struggle with issues that we thought would have been mastered, like putting a space capsule into orbit. After landing on the moon in 1969, one would think that some 50 years later putting space capsules successfully into orbit would be child’s play. But, as reported recently in the news, this is not so. It turns out that we still have to set the clock to the right time. ...Really?

What does all this have to do with workforce education, Western Massachusetts and health care? Actually, there are a number of parallels.

We are still struggling with issues that one would think would have been resolved by now, like having plenty of skilled workers available in a geographic area rich in educational institutions, or maintaining such a high level of competence that tasks are completed successfully and accurately every time.

Some of these issues, like the ability to train, attract

Spiros Hatiras

If the competence of the workforce is not constantly improved to match market demands, employers become less competitive, less relevant and more likely to fail.

Holyoke Medical Center president Spiros Hatiras addresses teenagers enrolled in MassHire’s summer youth program. Over the course of the summer, dozens of youths annually spend a number of weeks working side by side with employees of the medical center and Valley Health Systems. They are introduced to potential career opportunities in health care.

(HOLYOKE MEDICAL CENTER PHOTO)

Neishalee Ojeda, a student intern from Holyoke, stands in an operating room at Holyoke Medical Center. She has been interning with the hospital since last summer.

• Expose young people, while still in high school, to career choices and options (HOLYOKE MEDICAL CENTER PHOTO) they may not otherwise recognize. and retain skilled workers, This goal is primarily acworkforce for the right skills is ly improved to match market are more acutely present demands, employers become complished through programs not so easy. in our region. Others, like less competitive, less relevant such as MassHire’s summer If young people do not stay youth program and volundeveloping and maintaining and more likely to fail. in school, do not understand Recognizing these challeng- teer opportunities. Through a high level of competency, their career choices or cannot these initiatives, dozens of are issues confronting health attain the education level they es several years ago, Valley Health Systems (VHS) and youths annually spend a care overall and not limited to need because of financial or the affiliated organizations of number of weeks working Western Massachusetts. societal barriers, employers Holyoke Medical Center, the side by side with employees In an area with high povwill not have the available erty, high primary education Holyoke Medical Group, River of Valley Health Systems and skilled workforce needed in dropout rates, a challenged Valley Counseling and the are introduced to potential order to grow, compete and economy and what often Holyoke VNA and Hospice Life career opportunities that benefit the economy. Addiseems a singular path to tionally, if the competence of Care, established several work- they often were completely higher education, training the the workforce is not constant- force development priorities: unaware of. Many pursue

Booch CONTINUED FROM PAGE L7

dients as much as possible, including Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton and Red Fire Farm organic strawberries from Granby.

Bennion says before his interest in kombucha he wasn’t taking good care of himself.

“I wasn’t conscious of what I LifeBooch Kombucha, a fermented tea product created by was eating and I wasn’t exerKristin Anthony and Michael Bennion, is produced in a comcising. I noticed when I drank mercial kitchen in Easthampton. The product is sold at farmers kombucha I felt much better.” markets in the Pioneer Valley and at select retail locations and The two have a deep interest cafes in Western Massachusetts. (ELIZABETH LAFOND-COPPEZ PHOTO) in self-care and wellbeing.

Both are studying at the Hartford Family Institute Center for Psychotherapy & Healing Arts, and Anthony is a registered somatic movement therapist.

“Kombucha is a real food,” Anthony said. “It has lots of probiotics, B vitamins and macro-nutrients. We both practice emotional body-cen-

tered psychotherapy, and kombucha may not be a cureall, but it’s a nice complement to a healthy routine.”

“Being healthy is a multidimensional endeavor,” Bennion adds.

Anthony and Bennion are dedicated to brewing real, authentic, raw kombucha.

They say it’s hard to find in an

those careers and quite a few return to us as employees. We are in the process of taking our collaboration to a new level by partnering with the Holyoke Public Schools to provide technical guidance on curriculum contextualization and alignment for students in the “Healthcare and Social Assistance” pathway.

• Invest in people and assist financially with education.

About six years ago, Valley Health Systems revamped its tuition-assistance program for employees and is offering

SEE HOLYOKE, PAGE L14

industry where big corporations are making critical shortcuts in their production of it. “Making kombucha is labor intensive, but it’s worth it, because we know our customers are getting the real deal,” Bennion said.

You can find out more about LifeBooch on Facebook and Instagram.

“Being healthy is a multidimensional endeavor.”

MICHAEL BENNION, CO-OWNER, LIFEBOOCH KOMBUCHA

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OUTLOOK 2020

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“There are a lot of well-prepared people I know back home. I don’t think I would have gotten as much success if I was in Kenya still. I’m thankful for this country.”

JOSEPH NGARUIYA

Growth

Providers at Cooley Dickinson Medical Group General Surgical Care meet with a patient. (COOLEY DICKINSON PHOTO)

Cooley CONTINUED FROM PAGE L7

Nursing Workforce Sustainability to implement nursing priorities and strengthen the nursing pipeline.

At Cooley Dickinson, we are committed to being a learning organization and helping develop the healthcare workforce of the future. Being a learning organization means training students, developing programs for existing employees to deepen their skills and grow their careers, and being committed to employees learning outside the organization.

and reimbursement, help employees develop new areas of expertise.

Of equal importance to attracting people into healthcare professions is retaining them in these positions. Health care turnover continues to rise. According to the advisory board, total turnover in 2018 in healthcare across the nation was 15.3%, which represents an increase of 23% in the annual turnover rate in the last five years. Turnover in the first year of employment is even higher.

While some of this is due to a competitive labor market, healthcare organizations must also address issues, including violence toward healthcare

“At Cooley Dickinson, we are committed to being a learning organization and helping develop the healthcare workforce of the future.”

JOANNE MARQUSEE

We partner with many local educational institutions to train certified nursing assistants, phlebotomists, surgical technicians and radiology technicians, medical assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, physician assistants and occupational therapists among other professions.

We also partner with social service agencies to employ people with disabilities and people with low English proficiency. Through internship and volunteer opportunities, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) related areas, we also help people explore whether a healthcare career is for them.

Internally, offering certifications, management and leadership trainings help employees progress and partnerships with educational institutions, including tuition discounts

Talent

workers, that lead to burnout and subsequently, turnover.

This means proactively addressing hiring, developing new ways to support first-year employees and developing a welcoming culture.

By partnering together educational and healthcare institutions, along with government agencies and other stakeholders, can address the looming healthcare workforce shortage. It will take creativity, developing new models for training and career advancement and more than a little imagination and focused effort but the needs of patients, indeed the needs of all of us to get the care we need, when we need it, demands it.

Joanne Marqusee is president and CEO of Cooley Dickinson Health Care in Northampton.

To learn more about Cooley Dickinson and its programs, go online to cooleydickinson.org.

ing Assignments: To bring out the creative spirit of your employees, place them on the CONTINUED FROM PAGE L9 front line of the business and talented workforce you must the best way to do that is to foster “the will to stretch” give them customer-facing and a company culture that assignments. This will prompt encourages everyone to push them to develop the skills and beyond their limits, to aim talents needed to satisfy the for personal and professional customers they attend to. It growth that will help them will also give the staff better gain expertise. This will appreciation of how their jobs prompt your staff to take up impact the customer; and extra projects or try different • Listen to Your Employees: Create a venue of assignments and give their best to be successful at them. communication for your employees to give feedback In the process of doing so, and make suggestions for they will develop new skills improvements. Some of the and their confidence will best process improvement increase, which will lead to a ideas come from the people great feeling of accomplishment and higher satisfaction who are constantly working with their work. Many employ- and using the process over ers have set up job rotation and over again. They have a programs that allow employbetter understanding of what ees to rotate and try new roles works better in practice than within the company; in theory. Create a system for • Create Cross-funccollecting, reviewing, and tional Teams and Offer implementing ideas from your Mentorship: Retaining a workforce. You might find it talented workforce requires worth your while. the employers to provide Being able to retain and grow learning paths and support to a talented workforce does not the staff. One of the ways this happen overnight. I believe can be achieved is by creating we have all of the ingredients cross-functional teams where necessary here in Western experienced employees team Massachusetts to do so. We up with newer colleagues. have committed businesses The more tenured employees and organizations creating provide mentorship and work pathways for individuals to on projects together with the find successful and fulfilling new staff. The experience on careers. Now we just need to working on a diverse team get the message out there. with supportive colleagues Samalid Hogan is western regional director of the Massachucan have an incredible positive impact in your newer setts Small Business Developemployees and increase the ment Center Network. To learn chances of them staying with more about the center and its work, go online to msbdc.org/ your business longer; • Provide Customer-Fac- wmass.

immigrants is so false, and we need to do whatever we can to bring the truth to the CONTINUED FROM PAGE L2 front,” says Denzil MohamA love for real estate mad, director of the Public brought him in August 2006 Education Institute at the imto Western Massachusetts, migrant center. “It has never been more important to show where he built his first home. how integral immigrants are Then, his real estate ventures to America. They are not an fell by the wayside when the ‘other.’ They are our emmarket collapsed, he says. ployers, our neighbors, our So he continued to work teachers. They are publishing in nursing and began in the patents and winning Nobel home health-care industry Peace Prizes .... That is a realin 2011. “I (had) usually worked in nursing homes in Joseph Ngaruiya, second from right, is pictured alongside the ly crucial message right now.”

Ngaruiya agrees. The father geriatrics. (The seniors) loved other 2019 Barry M. Portnoy Immigrant Entrepreneur Award of two takes great pride in telling me stories about how winners, Larry Kim, Yessy Feliz and Bernat Olle. giving back to the communithey grew up. It’s very dif(IMMIGRANT LEARNING CENTER PHOTO) ferent in America compared ty – from surprise apartment to Kenya. In Kenya people makeovers to working with my chance of telling them, family fosters a person with look at you as wiser as you a number of nonprofits like ‘I told you guys,’” Ngaruiya a disability who is in need of age. They congregate around a home. The host receives a Friends of the Homeless says. you to hear you speak,” he in Springfield. He says he’s The first Barry M. Portnoy tax-free stipend. explains. “But sometimes in grateful for what the ImmiNgaruiya says he accepted a Immigrant Entrepreneur grant Learning Center has America, (aging) becomes Award was presented eight person through the program done on behalf of people like very lonely. A lot of people years ago as a vehicle to as a part of his family and him. at nursing homes get to be recognize the ingenuity, allowed the person to stay “I have appreciation for very lonely at times. When I with him for four years, which bravery and grit of immigrant started working in home care, gave him financial stability. entrepreneurs who call Mas- the Immigrant Learning Center in Malden. They sachusetts home. According I saw the benefits of keeping His mother’s sister in Kenya have done a very good job at people at home with their sold a piece of her land to in- to the center, immigrants vest in his business idea and, have founded 55% of the shining a bright light on the families. I thought it was a country’s startup companies economic and social impact great idea to mash up both of coupled with his savings, he had enough funds to launch worth $1 billion or more and of immigrant contributions. those things.” his venture. He credits his immigrants and the children Everything has its good and Thus the seed for A Better family and administrator of immigrants founded or bad, and immigrants do way Life Homecare was planted, and Ngaruiya rallied Michelle Shilasi for helping co-founded 43% of the 2017 much more good than there his family for support as he him get the ball rolling.

Fortune 500, including Mas- is bad,” he says. “Success sachusetts-headquartered figured out how to self-fund “My wife Nancy (is) also is where preparation meets companies Biogen, Thermo his dream. one of our clinical managopportunity. There are a lot ers. She has literally been Fischer Scientific and the TJX of well- prepared people I In addition to his job as an my cheerleader. I’m always Companies. In 2013, 28% of LPN, he had another asset, know back home. I don’t telling her and Michelle, ‘You “Main Street” business own- think I would have gotten his home. He signed up to underestimate yourself.’ They ers were immigrant entrepre- as much success if I was in participate in shared living, don’t tend to see that external neurs, the center says. an arrangement in which Kenya still. I’m thankful for “The narrative about perspective. This (award) was an individual, a couple or a this country.”

Holyoke CONTINUED FROM PAGE L12

one of the most generous programs in the valley. Any employee here can receive an amount of up to $5,000 per year in tuition reimbursement for pursuing a degree.

Many of our employees who entered the workforce with a high-school education have gone on to earn advanced degrees while working. In many cases, the tuition program has covered the entire cost of their education. Others have used the program to earn advanced degrees in their respective fields.

ployees benefit as well by becoming more marketable and improving their earning potential.

In these perhaps small ways, all of us here at Valley Health Systems are trying to

shape the future of things and hope to make a difference for our people and our region, even if we haven’t colonized space.

Have a happy and healthy new year!

Spiros Hatiras is president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems.

To learn more about Holyoke Medical, visit the website, holyokehealth.com.

Open to the Public

We design and administer programs to develop skills, test competencies and to understand and execute continuous improvement.

• Set the bar at the highest level, and, through continuing education and training, maintain and improve competency in everything we do.

In health care, it is especially critical to maintain and improve the competency of the people who are responsible for human lives. We do this by setting the bar, a characteristic of high reliability organizations, to the highest level: zero errors. It is very important to expect flawless performance every time, all the time. In support of this expectation, we sponsor continuing education separate from the tuition assistance program. We design and administer programs to develop skills, test competencies and to understand and execute continuous improvement.

These efforts culminate in the success the organization has had with performance in safety and quality metrics, such as earning “A” grades in the publicly reported Leapfrog study and becoming ISO 9001 certified. Those successes are celebrated with our employees to further reinforce the need to stay “on top” of the performance curve. While benefiting the public we serve, the em-

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OUTLOOK 2020

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“I like that our print quality is so beautiful. The things we print are amazing.”

JENNIFER SHAFII, TIGERPRESS

Cornucopia CONTINUED FROM PAGE L8

SMALL BUSINESS

TigerPress scores printing success story Lineup features product packaging, books and more

courses around the country in a division known as Tiger Scorecard.

“I think my favorite aspects are that we have such a great team of people that

By ELISE LINSCOTT work here. Coming in to Special to The Republican work every day and having ennifer and Reza the same team makes it a great experience,” Jennifer Shafii opened Shafii says of the 80 fulltime employees of Tigertheir first print Press. shop in 1985 “The other aspect I love is when they were we’re very green,” she adds.

“We have 2,500 solar panels fresh out of college, on our roof, and we also have graduating from the this huge baler where we do bales of paper we recyUniversity of Massacle. And I like that our print chusetts at Amherst. quality is so beautiful. The Their business then things we print are amazing.

It’s like art in motion.” consisted mostly of Printing operations run printing business seven days a week at TigerPress in its 100,000-squarecards and graduate foot manufacturing facilstudents’ thesis paity, a long way from the 600-square-foot space it pers. first rented.

Within 10 years, the couple TigerPress also works grew their first Copy Cat with a number of regional print shop into a chain of businesses, typically within multiple locations around a 300-mile radius, but ships Western Massachusetts. products all over the counThey sold that business and try. While it has a number of longtime customers, new in 1997 opened a commercial, business-to-business customers often find the printing operation. business through the website, tigerpress.com, online TigerPress debuted in Northampton and is now marketing, or through the based in East Longmeadow. team of a dozen salespeople.

The Shafiis’ business today After 35 years in the business, there isn’t much that runs the gamut, printing magazines and books, prod- surprises them anymore, the uct packaging for Fortune Shafiis say.

500 companies and golf Their daily focus is ensuring the business is running scorecards for nearly 1,200

J

A press operator works at TigerPress. Printing operations run seven days a week at TigerPress in its 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, a long way from the 600-square-foot space it first rented. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

This Friendly’s Ice Cream packaging is among the custom package printing done by TigerPress.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Reza and Jennifer Shafii are the owners of TigerPress, a commercial printer operating out of a manufacturing plant in East Longmeadow. The couple began their business life in 1985, opening the Copy Cat print shops in Hampshire County.

To see a gallery of photos of today’s TigerPress operations, go online to MassLive.com. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

smoothly, growing according to customer demands and new equipment – it’s a “capital heavy” operation, Reza Shafii says. Printing presses can cost upwards of $2 million and a few hundred-thousands of dollars for digital presses, which need to be purchased every

few years to keep up with new technology.

“A lot of the time I walk the floor, talk to operators, listen to their concerns and ask how we can help or how we can do better things,” he says.

That contact, both with employees and TigerPress’

customers, is even more essential today in a landscape that changes rapidly and has seen many of their competitors close shop.

TigerPress’ varied business is another factor that’s helped it stay in the game, including making braille signs, which is a rarity in the industry.

And the ability to bring their dogs to work every day – you can find photos of the two boxers, Giuseppe and Elsa, on the company’s website – is another nice perk of their office, the couple says.

The store has also broadened its management tent and welcomed more voices in decision-making, according to Clifford. “We want to focus on what’s really going to work and what is sustainable,” he says.

“So we like to be open and honest with our staff and have a lot of voices. We like to be positive and don’t necessarily take kindly to negativity, but we do listen to our staff.”

While they plan on continuing changes incrementally, the core of the store’s mission will remain similar. One area that the store has been a leader in is CBD, the extraction from hemp or marijuana plants that has been touted to help with such problems as anxiety, arthritis and even certain types of epilepsy.

Cornucopia’s CBD products have to undergo third-party lab testing, and the store has to have a clear picture of the hemp source, Clifford says.

“We have worked hard to carry the best of what is available in the crazy world of CBD,” he says. “There are a lot of good actors and a scary amount of bad ones in this space. Knowledge is key, and we take pains to educate our supplements staff so they can educate our customers. We have become the valley’s most well-known CBD purveyor, and we take great pride in that.”

As far as people who would worry about taking over a business in Northampton at a time when the city sees a fair number of empty storefronts, Clifford has a different view.

“Businesses will go out of business after 25 or 30 or 40 years. That’s a normal business cycle. So I tell people not to believe everything they read or see,” he says. “This is a great town, and there are people like us who are working really hard to recognize where there are issues and make changes. But I think a lot of great things are right on the cusp of happening, and I’m excited.”

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | L17

HEALTH

Baystate language effort breaks down barriers Wood Fund targets advancing careers for immigrants

By KEITH O’CONNOR

Special to The Republican

As the United States continues to become more diverse, so does the country’s workforce.

