Outlook 2024

Come get schooled in Valley’s commercial life

Each February, reporters and editors for The Republican let fly with coverage about how our region’s economy works. Today is T-minus-zero – our launch date.

As we considered stories for this year’s Outlook, we got to thinking: All the intel we gather provides a crash course in Pioneer Valley business life. We started calling this year’s Outlook “Valley Econ. 101 – Ledgers and Livelihoods.”

The name stuck. Today, our four-section package offers readers a textbook, of sorts, on the contours on the Valley’s economy. As with any text, this coverage does a lot of explaining – but with journalistic flair, context and a lot of local names and places.

Like colleges, we’re in the business of disseminating knowledge. We also strive, every day, to

connect people with one another, fostering community and pointing everyone toward solutions.

Inside these sections, stories labeled “Survey Course” provide quick teach-ins on the Valley’s primary economic sectors, including healthcare, real estate, manufacturing, finance and insurance.

Those business ledgers account for a big chunk of the Springfield area’s economic activity, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

For readers in a hurry, “Cram Session” installments provide takeaways on industry developments, from real estate and finance to retail and tourism. In “Guest Lec-

ture,” prominent players reflect on the year ahead.

“Field Trip” stories take us to business addresses around the Valley. And “Class of ‘24” briefings introduce readers to people relatively new to earning livelihoods in their chosen endeavors.

If we were actually a college, we’d prepare a course guide, like the one you see below. It would run for many pages – across the sections you hold in your hands. Our goal, in shaping “Valley Econ. 101,” has been to arm you with useful and insightful information.

Turn the page, to J2, for a bit more from me on what appears

where in today’s four Outlook sections.

Class resumes Monday, when Outlook 2024 spills over into The Republican’s business section.

Let me know what you think!

I can be reached at lparnass@repub.com

– Larry Parnass executive editor

OUTLOOK J |

| SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

2024

J

Health care • Economic outlook Diversity • Workforce issues MassMutual • History lessons

K

Education • Cybersecurity Transportation • Aviation Digital equity • Cannabis

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Banking & finance • Affordable housing Commercial & residential real estate Manufacturing • Construction Entrepreneurship

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Retailing • Big Y leadership Arts & entertainment Springfield Thunderbirds Fashion & design • MGM Springfield

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J2 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

In 2021, the gross domestic product in the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area was...

$37.18 billion.

Here’s how that amount of economic activity broke down by sector: 13% $4.85B

9% $3.2B

Healthcare and social assistance

17%

Manufacturing

13%

$6.36B

$4.71B

Government, government enterprises

Real estate, rental, leasing

8% $2.99B

Wholesale trade

8% $2.89B

Professional, business services

6% $2.29B

Retail trade

7% $2.61B

Finance and insurance

3% 2% $1.16B $885M

Educational services

4% $1.39B

Construction

Utilities Transportation, warehousing

3% $990M

Accommodation, food services

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Note: Government enterprises includes some of the categories broken out, including public education.

2% $768M

2% $783M

Information technology

1% $260M

Arts, entertainment, recreation — Graphic by The Republican

INSIDE OUTLOOK

2024

As the graphic above shows, in a recent year more than $37 billion worth of goods and services were produced in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

In the four sections of this year’s Outlook 2024, we chronicle economic activity across a range of business sectors, starting with the biggest non-governmental area: health care and social assistance.

Here, at a glance, are some of the stories you’ll find in these sections.

SECTION J • How do local economists read the tea leaves in the Valley? What’s their go-to data? J4 • A look at trends across health care in the region, in a series of workplace portraits. J8

MassMutual CEO: A trillion ways to say, ‘We are there for you’

• A day in the life of a Holyoke Community College nursing student. J10 • On the road with a local ambulance crew. J12

Holyoke Community College nursing student Afrike Phakos.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

• These Pioneer Valley health organizations strive to provide culturally sensitive care. J14 • A recap of 2023’s biggest development at Baystate Health. J15 • Photographer Lewis Hine traveled Massachusetts documenting child labor.

Here’s who he met. J18-19

SECTION K • How are the Pioneer Valley’s four-year colleges dealing with a historic trend of declining admissions? K1 • The global mission and reach of the University of Massachusetts.

K2 • Pay for teachers in early childhood continues to lag. Why? K3 • The profession of the cybersecurity expert takes root in the Pioneer Valley. K4 • How the area’s urban school districts are working to attract and retain staff. K6 • Westover Metropolitan Airport continues to lift its economic contribution to the region. K8 • The work of the nonprofit Valley Opportunity Council. K9 • Inside this troubling moment in the state’s cannabis industry. K15

SECTION L • The buzz of the region’s commercial property world as a new year unfolds. L1 • The state’s $4.12 billion housing bond bill offers an unprecedented level of investment — and developers are noticing. L1 • Trends in finance and banking, as seen by local professionals. L2 • We survey prospects in the residential real estate market. L3 • How ‘Blueprint’ helps small Pioneer Valley businesses build their success. L4 • A conversation with Kevin Sears, the Springfield broker who now heads the National Association of Realtors. L12

SECTION M

Kevin Sears, of Springfield, is 2024 president of the National Association of Realtors.

• A look at the year ahead in the Pioneer Valley arts scene. M1 • Owners of hotels see continued post-pandemic gains, though business travel remains weak. M2 • Springfield’s burgeoning fashion scene will again hit local runways. M3 • How did the panini come to be Job #1 at Hot Table restaurants? M4 • The Springfield Thunderbirds break free from pandemic binds. M5 Coming Monday: How ax throwing hangs on as a recreation draw.

Also, a look at Pioneer Valley tourism; essays by local elected leaders; and advice on preparing federal income tax returns.

— Larry Parnass, Executive Editor

Roger Crandall is the chairman, president and CEO of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

O

NE ROOM WITH one table, two desks, three chairs and a map of Springfield on the wall. Those were the modest trappings of MassMutual’s first office when we opened for business back in 1851.

By that time, Springfield, the “City of Firsts,” already had seen its share of innovators and pioneers — from Thomas Blanchard’s breakthroughs in assembly line production to Charles Goodyear’s groundbreaking process for hardening rubber, which would eventually be used in automobile tires.

As these inventions grew our economy, while lifting many families into the middle class, insurance agent George Rice and his cousin, Caleb Rice, sought to fill another burgeoning need: helping residents protect their newfound wealth by building long-term financial security for their families.

What started in that one-room office — with just $370,000 in life insurance coverage issued to families in that first year — would soon expand. As railroad tracks, roads and telephone lines began to crisscross America, MassMutual followed. By 1923, through sheer hard work, determination and expansion, our company reached $1 billion in coverage issued.

And, as the saying goes, while history doesn’t repeat itself, sometimes it does, in fact, rhyme. Exactly 100 years later, at the end of 2023, MassMutual proudly surpassed a new milestone: $1 trillion in total life insurance coverage issued to our policyowners to

pressure to generate shortterm profits, MassMutual’s interests always have been help protect their loved ones. aligned directly with our customers’ long-term needs.

Every company needs a Over the years, this mindset strong base from which to build and grow, and for nearly has given us the stability to 173 years, Massachusetts — navigate challenges — from and especially our home city world wars to economic crises of Springfield — has been our to global pandemics — as well foundation. What we learned as the flexibility to expand from the people of this comthe ways we reach people, munity is that when neighbors broaden our range of prodlook out for each other and ucts, and enhance our digital share the benefits and respon- capabilities to make it easier sibilities of citizenship, great to do business with us.

As a result, this clarity of things can happen. focus and long-term approach From our earliest days, MassMutual has been is how we’ve been able to strengthened by our region’s deliver for people when world-class colleges and uni- they need us most — from a family that can afford to keep versities, high quality of life, and thriving, entrepreneurtheir beloved home after a ial culture, all of which has breadwinner dies, to a worker enabled us to attract talented, who can remain financially independent when recovering creative, and hard-working employees and financial pro- from illness or disability, to a fessionals. retiree who can live comfortFor decades, the people who ably with guaranteed lifetime came to work each day for income. our company not only helped At the same time, for our company and our customers us reach this milestone, but to thrive, we must be there to demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and help our communities do the a deep passion for helping same. That includes the Western Massachusetts region, people achieve financial where MassMutual has risen security — traits that remain to this day. to the occasion in times of Of course, any talk of previ- need, as well as unlocked poous generations of employees tential for people to prosper.

As we’ve marched toward warrants mention of their legacy — and more specifical- this milestone, we’ve done so while supporting our ly, the decisions they made neighbors through hardship over the course of our long history that put us on a path — whether it was turning for success today. our home office gym into a temporary shelter for people That starts with who we during the Great Flood of are as a mutual company, which means we operate for 1936, contributing to rebuildthe benefit of our policyown- ing efforts after a tornado swept through our region a ers. While public companies answer to shareholders and decade ago, offering free term analysts, and face constant life insurance to front-line

health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, or, just last summer, donating funds to help local farmers after weather ravaged their crops.

What’s more, this commitment to our communities has extended to creating long-term impact and eliminating barriers to social and economic advancement, including reaching more than 4.5 million students with our financial literacy curriculum, supporting efforts to bridge the digital divide and expand broadband access for residents across the state, and making homeownership a reality for first-time buyers in Springfield.

Ultimately, MassMutual always has measured success by our ability to be there for the people who need us most.

When we reflect on our $1 trillion milestone, we see more than just a number: We see people across generations who could rest easier knowing their future was secure. And we see an enduring commitment of a company to its community and vice versa — which is mutuality at its best.

I’m more confident than ever that no matter what happens in our world, we’re prepared to help people secure their future and protect the ones they love for generations to come. Rooted in the rich history and values of Western Massachusetts, that’s exactly what MassMutual will continue to do.

Roger Crandall is chairman, president and CEO of MassMutual. To learn more about Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., go online to massmutual.com.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | J3

The celebration starts with you.

And it continues with us. Black history is an integral part of our nation’s past, so it must be told and retold — during Black History Month and beyond. This February, let’s take a moment to honor the contributions, triumphs, and stories of Black Americans.

3195482-01

©2024 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual®), Springfield, MA 01111- 0001. All rights reserved. MM202701-308018

OUTLOOK 2024

J4 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

‘All things point to a healthy economy’

By Jim Kinney

jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — A year ago a lot of the bankers, brokers, executives and academics interviewed for the Outlook section thought the country would be in a recession by now.

“Which obviously it’s not.

MassMutual’s headquarters on State Street in Springfield in The job market is still tight, November 2010. (FILE PHOTO) your point of reference, modbut it’s good,” said James erating inflation doesn’t feel Hickson, senior managing dilike a victory. rector and middle market and No one likes the new prices. regional president for Berk“We don’t like it. But we’re shire Bank. “We still see more still paying it,” Kowalski said. job openings than qualified people.”

Labor force smaller “Higher interest rates have than before COVID been the big theme,” he One thing that hasn’t grown added. since the pandemic is the pool But the Federal Reserve of people in Massachusetts as recently as this month looking for work or working. signaled rate cuts in 2024, a “And our labor force is actumove that’ll help everyone ally smaller today than it was get financing, from homebuyers to businesses looking to pre-pandemic,” Melnik said. expand.

It’s because of an aging “If you are a Fed watcher, population, he said, and the and everyone should be, you outmigration from Massachuneed to pay less attention to setts to other states, as well as what they do and more attena lack of housing here. tion to what they say at the “It’s an issue that’s 2024-repress conference afterward,” lated but also 2027, 2028,” said U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, Melnik said.

D-Springfield, while giving Young adults, recently out of his recap to local reporters in college and starting careers in early February. their 20s, are the demographic “There are a lot of red faces of concern to economists, who out here among those who are constantly scrutinizing the argued we were headed to a “pull-push factors for that age recession — and some would group,” Melnik said.

KELLY KOWALSKI, A PORTFOLIO have said a depression,” Neal That age is when people MANAGER AT MASSMUTUAL said. are most likely to move. It’s the group that Massachusetts Payrolls are up officials and businesses must Instead, the nation’s payrolls The American consumer reach and, most important, The reason things are rose by 353,000 in January, be able to offer housing and looking so bright, said Mark and the unemployment rate education for their young Melnik, director of economic children. remained at 3.7 percent, the and Public Policy Research at U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisPolitics also will be a factor the UMass Donahue Institute, in whether people stay in the tics reported. Job gains were is you and me: the American in professional and business state or go. “Whose second consumer. services, health care, retail term are we talking about “Consumers just continued right now?” Melnik said. trade and social assistance. to spend,” said Melnik. “The Employment declined in the National concerns, mining, quarrying, and oil and economy just continued to defy what people were expect- local fallout gas extraction industries.

Locally, the unemployment ing.”

He added that immigration, According to the Census rate for the Springfield region in general a boost for the popBureau, retail sales across the ulation and economy here in is 3.9%; that’s up from 3.2% nation in the all-important from December and from Massachusetts, fell during the December shopping month 3.8% a year ago.

Donald Trump years. were $709.9 billion, up 0.6% It’s not much of a change “Our state has relied heavfrom the previous month, in unemployment rate, given ily on federal investments in and up 5.6% above December research and development,” that the region has gained 2022.

2,000 jobs over the year, acMelnik said, citing Joe Biden’s Kelly Kowalski, a portfolio cording to the state Executive administration spending in Office of Labor and Workforce manager at MassMutual, those areas.

Development and the federal where she helps to oversee a “A continuation of the Biden general investment account statistics bureau. administration would feel of $35 billion, knows why con- more predictable,” he said.

“It is a buyer’s market for people looking for jobs, “ said sumers are still spending.

Kowalski said Washington, “Because the consumers still and the national debt, are David Gadaire, president have jobs,” she said. “It’s the and CEO of the MassHire worrisome. The debt recently Holyoke Career Center. “The labor market.” reached $34 trillion. The size In its analyses, she said the demand for labor is still high, of the economy is $28 trillion. investment and insurance even though there are more Eventually, that debt has and more people entering the company is focused on the to start affecting the market health of the labor market and in Treasury bills and interest workforce.” consumer habits.

In a change since the panrates.