In order to provide equal opportunity for all employees to achieve their professional aspirations, many industries, including health care, are focused on creating welcoming environments along with

“Baystate Health is investing in employees and saying, ‘You are important to us.’ They want you to grow, to improve your knowledge. I don’t want to leave Baystate.”

Pablo Diaz, food service inventory handler, Baystate Medical Center

plenty of opportunities for advancement.

“We want to remove any barriers that might affect the success of our employees and encourage and assist them in developing their talents,” says Dr. Mark A. Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate

Health, the area’s largest employer.

One of the many ways the health system is supporting its employees in unleashing their potential is through an English for Speakers of Other Languages program initiated

Sixteen employees at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield are part of a pilot English for Speakers of Other Languages program, launched in collaboration with the International Language Institute. The employees take classes at the hospital to improve their English communications skills. The program is being funded through the Lyman and Leslie Wood Language Fund established by the Baystate Health Foundation. The Woods, seated front center, participated in SEE LANGUAGE, PAGE L19 an orientation event with students and staff. (BAYSTATE HEALTH PHOTO)

Baystate

community.

In 2019, the Baystate Springfield Educational Partnership CONTINUED FROM PAGE L1 program continued its annual The program provides hostradition of awarding 17 forpital-based learning including mer participants $25,000 in observation experiences as scholarships to support their well as work-based learning to pursuit of undergraduate and help them prepare for potengraduate education, bringing tial internship or employment the total Baystate scholarships opportunities. awarded to date to more than As students progress through $695,000. the program, they receive This program is an investmore individualized attenment in our community. It tion and their participation is fosters an environment of tailored to their interests. Not mentoring and empowerment only does the Baystate Spring- that prepares the youth in our field Educational Partnership communities for a career in present career options, it also health care and higher education. assists with the pursuit of Two of our newest inithose options.

A good number of the stutiatives include being the dents become first-generation western campus of UMass college graduates and go on Medical School – known as to advanced education and UMMS-Baystate – overseeing careers. Over 115 of the partthe Population-Based Urban nership’s students have been & Rural Community Health employed by Baystate.

(PURCH) track, as well as A secondary benefit to the an apprenticeship program program, but no less importunder the auspices of the state ant, is that the partnership Division of Apprenticeship provides opportunities for our Standards. employees to mentor students Baystate Health’s apprenticeship programs provide 150 and positively impact the hours of technical instruction future of young people in our

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, visits the western campus of the UMass Medical School, known as UMMS-Baystate, on Nov. 25 to meet students and learn about the Population-Based Urban & Rural Community Health track. The program welcomed its inaugural class in 2017. The PURCH track has a special educational and experiential focus on health care disparities and population health. (BAYSTATE HEALTH PHOTO)

and at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning. Many of Baystate’s apprenticeships are competency based; participants must demonstrate required skills to advance.

Participants are paid while

learning and begin productively contributing almost immediately. As a registered apprentice, participants receive a credential for completing the apprenticeship just as they would in a traditional trade.

Three programs are currently offered (technical training for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, pharmacy and sleep studies), and they have 17 apprentices participating. The pharmacy and sleep studies programs have the distinction of being the first health care competency-based apprenticeship programs in Massachusetts. Additionally, two new programs are being implemented – one for medical interpreters and one for cardiac monitor technicians.

The UMMS-Baystate PURCH track, with a special educational and experiential focus on health care disparities and population health, welcomed its inaugural class in 2017. The track augments the traditional medical doctor curriculum emphasizing population health, patient-centered, community-based care and innovative, immersive learning experiences.

Students learn about health issues common to our urban and rural populations – and come to understand the complex interwoven social and environmental factors that affect

them. The majority of students are Massachusetts natives and the hope is these clinicians will remain in the commonwealth for their advanced training and practice. Student feedback from the program has been overwhelmingly positive.

All of these programs help individuals pursue health care careers, while filling the pool of local health care talent with young and diverse candidates.

Many of the students who participate in job mentoring, job training and educational programs at Baystate Health either stay with the organization, go on to advanced training, or return after completing further education. The relationships these students build with our highly engaged staff incent them to return to Baystate after pursuing additional education, and they often stay with the institution for the preponderance of their career.

Dr. Mark A. Keroack is president and CEO of Baystate Health. To learn more about Baystate Health, its services and programs, go online to bay statehealth.org.

3129742-01

L18 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

“I’ve gone through some very difficult times when we almost went out of business. But the community supported us on several occasions, and we have had to really adjust our mix of inventory.”

Odyssey Bookshop, which opened in 1963, predates the Village Commons in South Hadley.

(DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

RETAIL

Venerable Odyssey defies odds

JOAN GRENIER

Inventory mix, innovative staff help drive success

I

By KEITH O’CONNOR

Special to The Republican

n the popular 1998 movie, “You’ve Got Mail,” independent bookstore owner Kathleen Kelly is put out of business

by Fox Books, a chain of mega bookstores.

Joan Grenier is today’s Kathleen Kelly with one huge difference. Her Odyssey Bookshop at the Village Commons in South Hadley that was started by her father, Romeo Grenier, in 1963 has defied the odds.

Despite major chain competitors that moved into the area — including Borders superstores, which ceased operations in 2011, and the troubled Barnes & Noble bookseller chain — the Odyssey Bookshop stands as a survivor on the very land where

Commons CONTINUED FROM PAGE L1

that you are there and you will be responsible for the success of the complex.”

Opened in 1987, the Village Commons describes itself on its website as “an eclectic mix of small businesses including retail, restaurants, offices and two first-run movie theaters, along with numerous residential units scattered throughout.”

“There is a feeling of community here.”

JEFFREY LEBRECQUE

It was officials at Mount Holyoke, their corporate parent, who came up with the concept of a “Village Commons.” The college paid for a marketing study and a design which was provided by the noted Cambridge architectural firm Graham Gund.

With over 70 tenancies, which includes 19 residential units, the Village Commons has been fully leased and 100% occupied since September 2001.

“We remained 100% leased through some of the country’s worse economic times over the past two decades,” Lebrecque says. “We recently saw one of our 25-year veteran tenants retire. With the closing of Crazy Moon, this is our only vacancy, and we are purposely holding the space open and waiting for just the right tenant.”

He says there were four businesses actively interested in the Crazy Moon space, but the Commons was taking time to vet them. “If it was simply a matter of collecting rent we would have already closed a

Joan Grenier of Odyssey Bookshop holds a photo of her dad Romeo Grenier, who ran the bookstore for years.

(DAVE ROBACK / SPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN)

an author speak and maybe buy their book or it’s an area school bringing a class in to read poetry,” Grenier says.

Each year she brings readers and writers together with a literary calendar that includes more than 125 events for adults and children that are attended by thousands of people.

You can read a good book at Odyssey Bookshop, but the store “Today publishers are more is also something of a “community center,” says owner Joan willing to send authors our Grenier. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO) way and realize that author tours are significant for indeit resided for years before the the chains had deeper pockets pendent book stores,” Grenier Village Commons was born. says. to survive,” she adds. “I’ve “There have been many The store also hosts a numgone through some very difchallenges, Amazon among ficult times when we almost ber of book groups that meet them. But even before the went out of business. But the there on a regular basis, and community supported us on in 2001, to further boost sales, national chains like Barnes & it initiated the Signed First Noble and Borders, there were several occasions, and we have had to really adjust our Edition Club. Each month, regional chains adding to the mix of inventory.” club members receive a competition,” Grenier says.

The focus on community signed first edition of a newly “From the late 1990s well into was a blessing for the bookpublished book selected by about 2012, we lost 40% of shop, keeping people coming the Odyssey for its literary our independent bookstores. into their store. merit and potential collect“Basically what we were ability. The club now has over “We’ve always tried to be a seeing was so much more community center, and people 265 paying members. retail square footage in book “Of course, we also remain selling, alongside a readership do love to come here for many active on social media and sell reasons, whether to hear that wasn’t expanding, and

deal. But our goal is to find the right tenant mix, not just settle for any prospect,” Lebrecque says.

“In a nutshell, we hear our tenants’ voices, and we recognize the needs of a momand-pop shop. It’s not always about keeping the lights on or seeing how many new signs we can put up on one of our 11 buildings. It’s about how many relationships we can build and maintain successfully,” he adds. “We try to maintain a mix of approximately 20 combined retail-restaurants and about 35 professional offices and 19 residentials.”

There’s also the first-run, two-screen movie theater, Tower Theaters, “another rarity to still see in the country,” Lebrecque notes. “Tower Theaters is still going strong after 30 years. In the future, we’re looking to expand our residential offerings as well as parking.”

Lebrecque cites the longevity of some of the businesses at the Village Commons, which sets the retail operation apart from other larger malls.

“I guess that if you are still here after 30 years then you must be a popular destination,” he says. “Hats off to the Ochoa family, owners of Ochoa For Hair and Day Spa. High five to the Magri family, owners of Tailgate Picnic. A quick bow to Bob and Stacy Adams at Tower Theaters. And let’s not forget the bookshop that continues to beat the odds. Joan Grenier of Odyssey Bookshop has been here the longest.”

Other businesses have been at the Village Commons for 15 to 20 years, Lebrecque adds.

“Turnover is very rare, and I think it’s either great tenants, great management, or a combination of both,” he says.

Arts Unlimited Gift Gallery has made its home at the Village Commons for 25 years.

Owned today by Karen Jasinski, the store offers special

books online,” Grenier notes.

Still, there was also another scare — the projected demise of the paper book, which, Grenier says, was “being reported all over the place.”

However, what started strong in 2010, began to fizzle by the end of the decade for a number of reasons. According to goodereader.com, ebook sales decreased by 4.5% in the first quarter of 2019, while hardcover book sales saw a 7.8% increase in revenue and paperback sales increased 3.1%.

“We all saw what was happening in the music industry (the demise of compact disc sales to streaming) and we were initially worried about what would happen. The big challenge now is just to keep people reading. There is a lot of competition for their recreational time,” Grenier said.

Another reason for the success of some of today’s independent booksellers is the fact that they are “a collegial group of people who help each

other out as much as possible,” says Grenier. “I learned a lot from other sellers across the country by just picking up the phone and talking with them. One thing we all had to learn more about was finances. We were English and history majors, not bookkeepers.”

For the moment, Grenier is remaining optimistic.

“We’ve been having a good year, and last year was good, too. Having the right mix of inventory is helpful, as well as having a really innovative and creative staff who are younger than me. There is a new generation of booksellers who want to make this a career, and that is exciting to me,” Grenier says.

“There are also a lot of great book writers out there right now who are writing across all topics for all ages. We’ve got some especially great children’s writers and illustrators,” she adds, “and that is an area where people will always spend money on children and grandchildren.”

“Our primary reason for coming to the Village Commons is that we wanted to grow our restaurant business. It took a little time for us to gain traction in town as it was obviously a new type of cuisine for us compared to the Hu Ke Lau.” Nicholas Yee, general manager, Johnny’s Bar and Grille

Nicholas Yee stands at the bar at Johnny’s Bar and Grille at the Village Commons in South Hadley. The Yee family also owns IYA Sushi and Johnny’s Tap Room at the Village Commons.

(DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

Yee family, longtime owners of the former Hu Ke Lau in Chicopee and current owners and operators of several area restaurants, purchased what was once Fedora’s Tavern in 2006.

“Our primary reason for coming to the Village Commons is that we wanted to grow our restaurant business,” explains Nicholas Yee, general manager, who grew up in South Hadley. “It took a little time for us to gain traction in town as it was obviously a new type of cuisine for us compared to the Hu Ke Lau.” Their eventual success with Johnny’s Bar and Grille and their faith in the Village Commons led the Yee family to open two additional operations there – IYA Sushi and Johnny’s Tap Room, basically a function Jeffrey Lebrecque, chief operating officer and director of operations, says Village Commons room with a large downstairs tries to “maintain a mix of approximately 20 combined retail-restaurants and about 35 profesbar that accommodates oversional offices and 19 residentials.” (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO) flow from Johnny’s Bar and Grille. gifts, including lines from says Jasinski. “We have plenty have to travel further to find,” “A successful landlord has Brighton and Mariposa, as of browsers. There is a lot of she adds. to constantly reinvest in its wells as collectibles for sale, foot traffic which helps. Some Lebreque has his own assets. Thirty years later, the and an art gallery featuring people just stumble upon us. thoughts on why people shop Village Commons still looks works by regional artists and Some come in while waiting at the Village Commons. magical and continues to be others from paintings to potfor a seat at Johnny’s Bar and “There is a feeling of comone of South Hadley’s finest tery. They also have baby gifts, Grille next door. And others munity here. Everyone knows and most visited destinations,” women’s clothing and wedding are loyal customers who know the shopkeepers. Then there is Lebrecque says.

As for the future, Lebrecque gifts. our appearance, the meanderme by name. notes that within the next three The store owner notes she “Frankly, people find it easy ing, well-landscaped courtbelieves it is “the experience” to come here, especially those yards. Food and entertainment to six months they anticipate the opening of two new busithat continues to draw people who are local, as opposed to also rock here,” Lebrecque says. nesses in existing storefronts to the Village Commons. driving to the mall. And we — one retail and the other food As for Jasinski’s neighbor, “People still want to shop have some really nice lines for unique items and browse,” for our customers, who would Johnny’s Bar and Grille, the related, but not a restaurant.

OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Language

left him without a job or the ability to continue his master’s in statistics.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE L17 The couple’s decision to last year at Baystate Medical move to the United States Center. brought them to Springfield, “We were extremely where his grandparents, grateful to Lyman and Leslie whom he describes as having Wood, who offered to fund a small house and a big heart, an English language program welcomed them into their for employees interested in home. advancing their careers at After finding a job at a Baystate by improving their bakery, a relative introduced English communication Diaz to Baystate for a position skills,” Keroack says. as a food service inventory “Their generous donahandler. It’s an introduction tion to the Baystate Health that he considers “one of the Foundation allowed us to best things in my life.” collaborate with the InterIn addition to the English national Language Institute program, Diaz has taken in Northampton to develop advantage of other opportua 12-week course taught by nities he has been offered at (the institute’s) professionals Baystate, including working during work hours at Baystate with a career adviser in talent management to write his Medical Center,” he added.

Sixteen employees, many resume and practice interview from the hospitality services skills. A career mobility conarea, were excited by the pros- sultant in talent acquisition pects of the pilot program and at the hospital is also helping signed up to attend. him look for additional career One of those employees is opportunities within Baystate.

Pablo Diaz, who, with his wife, Community leaders and donors Lyman and Leslie Wood came to America looking for better opportunities when the recall the emotions they felt attending an orientation to the economic crisis in Ecuador

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | L19

skills to feel more confident in their English-speaking interactions with both patients and colleagues.

Steven Boyle, senior director of hospitality, food and nutrition services, says programs such as English as a Second Pablo Diaz Language are important, since they remove barriers and maximize employees’ program held at the hospital. potential.

“When we walked into “The role of a leader is to the first class, we were just help develop talent, to support in the moment with them. It those who want to invest in was amazing how the feeling themselves even if it means in the room changed when losing them to another departeveryone started connecting,” ment. It is part of having an engaged workforce,” he says.

Leslie Wood says. “It was In addition to the career really one of my best days to support Diaz has been receivsee the students move from being nervous to being a part ing at Baystate, he also appreciates other growth benefits, of something. They were such as the forgivable loan empowered.” program for first-time home The couple worked with buyers. He will apply for the Yemisi Oloruntola-Coates, program now that he and his Baystate Health’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, wife have a child. and Kathleen Bronner, of the “Baystate Health is investfoundation, to establish the ing in employees and saying, Lyman and Leslie Wood Lan- ‘You are important to us.’ guage Fund. The fund created They want you to grow, to the pilot program designed improve your knowledge. I to assist employees with their don’t want to leave Baystate,” English communications he said.

“Baystate Health is investing in employees and saying, ‘You are important to us.’”

Way Finders new headquarters will be at 1780 Main St. in Springfield. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

Way Finders CONTINUED FROM PAGE L10

bus terminal property to Way Finders for $2.75 million in 2017. Peter Pan moved both its offices and operations to Union Station.

Way Finders sold its current headquarters in the South End to Balise Motor Sales for $1 million in 2017.

The property is part of a long-planned Balise redevelopment.

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Way Finders’ current building proved inadequate for the agency’s needs, according to Gagliardi. “In our former space on Main Street there was no facility for the large numbers of people coming through,” he says.

In the new building, the agency will be able to offer courses on first-time home ownership, landlord education and job searching, all to be held in a new classroom seating up to 60 or an auditorium seating as many as 120.

L20 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

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In action on Nov. 27, Springfield Thunderbirds Dryden Hunt chases a loose puck as Bridgeport Sound Tigers Sebastian Aho moves in during the first period of action at the MassMutual Center.

ENTERTAINMENT & TOURISM

Year 4, T-Birds fly high Marketing strategy, signature events grow fan base

By Ron Chimelis

rchimelis@repub.com

Has it been four nearly four years since Springfield seemed destined to lose its American Hockey League team, only to be rescued when a group of Western Massachusetts investors pitched in to buy and move the franchise from Portland, Maine?

Time moves on, and the Springfield Thunderbirds continue to grow with it.

3128873-01

Outlook2020

AZ

The goal of building a sustainable fan base and business model was there from the first day. It’s the methods that undergo constant evaluation and, when necessary, modification.

“We’re already looking at next year,” team president Nathan Costa says. “We’re taking a look at maybe giving up a few Friday night dates in exchange for some early Sunday games.”

(THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

SEE T-BIRDS, PAGE M19

“We don’t stop looking at ways we can attract more people and make the experience more enjoyable. And we never will.”

NATHAN COSTA, PRESIDENT, SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS

SUCCESS STORIES

Eugene Cassidy

Hooplandia set to score big success

Something for every Chicopee’s taste, customer For J. Polep, it’s a billion-dollar business

T

HE INTERNATIONal Association of Fairs and Expositions is the trade association that represents our industry around the world. I recall with some shock an educational session I attended at our annual meeting in 2016: The workshop examined the multigenerational workplace.

It was a lively, interactive session wherein the boomers intoned, “Stop looking at your phones all the time!” and the millennials responded by saying “Stop calling. Send an email or text!”

F

By Lori Stabile

Special to The Republican

or more than 120 years, J. Polep Distribution Services has been distributing specialty foods, candy, tobacco products and groceries, from its start in 1898 as the Polep Tobacco Co. to its role today as one of the largest wholesalers to the convenience and grocery store industry.

Above, a look inside the warehouse at the J. Polep Distribution Services in Chicopee. The company provides products, ranging from candy and tobacco to fresh fruit and prepared foods, to traditional convenience stores, hospital gift shops, package stores and specialty food companies like Aramark. At right, a vintage sign sits atop the building in Chicopee. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTOS)

In addition to the communication-based differences, the speaker shared some startling data regarding the look of our workplaces in the near future, including the declaration that “by 2020, Generation Y will comprise 75% of the workforce!”

With three staff well into their fourth decade of Eastern States Exposition employment and others (myself included) closing in on 30 years of service, the percentage does not currently apply to our organization, but we can clearly see that the times they SEE CASSIDY, PAGE M5

NN 5588TTHH AA

The Chicopee-based fifth-generation company, which began primarily as a candy and tobacco distributor, still distributes those items, but is following the trend toward healthier fare and also offers its customers fresh sandwiches and salads along with

SEE POLEP, PAGE M14

SUCCESS STORY

25 years of brewing beer real, simple Berkshire brews still tapping taste success

By Cori Urban

Special to The Republican

Keep it simple.

Keep it real.

Keep it creative.

That is the Berkshire Brewing Co. recipe for success that has kept business hopping for 25 years.

Simplicity comes from brewing ales and lagers fresh in small batches.

Keeping it real means all of Berkshire’s beers are unfiltered and unpasteurized and contain no chemical additives or preservatives.

Creativity is manifested by producing a broad range of year-round and seasonal ales and lagers and

SEE BREWING, PAGE M15

Bottles of Drayman’s Porter, a “well balanced and full-bodied, dark ruby-brown ale,” move through the bottling process at the Berkshire Brewing Co. in Deerfield. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

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M2 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

%%SATFOL-%%3MONTH%%2DATE OUTLOOK 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

REAL ESTATE “Owning a home is part of the American dream. The thought that I would have the opportunity to help people achieve that Lower interest rates help buyers amid dream was rewarding to me.”

Home prices go up as inventory lags

CHERYL MALANDRINOS, PIONEER VALLEY REALTOR OF THE YEAR

Cheryl Malandrinos, of Real Living Realty Professionals in Wilbraham, was named Realtor of the Year by the Realtor Association of the Pioneer Valley. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

REAL ESTATE

Realtor of Year says job is her passion deserving of the honor. The award is given to a Realtor member that exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader while taking an active role in the association

By KEITH O’CONNOR and embracing the Realtor Special to The Republican Code of Ethics. Cheryl fits For Cheryl Malandrinos, this to a tee,” says Brendan of Real Living Realty ProBailey, CEO of the Pioneer fessionals in Wilbraham, Valley Realtor’s group. being a Realtor isn’t just a “It was a nice surprise to job, it is her passion. learn I would be receiving A Realtor since 2014, the award. The Realtor Malandrinos left the Association of Pioneer corporate world behind Valley is a valuable resource to become a stay-at-home to the community and I am mom. When it came time honored and blessed to be to reenter the workforce, able to represent them,” she wanted to do something Malandrinos says. different with her life and When she isn’t busy began to think about the matching people to the right possibility of becoming a home, Malandrinos serves Realtor. the association as a member “Owning a home is part of its board of directors and of the American dream. is active on the association’s The thought that I would Town Monitor Work Group, have the opportunity to help Government Affairs and people achieve that dream Grievance and Communications committees. was rewarding to me,” says Malandrinos has given Malandrinos.

Today, six years later and back to the community many sales behind her, through her active involvement in Christina’s House Malandrinos was named in Springfield and as a board Realtor of the Year by the member of the Wilbraham Realtor Association of the Friends of the Library and Pioneer Valley.

The award is presented head of the Wilbraham annually to a member of Fiction Writers Group. She the association who has also serves on the board of demonstrated outstanding WriteAngles, which plans service and devotion to the and holds a writers conference each year at Mount 1,800-member organization in the areas of assoHolyoke College. ciation activity, commu“Outside of my volunnity service, and business teerism, being a Realtor is activity. one of the most rewarding “The Realtor of the Year is things I have ever done. the highest form of recogWhen you think of the nition that the Realtors of memories we make in a Pioneer Valley can bestow place called home, it is so upon one of their own. We special to be able to help are so proud of Cheryl and someone find a special the work she has done for place they can call home,” this association. She is truly Malandrinos says.

Honor bestowed for outstanding service, devotion

P. Molta, broker-owner of Real Living Realty Professionals, who oversees over 100 sales professionals with six offices in Western Massachusetts.

Riley and Molta note the

By KEITH O’CONNOR biggest takeaway from last Special to The Republican year is the continuing trend Houses are going up – not that there is still not enough just construction-wise – but in homes for sale both locally and price. nationally.

The median sale price “That goes for single family homes in back to 10 Massachusetts set an all-time years ago, record last year after hitting when during $400,000 at year’s end, a the recession builders 3.9% increase over 2018. stopped in The Massachusetts AssoRobert P. ciation of Realtors logged their tracks, Molta similar numbers, reporting just stopped a year-end median price for building. closed sales of $413,254, or Also, people had the tendency to stay in their homes longer. a 3.3% increase from 2018.

The association also reported Baby boomers had these big that median prices have been homes and as they got older wanted to downsize, but there up or flat for 35 of the last 36 just wasn’t a lot available to months. choose from,” Molta says.

By county, the lowest median single-family sales price “The good news,” he adds, was Hampden’s $207,500, “is that in December housing and the highest was Nantuck- starts soared 16.9% above et’s $1.5 million. what was estimated. Builders In Western Massachusought more permits, and I setts, key points provided by think they had more confidence in what was happening the Realtor Association of with the economy and the Pioneer Valley for the sale of single-family homes showed a marketplace.” similar trend to state numbers Offering a further perspecwith the median price up 4.1% tive on the regional market, Molta says two factors helped from $219,900 in 2018 to $229,000 in 2019. Additional drive commercial properties key points for the year 2019 in the Springfield area – MGM include: Springfield and the market for • Sales: Up 0.9% from 5,970 cannabis. in 2018 to 6,026 in 2019; “There is a lot of money • Days on market: Down coming in from around the 2.7% from 68 average number country to Massachusetts, of days on the market in 2018 where in Springfield and to 66 average number of days other areas people are buying on the market in 2019; warehouses for distribution • Pending sales: Up 4.8% of cannabis,” Molta says. “As from 5,867 listing pending sale for MGM, it has driven more in 2018 to 6,149 listings pend- commercial listings downtown ing sale in 2019; and and multifamily investments • Mortgage rates: Thiras employees move to the area ty-year fixed-rate mortgage from different parts of the (FRM) averaged 3.94% with country.” an average 0.7 points for the Looking ahead to the rest of annual average. Last year at this year and beyond, Molta this time the 30-year FRM av- notes the recent signing of eraged 4.54% with an average 0.5 points. (Source: FreddieMac.com).

Says Sharon Riley, broker-owner of Property One in Belchertown, “2019 was a good year, similar to 2018.

Spring took off with listings, not as many as we would have liked because there is still an inventory shortSharon Riley age. Sellers saw multiple offers on their properties and there was a lot of competition.

Then summer came along and everything stopped. We had a better spring than fall. There weren’t a lot of listings or buyers in the fall because people were hesitant with the talk about a possible recession.”

“It was a good year for buyers and sellers. Properties sold quickly and, on average, if priced correctly, sellers got at or near their asking price. And buyers had the advantage of low interest rates,” adds Robert

competitive market

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This home for sale is offered by Real Living Realty Professionals on Hillside Road in South Hadley. Real Living broker-owner Robert P. Molta says 2019 was a “good year for buyers and sellers.

Properties sold quickly and, on average, if priced correctly, sellers got at or near their asking price.” Sellers, according to Molta, benefited from low mortgage rates. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

a trade deal with China is a “good thing.”

“I believe it builds confidence in the marketplace,” he explains. “The biggest worry is the economy, which is vulnerable to some sort of geopolitical event – a national crisis – resulting in rising interest rates.

“Even bigger for Realtors is third-party disruptors. Despite the marketplace, if you were a good Realtor, you could still be successful. Now we have increasing competition from all over the world with companies like Zillow, who are trying to intercept consumers online,” he adds.

Molta and Riley have good tips for both buyers and sellers in the current economy.

“Sellers need to price their property correctly and it will sell fast and get the top dollar you are looking for. If it is overpriced it will be slower to sell and you will end up with few dollars in your pocket,” he says.

Buyers need to get pre-approved with a bank or mortgage company so they can be prepared to act swiftly with their Realtors in competitive environment.

“You need to stand out and act quickly because we are still in a situation where there are often multiple offers on a property because there are so few on the market,” Molta stresses.

Riley has special advice for millennial buyers entering this marketplace.

“Millennials tend to be a bit unrealistic and need to hear this. They want it all,” she says.

“But with prices going up and with what they can afford, they are not going to find what they are looking for. They want more for less money.

What sells homes is updated kitchens and baths. It is hard for them to see the potential in a house.

“Again, it’s the houses that need work, that are less desirable, that tend to stay on the market longer,” she adds.

Molta has his own thoughts on millennials, saying, “They are going to make up 50% of all homebuyers in the near future. They tend to be more mobile (and) go anywhere in the country for jobs. So, in the marketplace they will be renting homes then buying when they are ready to start a family.”

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | M3

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SOLD Real Living offices in the following locations: 1847 Memorial Dr, Chicopee 413.536.1553 580 Appleton Holyoke 413.315.4337 54 Court St Westfield 413.568.2491

31 Church St Lenox 413.637.2323

72 Mill St Westfield 413.568.2405

177 Elm St Pittsfield 413.442.0109

48 E Otis Rd Otis MA 413.269.4040

11 North Main St Belchertown 413.213.1500

171 Dwight Rd Longmeadow 413.567.3361

2040 Boston Rd Wilbraham 413.596.6711

776 Westfield St West Springfield 413.737.7356

443 Shaker Rd East Longmeadow

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M4 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUCCESS STORIES

Randall’s Farm grows with community Six decades in making, happy customers still goal

By Elizabeth Lafond-Coppez

Special to The Republican

Kitchen Garden Farm is producing lines of sriracha sauce, salsa, and giardiniera from produce grown on its 50-acre organic vegetable farm. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

AGRICULTURE

Kitchen Garden Farm cooks up hot stuff Organic habanero sriracha grows national following

By Cori Urban

Special to The Republican

For Caroline C. Pam and Timothy N. Wilcox, owners of Kitchen Garden Farm, the best part of farming in Massachusetts is their “amazing crew of smart, capable farmers who manage and staff various parts of our farm.”

But the location also is important because, they agree, Western Massachusetts is a place where people want to live. They get many of their employees from the sustainable food and farming program at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

Additionally, they say, there is “a great community” of other farms here, and farmers do what they we can to help one another.

Great soil, broad community support and proximity to urban markets help, too.

Kitchen Garden Farm is a 50-acre, certified organic vegetable farm in Sunderland, owned and operated by Wilcox and Pam. They grow a full line of seasonal produce with a focus on specialty sweet and hot peppers and traditionally Italian vegetables like fennel, broccoli rabe and radicchio.

WATCH THE VIDEO

m

To See Don Treeger’s video about Kitchen Garden Farm, go online to YouTube.com/MassLive

They also produce a line of fire-roasted salsa and naturally fermented sriracha, a product that’s gained a national following. In 2018, its organic habanero sriracha landed a spot on the Bon Appetit’s list of the “16 best things we added to our pantry this year.”

“The great thing about

“We now have the ability to employ a fulltime kitchen staff to preserve the vegetables we grow in season, such as peppers and tomatoes, and manufacture the jarred products year-round.”

Caroline C. Pam, Kitchen Garden Farm, Sunderland

making a shelf-stable product is that they give us the opportunity to sell our vegetables over a much wider geographical area,” Pam says.

Kitchen Garden Farm sells sriracha and salsa to stores in California and to natural and specialty food stores in New England, such as local farm stores and coops.

The farm also sells to Whole Foods Markets in Hadley, Boston and New York City and to specialty food shops in Massachusetts and Maine.

Other New York City stores sell the products, which also are shipped through the mail to retail stores in states across the country.

The farm business benefited from state grants, including a 2015 $75,000 APR Improvement Grant to help build a year-round washroom and storage barn and a 2018 Massachusetts Food Venture Grant of $215,000 to purchase equipment for a commercial kitchen. “These grants and others have helped us build critical infrastructure on our farm and increase capacity,” Pam says.

SEE GARDEN, PAGE M9

When Karen Randall was 11 years old, she worked hard on her family farm, washing and packing vegetables. She could hardly wait to turn 14 because it meant she would graduate to the farm stand, helping to stock goods, interacting with customers and working the cash register.

Today, Randall owns Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse in Ludlow, and she does the same work and more, carefully nurturing and growing her business, which has evolved into a true staple to the Western Massachusetts community.

“At Randall’s it’s personal,” she adds. “Some customers I have now were customers when I was 14. They’ve watched me grow, and I’ve watched them grow!”

Randall’s parents, Elsie and Bill, began their family business by delivering eggs all across the region. “My parents had chicken houses, and while delivering eggs my dad would bring home different local farm products to sell with our eggs at our little roadside stand,” she says.

In 1962, Bill Randall built his first farm stand at the age of 30. “Today, that’s the Elsie’s Creamery Building,” his daughter explains. “That was our original farm stand.”

Randall and her sisters assisted their parents as they yielded many field crops on 40 acres of land, including tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, and they even had a pick-your-own strawberries patch.

Randall eventually left for college and graduated with a degree in elementary education, but her roots at the farm ran deep. She continued to work there, and when her father passed away her soul-searching led her to purchase Randall’s.

It was in 1990 that she hatched her idea to build Randall’s bigger and to offer more for their customers and community. “In 1997, we built what we have today,” she says.

“Although it’s 22 years old, I still call it my new store.”

Randall’s mother, Elsie, is still very much involved with Elsie’s Creamery, and her sisters, Tammy Marquis and Anna Arciszewski, came back to work in 1996 and 1997.

“We are doing this together,” Randall says. “We grew up with the same work ethic, and we are four women who get along really well, growing this business together.”

Randall credits their success thanks to great managers and loyal employees, who all contribute to the growth of Randall’s. “Our employees share new ideas and help us to keep up with buying trends.

“When my dad was alive we would talk about getting bigger,” Randall recalls. “My

FEB 22 7 PM

3 :30

S A T U R D A Y

Above, Karen Randall is the owner of Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse, 631 Center St., in Ludlow. Randall’s offers a fresh produce section, a deli, bakery and a very large prepared foods section, along with fresh produce, beers, wines, flowers and plants. It may be the middle of winter, but there is plenty of color, like this cyclamen, right, inside the greenhouse.

“I took a leap of faith and my goal with the new store was to have happy customers and happy employees, and that’s still the goal.”

(DON TREEGER /

KAREN RANDALL, RANDALL’S FARM & GREENHOUSE, LUDLOW

THE REPUBLICAN)

dad would say, ‘What do you want to get bigger for? You have to work harder.’” Twenty-two years later, Randall says she still hears her dad’s voice asking that key question.

But when Randall was acquiring a large loan to move forward with her idea, someone told her to believe in herself. “I took a leap of faith and my goal

with the new store was to have happy customers and happy employees, and that’s still the goal.”

Today, Randall’s offers a fresh produce section, a deli, bakery and a very large prepared foods section, which is their most popular among customers. “Twenty-two years ago, the thought of having a

big kitchen staff and a great chef preparing meals each day wasn’t on my radar,” Randall adds. “It’s become the biggest department in the store which is a surprise to us!”

Randall’s has a menu for each day of the week, containing different lunch and dinner entrees, various potato and pasta SEE RANDALL’S, PAGE M9

The Best Fresh For more than fifty years the Randall Family has been bringing you the “Best Fresh” Locally Grown Fruits, Vegetables, and Farm products all year round.

Our Bakery Deli features freshly made Apple Cider Donuts, homestyle bakery products, gourmet sandwiches, soups, “home-made” salads, and dinners to go.

We offer Specialty foods, and a full line of Taste-Tested Gluten Free Allergy friendly items.

The Greenhouse specializes in locally grown flowers and plants for your garden and home and fresh flower bouquets and arrangements for all occasions.

AT SYMPHONY HALL

We “Farm Fun” with our Fall Corn Maze and Seasonal Events.

At Elsie’s Creamery we make the Best Homemade Ice Cream Fresh in small batches.

All your favorite flavors!

2015

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | M5

Cassidy

Mary Kay Wydra

Hospitality is state’s 3rd largest industry

A

S I CONSIDERED the topic of “Jobs and Education in the 21st Century” and its relevance to tourism, my thoughts quickly turned to the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors. Today, this group is a veritable who’s who of business leaders in Western Massachusetts, yet, interestingly, many of them began their careers in entry-level jobs in the hospitality industry.

It would be difficult to find a group of regional business leaders more visible than Gene Cassidy, of the Eastern States Exposition, Brenda McGiverin, of WWLP, Andy Yee, of the Bean Restaurant Group, or Peter Rosskothen, of the Log Cabin & Delaney House. Each is responsible for the fortunes of expansive, multimillion-dollar operations, with large numbers of employees.

Each of these accomplished professionals started out at the very first rung in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Cassidy began as a 15 year old, bussing tables at the Monte Carlo restaurant, virtually across the street from his SEE WYDRA, PAGE M13

3-on-3 outdoor basketball tournament for all ages. There will be 100 courts on the byways of the exposiCONTINUED FROM PAGE M1 tion, with the option to create more if are a-changing. necessary.