That means analyzing demic, he’s noticing less insti“This is something we see as tutional loyalty from employer not just the unemployment a risk,” she said. numbers, but also looking at to employee. He sees it with companies that fill jobs at the some of the headline-grabbing Minority parity and cutbacks at major companies shopping local Career Center. in recent weeks. Nevertheless, “Then a few months later, Andrew Melendez, direcemployers are still looking for tor of the Latino Economic you are looking to replace people. that person,” Gadaire said.

Development Corp., sees good “I think it’s because com“The churn is higher than it times in 2024, especially if the panies were very smart,” normally is.” governor’s housing bond bill Kowalski said. “When interest passes and developers start State’s economy grows, but rates were low, they borrowed bringing in more people to live more slowly than others money.” downtown.

Same goes for consumers Meanwhile, Massachusetts’ Meanwhile, Holyoke, who refinanced mortgages economy increased at an anChicopee and Springfield nual rate of 1.2% in the fourth and saved money. “So we’ve continue to develop their seen the housing market cool, downtowns. quarter of 2023, according but not crack,” Kowalski said. to MassBenchmarks, which Housing projects either is a statewide study of the completed or in the works, economy from the Federal Re- ‘The vibe-cession’ adding hundreds of units of And shoppers changed their housing in places like the serve Bank of Boston and the attitudes, especially when it University of Massachusetts Knox Residences in Mason comes to buying experiences, Square, Kavanaugh Square Donahue Institute. like trips.

That’s underperforming on State Street, both in “People had the YOLO, you Springfield, as well as the compared to the rest of the country, mostly because of the only live once, reaction,” she Rosewood Way Townhomes state’s constrained population said of the years since the in Agawam, and a pair of COVID-19 pandemic. of workers. mills in Ludlow.

But there is still the The U.S. gross domestic While that new housing “vibe-cession,” a persistent product, by comparison, inis erected, Melendez wants creased at a 3.3% annual rate, negative feeling about the to see minority contractors economy despite strong jobs according to the U.S. Bureau having ready access to state numbers, robust housing and development dollars, too. of Economic Analysis. soon-to-lower interest rates.

But on the good side, And, once new buildings “There is just this disconinflation — the reason the and businesses are built, the Fed increased interest rates — nect,”Kowalski said. “I think LEDC director said it’s vital abated in 2023. The Consum- we’re disgusted about the pric- for local residents to support es we are paying for things.” er Price Index increased just their neighbors’ enterprises, a While the rate of inflation is critical element for longevity.

3% in December on a seaslowing, that doesn’t necessonally adjusted basis, after “We need people to support rising 0.1% in November. Over sarily affect prices that have their local pub or their local already risen, in some cases the last 12 months, the index restaurant,” he said. “It’s just up 20%, since 2019. If that’s increased 3.4%. not there yet.”

“There is just this disconnect. I think we’re disgusted about the prices we are paying for things.”

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

“As we reflect on these achievements and look ahead to 2024, I remain committed to building on our accom104th Fighter Wing Base Commander Col. David “Moon” Halasi-Kun, left, talks about the importance of the recent decision plishments.” by the U.S. Air Force to site a fleet of 18 F-35A fighter jets at Barnes-Westfield Regional Airport. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal looks on. (FILE PHOTO)

I

U.S. REP. RICHARD NEAL

US Rep. Neal: ‘Getting Mass. moving again’

N PAST OUTLOOK columns, I wrote about the aspirations and hopes for the Valley economy as we rebuilt from the pandemic. We aspired to rebuild an economy that the Pioneer Valley deserved, one that was built by investing in the American worker and growing the economy from the bottom-up and middle-out. It was during this pursuit that I was reminded of Massachusetts’ own Jack Kennedy and his campaign slogan: “Getting America moving again.”

Richard Neal

ping prescription drug and insulin costs for millions of Medicare recipients, means more money in the pockets of lower- and middle-income Americans.

The Inflation Reduction Act also marked the largest investment to tackle climate change in our nation’s history. As a result, Massachusetts already has seen $1 billion in private investments committed to clean energy and biomanufacturing projects, and the U.S. is projected to create 9 million jobs in those sectors, as well as manufacturing overall.

We also celebrated a key partner in the Western Massachusetts community.

In April, the U.S. Air Force announced that a new fleet of F-35A aircraft will be assigned to Barnes Air National Guard Base. A testament to the brave airmen and women of Barnes, this announcement comes after years of advocating alongside state leadership and Gary Keefe, the adjutant general for the Massachusetts National Guard.

The second-highest economic generator in Western Massachusetts, the commercial and military wings at Barnes accounted for more than 2,100 jobs and generated more than $235 million in economic activity during fiscal 2022. Needless to say, our region stands to greatly benefit from this announcement, one that has solidified Barnes’ place in Western Massachusetts for years to come.

As we reflect on these achievements and look ahead to 2024, I remain committed to building on our accomplishments and delivering on what matters to the American people and to my constituents in the First Congressional District — continuing to build an economy made by and for workers, ensuring health care is accessible and affordable for all, reducing child poverty and combating climate change.

Together, we will keep Massachusetts moving.

construction of bridges, and investments in clean energy and climate-friendly initiatives.

This does not include the $108 million federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Under the Biden adminisProgram grant I announced tration, that is precisely what at Springfield Union Station has unfolded. with Governor Healey in SepUnder President Biden’s tember. As part of the Infraleadership, we focused on structure Law, funding for the historic legislation to support U.S. Department of Transporjob growth, spur investments tation’s CRISI program more and, ultimately, change lives than tripled, positioning the for the better. The results commonwealth to receive the have been record-breaking. third-largest award in the naAll of the jobs lost during the tion, and bringing us one step COVID-19 pandemic were closer to making east-west recovered in record time, and rail a reality. more than 14 million jobs Leading up to this anhave been created. For 24 nouncement, Western and straight months, the unemCentral Massachusetts ployment rate has remained witnessed an extraordinary below 4 percent — an over resurgence in both freight 50-year record. As we bolster and passenger rail activity, our supply chains, inflation is highlighted by the redevelopslowing, while labor particment of Springfield’s Union ipation rates and wages are Station and Worcester’s rising.

Union Station. In 2023, more This success was never than 2.1 million travelers guaranteed. Rather, it was made their way through the result of decisive actions Springfield Union Station. taken by President Biden and We have the support of the Democrats in Congress; acpublic for an expanded pastions that got America moving senger rail project, and we again. have the support of Governor In the First Congressional Healey, who has pledged her District, investments made unwavering commitment over the last three years to enhance passenger rail already have stimulated service from Pittsfield to significant economic growth Boston. throughout the Pioneer Valley We also have made great and beyond, with the most strides in the health care notable progress in our infra- sector, and the House Ways structure. and Means Committee has Thanks to the Bipartisan played a prominent role in Infrastructure Law, Western that progress, thanks to the Massachusetts has been the Inflation Reduction Act. benefactor of more than 70 This historic law was drafted awards, totaling more than under my chairmanship and $200 million. This funding lowered health care costs for invests in projects across two 268,000 patients across the dozen cities and towns, mak- commonwealth by extending U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal is ing much-needed upgrades the Affordable Care Act’s the ranking member of the U.S. and repairs to major roadpremium tax credit through House Committee on Ways and ways, maintenance and re2025. This, coupled with cap- Means.

Be a Part of Our Growing Story!

Join with the City of Springfield and be a part of the future as Springfield continues to build upon the $5 billion of economic development initiatives and opportunities. Springfield is thriving. Come be a part of our vision and build upon the momentum that is Springfield’s economic renaissance.

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.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | J5

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

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J6 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Today’s vexing issue for hospitals: 2023 business bankruptcies rose Unfilled positions nearly 50% in Mass.

T

HE MASSACHUsetts Health & Hospital Association estimates there are 19,000 full-time job vacancies across Massachusetts hospitals. Vacancies translate into delays in care, among other concerns.

Locally, community members can wait weeks, and sometimes months, to see a primary care provider or specialist. Looking ahead, I see our single most pressing concern as workforce. We need to put creative solutions in place to recruit and retain top talent to enrich our communities and the local economy.

I have devoted my career to hospitals and found my niche in health care finance.

Cooley Dickinson Hospital has been my professional home for more than 35 years.

I live, work and volunteer in this community. I am the president of the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce. Western Massachusetts is a fantastic place, rich with cultural, educational and recreational opportunities. People want to live and raise their children here.

One of the challenges we are seeing is that when it is time for young people to pursue college, a trade, or another opportunity, many leave the area. In addition, seasoned employees are leaving the work force in high numbers. Subsequent generations, each with their own collective characteristics and expectations, co-exist in our workplaces and represent changing generational values.

In the Pioneer Valley, employers both large and small are competing for talent. For example, someone who works

Laurie Lamoureux

workers to enter the health care field? Combatting workforce challenges requires thoughtful solutions both for the short and the long term.

Consider some of the ways Cooley Dickinson is committed to growing our workforce: • We are part of the Western Massachusetts Nursing Collaborative, a group of nurse leaders from area colleges and universities, including UMass Amherst,

tions and labs.

For our employees and those interested in joining our ranks, these future-focused initiatives serve as gateways to education and promote learning and continuous growth.

Recently, we have made significant progress in addressing wage gaps in key positions and we are starting to see that pay off in recruitment and retention and a more

We seek to differentiate ourselves based on our values and our mission to serve our patients and communities with exceptional, compassionate, equitable and personalized care. as a housekeeper or a cook at a local hotel could do similar work on a hospital’s medical floor or in an onsite cafeteria.

At Cooley Dickinson, we pay competitive wages and offer attractive benefits.

Beyond those perks, we strive to create an environment that people want to work in. We seek to differentiate ourselves based on our values and our mission to serve our patients and communities with exceptional, compassionate, equitable and personalized care. Cooley Dickinson is part of a worldclass organization, Mass General Brigham, that is committed to serving the community and dedicated to enhancing patient care, teaching and research, and taking a leadership role as an integrated health care system.

We need to collaborate with the business community, the five colleges and other organizations to involve younger generations in health care and to want to do what I and so many others have done: to succeed in health care careers and take care of our friends and families who live in our community.

How do we entice more

Westfield State, Holyoke Community College, Greenfield Community College, Bay Path University, American International College and Elms College and leaders from local health care organizations. The Collaborative is focused on the critical role the nursing workforce plays in the delivery of care in our region.

• For those seeking to learn about allied health and careers in laboratory science, a partnership with Springfield Technical Community College helps Medical Laboratory Technician program students experience what it is like to work in a hospital laboratory.

• A unique partnership with Bay Path University allows employees and other early career or mid-career professionals become patient care assistants in 14 weeks.

Students take classes online and perform their clinical hours during a weekly 12hour shift.

• We are creating an accredited surgical technical program with Greenfield Community College that includes onsite clinical rota-

stable workforce. At the same time, we recognize that some challenges will take time to overcome.

The health care industry is at an inflection point.

In response to widespread workforce challenges, Cooley Dickinson is partnering locally with other organizations that share our values. We welcome opportunities to speak with local businesses and schools about our industry.

We know we need to entice new workers to join the health care field and support existing health care workers in their career advancement.

We have the facilities, we have the expertise, and we are fortunate to have the backing of one of the greatest integrated health care systems in the country — Mass General Brigham. Now, we need the people. We invite you to join us for meaningful work that benefits our community.

A lifelong resident of Western Massachusetts, Laurie Lamoureux was born at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. She is the chief financial officer at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and is the president of the Easthampton Chamber of Commerce.

By Trajan Warren

Boston Business Journal

Business bankruptcies in Massachusetts increased by nearly 50% in 2023.

Data from the United States federal court system shows that there were 294 business bankruptcies in Massachusetts during the 12-month period ending on Dec. 31.

There were 198 in 2022.

John Morrier, a partner with law firm Casner & Edwards, said there are several factors behind the rise in business bankruptcies, which is happening nationwide and not just in Massachusetts.

“There’s lots of uncertainty in the world as we begin 2024. You can’t rule out an economic shock triggering a spike in financial distress and an increase in bankruptcy filings,” Morrier said.

Although its unlikely more interest rate increases are on the horizon and the rate of inflation has decreased, interest rates and prices remain challenging for businesses, Morrier said.

“That signals a possible increase in bankruptcy filings.

At the very least, there aren’t any apparent factors that would lead to a decline in filings for 2024,” he said.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates 11 times in 2022 and 2023 in an effort to cool inflation, putting more pressure on borrowers when they need to refinance, obtain new credit, or get new funding.

Another factor in the rise in bankruptcies, according to Morrier, is the adjustment to the post-pandemic “new normal.”

“In Massachusetts, hybrid and remote work causes stress in the commercial real estate market, with higher vacancies. Plus, there are follow-on effects on all the other businesses that used to rely on full downtowns,” Morrier said. “Government supports available to support businesses through the peak of the pandemic are no longer in place to help close the gap.”

The 198 business bankruptcies in 2022 marked a 20-year low in Massachusetts, while the 294 business bankruptcies this year are the highest since 2019. Overall, total bankruptcies in the state grew from 3,384 to 3,869, up by more than 14%.

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HEALTH CARE

Makers of Ozempic, Mounjaro race to meet demand for weight-loss drugs

By Daniel Gilbert

highly specialized plants that can churn out enough of their Last year, many people top-selling drugs to keep up who wanted to start taking with demand. Novo took this the weight-loss drug Wegovy to a new level when its conwere turned away because of trolling shareholder acquired a shortage of the medication. Catalent, flipping three plants For patients, that has spelled to the drugmaker for $11 bilfrustration. For its maker, lion in an effort to accelerate Novo Nordisk, it has meant its production. leaving money on the table.

Anat Ashkenazi, Lilly’s chief Now, the Danish drugmakfinancial officer, told analysts er is making waves with an on Tuesday, “We certainly unorthodox strategy to boost have questions about that production: buying Catalent, transaction and need to learn a contract manufacturer that more.” serves the global pharmaceuShe added, “We intend on tical industry - including its holding Catalent accountable chief rival in the weight-loss to their contract with us.” drug market, Eli Lilly.