As I write this, my inbox contains an Games for youth, high school, colemail welcoming four new full-time lege, elite-professional, wheelchair, staff, three of whom graduated from Special Olympics, first responders, veterans and more will take place. college in 2018 or 2019. Generation There is even a designation for Y is enormous; nearly as large as the “Over the Hill,” and I invite my local boomer generation. Their influence colleagues to join me in testing the has already been profound as their condition of their knees, ankles and impact grows. And in this day and Achilles tendons on the court. age very few will remain at the same Hooplandia has the potential to employer for a decade, never mind 30 host more than 2,500 teams, upor 40 years! wards of 10,000 players. At an Oct. I have made my entire career in 31 media announcement, Wydra Greater Springfield, and, at all times indicated that the event could mean during my career there has been a $12 million in regional spending. To constant discussion about how we put that number in perspective, the attract and retain talented personnel.

2019 American Hockey League AllThen, as now, many of the top minds Eastern States Exposition and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame leaders on Oct. 31, 2019, introduce Hooplandia. Eugene J. Cassidy, left, presiStar Classic Game at the MassMutual in our region are addressing the eddent and CEO of Eastern States Exposition, Hooplandia organizer Mark Rivers Center in January 2019 pumped $2.8 ucation component of the equation, and John L. Doleva, president and CEO of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall million through the local economy. especially as it pertains to advanced of Fame, speak with media. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN) manufacturing and healthcare posiThis unique event will benefit the tions. youth of our region. We have partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs in In fact, we should talk about it more, and Visitors Bureau, and her team Thanks to important partnerthe area. Local businesses have the especially to our kids who frequently constantly and consistently sing the ships between secondary schools, exit the region with the perception opportunity to participate as team businesses and higher education praises of the area in which we are institutions, including Springfield that there is nothing here for them. sponsors. Additionally, there is a fortunate to work and live and successfully promote this area to people need for volunteers in a number of Technical Community College and There are regional professionals who come from far-and-wide. the leadership of MassHire Hampden too numerous to count who have capacities.

It has been my privilege to work County Workforce Board, our future traveled to Western Massachusetts Hooplandia is an opportunity for for Eastern States Exposition and to labor pool is acquiring needed skills for business purposes and were so all of us in the community to come lead the organization for the previous together in a shared love for basketand our school curriculum is being impressed with the regional quality eight fairs. I am pleased to report that ball, our Springfield legacy. Visit the influenced by the region’s needs. of life that they made the decision with your support the exposition has website, Hooplandia.com, and get Students are placed on the STEM to relocate here with their families. involved! track as early as middle school and We live in a place that is picturesque, seen significant growth, currently important positions in production, technology and the trades await them. The trades are becoming popular again, and their importance needs greater advocacy by all parents and in our schools.

The ongoing challenge of recruiting and retaining high performing individuals is a challenge to be sure, Eastern States Exposition is comsafe, filled with green spaces, where holding strong as the fifth largest fair as this new generation of employees mitted to exploring additional uses in North America and a place that there is farmland, and convenient seems focused on achieving a healthy proximity to major interstates and for its campus that will attract visileads the industry internationally. work-life balance, in a dissimilar As a steward of this 103-year-old in- tors, provide opportunities for local easy access to great cities beyond our stitution, I know that to be successful business, boost the economy, foster way than their boomer parents did. own. community spirit, add spark to the rewe must constantly explore and inFortunately, this desire is actually to We have a stress-free commute. novate opportunities for growth and gion’s event offering and enhance the our region’s advantage because when (Often the TV traffic reporters have diversification in order to respond to quality of life in this beautiful place they choose to establish roots and little to talk about.) We have interesting, historical and noteworthy we call home: Greater Springfield. the fair-going public, while holding raise a family, Western Massachusetts, though they may not recognize attractions. We have tremendous fast to our mission that advances agriculture and regional commerce. it yet, provides the quality-of-life arts and culture. And one-of-a-kind Eugene J. Cassidy is president and To that end, Eastern States Exposi- chief executive officer of the Eastern package they are looking for. destinations. tion, in conjunction with the NaWe should all recognize and appreAs testimony to the value of our States Exposition. To learn more about ciate the quality of life that we enjoy region, Mary Kay Wydra, president of ismith Memorial Basketball Hall of the exposition, go online to thebige. here in the Connecticut River valley. the Greater Springfield Convention Fame, will debut Hooplandia, a huge com.

Hooplandia is an opportunity for all of us in the community to come together in a shared love for basketball, our Springfield legacy.

Sponsor Content

Springfield positioned to relieve stranglehold presently gripping the state’s capital Springfield, comparable space at the MassLive Building, for example, costs approximately $18.00 per sq. ft. or $180,000 annually-- a savings of $470,000 a year not including parking. Over a 5-year lease term, the savings would be a staggering sum of $2,350,000.

Boston parking, if you can find a spot, is around $45 per day or double the most expensive garage in Springfield. Many Springfield businesses in the central business district enjoy free parking in the MGM garage.

And buildings like 1350 Main Street offer valet parking at less than half of what it costs in the self-park garages in Boston’s Metro area.

It has been well reported, and the Globe article concurs, that the traffic and congestion in and around Boston, not to mention the lack of affordable housing, has reached epidemic proportions and will strangle the business community and new growth in the State’s Capital. Companies that rely on commuting workers who are directly facing housing and transportation challenges are adversely affected. Ironically, the labor markets that they so heavily rely on can’t make it to the office on time or find affordable housing. Boston’s growth comes at a cost and new growth is not sustainable without major transportation infrastructure changes or a better idea.

As far as traffic and congestion is concerned it doesn’t exist in Springfield and the housing stock is less than half of what it is in the Boston suburban markets. Springfield is geographically well positioned for distribution due to its relatively close proximity and access to New York, Boston, Providence, Albany and Hartford.

There is a better idea.

In 2009, Springfield was ranked the 24th most important high-tech center in the US with approximately 14,000 high tech jobs. Baystate Health‘s Tech Spring

innovation center located at the MassLive Building at 1350 Main Street was cited by Inc. as one example Springfield achieved this recognition. Tech Spring is a technology, innovation and healthcare think tank. Valley Venture Mentors, also in downtown Springfield and mentioned in the article, is a nonprofit dedicated to providing expertise and funding through their mentorship programs. Both organizations are rooted in downtown and recognize and support the entrepreneurial spirit and human capital we have in our city and region. In the case of 1350 Main Street, as the managing agent, we have purposely repositioned this property to attract a community and culture of innovation that would lure companies like Tech Spring in the first place.

The Knowledge Corridor Businesses in Springfield can tap into the deep reservoir of skilled and educated labor in our region. The good news is that Hartford, the capital of Connecticut, lies only 24 miles south of Springfield on the western bank of the Connecticut River. The Hartford-Springfield region also known as the Knowledge Corridor is now connected by a commuter rail making 12 round trips a day. The Corridor has over 160,000 university students in over 32 universities and liberal arts colleges; the second highest concentration of higher learning institutions in the United States.

Springfield itself is home to eight colleges – Springfield College, Western New England University, American International College, Springfield Technical Community College, Bay Path University, UMASS, and Cambridge College.

Additionally, Holyoke Community College’s enrollment includes a high percentage of Springfield residents. There are 25 universities and colleges within a 15-mile radius of Springfield including some of America’s most prestigious universities, as well as numerous highly regarded hospitals like Bay State Medical Center and Mercy Hospital. The opportunities that exist for Boston in Springfield not only include inexpensive, high quality residential and business property, but also the aforementioned pool of talent that are graduating from these colleges and universities. The East/West rail would bring additional talent and businesses to Springfield to take advantage of the affordable cost of living and doing business here. The Hartford Springfield commuter rail further enhances accessibility to Springfield from all points along the Knowledge Corridor.

Given the potential skilled work force represented by the 160,000 students in our region, big businesses should also be looking at Springfield to lower their occupancy costs to be more competitive. A compelling casean also be made for state agencies that are now concentrated in the high rent district of Boston to take advantage of the low cost of real estate in Springfield and Western Mass. An analysis should be done by the State Comptroller’s office to see what state agencies don’t need to be in Boston. Millions of tax dollars could be saved and at the same time making available new opportunities in Boston for businesses that need to be there, while the abundant office space in the western part of the state, especially Springfield, could be optimized, yielding higher paying job opportunities for the region.

Businesses, small and large, in both the private and public sector, need not look any further than downtown Springfield for their address. We are not just a top city to start a business, as the Inc. Magazine article suggests, but one that existing businesses could relocate to in order to take advantage of the human capital and inherent economic benefits that will not only fuel economic development in Western Mass but also relieve the stranglehold presently gripping the state’s capital.

This is a sponsor article brought to you by this site in conjunction with the advertiser. The advertiser paid a fee to promote this article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies.

03089093

BY EVAN PLOTKIN SPRINGFIELD – Two great news articles recently published in Inc. Magazine and the Boston Globe focus on the attributes of Western Mass and Springfield for starting a new business or relocating an existing one.

Clearly a great case can be made for small businesses to put their stake in the ground in Springfield. According to Inc. Magazine, “The City is continuing to develop as an urban business center, in particular for true small businesses.” National real estate consultant, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, listed the ten biggest selling points in Springfield are proximity to major population centers, transportation logistics, higher education, and low cost of living and housing.

Springfield made Inc. Magazine’s list for being one of the top two cities in the country to start a business.

Those of us who have been working in Springfield for decades will no doubt be stunned by this recognition.

The headline in the Globe article by columnist Joan Vennochi accurately suggests that the solution to Boston’s housing and congestion crisis is in Western Mass. While the Globe article contrasts the huge disparity in housing prices, it neglects to make the case that the business property in downtown Springfield and elsewhere in Western Mass is only a fraction of what it costs in Boston. The Globe article would suggest that the low cost of housing and little or no congestion in this part of the state could be the answer to the housing and congestion epidemic in Boston. I believe both articles are correct for similar reasons.

From the standpoint of pure economics, one of the attributes of Springfield, while absent from the Boston Globe article, is Springfield’s significantly lower occupancy cost and availability of over 600,000 square feet of class A and B office space in the central business district.

Many site selectors and CEOs dismiss Springfield, citing the unavailability of talent in our region versus the abundance of human capital in Boston as their justification for leasing space for five times what comparable space would cost in Springfield. To underscore how outlandish this is I submit the following; By way of illustration a typical 10,000 square foot Class A office leases for a minimum $65 per square foot in Boston’s Metro center or $650,000 annually. In

M6 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

ENTERTAINMENT & TOURISM

Arts scene thrives with ‘amazing venues’ Feared negative effect of MGM never realized, new venues grow

W

By GEORGE LENKER

Special to The Republican

hile it may still be too early to make any final assessment, there seems to be a growing sentiment among Western Massachusetts’ arts and entertainment promoters that MGM Springfield has not had the negative effect on neighboring entertainment venues that was once feared.

At left, in one of the highlights of the 2019 concert scene across Western Massachusetts, MGM Springfield presented legendary songstress Cher and her “Here We Go Again” tour at the MassMutual Center on April 30. Above, the Village People performed in concert at MGM Springfield on June 29.

(THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

attract bands who require that level of quality.”

Kruta saw last year as a year of completion. Along with creating a small works gallery now featuring regularly changing shows, the venue also now has a new bar-restaurant called Judd’s, featuring Czech-American cuisine, a theater, a tap room, a music hall, and woodworking and ceramic shops for use by members.

As for his outlook for 2020, Kruta says, “Holyoke is a home to lots of artists and amazing talent. In the past few years, some artists unfortunately moved away or passed away, and the scene was kind of quiet.

But it is slowly coming back and we are going to see more activities this year.”

Over in Easthampton, Rachel Phillips, the chair of Easthampton’s Cultural Council, says 2019 was a great year of growth for her city as far as the arts, and she sees more of the same for this year.

“The city engaged in a series of facilitated community workshops, the Easthampton Futures Project, inviting community members to envision the next iteration of the arts

Now entering its third year, the casino resort draws approximately 15,000 visitors daily, but those entertainment dollars don’t seem to be coming largely out of the pockets of other arts and entertainment venues.

“I haven’t seen any downside from MGM Springfield. Our number of shows and tickets sold in the region has increased every year and I expect that trend to continue in 2020,” says John Sanders, a partner and talent buyer for Dan Smalls Presents, an agency that books shows up and down the Pioneer Valley. “I’d actually like to be doing more in Springfield at Symphony Hall and hope to be able to develop a working relationship with MGM to do that.”

Jim Neill, marketing director of Northampton’s multi-venue Iron Horse Entertainment Group, agrees about MGM Springfield not having much of a negative effect.

“They are one more player at the table for some of the same shows everyone else is vying for, so sometimes a show we’d have done will go their way. But in many cases they are doing shows that wouldn’t make

and culture chapter of the city’s master plan,” Phillips says.

“And, with more event venues like CitySpace on the horizon and our Millpond Live festival in August and September, 2020 should be yet another banner year for the city.”

and will likely at least double that amount in 2020,” he says.

“I’m very excited to be working with the team at Look Park to be bringing back live music to this amazing spot. We’ll start rolling out the shows later this month, and I hope the valley will be as excited as I am about the lineup we have this summer.”

One venue Sanders already works with, Holyoke’s Gateway City Arts, has been growing and expanding since beginning in 2011. Gateway City Arts co-diWon’t You You Be Won’t Be His His rector Vitek Kruta says 2019 Furever Protector? was great in terms of finalizing and completing the venue’s Ray Guillemette Jr. performs in the “Home for the Holidays” construction phase. show at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield in December.

“We now arrived at the (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO) turning point. We also created very successful relationships For future adoption event the Majestic Theater across the have our ears to the ground. with (Dan Smalls Presents), schedule and pictures visit river in West Springfield, the We’re always planting seeds Signature Sounds and few other casino has served as a corporate that will grow into tomorrow’s promoters,” Kruta says. “We our website for details sponsor, so there has been no staples.” updated our sound system to muttrescueofmassachusetts.org downside for him.

Neill adds that he was excited state-of-the-art quality with 594-8144 - Lori “For the two years they were about the prospects in 2020. help of Klondike Sound so we 102 Grove Street, Chicopee, MA under construction, they were a “Our spring calendar is packed. can not only assure best qualBehind Police & Fire Complex ity entertainment but also to corporate sponsor. Then, once We’re beyond thrilled to have open, for the next five years Courtney Barnett playing the they (agreed to continue) with Iron Horse on her small club their corporate sponsorship tour. Also at the Horse we’ve got Nada Surf, Dar Williams, KT Tunstall, Altan, Lunasa, “I haven’t seen any downside from MGM Loudon, Holly Near, and Springfield. Our number of shows and tickets prog legends Nektar, to name a handful,” he said. “At the sold in the region has increased every year Calvin we have Kamasi Washand I expect that trend to continue in 2020.” ington, Gaelic Storm, the High Kings, comedian Nate BergaJohn Sanders, Dan Smalls Presents concert promoter tze, a Guster show March 28 that’s almost sold out already.”

Plus great food, craft beverages, outdoor adventure, Sanders says he, too, is sense for us anyway,” Neill but also buy the house for one hopeful about the coming year says. “After all the anticipation performance of each of our the arts and much more! about the casino, the reality five plays,” Eaton says. “So, the as Dan Smalls Presents (DSP) is that it hasn’t had a major MGM impact has been and con- represents sustainable growth. tinues to be a benefit to us.”

“My work with DSP started impact on us.”

MGM itself seems to be doing In general, Eaton says his five years ago and our growth, just fine, as well. subscription-based theater has I believe, has been pretty ·Barton Cove ·B Michael Mathis, former pres- held steady and actually saw an organic,” he says. “I moved to ·Berkshire East ·B ident of MGM Springfield, said uptick over the past year. “I cer- Northampton and started pro·Bridge of Flowers · 2020 looks bright for the casi- tainly attribute it to the mix of moting shows in Western Mas·Crabapple · Whitewater no. Part of its success, Mathis plays we offer each year; that’s sachusetts – oh boy, 20 years ·Crumpin Fox Golf Club · said, comes from customer pretty much held true over the ago – so my relationships run ·Great Falls Discovery Center · feedback. pretty deep. There was a need years,” he adds. ·Magic Wings Butterfly “Shortly after we opened, we to create new opportunities for Neill says the challenges Conservatory launched a ‘You Said We Did’ touring artists to perform in the for Iron Horse in the arts and ·Northfield Golf Course campaign, where we solicited entertainment market remain region, and we’ve developed ·Northfield Mountain customer feedback and then great partnerships with a few the same. ·Zoar Outdoor worked to implement their sugamazing venues in the valley.”

“Competing promoters, ·16 State Forests gestions. This is common prac- getting attention as a secondary Along with looking to bring tice in the industry,” Mathis market and building new acts. some shows to Springfield Symsaid. “We opened a new VIP Balancing the more adventur- phony Hall, Sanders says Dan Smalls Presents is also planning Lounge based on conversations ous booking with time-tested on expanding its usage in venwith our guests. Most recently, favorites,” he says. “Staying passionate about the music ues it already employs. we started construction on a is the easy part. There are so “We did six incredible shows new VIP parking area on the ·Berkshire Brewing Company many talented artists out there, at the Pines (Theater in Look second floor of the garage.” ·CiderDays For Danny Eaton, director of old and new, and we always Park, Northampton) in 2019 ·Richardson’s Candy Kitchen ·The Farm Table ·Champney’s at Deerfield Inn ·West County Cider ·Blue Heron ·Terrazza Ristorante ·Cameron’s Winery ·Mesa Verde

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M8 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

(THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

At left, as an Irish-themed pub, Frank and Justine Garaughty, owners of Donovan’s Irish Pub in Springfield, say the weeks surrounding St. Patrick’s Day in March are “really big” for them.

At right, Schermerhorn’s Seafood, a mainstay on the Western Massachusetts food scene for decades, features what it bills as the “Biggest and Best Fish Sandwich.”

FOOD & DINING

Delivering the best always 1st priority Restaurateurs face challenge as home delivery grows

S

By Keith O’Connor

Special to The Republican

hopping online isn’t just about ordering a new pair of shoes or a hassock for the living room.

More and more people are turning to their computers and apps to order out and get food delivered.

“The primary reason is ease of use. Everything can be done from the smartphone and customers, especially millennials and younger, it is second nature to them to order what they want,” says Stephen Clark, director of government affairs for the Massachusetts Restaurant Association.

The growing trend in dining options has both a positive and negative impact on the restaurant industry.

“The positive is that their particular product is available to a wider audience and it has the ability to drive sales, especially in nonpeak dining times,” Clark says. “Among the negative impacts are the fees that third-party delivery companies charge, often upwards of 30%, and handling an increased demand for take-out and delivery during peak restaurant times.

It is a lot harder to manage a robust delivery system while also operating the restaurant on a Friday or Saturday night.”

He also notes that not all products travel well and that many cooks will tell you that certain items are meant to be consumed soon after preparation, not 35 to 45 minutes later.

Restaurants are also chal-

Frontera Grill with restaurants in Chicopee and Springfield, welcomes the challenges ahead in 2020 and their rewards, including opening another location in Manchester, Connecticut, this year.

“The best strategy is to take care of regular and new customers the very best you can, and that is up to your team, developing a winning team with a winning attitude. That is what we try to achieve every single year,” Mendiola says, adding that “business was very good to us in 2019.”

As for deliveries, the extra revenue can be a good thing when done successfully, Mendiola says, noting Frontera Grill had a spike in deliveries last year.

The challenge, he says, is letting delivery companies in the door.

“These companies get their revenue from somewhere.

Companies like Uber and Grub Hub charge 30% or 25% just to do it, so you sell $10,000 worth of food and they get to keep $3,000, which is not optimal for your business with the increasing costs of goods and now with the current wage increase in January,” he says.

FEDERICO MENDIOLA, OWNER, Mendiola cites overhead and FRONTERA GRILL hiring the best employees to lenged by continuing to adjust keep the customer experience to the increased cost of doing high as additional challenges to business. Minimum wage and be faced by restaurateurs. the tip wage again increased “Rent always goes up, but it is this year on Jan. 1, the fifth the cost of doing business not increase in the last seven years. only this past year but every Additionally, occupancy costs year that has been a challenge,” continue to increase. he says. “Challenges have al“Restaurants are adapting by ways been part of any business. getting creative with staff hours Our biggest challenge this year and making increased use of will be to continue being the available technologies,” Clark best Mexican restaurant ... says. “At the end of the day, being number one on people’s a restaurant can only charge minds.” so much for a meal before the At Donovan’s Irish Pub locatdining public says ‘that place ed at Eastfield Mall in Springis getting a little bit pricey’ and field, takeout is not a large part chooses to spend disposable of its business, and owners income elsewhere.”

Frank and Justine Garaughty Federico Mendiola, owner of say they “have not engaged any

“The best strategy is to take care of regular and new customers the very best you can, and that is up to your team, developing a winning team with a winning attitude.”

Frontera Grill plans to open its third restaurant this year in Manchester, Conn., growing on the success of its Springfield eatery at 1411 Boston Road, seen here, and its original establishment in Chicopee. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

more tired and stressed than ever before. They’re bringing the kids here and there and at the end of the day they don’t really feel like going out, and if they do, not for a long night out.”

Similar to the challenges faced by many other restaurants, the Garaughtys say food is still their single biggest expense alongside the cost of Frank Garaughty, center, owner of Donovan’s Irish Pub, is seen goods, rent and the increasing here at its 2019 St. Patrick’s celebration with Lia Moylan and minimum wage, which they Marya Moylan, of Springfield. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO) add “is going to kill small businesses.” delivery services.”

And, when people do go out, As an Irish-themed pub, “I read an article that claimed they are not staying out as long the Garaughtys say the weeks home delivery is the only and spending more in their surrounding St. Patrick’s Day growth area for restaurants. restaurant, the Garaughtys say. in March are “really big” for Clearly with Amazon, people “What we’ve found now is them. are growing more accustomed that if we have a band per“The summer season is to ordering things from the forming on Friday or Saturday always slower and this year was awful, but then we were taken comfort of their home withnight, when people used to out having to go out,” Frank hang around after, the place is by surprise with an extremely Garaughty says. “You have to empty before the band is even good November, December investigate any new revenue finished packing up,” Frank Ga- and January. This was one of the biggest years in retail streams in this business, and raughty says. “What that says history for the Christmas seawe are going to have to prepare is that even though people are SEE DINE, PAGE M9 to explore those avenues.” going out for the night, they are

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | M9

Garden

Caroline Pam, co-owner of Kitchen Garden Farm, stirs a batch of salsa.

Above, jars of salsa cool before getting boxed.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

an Italian-American condiment used on cold-cut sandwiches or as part of a cheese board.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE M4 Wholesale prices for fresh vegetables The washroom grant made it possible have not kept pace with rising costs in for farm staff to wash, store and cool recent years. “Prices are often highest more vegetables, doubling sales of fresh at times of the year when it’s difficult produce within two years. to supply volume to the market, and The farm has transitioned sales from they drop precipitously during the main farmers markets and CSA to wholesale season,” Pam explains, noting that the and distributors. It now ships produce farm’s value-added line is an attempt to year-round to customers from New York utilize large amounts its own vegetables City to Boston, the Berkshires, Rhode at peak season (tomatoes) and convert them to a shelf stable year-round product Island, Cape Cod and Vermont, and to (salsa) that can be sold at a fair price. regional stores and restaurants.

The farm’s tomato products are pasThe kitchen grant allowed the farm sata, a puree of its organic San Marzabusiness to increase production of sriracha and salsa by about 50% in the first no-type Italian plum tomatoes, and sugo, year and to launch a new line of dried a sauce of its organic plum tomatoes pureed with onions, carrots and celery — chilies, tomato sauce and pickles. “We now have the ability to employ a full-time all grown on the farm. “These products are great for winter cooking. They bring kitchen staff to preserve the vegetables the flavor of in-season local tomatoes to we grow in season, such as peppers and pasta sauces, braises, soups and stews,” tomatoes, and manufacture the jarred Pam says. products year-round,” Pam says.

Kitchen Garden Farm also has 12 variA new line of tomato and pickle products will be stocked at stores around eties of dried, whole peppers available in Western Massachusetts this winter. select stores and through its website.

Giardiniera is a combination of pickFor more information about the farm, led peppers, cauliflower, celery and visit the website, kitchengardenfarm. carrots in an oil and vinegar brine. It’s com, or call 413-387-5163.

Randall’s CONTINUED FROM PAGE M4

salads and veggie slaws, along with fresh pies, cookies and their signature cider doughnuts and homemade ice cream.

“It’s very labor intensive because we offer so many different options,” she adds.

Randall’s also has a specialty gluten-free and allergy-free grocery department with fresh and frozen items. “Ten or 15 years ago, my sister wanted to start carrying gluten-free foods before ‘gluten-free’ was mainstream,” she says. “Everything is taste-tested by us before offering to customers.”

Although Randall’s does not yield their own vegetable crops, they sell produce from their lifetime farmer friends up and down the Pioneer Valley. They also sell micro-brews from regional breweries and have a diverse selection of wines.

Their greenhouses produce a variety of annual flowers, vegetable plants and hanging plants. The farm cultivates pumpkins, hay and straw.

Randall’s offers an annual fall festival and scarecrow contest, with hayrides, a pumpkin patch and corn maze. They also offer

Dine CONTINUED FROM PAGE M8

online purchasing,” she adds.

“We try to keep things personal and to not offer self-check out.

To See Don Treeger’s All of these things take a good video about Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse, go online balance.” to YouTube.com/MassLive Randall says their roots are in farming, and they work hard to stay close to their roots. “You wine and beer tastings weekly don’t need flowers, but they and host monthly workshops in sure make your world better,” the greenhouse. Randall’s sells she notes. “And, ice cream is Christmas trees and makes sheer happiness!” specialty gift baskets for all Check out Randall’s online events year-round. at randallsfarm.net or on “I think the most challenging Facebook, and customers can thing is staying competitive sign up for the email newsletter in this changing world with that contains coupons, specials Amazon, grocery deliveries and and events at Randall’s.

WATCH THE VIDEO

m

also deliver beer, wine, cigarettes and lottery tickets,” says Fitzgerald, who also operates a seafood market adjacent to the restaurant.

Fitzgerald notes there are both pros and cons to delivery.

“You need enough drivers.

And what happens if a service is late picking a meal up,” he says. “It can only sit so long before our freshly prepared seafood and other food items begin to lose their quality.

“It is also difficult to manage deliveries at the same time you are taking care of customers in the dining room and those waiting for take-out, and on top of that your phone is ringing off the hook during your prime hours,” he adds.

Fitzgerald notes that “business was good last year, we

had a very good year,” and that he doesn’t have to worry about rent since he owns the property or finding labor to help cook and serve customers. But, he acknowledges, there are other challenges.

“I don’t think some people understand what we have to deal with. At the same time the minimum wage is increasing, we have to pay more into (Social Security), for example. It’s also not just salaries, but paying for things like the Family Leave Act and workers’ compensation,” Fitzgerald says. “Small businesses have to make that money back somehow, most often through prices, and there is a fine line to raising your prices before people don’t come back to you.”

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son, an indicator that people are spending more,” Frank Garaughty says. “Still, no matter what you do, some years people spend more and other years they don’t. Right now, we’re in the middle of people spending more for a while.”

At Schermerhorn’s Seafood — a Holyoke institution since 1912 — owner Mike Fitzgerald says delivery has been a big part of their business since 1994 when “there were very few delivering at the time.”

“We do our own deliveries and don’t use a service. Now there is a lot of competition out there, but I feel we have a competitive edge because we

Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse is located at 631 Center St. in Ludlow. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

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TRANSPORTATION

Soaring to new heights

Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks drew about 7 million passengers in 2019, a year when it also added an airline and more nonstop routes, continued its capital improvement plan and saw cargo traffic go up 27% — an increase driven in large part by freight handling partners of Amazon bringing in four wide-body flights a day. Bradley has taken steps toward starting construction this year on its long-awaited ground transportation center, a $210 million project. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Bradley eyes passenger growth, construction in 2020

As it stands, the Bradley Flyer bus offers hourly service between the airport and Hartford Union Station.

By Jim Kinney part by freight handling partners of But Dillon said he hopes to expand its long-awaited ground transportajkinney@repub.com Amazon bringing in four wide-body bus service, even offering regular tion center, a $210 million project.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont hosted long-distance service from as far away radley Interna- flights a day.

2019 was also a tragic year for a ceremonial groundbreaking in July. as southern Vermont as a convenience tional Airport Bradley. In October, a World War II to passengers.

That followed a major 2019 road reB-17 bomber operated by the Collings construction project that made room Completion of the ground transpordrew about 7 Foundation lost power soon after tation facility is expected in 2022. for the center. million passen- taking off on a sightseeing flight. The The new center will have rental cars “People will start to get a handle gers in 2019, and a bus station as Bradley expands plane crashed on landing back at the over the next few months as to how the landscape is going to change besting its 2018 mark of 6.7 airport, killing seven people and injur- its air-to-ground connections with public transit. It will be paid for with ing seven others. here,” Dillon says. million by more than 2%.

Dillon says no one at Bradley wants the facilities use surcharge on rental In 2019 Bradley added a new airline, 2019 was the seventh straight year to presuppose the results of a National cars.

Frontier, with service to Denver; Orof passenger gains at Bradley, said Enhanced ground transportation Transportation Safety Board inveslando, Florida; and recently Miami.

Kevin A. Dillon, CEO of the Connecti- tigation. But based on a preliminary will include frequent connections Bradley’s only international service cut Airport Authority, which oversees report that came out weeks after the between Bradley and the CTrail train – Aer Lingus to Dublin – upgraded its Bradley. crash, Bradley officials have no reason service linking Springfield, Hartford Bradley flight to its newest long-dis“We are in a very competitive envi- to make any adjustments or physical and New Haven, along with towns in tance aircraft, the Airbus A 321 LR. ronment,” Dillon says. between. changes to the airport, according to “It’s nice to have a brand-new aircraft Bradley must fight not only for “That’s something we hear from Dillon. He adds that Bradley will comwith Wi-Fi and various amenities on passenger traffic but also for airlines ply with any recommendations that do passengers, particularly our European it,” Dillon says. and their resources, and often for passengers,” Dillon said. “They want come in the final report.

The goal is to add more trans-Atthe planes themselves, according to an airport that is linked in with a rail Bradley has taken steps toward lantic service, with London the most Dillon. “What we offer is convenience starting construction this year on system.” in-demand city, he adds. that the New York airports can’t offer, that the Boston airport can’t offer,” he says.

The airport welcomed those 7 million travelers in a year when it also added an airline and more nonstop routes, continued its capital improvement plan and saw cargo traffic go KEVIN A. DILLON, CONNECTICUT AIRPORT AUTHORITY CEO up 27% – an increase driven in large

B

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Domestically, the Airport Authority has focused on the possibility of adding service to several cities, with Seattle remaining at the top of the list.

“We think there are lot of obvious business connections with the aerospace industry in this area,” Dillon says of Seattle. “And it’s also a connector to Asia for us.”

Other cities on the wish list include Nashville; Austin, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida; and Milwaukee. All present good nonstop markets for air travelers from southern New England.

There is competition for new routes, according to Dillon, as airlines only have so many planes and crews.

“Carriers are always looking at opportunities,” he says. “They are going to put the airplanes where they can get the most return.”

But Bradley has 4.4 million people living within a 90-minute drive, and its cost per enplanement is $8 to $9 versus $20 or so at the Kennedy and LaGuardia airports in New York.

“So we are in a very good position from a cost standpoint to offer a good bargain to the airlines,” he says. “It’s a matter of convincing them the market exists here.”

Bradley is also updating its look. A program to rebuild all the public bathrooms will cost $6 million. Also on tap is a new elevator.

The airport recently completed a move of explosive detection machines into their own room, freeing up terminal space and speeding up the check-in experience. Now passengers check in, put their baggage on a conveyor and it goes to the remote room for scanning.

“What we are after, we are trying to get a much useful life as we can out of this building before we have to incur the cost of adding a new terminal,” Dillon says.

Bradley is also intensifying its relationship with Yale University, just down the road in New Haven. Bradley wants to be the first choice for travelers into and out of the world-famous campus, he said. That means dedicated bus service, at least on holidays, in the future. He’d also like to establish a regular shuttle during the school year.

“So we are in a very good position from a cost standpoint to offer a good bargain to the airlines. It’s a matter of convincing them the market exists here.”

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Home builders serve industry, consumers

T

HE HOME BUILDEngland with over 440 memers & Remodelers As- ber companies. Today, our sociation of Western association serves as: • The industry focal point Massachusetts has served as a regional resource, for information on housing promoting professionalism and home construction; and quality in the residential • An advocate for quality, construction industry in our affordable housing for the region since 1939. citizens of Western MassachuThe association began with setts; a handful of builders wanting • An educational resource to network and tackle some for contractor training and of the legislative and reguskill development by providing mandatory continuing latory obstacles facing local education builders in the area. This online and small group in-classroom met monthly from industry for breakfast experts; and to discuss the • A networking hub challenges facing the residenfor builders tial construcand the entire tion industry industry. and eventually For consumers, whether formed the Andrew Crane they are Springfield planning a new Home Builders home, investigating remodel& Contractors Association.

Eventually, the National As- ing options or exploring ways sociation of Home Builders in to keep up their existing home, 1943 and the Home Builders the Home Builders & Remod& Remodelers Association of elers Association of Western Massachusetts in 1948 were Massachusetts is the “source” for services and information formed, and our association became a local chapter of the for the general public and consumers of residential two associations.

After the post-World War II construction and remodeling housing boom, times for the services. Our association construction industry began to provides: get tougher with an onslaught • Referrals to industry of building regulations. In professionals for every aspect 1950, the treasurer of the of the residential construction association announced that process; there was no money to pay the • A qualified, trained staff association’s bills. capable of answering questions and solving building Having gone so far, the pioneers of the association related issues; were not about to give up • An annual Consumer without a fight. Members of Guide to the Home Building Industry with valuable the association contributed consumer information and their own money to keep the association solvent and since referrals of industry profesthat time, the association has sionals; • An up-to-the-minute webcontinually grown through the sound business leadership of a site, hbrawm.com; and • An annual Home Show dedicated board of directors.

From this modest begin– the 66th edition of the “Origning, our association has inal” Western Massachusetts SEE CRANE, PAGE M13 grown into the largest in New

The workshop at Chandler Architectural Products in West Springfield. “The shop is where all the magic happens, and these are the guys making it happen,” says Andrew Mele, president of Chandler Architectural Products. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION

Chandler’s work gleams across region Commercial glass, glazing business praises teamwork

By RON CHIMELIS

rchimelis@repub.com

Andrew Mele is the president of Chandler Architectural Products in West Springfield. Mele is modest about his own technical knowledge.

“I get by,” he says. “I have to, to a certain extent.” His reliance on staff expertise helps explain his effusive praise for those supervising the projects and doing the hands-on work. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

“Safety is everything, and that’s our emphasis. If I’m not thinking that way 100 percent of the time, the company isn’t. I can attest to that,” says Andrew Mele, president of Chandler Architectural Products.

Mele is entering his 26th year at a company that’s been doing major architectural work since 1954.

When he began is professional life, Mele learned quickly that the focus on the safety was demanding and ongoing, and that’s never been more true than it is today.

“Safety (requirements) has changed dramatically, and only for the good,’’ he says.

Chandler Architectural must be aware of this priority for it remains deeply involved with some of Massachusetts’ most expansive projects. Its footprint can be found at the Boston Public Library, the Plymouth Courthouse, Western New England University, Williams College, the MassMutual Center (twice) and several schools, including West Springfield and Minnechaug Regional high schools.

An ongoing project is the $110 million Cape Cod Regional Technical High School. About 75% of the work at the Harwich school has been completed.

What may be the single most visible piece of Chandler’s work in Western Massachusetts is the glass panel system that adorns the dome on the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.

SEE CHANDLER’S, PAGE M18

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“The market was definitely helped by low interest rates, low fuel prices and that fact that people have jobs and can afford to purchase a new vehicle for themselves.”