The dueling medications — As Novo and Lilly fight to Novo’s Ozempic and Wegovy, dominate this lucrative marand Lilly’s Mounjaro and ket, gaining an edge in manZepbound — are often known ufacturing power is emerging as GLP-1 drugs, named for the as a new front. Both drugmak- gut hormone they mimic. The ers are racing to secure the drugs work by slowing the The Washington Post

applications beyond diabetes and weight loss — could become the biggest-selling class of all time, with annual sales that could top $100 billion.

“There’s this mad rush to have the capacity that they need,” said Howard Forman, director of the health-care management program at the Yale School of Public Health.

If Novo can convert Catalent’s production capacity into its own, “this will be brilliant,” he said. But if Catalent’s existing contracts constrain Novo from fully leveraging its manufacBoxes of the diabetes drug Ozempic rest on a pharmacy countturing power, “then it could er. (MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES / TNS) turn out to be an albatross.” stomach from emptying and of the bunch — has become Novo and Lilly have strugsending a signal of fullness to a blockbuster and cultural gled to keep up with demand the brain. By helping people touchstone, popularized by that has exceeded their prolose meaningful amounts of celebrities and sought out by jections, leading to customer weight with a weekly injecmillions of patients. frustration at the pharmacy tion, Ozempic — a diabetes Some financial analysts excounter. The U.S. Food and drug and the best known pect GLP-1 drugs — which have Drug Administration placed

tirzepatide and semaglutide — the active ingredients, respectively, in Lilly and Novo’s prized drugs — on its shortage list starting in 2022.

Novo cut back on supplying low doses of Wegovy beginning in May to ensure there was enough for existing patients. Wegovy prescriptions topped 500,000 that month but subsequently averaged around 430,000 a month for the remainder of the year, according to data provider IQVIA. Novo said this month that it is boosting supplies of Wegovy and days later announced the Catalent deal.

Novo said the deal would help it “gradually increase” its capacity but did not provide specifics, and it isn’t clear to what degree it could help relieve the current shortage of Wegovy.

HEALTH CARE NEWS ROUNDUP The lowdown on health care in the region ...

HUBBA HUBBA: The National Institutes of Health has chosen Cambridge as the hub for a new multibillion dollar research agency. The project correlates with the White House’s initiative to discover medical breakthroughs.

About $1 billion in research funding will come to Massachusetts for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, which is referred to as ARPA-H, and its Investor Catalyst Hub. The purpose of ARPA-H is to improve the the institute’s ability to direct funding to researchers who are trying to find a cure for infectious and chronic diseases.

Cambridge is the ideal location for ARPA-H, because of the wealth of top-notch universities, biotech and life-science companies, and investors.

Hadley nonprofit Ven-

in rooms of five. There will be private bathrooms with private baths to mitigate the spread of infection.

The new home will have 234 long-term care beds.

Demolition began in 2023 and is set to be completed in 2028. The new facility will place an emphasis on combining independence and services for the veterans.

VOKE TRAINING AND LIFE SKILLS: The Mental A nurse prepares to administer a vaccine. (MLIVE.COM, FILE) Health Association Inc. will tureWell was named the after its poor management of be moving its headquarters manager of the Investor the crisis, which resulted in after a $5.75 million sale. The Catalyst Hub. VentureWell the deaths of more than 80 facility, which used to be the will be tasked with helping veterans. A major issue for the MassMutual Learning and researchers with their busihome was the lack of space for Conference Center, will be ness challenges and creating social distancing. used for vocational training an environment in which they A new facility, dubbed the and life-skills programs. can make their findings com- Veterans Home at Holyoke, The building has been used mercially available. will be built with a “small for mental health purposes in DOING BETTER FOR house” model that places 10, the past — prior to MassMutuOUR VETS: During the 12 or 14 veteran residents in al’s occupancy in 1990, the COVID pandemic, the Holydistinct communities. This is Charles West River Psychiatoke Soldiers’ Home became a stark contrast to the former ric Hospital called 350 Memoembroiled in controversy home, which placed veterans rial Drive its home.

same quality of health care as white people.

Massachusetts already has The MHA opened its been making improvements Springfield headquarters on to the state’s access to health Worthington Street over 20 care and have acknowledged years ago with the expectathat disproportionate care tion of having 50 employees is unacceptable in the state. work there. Now that the However, although governMHA employs 80 people in its ment and business leaders Springfield office, it needed to have begun proposing more expand and find a larger, more ways to solve this issue, there suitable space. has not been enough concrete The association is looking to action to spur widespread move into the new facility in change.

March or April, but not before There is also not enough converting classrooms and structure and support for meeting spaces into office these solutions to have their space. maximum effect on the comIT’S BARRIER-BREAKmonwealth.

ING TIME: The Health Researchers said the issue Equity Action Plan report by costs the state $5.9 billion, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of because it is three times more Massachusetts Foundation expensive to treat patients found that systemic racism who are severely ill than if is the culprit for why people they had received attention of color and those whose when their symptoms first primary language is not appeared.

English do not receive the — James Foster

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The cutting-edge of health care in the Valley

By Stassi Heropoulos

F

Special to The Republican

rom robotic surgery and groundbreaking medicine, to taking the bus, eating vegetables and playing penuckle, there are many ways to stay healthy in 2024 — and there are many people in Western Massachusetts helping to get there.

No room for mental health patients Shelley Zimmerman — a behavioral health expert from Chicago — came to Holyoke, took a look around and observed, as bad as the mental health care crisis is in the Midwest, it’s worse in Western Massachusetts.

“There’s a huge need for mental health and substance use services everywhere, but Massachusetts has an even greater need for care,” said Zimmerman, the new chief operating officer for MiraVista Behavioral Health Center in Holyoke.

Every day, there are between 450 and 550 mental health patients in emergency rooms across the commonwealth. A huge percentage of them don’t need emergent care, but rush to the ER because they don’t know where else to turn.

ER staffs triage patients, diverting some to community services and providers. Some patients are admitted to hospitals, but a large number of them don’t need emergency care and should be directed to overnight services outside the ER. But there are precious few beds in the community for these patients, so they stay in the ER for days until something else opens up.

“An emergency room is not a

good place for a mental health patient who’s having psychosis, severe depression or suicidality.

They need to go where there are specialists for treatment,” said Zimmerman.

Apart from ERs, there are 49 member hospitals and centers in the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems. They are licensed to provide 3,100 beds — 2,600 are occupied, but 500 are empty because of staffing shortages.

The state Legislature is trying to attract more workers into the mental health care system by allocating $400 million to increase pay and benefits. Two hundred million dollars has been spent — another $200 million is on hold until officials decide exactly how to allocate it wisely. MiraVista recently added 16 beds for adolescents, bringing the mental health care center’s total number of adult and adolescent beds to 77. Zimmerman is planning to spend much of 2024 working with regional hospitals and agencies to promote mental health care centers and providers in the community, so patients don’t end up stuck in the ER for days.

“If patients feel themselves sliding or spiraling, they need to be able to reach out and get help, whether that’s in-patient or out-patient care,” she said.

“They just need to know what those services are and where to find them.”

Hospital beds in one of the patient rooms at the new Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital, a combined effort between Baystate Health and Lifepoint Health, now open in Holyoke.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

A different pandemic Dr. Michele Gortakowski of Baystate Health is concerned about another pandemic in America, not COVID -19 but obesity, which is rising to historic levels in the U.S. — from 30% of the population in 2000 to 42% in 2020. That is also causing diabetes to spike.

“Some of it is related to the obesity pandemic. When people carry extra weight, that compounds any genetic predisposition to diabetes and can exacerbate the problem,” said Gortakowski, a pediatric and adult endocrinology doctor.

When drug makers began manufacturing, and doctors started prescribing, various classes of medications to their diabetic patients, it became clear the drugs had a beneficial side effect — they also helped some people lose significant amounts of weight.

“Medications for diabetes management that also aid in weight loss are very popular.

There’s a lot of information online about people trying to get these drugs. It’s a very hot topic,” she said.

“I do have patients who have lost significant amount of weight on these medications that also improve their glycemic control, blood pressure and other obesity related comorbidities,” she said.

With approval from the Food and Drug Administration, diabetes medications are increasingly being used for weight loss, even in non-diabetic patients.

“The caveat is, these med-

A “Ride your bicycle help fight O.B.C.D.” sign. (CORY MORSE / MLIVE. COM)

ications aren’t for everyone.

There are side effects that we don’t fully know about because these are newer medications. It’s a discussion between the provider and the patient to make sure this is something that’s right for them.”

Gortakowski said the year ahead is full of promise for patients with diabetes because newer drugs are more effective than ever.

“I have patients on these medications who are able to significantly reduce or come off insulin, or not have to go on insulin at all, and see significant improvements.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 100 million Americans are pre-diabetic but show no symptoms of developing the health condition. Gortakowski said screening for diabetes should be an important part of many annual physicals in the year ahead.

Dr. Michele Gortakowski of Baystate Health is concerned about another pandemic in America, not COVID -19 but obesity, which is rising to historic levels in the U.S. — from 30% of the population in 2000 to 42% in 2020. That is also causing diabetes to spike. (KIICHIRO SATO / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, FILE)

Dangers of social isolation Ask Anna Randall what she worries about, and she’ll say lonely senior citizens. Randall is Community Services Director at Greater Springfield Senior Services. She said the biggest danger people face as they age is isolation.

“Social isolation can be deadly to older adults. It leads to a range of medical issues, comorbidities and cognitive decline,” she said. “Staying active is something many seniors are struggling with. The goal is to get them out of house and into the community to engage their brains.”

Older Americans find themselves increasingly alone as family members move away and their social circle shrinks because their friends are dying.

And with fewer people seeing them, seniors may decline physically and mentally without anyone noticing, or getting them the care they need.

One way Randall’s Anna Randall program helps seniors stay plugged-in, and maintain proper diets, is through the organization’s Meals on Wheels program. Well-balanced, nutritious meals are delivered to seniors in their homes once a day. For many, the driver may be the only person they see or speak with all day. Drivers may also notice the person is not doing well and call for help.

According to the American Asso-

ciation of Retired Persons, nearly 90 percent of adults over 65 want to stay in their current homes — to age in place.

“People are happier in the setting of their choice. As we get older and need things like personal care, it’s easier to accept help when you’re in a setting that is comfortable and familiar to you,” said Randall.

Older Americans have a lot to consider as they look for ways to socialize, plan healthy meals, exercise, finance medical care, find housing they can afford or modify their current home to meet their evolving needs.

Randall wants seniors to let her worry about it, saying elders and their families can get help with almost any issue facing seniors by calling GSSS at 413-781-8800.

Arming surgeons with robots As chief of general surgery at Baystate Health, Dr. John Romanelli expects there to be a robot revolution this year, with these surgical assistants playing a greater role in the operating room.

“This is the year where robotic surgery really starts to take off. The future is now with robots helping us to operate on patients,” he said.

During robotic surgery, a cart with four mechanical arms is placed near the patient. Entering the body through slight incisions — much like those in laparoscopic surgery — the arms, guided by the surgeon, perform surgical actions.

Intuitive Surgical introduced its da Vinci robot more than two decades ago.

This first-generation device was limited to performing prostate surgery.

Unlike laparoscopic instruments, da Vinci’s arms had wrists that could work around bones that protect the prostate.

“Our Creator stuck the prostate be-

hind the pubic bone to protect it from injury, making it very hard to get to with straight instruments,” said Romanelli.

Over the last 25 years, advancements Dr. John in the technology and Romanelli mechanics of surgical robots are making it possible to perform a wide range of obstetric and gynecological operations.

They are also being used to repair hernias and remove cancerous growth on lungs.

“Many operations are difficult to perform anatomically because bony structures are in the way — but the robot can get us there,” said Romanelli.

Until now da Vinci was the only robot on the market, with Intuitive releasing its fifth generation this year. Two other manufacturers are also introducing ro-

bots for the first time. Cameras will now show three-dimensional video; older versions showed flat, two-dimensional images.

“This means our depth perception will be more accurate, giving surgeons greater control of what we’re doing. Laparoscopy is two dimensional. Over time and hundreds of surgeries, you learn to figure out how far away something is,” said Romanelli.

Artificial intelligence will monitor operations, warning surgeons about potentially dangers actions. AI will also lay CAT scan images over live video.

“If you’re looking for a tumor in the liver or kidney for example, you can tell where it is with more precision,” said Romanelli.

Baystate Health has two surgical robots, and with a price tag of $2.5 million each, Romanelli said the medical center may purchase as many as three more in the next 12 months.

A healthy balance When there is news of black women and their babies dying at higher rates than white women and their newborns, Risa Silverman — outreach director for the School of Public Health at UMass — blames it on health inequities.

“Black maternal health is a huge issue in our state. If the inequity is more black mothers and babies dying, creating a community program will help tackle that,” she said.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation says, due to “systemic racism,” black and Latino populations are more likely than white and Asian communities to live below the poverty level. They are less likely to accumulate wealth, own a home, access health care, go to good schools or live near transportation that could bring them to jobs or medical facilities.

Silverman established the Western Massachusetts Health Equity Network a decade ago, bringing community leaders together to iron out health care inequities. Their work is intensifying this year because COVID-19 wiped out many of the gains they made.

The network and its allies are working together to lobby lawmakers and state agencies, pointing out health care inequities and the dire consequences of that imbalance. They believe the problem of inequity goes beyond what the Department of Mental Health can do about it.

This year community leaders like Silverman will ramp up efforts to identify partners — including hospitals — and work with those groups to urge the Commonwealth’s Department of Trans-

Dr. Armando Paez, infectious diseases chief at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. (BAYSTATE HEALTH PHOTO)

portation to improve access to public transit. The Department of Agriculture will be called on to improve access to food and nutrition programs. Silverman said the Department of Education should help minority populations attend good schools.

“You can hear Massachusetts is the healthiest state because we have the most hospitals. But then you have to

dive deeper to see where there are inequities and address them. Then it’s important to fund improvements,” said Silverman.