TODD VOLK, PRESIDENT, CENTRAL CHEVROLET, WEST SPRINGFIELD

Increasing numbers of car buyers are turning to SUVs and light trucks.

Gary Rome, president of the Gary Rome Auto Group, seen here with his dog and company mascot, Jack, in the showroom at Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke, says one of the main reasons for this trend is the aging population of drivers.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Michelle Wirth, who owns Mercedes-Benz of Springfield with her husband, Peter, says the dealership has been fortunate to hire local workers. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

AUTOMOTIVE

2 years, great success for Mercedes-Benz Sales, service numbers exceed 3-year projection

AUTOMOTIVE

‘It’s all rosy, and people need cars’

By KEITH O’CONNOR

Special to The Republican

SUVs, light trucks rule marketplace with aging buyers

“It’s all rosy, and people need cars. The market was definitely helped by low interest rates, low fuel prices and that fact that people have jobs and can afford to purchase a new

By KEITH O’CONNOR vehicle for themselves. Those Special to The Republican are the three most important The numbers are in, and drivers in the automotive it is good news for the auto business,” adds Todd Volk, industry. president of Central Chevrolet For the fifth consecutive year in West Springfield. in 2019, automakers sold more According to the National than 17 million vehicles in the Automobile Dealers AssociaUnited States with dealers tion (NADA), similar to 2018, attributing another successful buyers continued to shun car year to available credit, low un- segments in favor of domestic employment rates and healthy light-duty vehicles. consumer sentiment.

Domestic light-duty vehi“We saw brisk and consiscle sales totaled almost 17.1 tent sales last year,” says Gary million vehicles last year, a Rome, president of Gary Rome 1.6% decline compared with Auto Group with a Hyundai 2018, according to automotive dealership in Holyoke and Kia research and forecast firm in Enfield. “Our dealership is Edmunds.

“While we haven’t seen the number one in Massachusetts decline at our dealership, I for Hyundai sales.”

Central Chevrolet in West Springfield is seeing a continuing sales trend toward SUVs, light trucks and pickups as people look for safety in their motor vehicle purchases.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

believe one of the things contributing to that on the national level is that the year got off to a weak start, then there was some rising prices on vehicles and hikes in gasoline,” says Rome.

Volk agrees that the year “got off to a rocky start,” but, that said, his dealership was hurt by

the GM strike.

“GM had a strike for 41 days and that definitely cost us some deals,” he says.

By then end of 2020, NADA projects that three of every four new vehicles sold will be light-trucks, a significant

SEE CARS, PAGE M14

If ever there were any questions about whether the region could sustain a new Mercedes-Benz dealership after an 11-year absence from the area, those doubts have been proven wrong.

“We never had any doubts,” say owners Peter and Michelle Wirth, who opened Mercedes-Benz of Springfield in October 2017.

“Mercedes-Benz is the car brand with the highest customer loyalty. Once someone drives one, they are highly likely to drive a Mercedes-Benz for the rest of their life,” Peter Wirth adds.

Just two years after opening their doors, the numbers – well ahead of projections – prove there are many loyal Mercedes-Benz owners in the region.

At the time the Wirths held a birthday party for the dealership’s second anniversary on Oct. 16, the numbers told

“When you open a new dealership, you usually give it three years to gauge its success.

Overall, we have far exceeded our expectations, and, at two years in October, we were already where we hoped to be after three or four years in business here.”

Michelle Wirth, co-owner, Mercedes-Benz of Springfield

the story: • Over 16,000 cars serviced since opening day; and • Nearly 2,077 vehicles sold and delivered.

“When you open a new dealership, you usually give it three years to gauge its success. Overall, we have far exceeded our expectations, and, at two years in October, we were already where we

SEE MERCEDES, PAGE M19

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Wydra

wealth, employs more than one in 10 Massachusetts residents and has grown steadily since at least 2000.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE M5 Employment in (leisure, hospitality present office on Memorial Avenue in and tourism) has also been more resilient to economic shocks than other West Springfield.

McGiverin sold tickets and popcorn Massachusetts industries.” at the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round.

Additionally, “One of the most strikYee was sweeping floors and toting ing features of the (leisure, hospitality trash at 14 years old at his family’s Hu and tourism) industry is its overKe Lau restaurant in Chicopee. whelming significance to the broader And, Rosskothen was a banquet Massachusetts economy. The Bay server at the Springfield Marriott early State is widely known for its strengths in his career. in higher education, health care, biotech, and finance. So it often comes There were many others who had entry-level jobs as diverse as driving as a surprise to learn that the (leisure, motor coaches, lifeguarding, running hospitality and tourism) industry roller coasters and doling out maps to accounts for over 10 percent of the drivers in the days before the internet. In this file photo from May, Sherman Brown, left, a member of the board state’s total employment, providing of governors for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, accepts All recall that their formative years more than 376,000 jobs. The (leisure, the Spotlight Winner Award from Anthony Frasco, chairman of the board in hospitality taught them importhospitality and tourism) industry is for the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, during the 24th ant business and life lessons that outranked in employment by Educaannual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence. have stayed with them through their tion & Health Care and Professional (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO) careers. & Business Services (including life The big takeaway? sciences), but ahead of such major make a vital difference when visiWhile dire predictions of artificial worker. employers as Finance, Retail, Wholesale Trade, and Manufacturing.” intelligence and robotics hurting job tors assess their satisfaction with a It’s also an industry that rewards A regional tourism industry comopportunities in the future may prove destination. In an online world where effort with many climbing the true to varying degrees in some fields, reviews and opinions are a huge part prised of literally hundreds of distincladder into higher positions. These outgoing people with “service heart” of consumer decisions, the attitude tive attractions, accommodations, “smile-required” jobs will not easily are – and will always be – quite weland performance of hospitality work- be replaced by robotics or advancing eateries, event venues and much come in travel and tourism. ers can absolutely “make or break” a more, all knit together by rivers, roads technology.

There is definitely a labor shortage guest’s impressions and impact future and railways and set in a beautiful In 2018, the University of Massachusetts’ Donahue Institute issued today in most of New England. And spending. four-season landscape is not about to an important report, “The Work of with nearly 8% of our region’s labor The good news for job seekers is be relocated as the result of some corporate board decision. Western Mass force working in hospitality, we abso- that the hospitality industry offers Leisure: Behind the Scenes of the lutely need bodies. Ours is an industry tremendous opportunity at the entry- Massachusetts Leisure, Hospitality is staying in Western Mass. where the human interaction itself is and near entry-level. Formal schoolFinally, the Greater Springfield and Tourism Industry.” often a critical part of the experience. ing is typically not required to be an It points out that the industry “is the Convention & Visitors Bureau has Front-line service personnel can excellent, promotable hospitality third-largest industry in the common- long recognized the tangible econom-

Crane

region’s vocational schools and the University of Massachusetts with funding and material for CONTINUED FROM PAGE M11 projects, technical expertise, Home and Garden Show, which extra-curricular training, over is one of the largest home and $425,000 in direct student garden shows in the country. scholarships and participation The show is constantly evolvwith community-based groups ing to bring products, displays such as Rebuild Together and promotions of interest to Springfield, Hometown Heroes, our visitors.

Greater Springfield Habitat The members and member for Humanity, the Berkshire companies of the Home Build- County Habitat for Humanity, ers & Remodelers Association Springfield & Pittsfield veterans, the Shriners Children Hosof Western Massachusetts pital, Toys for Tots, the local support community services food bank and many more. and work hard to make the Our association stands region a better place to live and prepared and ready to offer work. They continually give back to the community by sup- important services to the citizens of the Pioneer Valley. Our porting various organizations in the Pioneer Valley, providing headquarters building at 240 ongoing support for all the Cadwell Drive in Springfield is a

key element in this effort.

Completed in 1999, the facility is the result of careful planning and the generosity of many of our members with time, talent and donations resulting in a state-of-the-art headquarters for the association. The building features many innovative products available in the marketplace today. Many members use the facility to bring customers on tours to show some of the features of the building that can be utilized in their construction such as geothermal heating.

The classrooms are utilized to provide mandatory continuing education programs to building professionals and allows member companies to offer an array of training programs.

66

We are proud of our humble beginnings and the pioneers that made it all possible. Today, we strive to keep their vision alive by allowing our association to be a vehicle for local builders, remodelers and allied industry professionals the opportunity to network, lobby, and further their education and professional skills. We also have a firm commitment to the citizens of the region and work hard to help them realize the greatest element of the “American Dream” – a home of their own.

Andrew Crane is the executive director of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Western Massachusetts. To learn more about the association and its work, go online to hbrawm.com.

While dire predictions of artificial intelligence and robotics hurting job opportunities in the future may prove true to varying degrees in some fields, outgoing people with “service heart” are – and will always be – quite welcome in travel and tourism. ic value of customer-first attitudes, establishing the Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence 25 years ago.

We’ll continue to support programs that will help driven, willing workers to advance in their careers in hospitality and be rewarded for providing outstanding service.

We’re especially proud that many of our Howdy nominees and winners have themselves gone on to professional positions in hospitality, with plenty right here in our region. Our consistent goal is to keep Western Massachusetts competitive and memorable, to strengthen our economy and reinforce our reputation as a great place to live, work and visit.

Mary Kay Wydra is the president of Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau; to learn more about the bureau, go online to explorewestern mass.com.

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Cars CONTINUED FROM PAGE M12

increase from a decade ago when the new-vehicle sales mix was 48% light trucks and 52% cars.

“The reason for that is manufacturers have been subsidizing sales of these expensive trucks through leasing programs and big consumer rebates and 0% financing, which makes them more affordable than ever before. People are buying SUVs for many reasons today, but one involves the aging population. As people get older, we want to be in a vehicle that is a little higher off the ground, making it easier to access the vehicle,” Rome says.

Volk agrees with the fact that people want to be high up off of the road and able to get in and out of their vehicles easier, but adds more.

“People are buying SUVs for many reasons today, but one involves the aging population.

As people get older, we want to be in a vehicle that is a little higher off the ground, making it easier to access the vehicle.”

Gary Rome, president, Gary Rome Auto Group

CONTINUED FROM PAGE M1

organic options.

“We want to create a onestop for our customers so they can get everything they need,” says Lori S. Polep, vice president and chief information officer. “The more you can sell at one location, the better off you are. Our diversified food service has grown by leaps and bounds. You have to go with what you can grow with.”

The business works with approximately 1,200 vendors and more than 6,000 customers throughout New England, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Palm Beach Capital Fund III recently invested in J. Polep Distribution Services and the company’s Rachael’s Food fresh deli business. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“Our strategy is to invest in solid management teams and assist them in their long-term strategic growth plans,” said Mike Schmickle, partner at Palm Beach Capital, a private equity investment firm, in a statement. “The management team at J. Polep and the family culture it exemplifies with its customers, vendors and employees, embodies the values that we seek in a partner.”

J. Polep CEO and president Eric Polep says they are excited about the partnership with Palm Beach Capital, adding it will enhance his company’s capabilities.

Palm Beach entered the convenience distribution space in 2014 with its invest-

has proven to be a “rough situation” for the business which has long relied on tobacco-related products, but Polep says they are following trends and notes the growing market around CBD (cannabidiol) products.

“Yes, tobacco continues to decline year over year, but we have done a good job as a company to diversify our product mix into better-for-you products, food service products and those products that have traditionally been serviced by the direct store delivery distribution, (like) milk, bread and ice cream.”

IN -H OUS E CAF É

Lori S. Polep, vice president, J. Polep Distribution Services

ment in New York-based Harold Levinson Associates.

That association has helped J. Polep increase its customer count and sales revenue, allowing it “to become a more strategic industry player in our current geographic area,” Lori Polep wrote in an email, adding it also is helping J. Polep expand further.

In addition to its headquarters in Chicopee and a center in the eastern Massachusetts community of Wilmington, J. Polep also has cross-docking facilities in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

“We service anyone from traditional convenience stores to hospital gift shops, package stores and specialty food companies such as Aramark,” Lori Polep says.

J. Polep supplies Big Y Foods with candy for the front of its stores, and it also services convenience stores inside corporations and at colleges and universities. Alltown, part of the Global Partners family of brands, is a convenience store chain and one of the largest companies with which J. Polep works.

“We have around 300 of their corporate stores, as well as many of their dealer locations,” Polep says.

The anti-tobacco movement

shops is part of the company’s strategy. J. Polep has thousands of products it offers its customers, everything from Hershey chocolate bars to BIC pens.

Last year, the company added 38,000 square feet of freezer and cooler space by purchasing the former Friendly’s building in Chicopee.

While the company was the seventh-largest wholesaler to the convenience store industry, Polep believes it has now risen to be the fifth largest J. Polep Distribution Services of Chicopee wholesaler, noting the new has been in business for over 120 years. rankings are not yet available.

Above, a vintage photo shows a delivery The business has come a truck for Polep Candy Co. At left, a vintage long way since Lori Polep’s photo of Anne Polep, second from the left, great-grandfather Charles Poand Anne Stein Polep, at right, in the arlep started it in Salem. He opchives of the J. Polep Distribution Services erated two farms, and tobacco in Chicopee. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO) was one of the main products he sold. In 1901, he had one of the first delivery trucks for tobacco in America.

Lori Polep’s grandfather, Samuel Polep, arrived in Springfield in 1928 to work for a tobacco company, followed by her father Mortimer, who left in 1942 to fight in the war.

In 1945, Mort Polep started Polep Candy and Tobacco in his father’s cellar on Eton Street.

In 1984, the business was sold to Trade Development Corp., which went bankrupt in September 1986. Members of the Polep family were still working for the company at the time, and the bankruptcy was devastating to them.

Two months later, the family created J. Polep Distribution Services and has been going strong ever since. Lori Polep credits her brother Jeff, foundAbove, er and chairman of the board grab-andof J. Polep, for restoring the go fresh business. sandwich “His leadership and vision orders are made this happen,” she says, being made adding that loyal employees at Rachael’s also reached out to customers Foods at to let them know they were the J. Polep going back into business.

Distribution Lori Polep grew up in the Services in family business, starting at Chicopee.

8 years old when she would At left, count pennies for her father. orders are Except for a stint at IBM, she being filled has worked for J. Polep her inside the entire life. Her cousin, Sam warehouse.

Polep, also works in sales for (DAVE ROBACK the family business. Eric is PHOTOS) her nephew. our product mix into betterTechnology is one of the 2015 when sales reached the for-you products, food service $1 billion mark. Polep has ways the company has been able to grow, and Polep thinks products, and those products approximately 875 employher great-grandfather would ees companywide, with the that have traditionally been be “blown away” by what his majority, 675, in Chicopee, serviced by the direct store according to Polep. descendants have accomdelivery distribution, (like) The convenience of payplished. Acquisitions and milk, bread and ice cream.” ing for gasoline at the pump expansion of product lines Its specialty food category eats into convenience stores’ have fueled growth. includes ethnic, gluten-free profits, particularly candy, so “It’s a constantly changing and organic offerings. enticing customers inside the business,” she says.

In 2012, the company debuted the private-label brand Rachael’s Food, featuring grab-and-go fare such as fresh sandwiches, wraps and salads, as well as pizza and grilled cheese. Polep’s niece, Rachael Polep Kramer, is Stop in to enjoy Marcotte Ford’s president of Rachael’s Food, while Mike Pepin runs its dayto-day operations. Having We serve Breakfast and Lunch the private-label brand allows them to guarantee shelf life Monday – Friday 7am – 3pm and quality, according to Polep.

“We want the best quality out there for our customers,” she stresses.

Growth has been steady for J. Polep. Sales in 2018 topped $1.3 billion, up from

“CBD is a new and growing segment of our business,” Polep says. “Yes, tobacco continues to decline year over year, but we have done a good job as a company to diversify

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“We are seeing this sales trend every day for SUVs, light trucks and pickups. People are also looking for safety and they also want what their neighbor has,” he says about “keeping up the Joneses.”

“And because these vehicles are such a big portfolio, there are great incentives today for those buying and leasing,” he adds.

According to NADA, with consumer preference continuing to favor light-trucks over cars, new-vehicle transaction prices have steadily increased throughout the year with the average new vehicle transaction price up 3.9% – it was $36,744 – compared to October 2018.

Volk attributes the higher transaction price to people “wanting it all.”

“You’re going from front-wheel-drive to allwheel-drive and much more content, more technology in the vehicles. People want more comfort and safety, for example, adaptive cruise control,” he says.

Rome notes that while the cost of manufacturing is increasing, dealers are able to make those prices more affordable in a number of ways.

“There are greater incentives to lease and to buy due to rebates and lower interest rates,” he adds.

In addition to their overhead and other costs of doing business, dealers have another challenge throughout the year – making sure they have a trained workforce.

“Can you imagine if a customer is about to purchase an expensive vehicle and one of our salespersons doesn’t have all the answers for them about the product. I don’t think that would sit well,” Volk says.

“It’s a gigantic portion of our business, a most important part of our business.

Training is ongoing and mandated every quarter by GM that our employees be 100 percent trained,” he adds.

In addition to the various training paths whether in sales, service or other departments, Volk notes every employee is now being trained on cybersecurity to help keep everyone’s information safe.

Rome says his dealership is equally focused on workforce training through a grant from the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund and often bring in outside resources to train staff.

“We have ongoing training in all different subjects on a daily basis, and that includes cultural training,” he says.

Polep

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CRAFT BREWING

John Speck is sales and taproom manager for Artifact Cider Project in Northampton.

It’s open four days a week, serving a variety of its ciders and a limited menu of food and snacks. A year ago, the company announced a major distribution alliance, partnering with the Massachusetts Beverage Alliance for statewide distribution of its hard ciders.

Steeped in history, cider’s a renewed brew Artifact began in Springfield, now back in WMass

By GEORGE LENKER

Special to The Republican

Artifact Cider Project has moved several times already in its brief six-year history, beginning with a cidery on Albany Street in Springfield, then moving operations to Everett, and now back in Western Massachusetts in Northampton.

Normally, one might worry that such volatility could mean instability, but the exact opposite is true for Artifact.

“We’ve moved around the state because we kept outgrowing our space,” says co-founder Soham Bhatt. “When it came time

(HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

SEE ARTIFACT, PAGE M18

Brewing CONTINUED FROM PAGE M1

frequent brewer’s specials.

Gary A. Bogoff, president and CEO of Berkshire Brewing, chose Deerfield for the business established in 1994, because, he says, new businesses were warmly welcomed. Former Franklin County Chamber of Commerce executive director Ann Hamilton “went out of her way to extend her interest in us and help us find a location in Franklin County,” he says.

Today, at Berkshire Brewing’s brewery at 12 Railroad St., there are usually about 20 beers on tap, including pale ales, porters, stouts, bitters and Scotch ales.

There is a taproom inside the brewery, and hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m.

Bogoff enjoys talking with customers in the taproom, bringing smiles to their faces and hearing how they like the beers the company crafts.

The brewing industry has changed significantly since he began his business, he says. Back then, there were less than 500 breweries in

Above, the tap room of the Berkshire Brewing Co. in Deerfield is open four days a week, and tours of the brewery are offered free on Saturdays at 1 p.m. At left is Gary A. Bogoff, president and CEO.

Reno Pollen watches the bottling process at the Berkshire Brewing Co. in Deerfield.

(DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

(DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

the country and now there are more than 7,500. Massachusetts had “maybe 10” 25 years ago but now has more than 200, with more than 30 new ones in the planning stages, he adds.

“That means the pie is getting smaller, and everybody has to work harder to maintain,” Bogoff says.

Plus, Americans are drink-

ing less beer, but better beer, Bogoff notes. “The days of the 30-pack are disappearing,” he says.

Many beer drinkers would rather spend $10 to $20 for a four-pack and enjoy it more than consuming more beer at a lower price, according to Bogoff, who says, “We feel beer should be an affordable luxury for the consumer.”

Berkshire Brewing’s 22-ounce bottles of beer sell for about $5.

Berkshire products can be found in retail stores throughout New England, and Bogoff hopes to begin marketing it in New York later this year.

As he looked ahead, Bogoff says the company’s can market is beginning to “solidify.”

Berkshire recently installed a state-of-the-art canning line, which has been a “tremendous asset.”

Berkshire Brewing has more than 50 employees – mostly full time – and they recognize the importance of caring for the environment.

The company recycles aluminum from cans and provides local farms with used barley.

“I’ve always liked beer as a beverage,” Bogoff says, appreciating that he makes a living doing something he enjoys.

Tours of Berkshire Brewing are offered on Saturdays at 1 p.m. For more information about the company, call 413-665-6600 or visit the company’s website, berk shire-brewing.com.

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ENERGY

Build a wall, tap it for energy When Berkshire Wind came online in 2011, then-Gov. Deval Patrick called it “a new era of renewable energy development in Massachusetts.” It was the state’s largest inland commercial wind farm at the time, and today is the state’s second largest wind farm. Seen here at the May 2011 dedication of the Berkshire Wind power project is Patrick at the podium and Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. CEO Ronald C. DeCurzio seated at right. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

Municipal utilities adapt to evolving grid

A

S THE COMMONwealth of Massachusetts continues to lead the way in developing new clean energy resources while looking for new approaches to fighting climate change, community-owned, nonprofit municipal utilities play a key role in incorporating carbon-free resources and establishing the resiliency that will be required of the evolving power grid.

The New England power grid of 2020 is very different than the power grid of 1997, when regional system operator ISO New England was formed. Over the past two decades, the regional electric grid has evolved from a generation mix of some 35% coal and oil, to just 2% coal and oil today.

Today’s resource mix, while featuring a higher percentage of natural gas, also includes a growing number of carbon-free resources, such as wind, energy storage and solar. Massachusetts’ consumer-owned municipal utilities and their joint action agency, the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), are doing their part to support this developing grid of the future and align with public policies to reduce carbon emissions.

In 2019, MMWEC and its municipal light plant members made strong progress toward integrating additional carbon-free resources in the region.

First, MMWEC and 12 project participants sold their ownership interests in W.F. Wyman Unit 4, an oil-fired generating plant in Maine. While the purchase nearly 44 years ago was consistent with sound power supply planning at the time, today’s wholesale energy markets and evolving power supply strategies and policies create a need for a different power supply mix.

Also last year, the second phase of the Berkshire Wind Power Project, located atop Brodie Mountain in the towns of Hancock and Lanesborough, reached commercial operation in November. Phase II of the project added two 2.3 megawatt wind turbines to the existing 10 1.5 megawatt turbines as part of Phase I. Sixteen nonprofit, public power municipal light plants own the output of the 19.6 megawatt project, which is operated by MMWEC. When Berkshire Wind came online in 2011, then-Gov. Deval Patrick called it “a new era of renewable energy development in Massachusetts.” It was the state’s largest inland commercial wind farm at the time, and today is the state’s second largest wind farm.

Operating at one of the windiest sites in Massachusetts, it operates at a capacity factor of nearly 40% and plays a key role in helping the state reduce carbon emissions. Generating enough electricity to serve nearly 7,800 homes, Berkshire Wind will offset the production of nearly 800,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and the use of 1.45 million barrels of oil.

The carbon dioxide emissions

Ronald C. DeCurzio savings resulting from Berkshire Wind are equivalent to taking nearly 4,500 internal combustion engine vehicles driving more than 51.7 million miles off the road each year.

Several MMWEC members have also recently installed new carbon-free energy storage projects. The resiliency attribute of energy storage is becoming more and more crucial to the grid of the future.

SEE DECURZIO, PAGE M19

Inventors devise concrete blocks as solar energy source

By JANICE BEETLE

Special to The Republican

If they build with it, solar power will come.

And it will be possible because, very quietly, for the past six years inventors with three different skillsets have been creating concrete blocks that produce energy.

In the past year, as their innovation got closer to market, the noise the developers made about SolaBlock, headquartered in Easthampton, got louder.

Last fall, the trio — Patrick Quinlan, co-founder and CEO; Jason Laverty, co-founder and COO; and Scott Longley, the chief supply chain officer — built a wall with SolaBlock at Chicopee Mason Supplies.

In a demonstration in October, their informational slide show was powered by the 12-foot wall, built with 56 SolaBlocks. The wall has continued to generate from 250 to 480 watts of power daily, depending on the weather.

“You could run 40 to 50 light bulbs off the wall,” Longley says. “The bigger the wall you have, the more power you can generate.”

Adds Quinlan, “The potential is huge.” He imagines what savings could be

SolaBlock, of Easthampton, is led by co-founder and CEO Patrick Quinlan, co-founder and COO Jason Laverty and Scott Longley, the chief supply chain officer. (JANICE BEETLE PHOTO)

possible, for instance, when the product is used to build schools, hospitals and other commercial and municipal structures. If the sound barriers that run along 138 miles of

energy adviser. Three of Quinlan’s projects are in the Smithsonian museums, including a remote-controlled model of a flying dinosaur that achieved flight.

technology they are developing and fired up about the benefits.

SolaBlock makes use of vertical space. It can’t get covered by snow or ice, thus

“Schools of the future that are built using SolaBlock can save on power and generate electricity in the summer for an air-conditioned environment that could benefit the whole community. Or it could run a generator in a hospital. We think it’s a tremendous opportunity.”

Patrick Quinlan, CEO, SolaBlock

the (Massachusetts Turnpike) were rebuilt with SolaBlock, for instance, Quinlan says, “That would generate enough power to take 6,900 homes off the grid.”

Each of the developers has a specific role.

An inventor with three decades of experience in renewable energy technology development, Quinlan, 65, knows how to create energy by accessing natural resources. He worked on General Motors Co.’s EV-1, an early electric car, and he was President Bill Clinton’s renewable

Laverty, 42, has been a union bricklayer since 1999.

He’s the one who people call when a historic steeple topples, and he has taught members of the U.S. Marine Corps how to lay blocks to build protective bunkers with the materials at hand.

Longley, 49, has supply chain knowledge. He’s worked for HP, Apple and Sun Microsystems. His work with Apple included being part of the team that brought the company’s first Intel-based MacPro to market.

The trio is proud of the

diminishing its effectiveness.

It’s economical to install and it generates electricity in the same region where it will be used.

SolaBlocks look like typical concrete blocks, except each is fronted with a thin, cobalt-blue layer that provides the solar-voltaic boost. The solar units in each block interconnect to one another; as soon as a building’s walls are constructed, the blocks are activated by an electrician, and then the power possibilities begin.

SEE BUILD, PAGE M19

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | M17

CANNABIS

Hemp Valley: Could this be tobacco’s successor?

State’s 4 western counties have 28 licensed growers

T

By PATRICK JOHNSON

pjohnson@repub.com

he century-old tobacco barn on the Herbert farm on Depot Road in Hatfield looks like dozens of others around town, but it’s what is inside that makes it different.

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Hanging on racks from one end of the barn to the other and three levels high is the output of the Herbert family’s first foray into the cultivation of hemp.

“Holy smokes!” exclaimed Christopher Verni while walking into the barn for the first time.

Verni, chief operations officer with Northwest Cultivation, a Connecticut hemp nursery that worked with the Herberts, was clearly impressed with their first crop. “There is a lot of product here,” he said.

Michael A. Herbert, who, with his father, Stephen J. Herbert, make up the father-son team behind Urban Grown Inc., of Hadley, says their first time growing hemp went pretty well, and they expect to turn a modest profit from it.

“This was a big season,” he says. “It definitely was a very good season.”

The Pioneer Valley, because of its soil, climate and abundance of old tobacco barns, may be richly suited for continued hemp production, according to Herbert. “The soil is very good for it,” he says.

Hemp looks like and kind of smells like marijuana, so much so that the two are often confused. Hemp and marijuana are cousins in the cannabis sativa family, but there the similarities pretty much end.

Marijuana is packed with THC, the chemical that causes people to get high when it is smoked or ingested.

Hemp has very little THC, but its flowers are packed with cannabidiol, or CBD, the oil used in any number of products and medications for anything from pain relief to treatment of anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s disease and insomnia.

Hemp, like marijuana, had been illegal to grow anywhere in Massachusetts for decades. It was legalized in 2016 when voters approved a referendum that legalized marijuana. The state drafted regulations governing the production of hemp and issued its first licenses in 2018.

That was the same year the federal government in the 2018 Farm Bill ended a ban on hemp production, opening the door for it to be grown nationwide.

According to the state Department of Agricultural Resources, there were 59 licensed hemp growers in 2019. There were also 14 licenses for processors, and 50 dual licenses for operations that grow and process their own crop.

In the four Western Massachusetts counties, there are 12 growing licenses in Hampshire County, seven in Franklin, six in Hampden and three in Berkshire. The 12 growing licenses in Hampshire is tops in the state, ahead of Worcester County with 11.

Hampshire and Worcester counties are tied with the total number of licenses for growers, processors and dual permits at 19. That number could increase if Massachusetts would revise its laws to allow hemp to be grown on agricultural land under Chapter 61A. That’s the state law that preserves farmland by setting a lower property tax rate on land reserved for agricultural or horticultural uses. Because hemp is not listed as a Chapter 61A eligible crop, farmers who grow it run the risk of losing the property tax benefit.

In the state Legislature, the House has approved revising 61A to allow hemp, but so far the bill has not been approved by the Senate.

The 2019 growing season

Data Services, the U.S. wholelittle bit of money back.” sale price for flowered hemp LeBel and Verni say one of was $364 per pound in Septemthe biggest challenges hemp ber. That’s a 14% decline from farmers face is the amount of work needed to bring it to mar- August, when the wholesale ket. “It’s very labor-intensive price was $414 per pound. on the back end, more than just Because hemp is nearly 100% reusable, even the stalks and farming,” Verni says. stems can be sold as hemp There are mechanical systems, like with the Herberts’ biomass and used in the prooperation, but doing the work duction of paper, textiles and manually seems to be the best, even in the mixing of concrete.

As of September, hemp biomass according to LeBel. was selling for around $3.07 per “A lot of people getting into pound. it don’t realize the amount of Fluctuations or not, hemp work,” he says. “If you plant 20 prices are clearly higher than acres, that is a lot of labor.” other staple crops. The U.S. And, if the farm has other crops in the ground in addition Department of Agriculture says to hemp, a farm may find itself that, as of December, the going rate for butternut squash was with too much work and not enough people to 90 cents per pound. Sweet corn was around 67 cents. do it all, he adds, Hemp is clearly a lucrative saying, “The crop for farmers, but not as logistics can be lucrative as legally grown challenging.” marijuana, which is going for Hemp has anMichael A. Herbert, above, used an old tobacco barn other idiosyncrasy $1,645 per pound, according in Hatfield for the drying of his first crop of hemp. of which growers to Cannabis Benchmarks. But Herbert and his father, Stephen, right, turned to need to be aware, Massachusetts has much more growing hemp after town officials balked at giving Michael Herbert restrictive policies when it them a license to grow medicinal marijuana. Below, says. Hemp plants comes to marijuana cultivation. every part of the hemp plant can be used, and have two genders, Licenses are much more difprocessing the plants is highly labor-intensive. Even male and female. ficult to get, and the Bay State the stalks and stems, considered hemp biomass, The female plants sets a canopy limit at 100,000 can fetch as much as $3 a pound in the marketplace. square feet, which is about 2⅓ flower and grow (PATRICK JOHNSON / THE REPUBLIBCAN) into maturity after acres. There’s no limit on the pollination, while size of hemp farms.

“It’s the same amount of time the males die out.

It’s critical to find and energy, and your cost is the and remove all the same,” Verni says of growing ing it up to dry. hemp and marijuana. “But male plants before pollination While hemp is relatively easy to ensure the females produce you’re getting $2,000 a pound to grow and harvest, processlarger, more CBD-rich flowers, for THC cannabis vs. $500 a ing it can be time-consuming, pound for CBD. “ he cautions. tedious and labor-intensive, The Herberts got into hemp “A lot of people didn’t realize Stephen Herbert says. It takes that would be an issue,” Herbert as an afterthought. They had been given a conditional permit around six weeks of the right says. by the state Cannabis Conconditions to dry it out properly, The rush of new growers which is why having a tobacco bringing product to market has trol Commission to grow on barn is a necessity. led to fluctuation in hemp pric- 10,000 square feet, or around a SEE HEMP, PAGE M19 es. According to the New Leaf After it is dried, each of the stalks has to be trimmed by hand. That means removing was the first year working with CBD oil while containing less the flowers and the leaves from hemp farmers and it proved a than 0.3% THC. the stalks and stems. Practically learning experience for both The company has experts on all of the hemp plant is usable, sides, according to Mic LeBel, staff who can work with farmers so all the flowers, leaves, stalks director of farmer partnerships on every step in the process and stems are sorted into sepwith Heritage Hemp CBD in from planting to irrigation and arate containers to be sent out Northampton. pest control to harvesting, dry- for shipment. ing and processing.

In a visit to the property in Heritage Hemp partners Chicopee, Springfield & Manchester, Ct LeBel said there likely will late December, a crew of three with 13 farms throughout New fronterafreshmex.com be growth in hemp production were seen de-leafing the stalks England in the production of Open Sun.Thurs. 11am-10pm • Fri. & Sat. 11am-11pm in the Bay State. Demand for by hand and putting the leaves hemp. The company extracts CBD products is strong, but, and flowers into large plastic CBD oil and uses it in various LIVE MARIACHI BAND realistically, Massachusetts bags. The amount that had been products, including gummy Welcome to the Best will always be playing catch-up processed so far seemed to be a drops, topical ointments and EVERY WEEK! Mexican Restaurant to the 1,000-acre hemp farms small fraction of what was still extract oils. s. as M rn te es in W in Montana and 5,000-acre hanging in the barn.

The relationship with the farms in Colorado. Meanwhile, The operation has some farmers begins before the plants are in the ground, LeBel Connecticut got into the hemp mechanized shearing equipgame in June, a year after Mas- ment, two pieces that cost a says. “We have to make sure combined $17,000, to separate sachusetts. you have good seeds,” he stems from leaves, but each has The Herberts say their first explains. hemp crop, grown on a 5-acre to be manually operated.

Heritage Hemp uses propriplot, came in surprisingly well etary seeds licensed with the “Most of the farmers don’t Department of Agriculture that despite a late start. They did not have that equipment,” Stephen have the right genetic qualities plant until June, but by October Herbert says. “We put money to produce large amounts of they were harvesting and hang- into that, so we have to get a

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Artifact CONTINUED FROM PAGE M15

to build a permanent headquarters, we chose Florence because of our need to be close to our orchard partners. It is important not only for our production process, but also for the placemaking we are trying to do with our ciders.

“We started in Western Massachusetts and have strong connections to this community,” Bhatt adds. “We think a lot about how cider is part of the culture of the Northeast, so it was also exciting for us to build our headquarters in one of our region’s cultural centers.”

Cider seems to keep growing both locally and nationally. Artifact is evidence of this trend.

A year ago, the company announced a major distribution alliance, partnering with the Massachusetts Beverage Alliance for statewide distribution of its hard ciders. Last year also saw further growth as Artifact opened a state-of-the-art production facility in Northampton, complete with a tap room.

“It’s been a crazy, awesome year for Artifact,” Bhatt says. “Distributing with (the beverage alliance) has helped us introduce our cider to new audiences, while opening our taproom and production cellar has allowed us to share in our customers’ experiences with our cider first hand, which has been a dream of ours since the beginning.”

He adds, “We are passionate about

he says. “All of our ciders express a sense of place because we also try to be careful about varietal expression – highlighting the inherent qualities of the specific apples we use in each cider.

“We want people enjoying our cider to connect with a feeling, a memory, an experience – this really informs our process from conception all the way through production and packaging.”

As for the 2020 outlook for Artifact, although it has come back to the area where it started, the company is keeping its feet in eastern Massachusetts as well. Artifact just announced that it is opening a taproom in Cambridge Jake Mazar and Soham Bhatt started the Artifact Cider Project in 2014 “with the desire to create exceptional cider, later this spring. while helping to sustain local orchards.” After a move to a warehouse in Everett for a time, Artifact is back in Western “As I mentioned when we talked Massachusetts with a state-of-the-art cellar and taproom. Inset, flights of ciders offer visitors to the Northampton tapabout our past locations, since we room a taste of the variety of the company’s “creative use of regional apples.” (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN) started Artifact has bridged east and cider and what we get to do, and this diverse, and distributed more evenly ucts from the competition by makwest,” Bhatt says. “It is exciting to see ing ciders that are forward-looking more and more people in our region past year has really been about shar- across genders,” he says. “We bediscover great cider – having a bricking that with more and more people lieve cider should hold a celebrated and diverse, by showcasing apples place in our state and the Northeast from the region and using innovative and-mortar presence on the eastern across our region.”