Getting the governor and lawmakers to pay for those solutions is no easy task. That’s why Silverman and other community leaders are stepping up their efforts to shine a light on the people who are suffering.

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“Everyone, including my mother, has always told me, way before I even said I wanted to be a nurse, that I was meant to be in a field where I could care for others. She knew I was meant for nursing, and I was like, ‘You’re crazy.’ But now I look back and she was right.”

AFRIKE PHAKOS

Holyoke Community College nursing student Afrike Phakos, seen above working in a simulation lab, grew up in Ethiopia and lived in a tiny straw hut, with a thatched roof and mud walls, much like the one pictured below that Phakos’ father, Bante, lives in today. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN; SUBMITTED PHOTOS)

Student’s journey to nursing degree began in a straw hut 25 years ago

By Staasi Heropoulos

Special to The Republican

HOLYOKE — In June, Afrike Phakos will graduate from Holyoke Community College’s nursing program, receiving her diploma during a ceremony at the college. But the first steps toward achieving this pinnacle began nearly 7,000 miles away in Wolaita Sodo, a small village in Ethiopia.

Phakos, 25, was born and lived with her three siblings and parents in a tiny straw hut, with a thatched roof and mud walls, an hour away from Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

The hut had one room and a dirt floor.

The entire family slept together on a straw

health. No one knows her cause of death.

Phakos and her siblings were left with only their father, Bante, who was in the Ethiopian military. Officers gave him two days off to bury his wife and arrange for his children to be placed in an orphanage. He was then forced back into military service, away from Afrike and the others.

If Phakos had stayed in Ethiopia, she would have been married and started her own family when she was 15 years old. But she, a baby sister and an older brother were adopted by a Southampton couple — Lisa Minter and Alex

The economy in the Pioneer Valley is thriving – we are investing in our workers, building our economy from the bottom up and middle out.

As we continue to make great strides through investments in our infrastructure, clean energy, and our healthcare system, I am optimistic of what the future holds for our region and what we can accomplish.

The hut Afrike Phakos' father, Bante, lives in today, similar to the one Afrike grew up in.

(COURTESY PHOTO)

Sudden death When she was 7 years old, Phakos’ mother, Almaz, died unexpectedly. One of the neighbors pronounced her dead. He had no medical training, but everyone in the village came to him when they had a question about their

Phakos — who already had six children.

Phakos and her siblings weren’t sure how old they were when they came to America, because their birth dates on adoption forms were wrong. Doctors did a bone density test to determine their ages.

The first car Afrike had ever seen was when she landed at Boston Logan International Airport, after a 16-hour flight from Africa.

“It was a crazy transition, because I didn’t speak English and my new parents didn’t understand us. But a family friend helped translate our conversations. We also learned English in private and public schools,” said Phakos.

There was only work and no school for children in Wolaita Sodo. Phakos’ first experience in a classroom was in Western Massachusetts. But she was so far behind her peers, her mother home-schooled her every summer until she caught up with others her age.

SEE NURSING, PAGE J11

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mattress. None of the children went to school.

They worked in the fields, picking peanuts, vegetables and fruit. The only time they wore shoes was on Sunday, when they went to church.

Every day, the children hauled dirty water to their home from a creek a mile away. They boiled the water over an open fire to kill bacteria and viruses before they could drink or cook with it. There was no electricity in the hut.

Dogs were considered to be wild animals; goats, cows and donkeys were the family pets.

“I would take my goat for a walk, like someone would take their dog,” said Phakos.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | J11

Afrike Phakos' biological father, Bante, from Ethiopia.

(COURTESY PHOTO)

“Patients deserve the best care, and I’ll provide it, no matter what.”

AFRIKE PHAKOS

Holyoke Community College nursing student Afrike Phakos (closest to camera), during lab class. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Nursing

in my life. I wanted her last days to be surrounded by the people she knew and loved.

CONTINUES FROM PAGE J10 Elderly people lose dignity “It was all so surreal. I can’t as they age. I want to give put it into words, because them the end they deserve, I would never be able to do because they’ve lived such a those things in Ethiopia,” she long life,” she said. told The Republican.

Caring for her grandmother helped forge Phakos’ Caring for her interest in becoming a nurse. grandmother After she graduated from When Phakos was in the Hampshire Regional High ninth grade, her aging Amer- School in Westhampton, she ican grandmother came to earned her certified nursing live with the family. They assistant degree at HCC. offered her hospice care and “Everyone, including my Phakos was there to assist. mother, has always told “I remember asking to me, way before I even said help, because I cared so I wanted to be a nurse, that deeply for her. She was the I was meant to be in a field first grandmother I ever had where I could care for oth-

ers,” said Phakos. “She knew I was meant for nursing, and I was like, ‘You’re crazy.’ But now I look back and she was right.”

Once Phakos became a CNA and took preliminary courses, she entered HCC’s two-year associate in science nursing program. Between lectures, lab work at the school and clinical duties at three local hospitals — plus working two or three part-time jobs at a time to pay bills, including tuition and books — it’s all been so arduous.

“There’s so much they need to teach us in two years,” she said.

Phakos has worked many

overnight shifts in health care, at the Veterans Home at Holyoke and in private settings. When her patients were asleep, she’d keep an eye on them while pushing through her studies. She’s earning high grades at HCC now — all As and B-pluses — but she admits the first semester started a bit rocky.

“No one prepares you for the difficulty of a nursing program. You hear people talk about it, but until your first semester, you don’t understand how difficult it will be. It’s a crazy amount of work,” she said. “The nursing program is not for the weak. There’s definitely been times when you’re knocked

down over and over and you’re like, ‘Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?’”

Phakos’ instructors are also nurses, working locally and giving students a realistic idea of what they can expect to see in hospitals that are understaffed and where the work is overwhelming.

Phakos knows what they’re talking about, because she sees it first-hand when she’s doing her own clinical work.

Even with what she’s seen and experienced — including seeing “people quitting left and right” in the profession, Phakos’ resolve remains strong.

“If you have passion and go into nursing for the right

reasons, no matter what obstacles are thrown at you, you’re going to overcome them,” she said.

When Phakos receives her official nursing pin this spring, it might be unclear whether the toughest days are ahead or have been left behind in a small African village.

“I know how hard it is, the traumatic things you go through in life. I’ve always been a caring person. I love working with kids, I love working with geriatric patients. There isn’t an area I don’t like,” she said.

“Patients deserve the best care, and I’ll provide it, no matter what.”

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

How to save a life

The Republican rides along with local EMTs

By Nicole Williams

Special to The Republican

What does it take to save a life?

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics are some of the most requested 911 calls. The pay doesn’t necessarily account for delivering babies on the clock, but according to those in the profession, the job makes up for it in other ways.

Aedan Randall of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, practices starting an intravenous line during EMT/paramedic training at American Medical Response headquarters in Springfield. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Why they train as paramedics: ‘Being able to help out’

By Nicole Williams

in check because you are exposed to everybody’s worst The work can be brutal. But days and you see that on a still they come, to train as daily basis.” paramedics.

Micheline Turgeon of Belchertown has been a medic since 1996 and is one of the instructors. She admits At American Medical that like many EMS workResponse in Springfield, ers, she has PTSD, but she one group of students is has seen an industrywide learning proper dosage for change over the years. Medmedications. One is practicics are now encouraged to ing intubation on a manikin talk about the job’s burdens, while their instructor provides so that it doesn’t build up. feedback. Another is inserting “Every call can be stressperipheral IVs on mechanical ful,” said Turgeon, “but it all Special to The Republican

A national report showed that EMS services respond to 28.5 million 911 calls annually. EMTs and paramedics work shifts ranging from nine hours to 12, 24 and even 48 hours and take on emergency calls as they come in.

RAM Ambulance Inc. of West Springfield, recently gave members of The Republican a glimpse into what a typical day looks like when those calls come in.

Dan Anderson, of Springfield, has been an EMT for eight years and is the operations manager for RAM, which serves Springfield, West Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke — and often East Longmeadow and Westfield.

“We provide all levels of care,” says Anderson. “A typical truck will have one Basic Life Support provider and one Advanced Life Support provider in order to be able to take a wide variety of calls.”

The company, started by his

EMT Ryan Paro from RAM Ambulance heads back to his rig at Holyoke Hospital after assisting Chicopee Fire EMTs. A patient was having chest pains in their downtown Chicopee apartment.

“We have to be able to listen, get the big picture, take good RAM Ambulance paramedic McLellan White radios his arrival notes, and figat a call to transport an elderly person who has fallen and hit their head. ure out what step-dad in 2008, is a family where they pick up patients business with a small staff for doctors’ visits as well as has to be done and is credited by employbeing on call for emergency ees with having a good work situations. on the scene.” culture. They are busy with “Being an EMT has a lot (PHOTOS BY DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

scheduled appointments

SEE EMTS, PAGE J13

DAN ANDERSON

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Instructor Micheline Turgeon gives some pointers to Cristian Guadalupe of Springfield during EMT/paramedic training at American Medical Response headquarters in Springfield.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

arms that have fake blood running through them.

Still another is practicing the insertion of real IVs on their instructor.

Emily Chandler, AMR’s program director and lead instructor, says the training is critical.

“The city of Springfield is very eclectic, so we see a wide range of emergencies, both medical and trauma,” she said. “With this training, students are prepared for it.”

Chandler says paramedic certification has become the standard of care, even with local fire departments. She explains that while the average EMS company pays $18 an hour, AMR pays $25 an hour.

AMR also offers an ”earn while you learn” program that provides scholarships for the 18-month course paid through the National College of Technical Instruction. A group of scholarship students started training Feb. 5.

“Every call can be stressful, but it all depends on how you handle it and that comes with experience.”

Micheline Turgeon

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depends on how you handle it and that comes with experience.”

Despite low wages and staffing shortages across the EMS field, students come with a similar intention: to help others in their community.

Joe Scott of Springfield is in his 14th week of training and came to the program as an EMT. “My family has been in medicine my entire life,” Scott said. “Before this I was in the food industry and it really wasn’t hitting the mark for me. I really wanted to help people and Student goals make a difference.”

One current student, Aedan Lena Flebotte of SpringRandall, of Windsor Locks, field, also an EMT, has a Connecticut, has been an similar attitude.

EMT for five years and wants “I look forward to class to finish his nursing degree every week. I have a degree and use his paramedic RN in setup for pre-med studies, an emergency department. but I think being a para“Do I think this is worth medic is going to make me a the pay? No, especially what better physician. Being born you have to do and see. But and raised in Springfield, it’s an opportunity to get it’s rewarding to be able to experience and get comfort- help my community,” Fleable in your scope,” Randall botte said. “That’s the most said. “A huge part of EMS rewarding thing, being from is being able to unwind and the area and being able to keeping your mental health help out.”

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | J13

“If it was a really bad call, we all go back to the station and debrief. We have good support.”

MCLELLAN “MICKEY” WHITE

Above left, EMT Ryan Paro from RAM Ambulance (second from left) assists Chicopee Fire EMTs in helping a patient who was having chest pains in their downtown Chicopee apartment. Above right, Paro attends to an elderly patient who fell and hit her head in a nursing home. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

EMTs

chair out of the ambulance as we go up into the building.

He explains that this will be CONTINUES FROM PAGE J12 easier to bring the patient of the same elements as down the five flights of stairs, reporting,” says Anderson. since there is no elevator in “We have to be able to listen, the building. get the big picture, take good “I love my job and I love notes, and figure out what has what I do, but EMTs aren’t to be done on the scene.” paid much more than miniAs he shows us the ambumum wage,” says Paro. “In lances, he receives an interEMS you need more education cept call, meaning a patient and have a high workload, but needs a higher level of care. get paid less than firefighters We climb into the ambulance or garbage truck drivers. RAM and hurry out down Riverdale is a good company though, Road. they treat us good.”

McLellan “Mickey” White Paro recounts one of his EMT Ryan Paro from Ram Ambulance pulls out of the garage of West Springfield is behind wildest experiences on the job. in his ambulance on the way to a call in Chicopee to assist the the wheel. White is the clinical Chicopee Fire Department. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN) “When I first started, I was manager and a paramedic with another company and we who has been an emergency interning on an ambulance national exams to become got a call that there was a fall. responder for 13 years. He under supervision and deliver- nationally certified as an We thought maybe it was an started out as a junior fireing three babies.

EMT. He now studies between older person that fell, but the fighter, then moved on to “I was a C-section baby and calls because he is majoring location was at the overpass. becoming an EMT and is now I sat in on a C-section baby at in Foundations of Health in The guy had been pulled over a paramedic. school,” says White. “As soon nursing school. Once he gets and when his car was searched In 2019 White completed his as that was done, I called my his degree as an RN, he wants he jumped off the overpass. It training to become a paramom and apologized.” to become an nurse in the ED, was 30 to 40 feet! He shatmedic. That two-year program Ryan Paro of Westfield is an but is also considering becom- tered his pelvis, his legs and included classroom time, EMT for RAM. It took Paro six ing a flight nurse. ribs were broken and he was clinical hours in a hospital, months of training and then Paro grabs the folding stair fully conscious.”

Back in the truck, White fills out the patient care report to hand off to the hospital team.

He says there isn’t a day that someone isn’t lost.

“It is just a reality of the job and of life. People die, sometimes it’s peaceful and sometimes it’s tragic,” he says.

“You develop thick skin,” adds Paro.

“Once I had a person decapitated from a car accident,” says White. “EMS is known for having dark humor. It helps you get through it. And video games.”

Paro adds the gym to the list.

“If it was a really bad call, we all go back to the station and debrief. We have good support,” says White.

Like other Emergency Medical Services, RAM hires a third party team of clinicians and therapists to provide support and counseling when needed.

White notes that since the pandemic, they’ve seen an increase in psychiatric calls.

He came down with COVID-19

after answering a call at the Veterans Home at Holyoke.

He sends a text communicating the crew’s ETA at the hospital.

We pull into the hospital and they wheel the patient into the ED. A computer screen shows which pod the patient is going to.