As far as overall cider sales when more generally. It naturally reflects cidermaking practices. end of our state – in addition to our compared to other alcoholic beverthe land, the region, and our goal is “Over the years, we have exheadquarters in the west – will allow ages, Bhatt says cider is a small but us to have new experiences with more to make ciders that really speak – in perimented more and more with of our customers, in the Boston area growing category. spontaneous fermentation, where a deep and authentic way – to the “It occupies a cool and important we use the yeast on the fruit instead and even in Maine and Rhode Island, people who are living here today.” space in the beverage space — cider Since cider is a small market, Bhatt of buying and adding it, which lends where we started distributing last year.” drinkers tend to be younger, more says Artifact differentiates its prod- our ciders a unique complexity,”

At right, Jeff Fazzino uses a grinder on a window frame at Chandler Architectural Products in West Springfield. The company’s full payroll varies, based on job demand, but ranges from 80 to 120 people and usually floats in the 110 range. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Chandler’s

on keeping its employees employed with good wages and benefits. There’s more to CONTINUED FROM PAGE M11 it than that, though.

Chandler began its business “There’s a family atmowhen John Chandler founded sphere here,’’ says vice presit in West Springfield, special- ident Jeremy McLain. “Andy izing in store fronts, glass and and (owner emeritus) Chick glazing and mirrors.

Taylor make it so you want to What helps Chandler thrive come to work.” is continuity, according to The average Chandler employee has been on the job for Mele. It’s a union-based 10 to 15 years. Mele is quick company that prides itself

to spread the credit to people producing the work.

“The shop is where all the magic happens, and these are the guys making it happen,” Mele says. “Kody Archambault is a dynamo. He runs the whole shop.”

Archambault, the 29-yearold shop superintendent, has been at Chandler for 12 years.

The company’s full payroll varies, based on job demand,

Business Name: (formally known as King Ward) Address: 70 Justin Drive, Chicopee MA Phone Number: 413-593-3939 Web Address: www.king-gray.com E-Mail Address: charters@kingward.com

plans.”

Much of the glass in use is prefabricated. Computerization is part of the process; the company can buy it to size.

Mele is modest about his own technical knowledge. “I get by,” he says. “I have to, to a certain extent.” His reliance on staff expertise helps explain his effusive praise for those supervising the projects and doing the hands-on work.

Chandler Architectural Products maintains branches in Walpole and in Warwick, Rhode Island, but the main office and fabrication facility in West Springfield is the hub.

It is currently involved in projects involving curtain walls,

new and retrofitted architectural grade windows, metal panel systems, store fronts and entrances, interior glass and glazing and skylights.

Current projects include several schools, including Cape Cod Tech and the new Neilson Library project at Smith College in Northampton. A proud portfolio shares space with exciting new projects as the new decade begin.

“We’re not the same company we were five or 10 years ago,’’ Mele says. “The more we up our game, the better we become. As a company, we continue to mature, and I’m very happy about that.”

Live. Local. Listen.

Reach our Growing Latino Community!

We will help you get your message across.

Hours of Operation: Office open Monday – Friday 8:00-5:00 Name: Owners Dennis King & Matthew Gray Title: Dennis King, President Matthew Gray, Vice President - Sales How did you begin your career?: Dennis King began washing buses and driving special needs vans for Robert King, who purchased Terrien Transportation back in 1987. Bob teamed up with Russ Ward to form King Ward Coach Lines in 1989. Dennis purchased and has run the company since 2003.

Matthew Gray joined the family business in 2002 working as a mechanic in the shop, then dispatch and finally landing in the sales department. Both Dennis and Matt have literally performed every duty at King Gray Coach Lines, from cleaning to driving the buses and everything in between!

How long have you been in business?: Family owned and operated since 1987!

What makes your business stand out from the competition?

Superior customer service is our #1 priority starting with the initial contact. When you call King Gray, you don’t get an automated system, you speak directly to a human being who truly cares about your transportation needs. Being family owned, we understand the value of personal connection! Our owners and management are truly hands-on and involved in the day to day operations to ensure that customers needs are met 100%.

What do you stress most to your staff ?: Customer service is about creating an experience on all levels, from our sales staff to our drivers. Our entire team works together to provide our riders with the best experience possible. We believe that if you show appreciation for your customers, they will continue to book and trust King Gray with all their transportation needs.

104.5 FM • 1490 AM

Describe your products and services: Charter Bus Company featuring several size vehicles to suit all your transportation needs.

For Advertising Opportunities, Contact the General Manager at

What is unique about your business?: We truly care that every one of our passengers has an amazing experience from start to finish.

Why do you enjoy this business?: Both owners and staff will agree that interacting with the local community is what makes our jobs most enjoyable. Providing the Pioneer Valley with safe, reliable and friendly transportation service has become a way of life not just a job.

413-781-5200 3129578-01

What does it take to be successful in today’s marketplace?: The number of Charter Bus companies in our area has severely decreased over the years, but King Gray continues to move into the future. You must be able to adapt to the changing market, meet stricter regulations concerning safety and always be aware of customer needs. Attention to detail is what makes the difference!

Email: Sales@FullPowerRadio.com

03102404

Profiles In Business

King Gray Coach Lines

but ranges from 80 to 120 people and usually floats in the 110 range.

The company is not afraid to hire younger employees, who can plan for long careers.

They represent a generation that has grown up with modern technology and understands it, according to Mele.

That’s crucial to a company that purchases large quantities of raw materials, then turns to computer technology for its fabrication work.

“Technology drives our business. Even the bid process has changed. It’s all electronic,” Mele explains.

“In the old days, we’d wait for the mailman to come with the

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Build

much a dialogue,” Quinlan says. The trio needs to withstand three months of testing by Intertek to meet Underwriter CONTINUED FROM PAGE M16 Laboratories safety standards. Then the The developers call SolaBlock “urSolaBlocks will be certified for sales. ban solar” — solar that is vertical and When the blocks first go to market they doesn’t require sprawling, empty fields, will be available in two sizes, and later solar that’s built into a building’s walls. there will be five. Quinlan says they are “It’s a way for us to utilize space that is creating a buzz in the industry. At the not currently being put to a good use,” ribbon-cutting event in October, SolaThe solar units in each SolaBlock Block’s inventors were joined by local Longley said. interconnect to one another; as soon as Quinlan and Laverty are distant relelected officials, including Easthampa building’s walls are constructed, the atives. Years ago, over a Thanksgiving ton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle. They blocks are activated by an electrician dinner, Quinlan ran his idea for solar met with LaChapelle in mid-January to and then the power possibilities begin. installed in concrete blocks by Laverty. discuss the potential for using SolaBlock (JANICE BEETLE PHOTO) “Each time we talked about it, we got in future developments in Easthampton, the investor group, SolaBlock’s inventors but could not offer details. LaChapelle more excited about the idea,” Quinlan are in the process of seeking grants or says. has said that one day the SolaBlock deThe two met Longley while pitching loans from private equity funders. Last velopers will be looked at as innovators, their idea to River Valley Investors last spring, Massachusetts Clean Energy but also heroes. spring. They have been working together Center offered a grant that provided “Schools of the future that are built since. using SolaBlock can save on power and funding to train students at Minuteman In total, for over six years, they have Regional Vocational High School in Lex- generate electricity in the summer for an been drawing on their own funds and ington in the technology, build two demo air-conditioned environment that could sweat equity to develop the blocks and walls — the one in Chicopee and one in benefit the whole community,” Quinlan Lexington — and test the product. get them patented as intellectual propsays. “Or it could run a generator in a erty.

The design was finalized with the hospital. We think it’s a tremendous While they didn’t receive funding from manufacturers last fall, but “it’s still very opportunity.”

Mercedes CONTINUED FROM PAGE M12

hoped to be after three or four years in business here,” Michelle Wirth says.

The Wirths – he was previously general manager and she was chief marketer at Mercedes-Benz of Nanuet, New York – have long been bullish on the Mercedes-Benz brand. She has a degree in mechanical engineering and began her career with Mercedes-Benz USA, where she held positions in engineering, public relations and marketing.

He is also no stranger to the brand, having grown up in a town not far from Stuttgart, Germany, headquarters to Mercedes-Benz, where he learned more about the luxury product while working as an intern at the company.

Adding to their confidence in opening the dealership were two factors: their location at 295 Burnett Road in Chicopee; and the realization that there is a Mercedes-Benz vehicle “for almost everyone,” Peter Wirth notes.

“When you open your dealership, Mercedes-Benz gives you an exclusive market area, which for us includes 169 ZIP codes in four different states from Western Massachusetts to Northern Connecticut as well as southern Vermont and New Hampshire,” he explains. “We selected our site at the end of (Interstate 291) and the intersection of Exit 6 on the Massachusetts Turnpike because of its convenient

T-Birds

The more than 16,000 cars serviced since opening day at Mercedes-Benz of Springfield and the nearly 2,100 vehicles sold and delivered over the past two years exceeded expectations for the third and fourth year of the new dealership. At right, a spiffy new roadster sits in the showroom of Mercedes-Benz of Springfield, located at 295 Burnett Road in Chicopee. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

access from these areas. I believe that if you have a good reputation, that you truly care about your customers, and offer good service and the right price, people will travel to you for service and sales.

“For customers, we have entry level coupes, sedans and SUVs that all begin in the mid-$30,000 price range, as well as commercial vehicles for your business that start in the same price range,” he adds.

The Wirths, who left their

home in northern New Jersey to settle in Northampton with their four children, have quickly become a part of the business and social fabric of the community.

“We’ve made it our intention to work with as many local organizations as possible.

That means buying locally whenever possible or donating space at our modern, floor to ceiling glass building for nonprofits to hold events,” Michelle Wirth says.

Mercedes-Benz of Spring-

more for the same cost. ”We tried to get Rob Gronkowski this year, but it was just too much money,” Costa confides.

“In its place, we scheduled four very good promotions.

We lined up (former NHL star goalie) Roberto Luongo, (TV star of “The Office”) Leslie David Baker, (1980 U.S. Olympic hockey captain) Mike Eruzione and (Celtics broadcaster and former player) Brian Scalabrine,” he says.

“All four, added together, cost us less than we paid Pedro.

We’re doing things like this to expose more people to our experience.”

The Thunderbirds continue to pepper the schedule with promotions that celebrate schoolchildren, animal lovers, military personnel, bobblehead collectors, the

Hemp CONTINUED FROM PAGE M17

quarter acre, of marijuana.

The commission approved their plans for four greenhouses with ventilation systems and odor controls on the Hatfield property. There would be a chain-link perimeter fence and surveillance cameras to keep out thieves. This was all approved by the commission contingent upon local approval.

But, the locals did not approve.

At a hearing in June, more than 50 residents attended a Planning Board hearing on the proposal, and many spoke out against it. Opponents cited the impact on the neighborhood, on property values and on wildlife.

The Herberts decided to shelve the marijuana farm and grow hemp instead. Hemp still needs to be licensed by the state, but the application process with the state Department of Agricultural Resources is nowhere near as stringent as getting approval from the Cannabis Control Commission, he says.

Instead of 10,000 square feet in greenhouses, they could plant 5 acres in open fields.

Instead of fences and security

cameras, they needed only to put up signs every 50 feet or so identifying the crop as hemp.

“When we planted it, we got an email saying, ‘What the heck are you doing?’ from the Planning Board,” Michael Herbert says. (Planning Board approval was needed for the greenhouses, but not for planting in an open field.) “We said, ‘Hey, it’s hemp.’ It’s right-tofarm agricultural.”

Once the plants were in the ground and had sprouted to between 8 and 12 inches, neighbors complained to the Board of Health about the smell stinking up the neighborhood, Stephen Herbert says. “The Board of Health chair came by and the police came by,” he says. “And they said, ‘We don’t smell a thing.’”

Once the plants are grown and flowering, hemp can have a rather pungent aroma, especially after a rain, according to Herbert. “But I don’t think it’s a noxious odor. I don’t think it’s like cow manure or cabbages rotting in a field,” he says. Still, aware of the smell and people’s perceptions, when he was planning a bonfire in his field to destroy some plants damaged by mold, the first thing he did was to let the Hatfield police chief know in advance.

DeCurzio

field has also added to the regional economy and workforce by steadily growing in numbers, initially staffing their new endeavor with 30 employees on opening day, now growing to 48.

“We were fortunate to be able to hire a local workforce to open our dealership, many with a familiarity with Mercedes-Benz vehicles,” she says, noting they continue to expand their workforce and are currently looking to fill additional positions.

old Springfield Indians (with a throwback jersey night) and the fight against cancer.

For one night, they’re even officially changing the name of the team.

To salute the 30th anniversary of the iconic TV show, “The Simpsons,” the team renamed itself the “Ice-O-Topes.” The show’s setting is in Springfield (state unknown), and featured a baseball team called the Isotopes, likely referring to the fictitious city’s nuclear power plant.

When the new Springfield AHL team conducted a nickname contest in 2016, “Isotopes” were a popular entry. Costa says when the Feb. 1 “Ice-O-Topes” promotion was announced, it went viral with more than 2 million digital views worldwide – and an immediate demand for souvenir jerseys.

What does this have to do with pro hockey? A lot, if the hockey experience is to be equated with a memorable experience of fun.

Costa hasn’t forgotten that a winning team is the best promotion of all. The first half of this season produced the Thunderbirds’ best showing to date, positioning them for a genuine shot at making their first trip to the AHL playoffs.

“We like the team we have here, and we like where it’s heading,” Costa says. “Guys with futures in the NHL are getting meaningful minutes James and Josias, 5, of East Longmeadow, join Springfield Thunderbirds mascot Boomer, in and time to develop here.” front of the Springfield Thunderbirds bus during a pregame block party in Court Square on Oct. As Springfield’s NHL part5. The outdoor celebration featured live music, food, drink, balloon sculptures, face painting ner, the Florida Panthers hanand games. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO) dle all of the hockey decisions. ey history that the 5,000 level (which was never reached at the Eastern States ColiseCONTINUED FROM PAGE M1 um in West Springfield) was “Weekends,” he adds, “are topped. The other two came in where our revenue is made. the late 1990s.

Friday does not do nearly as Costa is confident that this well as Saturday. We’d like to year’s average, which always do some games at 1 (o’clock) rises with better crowds post on Sunday, but that doesn’t holidays, will be even better. always work for the opponent, Springfield’s marketing depending on where they’re strategy became a league coming from. talking point last season. The Now that the New England team’s successful staging of Patriots’ season is done, the 2019 All-Star Classic is being used as a model by others. according to Costa, the The Thunderbirds also Thunderbirds are looking to offer some Sunday afternoon made a splash with high-progames. “That’s a good family file promotional nights featuring big names, Boston Red time, and that’s what we’re Sox alums David Ortiz and looking at for next year,” he Pedro Martinez among them. says.

Last year, the Thunderbirds They are not abandoning that averaged 5,085 fans per game. concept, but they are also learning how to budget their It was just the third time in Springfield’s 83-year pro hock- promotion and give their fans

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | M19

solar project. These energy storage projects support the mission of the state DepartCONTINUED FROM PAGE M16 ment of Energy Resources’ Holyoke Gas & Electric’s Clean Peak Standard and Mount Tom Energy Storage demonstrate how municipal System pairs a lithium ion, utilities are in lockstep with utility scale battery with the the state on reducing carbon department’s Mount Tom Solar emissions.

Farm for a total capacity of 3 In addition, as earlier state megawatts. The system boasts solar incentive programs both the largest utility-scale expired, MMWEC and its energy storage system and members worked with the Municipal Electric Association of the largest community solar Massachusetts to help the state project in the state. develop a new solar program.

Meanwhile, the Sterling This program incentivizes resiMunicipal Light Department dents who want to reduce their installed the first utility scale carbon footprints to install battery project in the state rooftop solar at a discounted back in 2016. Two years later, rate. it was the first light department to develop a community As we enter 2020, MMWEC solar-plus-storage project and its members and project in Massachusetts, when it participant municipal light installed a 1 megawatt battery plants will continue to do their and 1 megawatt solar project. part to diversify their power The Ashburnham Municipal portfolios, improve resiliency Light Plant, Wakefield Munic- and incorporate new carbon-free resources to prepare ipal Gas & Light Department for the grid of the future, all and Templeton Municipal Light and Water Plant have while providing superior seralso installed lithium ion batvice at the lowest cost to their teries recently. And the West customers.

Boylston Municipal Light Plant Ronald C. DeCurzio is the has installed an innovative fly- CEO of Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co., Based wheel energy storage system, the first long-duration flywheel in Ludlow. To learn more about in the Northeast, which is tied MMWEC, go online to mmwec. into an existing 370 kilowatt org.

The Springfield Thunderbirds hosted Boston Red Sox ace and National Baseball Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez on April 13.

(THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

“We’ve had meaningful conversations with them about the importance of winning in our market. The Florida people understand, and their organization is heading in a very positive direction,” Costa says.

So is Springfield. The 2016 ownership inherited a season-ticket fan base in danger of shrinking to near-invisibility. It’s grown to include more than 1,000 full-time individual season ticket holders.

Given its previous state, that might be the management team’s most impressive accomplishment. “It gives us a base with which to work,” Costa notes. The bar con-

tinues to be raised, and that won’t change, he adds.

“I believe we’re doing more with our promotional schedule than anybody else in the league,” Costa says. “We’re up quite significantly (in attendance) from last year’s pace, and from a sales standpoint, the difficult part of the schedule (before Jan. 1) is past. “The business is on better footing.

We’d love to be able to sell a playoff schedule, and we’re hopeful.”

In the meantime, Costa adds, “We don’t stop looking at ways we can attract more people and make the experience more enjoyable. And, we never will.”

M20 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020

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