Once the patient is handed over to the hospital and the information is transferred, White disinfects the stretcher and goes back out to the truck.

“The number one injury for EMS are car accidents,” he says. “We’re driving every day. A bare bones ambulance can run around $60,000, a really nice one can go around $250,000. This one is about $100,000 to $150,000. Bigger companies have more expensive trucks, but here we’re really for the patient.”

Everyone climbs in the truck and we head back to wait for the next call. Paro says his shift is 15 hours today. He pulls out his textbooks once he gets back.

YOU BELONG AT BAYSTATE At Baystate Health we know that treating one another with dignity and equity is what elevates respect for our patients and employees. It means we are more than just an organization–we are a community, where you belong.

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J14 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

The quest to deliver culturally sensitive health care in Pioneer Valley

By Namu Sampath

nsampath@repub.com

In Northampton, a doctor works to make medical visits inclusive and gender affirming from the get-go.

A psychiatric hospital in Holyoke is exploring religious and cultural stigmas surrounding mental health care, wanting people to feel understood and validated in their life experiences.

And in Springfield, Baystate Health has created an advisory council to hear from patients about how medical care can be improved for patients from all backgrounds.

“We think understanding this cultural care, getting better at it, and actually spending time in the communities we serve is really the long-term solution,” said Dr. Doug Salvador, who is the senior vice president and chief quality officer at Baystate Health.

As state demographics shift over time, many health care providers and legislators are trying to change the way medical care is delivered by reducing implicit biases and by strengthening trust with patients from all backgrounds.

Historically, minority groups have received inequitable health care and have faced consequences. The pandemic is believed to have made things worse.

Black and Hispanic people are two to three times more likely to contract COVID-19, twice as likely to be hospitalized for coronavirus and three times more likely to die from it than white and Asian people of a similar age, a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts report on racial health equity found.

Black and Hispanic Americans also experience lower life expectancies and worsened health nearing the end of life.

They are less likely to seek mental illness treatment, less likely to get medical insurance and have increased infant mortality rates, compared to their white counterparts, the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy research group, found.

Other minority groups have also faced inequitable care, which reinforces negative stereotypes at a systemic level.

A New England Journal of Medicine report found that of a group of American medical students surveyed about implicit racial bias, nearly half reported “having been exposed to negative comments about Black patients by attending or resident physicians,” and were more likely to have more biases the longer they were in medical school.

In Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, the majority of the population is white: 60.4%, 87.6% and 93.3%, respectively, according to the U.S. Census.

However, there have been incremental increases in the minority and foreign-born populations, and in residents whose primary language is not English, data from the state shows.

Oxbow Primary Care Medical Director Dr. Miranda Balkin in one of her office’s exam rooms in Northampton. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Sen. Joanne Comerford, D-Northampton, an advocate of cultural sensitivity in health care. “It’s our job as a legislature to find the right policy and funding to help make that happen.”

Salvador, Comerford, and three medical professionals — Dr. Miranda Balkin of Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Jalil Johnson of Center for Human Development in Springfield, and Maria Russo-Appel of Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital in Holyoke — are actively working to make a difference for medical patients, to help them receive attentive, bias-free care.

“Our care is fully integrated. We are about treating the whole person.”

Dr. Miranda Balkin, medical director, Oxbow Primary Care

nationally that outcomes are worse for birthing people and for babies across the country if those birthing people are Black or Hispanic, as compared to white,” Salvador said.

In 2021, a Kaiser Family Foundation study found that Black infants were more than two times as likely to die as white infants.

The hospital frequently gets together with local community groups, including elder services in Springfield, local churches, and other leaders, to empower and to inspire better health care throughout communities where, historically, there has been distrust.

The hospital also partners with University of Massachusetts Chan, located in Worcester, to help the next generation of medical professionals immerse themselves in the communities they will work in.

The school hires community members as faculty, Salvador said. These are people who are Black or Hispanic, who don’t speak English as a first language, and who understand inequities firsthand.

Salvador said medical students do community projects such as working at a food bank, visiting jails, and overall, looking at how to approach care for different groups of people who have historically gotten care that’s not as good.

“We understand that there are gaps. We’re working to fill those gaps and we’re making progress,” Salvador said.

For new patients, Salvador said, “you should feel confident that you’re coming into an organization that wants to meet people where they’re at.”

Hospital, the new psychiatric health facility in Holyoke, cultural sensitivity is written into the handbook, said Russo-Appel, the facility’s medical director.

“We have a mosaic of staff here at Valley Springs,” she said. “We have all people from all backgrounds serving the reflection of our community.”

The in-patient hospital treats a number of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, and has programs for people of all ages.

The staff is trained in cultural sensitivity from the moment employees are brought onboard.

In many cultures, there is a stigma around receiving mental health care. Russo-Appel said her staff is equipped with the proper tools to help patients and their families understand how care works at Valley Springs.

“We strongly recommend NAMI for family members, especially if there is stigma,” she said. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, ensures that people, and families, are not alone on their mental health journeys.

“We also provide real-time education, and we recommend families consistently educate themselves on how to help their loved one receive the best care possible,” she said.

For those who feel they are struggling and need some assistance, Russo-Appel said, “get as much education as you can from a reliable source — not the internet.”

“For some people, that may be their primary care provider, for others, depending on their belief, that Stigmas and could be a clergy member,” possible solutions she said. “But whatever you At Valley Springs Behavioral do, don’t keep anything a

— of how marginalized groups feel when receiving medical care.

“There is a deep importance of making sure that need is understood internally, within the providers and nurses who help patients on a day-to-day basis,” he said.

One of the ways Baystate Health is working on rebuilding trust with its patients is by working together with patients on what Salvador called the Patient Family Advisory Council.

In past years, the council Collaboration with has advised the hospital on the community how to improve its obstetrics Springfield is one of many and gynecology department, cities in Massachusetts known developed care for Black and as an “environmental justice” Hispanic patients who are community. That means its more susceptible to hypertenresidents have a disproporsion and worked to help Black tionately greater risk of health patients who are disproporproblems related to “urban tionately affected by sickle heat islands,” flooding, poor cell anemia. infrastructure and air pollu“We have known for a while tion.

In 2018 and 2019, Springfield was named the asthma capital of the country by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, designating it as one of MassMutual Life Insurance Co the worst places for people Baystate Health Springfield with asthma to live. The city’s Baystate Franklin housing stock is among the oldest in the state, the founBaystate Mary Lane ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL dation said, leaving houses Verizon www.westernmassedc.com Baystate Noble and apartments susceptible Country Bank Baystate Wing to conditions that can exacerEastman Chemical, Inc. bate asthma.

Eversource Last year, Allentown, Berkshire Bank The Republican Pennsylvania, was listed the Health New England UMass Amherst Cluster worst place to live for people Comcast Cable with asthma — but Boston, MGM Springfield Worcester and Springfield WWLP-22 News Big Y still rank high on the list.

AECOM/Tishman Const.

TD Bank The need for patients to Berkshire Gas Co feel represented by their Davis Foundation providers has never come at a Western Mass News Westfield Bank greater time.

Fitzgerald Law “We want to make sure that PeoplesBank Massachusetts Mun. wholesale the staff reflect the populaYankee Candle tions that we serve. I think it’s National Grid Mercy Medical Center very important for belonging The Golden Years Home Care Services and inclusion,” said Johnson, The Vann Group Monarch Enterprises senior vice president of medFocus Springfield ical services at the Center bankESB Six Flags New England for Human Development in Bulkley Richardson and Gelinas Springfield.

CRRC MA M & T Bank As a part of his role, JohnCommon Capital son has mandated that all Florence Savings Bank All States Construction, Inc. staff take implicit bias trainMassLive ing and workshops to ensure Polish National Credit Union Pharmaceutical Care Management Assoc that no patient goes unheard.

FirstLight Power Implicit bias, which can The Hope Foundation Balise Motor Sales shape the way health care Savage Arms providers speak to their Bradley Int’l Airport Associated Builders, Inc. patients, has the ability to Tech Foundry become a systemic problem.

Holyoke Gas & Electric Community Foundation “We want to invite diverse Mount Holyoke College opinions and to embrace Freedom Credit Union (them),” Johnson said. That’s Smith College The Markens Group, Inc. why the center is bringing on Springfield College a “diversity, equity, inclusion N. E. Farm Workers Council STCC and belonging officer” who OMG Inc. will lead efforts to reduce Elms College Peerless Precision, Inc. implicit bias within the staff.

UMass Amherst In terms of advice for Wayfinders American International College patients, Johnson said, “it’s Sulco Warehousing important to have meanWestern New England Univ U.S. Tsubaki ingful conversations about Westfield Gas & Electric who and how (you) are in the Monson Savings Westfield State Univ world early in the meeting CSX with your provider.”

BayPath University Peter Pan Bus Lines Johnson and Salvador, of New Valley Bank Baystate Health, are working Maybury Material Handling on similar missions for their Diane Fuller Doherty Eastern States Exposition respective health care teams.

Greenfield Community College A.L. Griggs Industries Salvador has been working YWCA on improving health care for Holyoke Community College For information call all for over two decades.

BusinessWest Rick Sullivan Tamarack Advisors In the last five years, he LLumin President & CEO Cadence Aerospace/Tell Tool said, more people have (413) 755-1300 started to understand — and Greenfield/Northampton Co-Op Bank become increasingly aware

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Safe space for queer patients Balkin, a medical provider who oversees the Oxbow Medical Center and LGBTQ Clinic at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, said her clinic is a safe space for her patients.

She and her staff work to provide culturally competent care, which meets the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of patients.

“Our care is fully integrated,” she said. “We are about treating the whole person.”

About half of her patients are a part of the LGBTQ community.

Balkin makes sure she and her staff are culturally aware about pronouns, don’t use “deadnames” (a person’s name before their transition) and approach care from an “affirming” place.

“That matters a lot to people, and we make space for people’s identities and families in a way that they think makes people feel safe,” she said.

The clinic, which is half made up of queer patients looking for a safe place to receive care and half made up of family clinic patients, opened shortly before the world shut down during the pandemic.

“It was really hard to build relationships with patients and to build trust during COVID,” Balkin said. “It was slow and awkward.”

Now, since more and more clinics have been reopening, Balkin said she hopes her patients feel safe knowing they Working together can build an ongoing relationGiven all this, what can ship with their provider. providers, especially locally, “Patients can expect londo to improve medical care gevity at our clinic,” she said. for all of their patients? And “They can know that we’ll ask what should patients know them to fill out their forms about advocating for themahead of time so that we can selves and their families at the discuss current and all health doctor’s office? concerns and their health “If we work together with history without coming from a our community, if we include place of judgment.” our community in everything we do, they can regularly help Disproportionate health care advise us on the things that matter to them,” said SalvaNot only was connecting dor, the doctor who is the sewith patients tough during nior vice president and chief the shutdown, the pandemic quality officer at Baystate “exposed rife inequities that Health. had been present in the comAs the population of Massa- monwealth for lifetimes,” said chusetts continues to diverComerford. sify, so must providers and During the pandemic, peopolicies, advocates say. ple of color had less access to “People should know that the COVID-19 vaccines, went we’re a state that believes to hospitals at higher percentin health care,” said state ages and suffered dispro-

portionate economic consequences, the senator said.

Comerford has advocated for health care bills and initiatives since getting elected to her position in 2019.

Last year, Comerford proposed legislation, the HEALING Act, that would build a culture of health equity throughout the commonwealth’s government, she said.

“It would not only be a health equity bill, but a racial justice imperative,” she said.

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Looking back on Baystate Health headlines of Baystate opens new operating rooms

2023

On March 13, 2023, Baystate Medical Center unveiled its new operating rooms and interventional suites, featuring the latest technological advances and providing more space for surgery and procedures.

The $170 million project replaced operating rooms built 40 years ago in the hospital’s Daly Building. The buildout of unfinished space is part of Baystate’s “Hospital of the Future” plans.

The 72,000-square-foot facility features: • 24 operating rooms, twice the size of the former rooms.

• 8 heart and vascular and neuro interventional procedure rooms.

• 80 prep and recovery bays.

“Our new operating rooms and interventional suites will allow us to build a strong future that supports the technical and clinical advances in the ever-changing world of surgery,” said Dr. Mark A. This mosaic at Baystate Medical Center, dedicated in 2023, honors staff for their work during Keroack, MPH, president and the pandemic. (PHOTO PROVIDED BY BAYSTATE HEALTH) CEO of Baystate Health.

Wing named for Robert S. Davis The Robert S. Davis Wing at Baystate Medical Center, formerly known as the South Wing, was dedicated in spring 2023 in a ceremony honoring the life of Robert “Bob” Davis, who died in 2021.

The wing houses a portion of the hospital’s new surgery space as well as the Pediatric Procedure Unit, Sadowsky Center for Children, Baystate Medical Center inpatient pharmacy, and two floors of patient rooms.

“The Davis family has helped us create a modern surgical department that will provide patients with a better experience, accommodate new methodologies, and attract top clinical talent,” said Keroack.

‘Healthier Tomorrows’ launched In September 2023, Baystate Health announced a $70 million fundraising effort.

“Healthier Tomorrows: The Campaign for Baystate Health,” is the largest fundraising goal in Baystate Health’s history.

It focuses on raising money for capital needs, program support and endowment development.

Keroack said the campaign can change the face of health care in the region. “Our vision is to improve the health of everyone in our community by recruiting top-tier medical providers, building cutting-edge spaces for them to practice in, enhancing our services to meet the changing needs of the people we serve, and ensuring Baystate Health is here to stay for the long haul.”

The goal would pay for several initiatives, including a state-of-the-art surgical facility at Baystate Medical Center; renovated Family Medicine practice and teaching space at Baystate Franklin; a Center for Nursing Excellence at Baystate Medical Center; and support for the endowment, with the purpose of increasing fiscal resilience for the organization.

Radiothon brings in over $300,000 for Children’s Hospital

Isa is Baystate Children’s Hospital “facility dog.” She arrived in 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED BY BAYSTATE HEALTH)

Anyone interested in employment opportunities at Baystate Health can visit baystate healthjobs.com.

Children’s Hospital gets ‘facility dog’

In October 2023, Baystate Children’s Hospital welcomed Isabela, or “Isa,” Baystate’s first facility dog. She joined the team thanks to a $150,000 grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation.

Isa goes to work every day to provide animal-assisted therapy to pediatric patients, their families and staff members.

The foundation’s Dogs for Joy program seeks to increase Mosaic honors pandemic staffing the number of in-resident dogs in children’s hospitals across the country. Facility dogs like On June 29, 2023, Baystate Health dedicated a massive mosaic to its employees across the health system as a recognition of their courage and compassion during the COVID-19 pandem- Isa are professionally trained ic. to work in a healthcare setting.

Made of hand-carved sculptural tiles by New England artist Natalie Blake, the artwork hangs Unlike volunteer dogs that visin the Daly Lobby of Baystate Medical Center. Jennifer Faulkner, vice president of Team Mem- it a hospital or medical center ber Experience and Talent Management, led the ceremony, speaking of the importance of art for a short time, facility dogs in the process of healing. are at the hospital every day A version of the artwork was also installed at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Baystate with their handlers.

Noble Hospital, and Baystate Wing Hospital.

In most cases they are used exclusively for clinical work.

The dogs can physically interposition was made possible MassHire Hampden County act with patients to provide by a generous donation by Workforce Board and Baycomfort and love.

Grinspoon to Baystate Health state Health, has earned a Research shows that aniFoundation. $500,000 grant.

The Recommal-assisted therapy can low‘Rays of Hope’ Grinspoon, founder of a pete Program is designed to er stress and anxiety levels, raises over number of foundations and train adults in the area’s poor- affect blood pressure, increase supporter of variety of philanest neighborhoods and guide patient mobility and provide $520,000 thropic causes, is dedicated to them into careers leading to an alternative focus from pain.

In October 2023, the 30th ensuring resources are availfinancial independence.

“Dogs like Isabela are often annual Rays of Hope Walk able to meet the psychiatry and Run raised more than needs of the residents of west$520,000 toward finding a ern Massachusetts, particucure for breast cancer. larly in light of the increased All monies raised remain demand for behavioral health local and administered by the providers for children and Baystate Health Foundation to young adults following the assist patients and their famiCOVID-19 pandemic. lies affected by breast cancer.

Funds support the Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer ‘Get With The Research, as well as treatGuidelines’ effort ment, breast health programs, outreach and education, and Baystate Health’s four hosthe purchase of state-of-the art pitals received the American equipment through the BayHeart Association’s Get With state Health Breast Network.

The Guidelines — Stroke Gold Since its inception in Spring- Plus Quality Achievement field in 1994 by Lucy Giuggio Award for their commitCarvalho, Rays of Hope has ment to ensuring that stroke grown from 500 participants patients receive the most raising $50,000 to some appropriate treatment.

24,000 runners and walkers Baystate Medical Center in raising a total of $13 million.

Springfield, Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, Baystate Wing Hospital in Pushing for Palmer, and Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield earned digital equity the awards by meeting specific The Massachusetts Broadmeasures for the diagnosis band Institute (MBI) awarded and treatment of stroke pa$5.1 million to Baystate Health tients. on behalf of the Alliance for All four hospitals also Digital Equity in western Mas- received the American Heart sachusetts in spring of 2023.

Association’s Target: Type 2 Frank Robinson, retired Diabetes Honor Roll Award. vice president, public health, at Baystate Health, said the Advancing hospital and the alliance seek to ensure that low-income workforce, career communities and households in western Massachusetts can opportunities access the internet and have In 2023, Baystate Health digital equity. gave employees more opThat includes access to the portunities to advance their skills, computer equipment, careers in some of the most and reliable high-speed interin-demand jobs in health care. net needed to operate in the In October, a cohort of neardigital world. ly 20 employees were celeThe alliance believes digital brated for completing training access plays a vital role as programs for professions such part of overall personal and as medical assistant, pharmacommunity equity, because all cy technician, patient-care major parts of life have gone technician, and others. online.

In the same month, a career fair hosted by Baystate Health drew more than 150 high Partnering with school and college students interested in career pathways Grinspoon on in health care. mental health Later in the year, Baystate In November 2023, Baystate was a partner in The SpringHealth announced the develfield-Holyoke Recompete opment of a Harold Grinspoon Project, selected as a finalist Endowed Chair of Psychiatry, in the Economic Development with Dr. Barry Sarvet, chair of Administration’s Distressed the Department of Psychiatry, Area Recompete Pilot Probeing named the inaugural gram. chair. This endowed chair The project, led by the

described as better than any medicine. They just know when someone needs comfort, support, and love, and they give it unconditionally without judgment and expect nothing in return,” said Dr. Charlotte Boney, chair, Department of Pediatrics at Baystate.

CEO Mark A. Keroack to retire On August 1, 2023, Dr. Mark A. Keroack, MPH, announced his plans to retire as Baystate Health CEO in July 2024 after 10 years of leadership as CEO of the region’s primary health system.

Keroack joined Baystate Health in 2011 as chief physician executive and president of Baystate Medical Practices and was appointed to the CEO role in 2014. He has had a long career in both medicine and health administration, serving in leadership roles at UMass Memorial Medical Group and the University Health System Consortium.

A specialist in infectious diseases, Keroack was a leading voice during the COVID-19 pandemic for the region, offering fact-based public health information and partnering with public health officials to address the crisis.

A national search for his successor is underway.

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The 22nd Annual 94.7 WMAS Radiothon for Baystate Children’s Hospital, a two-day radio broadcast in March 2023, featured the stories of “miracle children” and resulted in $302 674 pledged by listeners in support of the only full-service children’s hospital in western Massachusetts. The 2024 radiothon is scheduled for March 5-6.

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J16 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

Year’s top developments at Baystate’s community hospitals

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Why it’s essential to embrace change in health care

T

HE CHANGING face of health care has never been more evident than it is today. The disruptions of the pandemic, advances in technology, changing needs of our workforce and scientific breakthroughs have led us all to think differently about some of our long-held beliefs and practices around health care delivery.

Above, from left, Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield and Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer. Below, workers clear the emergency entrance to Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield after an overnight snowstorm. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)

The following is a recap on major developments in 2023 at Baystate Health’s three community hospitals in Western Massachusetts.

Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield

Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield • Baystate Noble Hospital Opioid Task Force was formed using funds from the FY23 legislative earmark ($75,000) that state Sen. John Velis obtained.

The task force, comprised of internal constituents as well as community stakeholders, focuses on needs of the local community, specifically those with substance use disorder who seek care in the Emergency Department. The task force sees an opportunity to enhance the ability of the ED to provide meaningful resources to people who use drugs in an environment that feels inclusive and non-judgmental.

Also in 2023, members of the task force presented at the annual Sigma Region 15 Nursing Research Symposium.

They were Sarah Warn, RN, and Heather Colon, RN, both of the Emergency Depart-

(PHOTO COURTESY OF BAYSTATE MEDICAL CENTER)

“At Baystate Health we are embracing these changes because we believe they can expand access Mark A. Keroack to care, strengthfor professional growth and en our teams fulfillment. We offer training and improve the for more than 30 different health professions in collabhealth of all in oration with over a dozen colleges and universities. We the communisupport team members’ needs ties we serve.” for wellness and work-life balance and bring innovation to the workplace to help minimize administrative burdens.

Our employees are at the heart of all that we do and are deserving of our support and recognition.

While we embrace change, it is the unchanging core of our organization that is at the heart of our success: • A commitment to clinical excellence. We take seriously our role as the region’s premier center for safe, high quality, state-of-the-art care.

• A model of clinical integration. We operate as a single system, so that we reduce redundancy and ensure that patients receive the same quality of care regardless of where they are in the system.

• A focus on the whole patient. We work to address the social factors that affect overall health, and we seek to understand what makes each patient unique so that we can make a difference in their lives.

• A focus on learning and improvement. We are an academic health system, teaching best practices to the next generation of health care workers and being open to innovation to improve our performance in safety, quality, experience, and value.

DR. MARK A. KEROACK

• A culture of respect, teamwork, and servant leadership. We are open to diverse voices and focus on helping each other succeed, making us more resilient and able to adapt to whatever changes the future holds for us.

As I look back on my 44 years in health care and prepare to retire in July, I recognize that change has been the one constant of my career.

Baystate Health’s ability to accept and manage change has led to the many advancements and improvements in care delivery that we value today. New cures, shorter hospital stays, and safer work environments are among them.

Change always brings challenges, but it also shows us how to deliver in new ways on the core elements that form the foundation of our strength as an organization. This spirit of openness and commitment will allow Baystate Health to continue to deliver on our promise of advancing care and enhancing lives for our communities for years to come.

Mark A. Keroack, MD, MPH, is president and CEO of Baystate Health.

Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer • Baystate Wing received a FY 2023 legislative earmark to focus on the prevention and treatment of opioid-related substance use disorders in the Baystate Health Eastern Region. The earmark was made by Massachusetts state Rep. Todd Smola to support initiatives that reduce health disparities, promote wellness and increase access to prevention, treatment, recovery, and referrals for people with opioid and substance-use disorders.

• The Baystate Palmer Cardiology, Gastroenterology, and Endocrinology Outpatient Specialty Practices moved to a new location within the hospital in September. The move was the first phase in the opening of the Palmer Health & Wellness Center. “This new clinical area will support the growth of programs and services that the health system is focusing on,” said Narzeya Johnson, regional health and wellness site administrator.

• Baystate Wing earned national recognition from the American Heart Association for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment.

• Baystate Wing Auxiliary gave $25,000 to the Emergency Department’s capital campaign in September. The group has pledged $200,000 in all.

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• The Baystate Family Medicine-Greenfield program received an behavioral health grant worth $325,000 per year for five years. It will support the training of family medicine residents in providing enhanced behavioral and mental health services to children and adolescents.

• The same program received a grant worth $135,000 a year for three years. This grant supports the focus on introducing Population-based Urban and Rural Community Health (PURCH) medical students and residents to Franklin County community agencies and resources. It brings PURCH medical students to Franklin County practices for their required family medicine training.

Also, a state earmark for $150,000 was secured, with the assistance of state Sen. Jo Comerford, to offset costs related to geriatric and pediatric training and recruiting.

• Baystate Franklin Medical Center held its annual Toy and Gift Drive, collecting more than 200 toys and gifts from its team members. The items were then donated to Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Family Center just before the holidays for local children in need.

• Baystate Franklin collected backpacks and school supplies to donate to United Way Women’s Way Blooming Backpacks campaign.

• Baystate Franklin, with key community partners, established a home-based treatment service funded by a $1 million grant from Health Resources and Services Administration’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program. The Franklin County and North Quabbin Bridge Clinic aims to help meet patients where they are, whether at a recovery center, library, or Salvation Army.

• Ron Bryant, president of Baystate Regional Hospitals, continues to work collaboratively with Greenfield Mayor Virginia “Ginny” Desorgher to discuss the role Baystate Franklin Medical Center plays in Greenfield and the region. Joining in the meeting was Baystate Health Vice President for Government and Community Relations Mike Knapik. Desorgher is a former nurse who worked in eastern Massachusetts, but volunteered at BFMC when

she moved to Greenfield more than a decade ago.

• Baystate Franklin’s Birthplace launched TeamBirth, which supports open communication among patients, their support people, and clinicians during birth. TeamBirth empowers everyone to reach decisions together about labor, birth, postpartum, and a patient’s desired comfort measures, plan of care, and discharge. The result is more dignified, respectful care that gives patients the role that they want, and ensures patient voices are heard and equitable care is given to all.

• The Birthplace at Baystate Franklin was awarded the 2023 Breastfeeding Achievement Award for its commitment to outstanding care for newborns and support of mothers for in-room care.

• Baystate Franklin joined forces with HEALing Communities to offer expanded access to all forms of medication for opioid use disorders within 24 to 48 hours upon admission to the hospital.

• Dr. John Romano, a Baystate Family Medicine-Greenfield resident, joined the Greenfield Board of Health and started the Walk With A Doc program at Baystate Franklin. Romano said the program, which aims to “make health and happiness accessible to everyone,” was introduced to him through outreach to the hospital. “I felt like this would be a good opportunity to engage with the public and get a basic form of exercise that’s really effective,” Romano said.

ment.

• Baystate Noble received an American Heart Association award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability.

Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

• Baystate Noble resumed the “Student Ambassador Program — A Mini Medical School.” The program targets high school students, 16 and older, from Westfield Technical Academy, Westfield High School and St. Mary’s High School. It is designed to give high school students an introduction to the wide range of careers in hospital healthcare. Students observe what is done in the hospital’s different departments, see what jobs interest them, attend presentations, shadow a doctor or nurse, and hear from department heads about real-life health care scenarios. Eight students participated.

At Baystate Health we are embracing these changes because we believe they can expand access to care, strengthen our teams and improve the health of all in the communities we serve.

Even before the pandemic, virtual approaches to care were becoming established in many areas of practice and sophisticated digital tools were proving their worth in keeping patients informed and helping them manage many of their health needs. With the onset of the pandemic, there was a rapid acceleration in trying out novel approaches to care to ensure safety and improve convenience.

What has resulted from all these innovations is a broad array of approaches to traditional physician-patient interactions, such as telehealth and hospital-at-home programs.

These new types of encounters have been embraced eagerly by patients and are at the forefront of our efforts to improve care delivery.

At the center of better care delivery is a growing and engaged health care workforce.

Against a backdrop of organizations retreating from their focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Baystate Health has reaffirmed its belief that providing culturally responsive and gender-affirming care at the highest level requires a fulfilling and safe work environment where all our team members feel that they belong. Every day we are growing and leading change in ways that meet these commitments.

Our ability to recognize and embrace the changing needs of our care teams helps us build on our success. We know that employees have many choices of where they can pursue their career interests, and we are committed to being their workplace of choice.

As the region’s largest health care system and only academic medical center, we provide many unique opportunities

Each of the 20 new operating rooms at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield —installed in 2023 — are state-of-theart and many are twice the size of their old operating rooms.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | J17

OUTLOOK 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

’Hamp chamber chief: Lots to look forward to, ‘opportunities’ and all

A

S LEADERS, WE often ask ourselves, “What’s next?” Sometimes the answers are crystal clear, and other times, things couldn’t be hazier or more unpredictable. Anticipating what’s next, regardless of the original view from the top, creates the opportunity to reflect on past successes, influence the events we expect to encounter in the coming months, and double down on efforts to shape the future.

Vincent Jackson

When it comes to small business, the backbone of commercial life in Northampton, my outlook is incredibly positive. In my time as leader This is an awesome responof the chamber for nearly sibility, rooted in a belief that five years now, I have seen stewardship of place and care the resilience of our small for community are shared businesses during the most values that also yield strong trying times. I am inspired livelihoods. This idea is central by local business owners and to the vision of the Greater their steady commitment to Northampton Chamber of breakthrough innovation, Commerce and our mission-fo- unbeatable customer service, cused programs to promote a collaborative partnerships thriving economy and commu- and overwhelming support of nity. Through programs like local nonprofit groups. the Greater Northampton Gift Solopreneurs and small Card Program, we see that the businesses that employ five or strength of our local economy fewer people comprise over is tied directly to the success of 70% of the chamber’s nearly small businesses in the com500 members, a reflection of munity.

Northampton’s vibrant and

The Iron Horse Music Hall, a recently closed performance venue once described as the heartbeat of Northampton’s music scene, is slated to reopen this spring under new ownership by The Parlor Room Collective. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

welcoming community for entrepreneurial activity. Many of these small businesses are family-owned and some have been around for decades, while others are relatively new and feeding off the collective business wisdom that exists through our membership and the familiar notion that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” A thriving economy benefits all.

Another factor behind Northampton’s flourishing small-business community is

the variety across business sectors. Sixty percent of the chamber’s membership represents five major business categories almost equally: business and professional services; personal services; shopping and specialty retail; finance and insurance; and restaurants, food and beverages. Having a wide variety of products and services increases economic growth and mitigates the risk of being too dependent on any one industry.

About 18% of our member-

Venture capital funding for Black, Latino startups plummeted in 2023

By Isabel Tehan

Rakheem Morris, founder and CEO of the recruitment startup HourWork, said that while he is Underrepresented founders took a dispronot surprised the numbers are down, the degree portionate hit when it came to venture capital to which funding for Black founders dropped is funding in 2023. “startling.”

While the market was cool for venture capital in “They’re showing that when investors have the general, capital raised by Black founders in Mas- power position, they invest in underrepresented sachusetts dropped by 88% from 2022 to 2023 founders much less often,” Morris said.

— compared with just a 21% drop in funding year In his perspective, this downward trend has the over year for startups in Massachusetts overall. potential to have a generational impact, widening the wealth gap even further.

Morris’ company raised its Series A venture capital in May 2022, and he has not had to look for additional funding since then, he said.

About 9.5% of the Massachusetts population The market was frigid for Latino founders as identified as Black or African American in the well. They saw VC investment decrease by 69% most recent U.S. Census. Approximately 13.1% over the same period, according to Crunchbase identified as Hispanic or Latino. data.

This waning commitment is not just present in Daniel Acheampong, partner at Visible Hands, venture capital, but represents a larger reduction a venture capital firm that supports underreprein attention to issues of diversity across all corsented founders, described the new data as an porate levels, said Malia Lazu, CEO and founder unwelcome direction in startup investing and a of The Urban Labs, a workplace culture firm, and shock to the system. author of “From Intention to Impact, A Practical “You almost need to take a second to breathe,” Guide to DEI.” Lazu is also a lecturer at MIT on Acheampong said. the topics of innovation and inclusion.

In 2023, less than 0.1% of overall funding for National outlook Massachusetts businesses went to Black founders. Black founders in Massachusetts raised just At the national level, funding for Black founders $14.6 million in venture capital last year. has decreased overall since a spike in funding In 2022, Black founders in Massachusetts in the wake of 2020’s racial reckoning. In 2021 raised $120 million for their startups, which was and 2022, Black founders raised over $1 billion approximately 0.6% of the total $20 billion that annually, which for both years was over 1% of the Massachusetts companies raised that year. At the national average. In 2023, it was less than 0.5%, time, a slight increase in the proportion of fundor about $661 million out of $136 billion, according going to underrepresented founders signaled ing to Crunchbase. a slow but apparent commitment to growing an In 2020, there was a “flashpoint moment” said ecosystem for underrepresented founders.

Lazu, and a confluence of data that made people The 2023 numbers are a large step in the wrong want to address past harms and racial imbaldirection, and they are not a surprise. ances. How the corporate world responded was “It’s certainly the lived experience of Black temporarily helpful, but not built to last. and Latino founders. So it’s not shocking,” said “It was a reaction, not a sustainable response,” Senofer Mendoza, founder of Mendoza Ventures, she said. It didn’t work to change structures or adthe first Latino-led venture capital firm on the dress biases of what kind of investments are seen as East Coast. safe bets for business. The bias was not addressed, Latino founders raised $265 million in 2023, she said, and there is now a return to the status quo. down from $868 million the previous year. That “Unless your response is taking on the structurfigure represents about 1.6% of the total capital al, institutional and implicit bias, it’s not going to raised in Massachusetts. In 2022, Latino foundlast,” said Lazu. ers raised 4.3% of the state’s venture capital total.

At Visible Hands, Acheampong said the firm Total funding raised by Massachusetts busiis committed to continuing their work serving nesses came in at $15.8 billion in 2023, compared underrepresented founders despite the market’s to $20 billion the previous year, according to downturn for Black and brown founders.

Crunchbase.

“Hearing those numbers, it’s frustrating and Mendoza said that early 2023 predictions led her disheartening,” Acheampong said. to believe that the cooling economic landscape Other venture capitalists are missing out on would have a harsher impact on women- and peo- opportunities to invest in promising companies ple-of-color-led businesses. The newly available by overlooking some founders, he said. The firm data proved that prediction to be correct. will continue to look for those opportunities.

“This is one of the first indicators showing that “Part of our job is to make sure we’re identifyis exactly what’s happened,” she said. In Mendo- ing those incredible founders who are building za’s perspective, it’s part of an overall decline in impressive businesses, and are consistently commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion overlooked,” he said. “We’re focused on doing initiatives. what we do.”

Boston Business Journal

ship is made up of Northampton’s two largest employers, Smith College and Cooley Dickinson Hospital (part of the Mass General Brigham system), and several banks and other small businesses that employ 25 or more people; these businesses support the efforts of a strong base of nonprofit groups. This ecosystem of small and midsized businesses, educational and financial institutions, and nonprofits is what makes Northampton’s local economy and community tick. As a result, Northampton has become a regional hotspot for music, arts, culture and entertainment over the years, and boasts over 100 restaurants and food and beverage establishments that appeal to residents and tourists alike.

Plans are already underway to build upon Northampton’s thriving arts and culture success in the months ahead.

For example, the Iron Horse Music Hall, a recently closed performance venue once described as the heartbeat of Northampton’s music scene, is slated to reopen this spring under new ownership by The Parlor Room Collective — a

nonprofit group committed to the vitality of our community through the power of music.

A capital campaign is underway to revive the Iron Horse, and the chamber will play a significant role by activating marketing campaigns via its tourism division, the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council, to attract visitors to performances at the iconic venue when it reopens.

Northampton, nicknamed Paradise City, is not without its challenges. A few notable concerns in 2024 include continued workforce shortages, unpredictable inflation, lingering supply chain risks, and anticipated business disruption owing to the Main Street Redesign Project, though not scheduled to begin until 2025.

A prominent Northampton business leader often reminds our community that with challenge comes opportunity. This is our moment to think strategically and creatively about what’s next and shape the future for a positive and lasting impact in our community.

Vincent Jackson is the executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce.

Three strategies to expand Massachusetts talent pipeline

M

By Emerson Foster and Ed Lambert ASSACHUSETTS HAS A booming economy, some of the world’s best universities, and one of the best K-12 education systems in the nation. So why is it that employers struggle to find qualified workers and Black and Latino students are underrepresented in higher education and in growing industries?

odds of sustained college enrollment for participating students, two-thirds of whom are Black or Latino and more than half of whom are from low-income homes.

But right now, career pathways programs only reach a small fraction of high school students, and not all of them have an explicit focus on recruiting and supporting students who are traditionally under-represented in higher education and highgrowth industries.

The administration of Gov. Maura Healey has already taken some important steps to expand these programs, pushing for and getting increased investments in We sat down with some of Greater Bos- career-connected learning. A bill (An Act ton’s top Black and Latino leaders on the to Create and Expand Student Pathways frontlines working for greater equity in ed- to Success) to broaden state support for ucation, as well as two current students, to student pathways is also being considered ask them how we can better help today’s by the legislature. students become tomorrow’s professionBut it’s clear action must be taken far als, leaders, and CEOs. beyond Beacon Hill.

What they told us is that too many MasThere are three areas we should prioritize sachusetts high schools fail to consider the to begin to make the changes we know will unique circumstances of Black and Latino lead to more progress. To do so, we must: students and multilingual learners who • Strengthen partnerships between encounter conscious and unconscious bias. the business community and schools to Too often, educators, counselors, and increase awareness about opportunities school staff don’t reflect the student and provide students with hands-on population they serve. And, while Massaexperiences in thriving industries, such as chusetts is recognized around the world life sciences, health, clean tech, and other as a leading hub for the life sciences, sectors. computer/information technology and • Recruit and retain educators and other fast-growing industries, students in career counselors of color and train all our communities of color are unaware of educators in cultural competency and career opportunities in these sectors and awareness of explicit and implicit biases. don’t have access to the kinds of prepara• Expand career-connected learning tion they need to compete for these jobs. opportunities to ensure the benefits of Students have passions, talents, and Massachusetts’ economic engine are dreams, but they need help connecting shared by all. their interests to realizable college and The Massachusetts Business Alliance for career paths. These systemic barriers hurt Education, in partnership with members students’ ability to adequately prepare like Takeda, is supporting several initiafor college, earn certificates, enroll in tives including the STEM Tech Career secondary education, and obtain a job in a Academies aimed at creating actionable high-paying industry. pathways for new and diverse candidates These concerns are shared across the to enter the workforce. business community. Less than half of Ultimately, though, we know that business leaders (49%) feel the commonmeaningful and sustained impact relies on wealth’s education system is doing a good partnerships, recognition of the challengjob in getting kids ready for a career, includ- es we face, and the collective action of a ing just 4% who feel the system is doing a community. We welcome and encourage very good job, according to a new survey those in our communities to get involved conducted by Lincoln Park Strategies. in this important work.

Nine in 10 (87%) say it’s very or someThe next generation depends on us. what difficult to find people with the right Emerson Foster is head of human resourcskills, and seven in ten (73%) say hiring es, U.S Business Unit and People Advisory is their top challenge or near their top Group, Takeda and a member of MBAE’s challenges. board of directors. Ed Lambert is execuMassachusetts has developed several tive director of the Massachusetts Business programs meant to prepare all particiAlliance for Education, former mayor of Fall pants for success in the workforce, inRiver, and a former state representative. This cluding the very promising Early College commentary first appeared in the Boston initiative that is more than doubling the Business Journal.

Hospital backlogs push parts of health care system into ‘high risk’

By Alison Kuznitz

State House News Service

Major swaths of the state’s health care system are considered “high risk,” with the crisis largely fueled by a major backlog of patients waiting to be discharged from hospitals, the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association said.

MHA indicated the situation is exacerbated by serious financial challenges at Steward Health Care, which said it doesn’t plan to close any of its safety-net hospitals in Massachusetts but hinted some facilities may eventually come under new ownership.

The Department of Public Health elevated the risk level of two medical regions — the Boston

metropolitan area and northeastern Massachusetts — to Tier 3 this month, a designation that could result in hospitals slashing “elective, non-urgent procedures and services,” MHA said. Hospitals with the designation must also meet frequently to discuss bed availability.

“It is indeed a crisis for those on the frontlines and the public can play a role in helping to alleviate the stresses hospitals are under,” Patricia Noga, MHA’s vice president of clinical affairs,

said in the group’s newsletter Monday. “It’s imperative to seek the right care in the right place.

Emergency departments will see any patient in need of care, but they are designed to handle severe illnesses and injuries that can’t be addressed in the primary or urgent care setting. Going elsewhere when appropriate saves you time and ensures that patients with true emergencies get the care they need, when they need it.”

The state makes its decisions about risk level tiering, using a scale of 0 to 4, based on risk factors such as a spike in certain diseases, staffing problems, emergency department usage and bed availability. DPH, in an alert sent to provid-

ers, said the new risk levels were being issued “in order to assure good situational awareness and rapid response for capacity constraints and workforce challenges.”

Other parts of the state, including southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape and Islands, have been assigned to Tier 3 since the start of 2023. The state in January outlined an agreement among hospitals, insurers and long-term care settings designed to more smoothly and efficiently move patients through hospitals.

The capacity crunch at hospitals is “made even more precarious due to the unstable finances and uncertainty surrounding the Steward Health Care system,” MHA said.

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Andrew Stefanik works as a “bobbin boy” in No. 7 spinning room in Chicopee in November 1911. (LEWIS HINE PHOTO)

Lewis Hine trained his lens on children’s work in the Pioneer Valley

More than a century ago, pioneering documentary photographer Lewis Hine helped expose the reality of child labor in America.

The images reproduced here, now held by the Library of Congress, were taken on behalf of the National Child Labor Committee.

Hines traveled the country to reveal the reality of children’s work in factories and farms. In Massachusetts, he visited the Pioneer Valley and photographed children at work, including at local mills in Ludlow and Chicopee and factories, including Kibbe’s Candy Factory in Springfield.

Alexander Ferrier, left, had been a "band boy" in the No. 8 mill in Ludlow for two years in November 1911. Photographer Lewis Hine noted: "He said that a short time ago an unprotected gear on his machine caught his sleeve and tore it off completely. Another boy had a large part of his hand taken off by the same machine." At right, David Ferrier (Alexander's brother) had been a "doffer" in the No. 10 mill for one month.

Above, Leopoldo Andreoli, who photographer Lewis Hine estimated to be 11 or 12 years old, worked as a “loom boy” in a spinning room of the Ayer Mill in Massachusetts. He was making $5.15 a week in Lawrence in September 1911. At left, from top: Eddie Grimshaw had worked as a doffer in No. 8 mill in Chicopee for nine months in November 1911; Kibbe’s Candy Factory workers Freddie Reed, Jos. Giordano, Willard Leavenworth and Francis Clancy in Springfield in October 1910; and an unidentified Massachusetts child worker, as photographed by Lewis Hine. (LEWIS HINE PHOTOS)

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | J19

Carmino Fascinoe outside the Ayer Mill in Lawrence, where he worked in September 1911. (LEWIS HINE PHOTO)

Clockwise from top left: This image by photographer Lewis Hine from 1917 is titled “Leaf Boys”; Margaret Reddington, 14 years old, powders roses with a blow pipe at Boston Floral Supply Co., 347-357 Cambridge St., in January 1917; a group of 66 spinners in No. 7 spinning room at a Chicopee mill pictured in November 1911 were “the most openly profane and vulgar I have ever encountered in mill work,” wrote photographer Lewis Hine; George Barcome had been a “band boy” for three months at the No. 10 mill in Ludlow in November 1911; and girls perform home work in Somerville in August 1912, crocheting on underwear, which Hine called “a common sight.” (LEWIS HINE PHOTOS)

A group of boys working in Ludlow Mills in November 1911. Boys in the photo included George Barcome, Frank Shefjack, Eddie Grimshaw, Antony Gourek, Lemmie Gebo, Sam Baupre and Stoney Severyn. (LEWIS HINE PHOTO) .

J20 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER is the voice of business for our members. We work together to create a shared vision for our region, strengthen and improve our economy, develop the workforce, and provide legislative advocacy. For more than a century, the Chamber has promoted, supported, and enhanced the economic health of the region.

2024

EVENTS OUTLOOK

Fill the Food Bank

Beacon Hill Summit

March 8

March 27

April 1

Rise & Shine

Mayors’ Forum

Fire & Ice

April 11

April 26

May 23

Annual Meeting

June 12

ENGAGE ATTEND CONNECT JOIN THE CHAMBER springfieldregionalchamber.com

* Dates subject to change 3194760-01

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| SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

“We need to work harder for every student. We have to put a lot more resources into recruiting those students.”

JONATHAN SCULLY, VICE PRESIDENT OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING AT SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE

EDUCATION IN THE VALLEY

Clockwise from top left: the Old Chapel and W.E.B. Du Bois Library at the University of Massachusetts Amherst; Jonathan Scully, vice president of enrollment management and marketing at Springfield College; Elms College junior Jess Charron, of Adams, carries her stuff as she moves into her dormitory on campus; a sign welcomes students to Elms College; and students move between classes on the campus of American International College in Springfield.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN; REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTOS)

By Greta Jochem

Colleges across the Valley are working to combat enrollment decline and attract CHICOPEE — Next fall, students at the Colstudents with new programs, specialized lege of Our Lady of the Elms will have a new scholarships and other incentives. College recruitment has changed, school officials say. major they can choose: data science and ar“We need to work harder for every stutificial intelligence. The college also recently dent,” said Jonathan Scully, vice president of approved a major in biotechnology. enrollment management and marketing at “We’re excited about being able to offer Springfield College. While applications have these majors that cover emergent technoloincreased over time because the Common gy,” said Lukman Arsalan, vice president of Application has made it easier to apply to enrollment management and marketing at more schools “we have to put a lot more Elms. resources into recruiting those students,” The new fields of study are one way the college, which has about 1,000 undergradu- Scully said.

Over the last decade, enrollment has ate students, is trying to attract people in an steadily declined at Elms College, but this increasingly difficult admissions market — fall, the school welcomed 196 students, one in which fewer young people across the its second-largest incoming class in histocountry are choosing to go to college. ry, Arsalan said. That seems to be in line Undergraduate enrollment in the U.S. with national statistics. Enrollment in U.S. has been on a downward trend over the last undergraduate programs increased by 1.2% decade. Between 2010 and 2021, college this fall, the first uptick since the pandemic, enrollment dropped by 15%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

Unsurprisingly, coronavirus worsened the In an effort to recruit students, Elms has existing trend — 42% of that enrollment drop moved some programs online and added happened during the pandemic. weekend classes. It expanded athletic offerThere’s also an impending “enrollment cliff ” expected to hit around 2025, when ad- ings, like adding a men’s lacrosse program.

Starting last year, students from Chicopee, missions officials expect a decline in students Holyoke and Springfield were eligible for an because there will be a demographic drop additional $5,000 scholarship, Arsalan said. in the number of college-aged people in the That led to a 66% bump in applications from United States.

gjochem@repub.com

As fewer Americans pursue college, schools in the Valley get creative to recruit students

perspective students from those three cities, he said.

The school is also considering adding programs that offer credentials in increments smaller than a four-year degree, like certificate programs, Arsalan said.

The college serves many students who hold full-time jobs, while some have families. As students meet demands outside of school, certificate programs can help those who don’t complete a four-year degree still leave school with credentials, he said.

Job relevance At Springfield College, enrollment in the last decade has been relatively consistent, Scully said, with 500 to 550 students in each incoming first-year class.

Graduate programs have grown, and the school is adding a master’s in adventure education program and offering its master’s in social work program fully online next year, Scully said.

Scully said the school is conducting a college-wide study looking at enrollment levels in each program, examining trends and researching job attainment rates. Scully expects the report to be done in several months.

“That will really help us decide what we do academically into the future,” he said. “It SEE EDUCATION, PAGE K13

Learn with the best. hcc.edu

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WHERE YOU START MATTERS.

K2 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

From ‘Mass Aggie’ roots to global reach

A view of the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus this month. (BRIDGET PEERY / THE REPUBLICAN)

UMass Amherst cements status as international player among top research universities

By Carolyn Robbins

Special to The Republican AMHERST — From its humble 19th century roots as a land-grant agricultural college, the commonwealth’s flagship university has built an international reputation as one of the nation’s top-notch research institutions.

When the Massachusetts Agricultural College — the forerunner of UMass Amherst — opened in 1867 with William Smith Clark at the helm, the future of the fledgling institution was uncertain.

But Clark — a Williston Academy graduate, Civil War veteran and Amherst College professor — took up the challenge with a vision that the school could become much more than a training ground for farmers.

In 1867, Clark traveled to Japan to help the government open a new agricultural college modeled after the school in Amherst. With that decision, he set a course for “Mass Aggie” to become a future academic powerhouse — one that would attract students and scholars from across the globe.

The Sapporo Agricultural College — now Hokkaido University — opened its doors less than a year after Clark arrived in Japan. Clark remained at the school for nearly a year, serving as an administrator, teacher and a technical adviser to the island of Hokkaido.

Now, more than a century after Clark returned to Amherst, the bond between the two universities remains strong, according to Kalpen Trivedi, vice provost for global affairs in the International Programs Office.

“The way we form connections and collaborations with universities abroad is by “drilling down to find points of engagement,” Trivedi said, adding that UMass is committed to exploring new global partnerships while keeping existing connections.

Collaboration expands Last April, Hokkaido University President Kiyohiro Houkin and his delegation visited the Amherst campus to explore opportunities and future partnerships between the faculties, including the exchange of students and academic research collaborations.

Laura Vanderberg, acting vice chancellor for the Office of Research and Engagement, who works closely with Trivedi, said the collaboration with Hokkaido University has historically centered around their shared interest in agricultural sciences.

But the universities recently held a joint symposium focused on polymer science and engineering — a relatively new area of collaboration.

Today, the university enrolls nearly 4,200 international students — 1,800 undergraduate and 2,400 graduate students — propelling research collaborations between UMass and universities sending students to the U.S. Last year, for example, UMass “did a deep dive” into points of engagement with the University College of Dublin, which sends many students to UMass.

This year, the two universities announced “Seed Funding for Academic

‘In Ukraine, we worry about everything’: Exchange students find peace, friendship at UMass

By Carolyn Robbins

Special to The Republican AMHERST — Ukrainian

exchange students studying at the University of Massachusetts Amherst know what it’s like to be in the middle of an exam when rockets start flying.

Economics major Iryna Horobet, one of four exchange students from the Kyiv School of Economics, was sitting down to take an Tymofiy Mylovanov, president of the Kyiv School of Economics, speaks on a "University exam last February when an in Wartime" at the Isenberg School of Management Feb. 12 as part of the school's glob- air raid siren sounded. al outreach program. (PHOTO BY STEVE SMITH) “We had to go to the shelter and finish our exam,” she MORE INSIDE said. “It it was very scary.” said. “These examples are just the tip of CLASS OF ’24: Conversation with the iceberg of the kinds of cutting edge Javier Reyes, UMass Amherst chancelwork going on at UMass Amherst.” lor, Page K12 UMass has seen an upward measureAnd the previous three ment in grants and awards for research projects, reaching $240 million in fiscal months, preparing for exams, had also been “exResearch Initiative,” Trivedi said. The year 2023. tremely stressful.” program aims to fund “novel research Range of research in multidisciplinary disciplines includ“It’s very dark at that time of year and our homes were ing STEM, agriculture, animal sciences, In addition to her role at the research often without electricity,” health, social sciences, business and arts and engagement office, Vanderberg is a she said. “We had no lights and humanities,” according to the call for professor in the Department of Environor internet — sometimes for applications. mental Health Sciences in the School of as long as eight hours.”

Vanderberg said the university is workPublic Health and Health Sciences. ing to create a micro grants program to Her laboratory research examines the Horobet spoke during a vidsupport faculty travel to a small number of effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals eotaped panel discussion held last fall at the Isenberg School international partners. “In the fall, we of- that mimic or block the actions of horof Management at UMass. fered micro grants to faculty members that mones on the function and disease of the will travel to universities in the German mammary gland.

All of the students said they are grateful for the opportustate of Baden Wurttemberg,” she said.

One scientific puzzle her research is nity to study at UMass. “We Last year, the office funded UMass working on solving is why, in some cases, feel safe here,” she said. researchers from biology, food science, women are unable to breast-feed their microbiology, mechanical and industrial babies. Could certain “forever chemicals” “There is no student life in Ukraine, like there is here,” engineering, resource economics, electri- such as BPA be the culprit? another panelist said. “In cal and computer engineering, and earth, “It’s soup to nuts,” Vanderberg said of geographic and climate sciences to pursue the academic disciplines represented in Ukraine we worry about everything. Here, Americans research collaborations. faculty applications seeking funding. are happy and open.”

They include biomedical technology, Biggest funders Another student panelist engineering history, law and politics and public welfare.

Vanderberg’s office, which is responsaid American students Of the thousands of grant applications sible for the university’s entire research study, but “they are very enterprise, works closely with faculty happy, which is nice. I hope submitted, about 1,500 will receive fundmembers pursuing grants. “We put out they appreciate it.” ing, she said.

In 2024, Trivedi expects UMass Amseveral thousand applications a year for reLearning amid war herst’s global reach will continue to grow search funding worth billions of dollars,” she said.

The Ukrainian students, as new and existing partnerships form The National Institute for Health, the all economics majors, are innovative connections to solve world spending a semester at problems, from climate change, to cures Department of Defense as well as the National Science Foundation and the UMass under an agreement for chronic diseases, to social problems.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts are the last March with the Isenberg UMass is partnering with INTO, an largest funders of research on the campus, education and recruitment partner, School to assist students and schools impacted by the connecting international students with she said.

“A large portion of our portfolio is with ongoing war in Ukraine. top universities in the U.S., U.K. and the NIH focusing on improving people’s The UMass-Kyiv School Australia. of Economics initiative was health with the aim of developing theraBuilding on reputation spearheaded by Anna Napies for chronic diseases,” she said. “We have a lot of researchers working on projOlivia Streatfield, CEO of INTO, said gurney, Eugene M. Isenberg ects that involve what is called ‘big data.’” the organization is proud to count UMass chair of Integrative Studies, along with a team of proIn some cases, researchers are using ge- among its partners, calling it an elite instinomic datasets to understand how certain tution globally for its commitment to acafessors in economics, legal genetic backgrounds might contribute to demic excellence and pursuit of progress. studies and political science. disease risks, she said.

“This partnership will build on the On Feb. 12, KSE President university’s reputation for world-class acaTymofiy Mylovanov visited “In other cases, those big datasets are useful for studying how environmental demics and innovative research, ensuring UMass to meet with students factors related to pollution exposures more students benefit from the educationand faculty and deliver a lecture about the challenges of might contribute to economic factors, or al and professional opportunities available at UMass,” Streatfield said. running a university program health factors, or climate factors,” she said.

The partnership will support internain wartime.

There is also a need to use high perfortional student recruitment for 17 UMass During his remarks, Mylovanov said the invasion by mance computing to run simulations with master’s degrees in highly sought fields large datasets in the fields of astronomy, or such as business, science and engineering, Russian forces on Feb. 24, cybersecurity, or economics,” Vanderberg she said.

2022, posed an enormous

“The exchange students love the UMass dining hall food and meeting students from Massachusetts and other states.”

Anna Nagurney, Eugene M. Isenberg chair of Integrative Studies, UMass Amherst

challenge for the university.

To ensure the safety of its students, the school built a bomb shelter so faculty could continue teaching in the midst of air raid sirens and alerts.

Amazingly, the number of students has grown 3.5 times since the invasion and the school continues to expand its programs due to increasing demand, Mylovanov said.

Nagurney called Mylovanov’s visit a “truly special day” for the university. “This partnership continues to generate research publications, conference presentations and friendships across the miles,” she said.

“The exchange students love the UMass dining hall food and meeting students from Massachusetts and other states,” Nagurney said.

The visiting students are also making friendships with international students from countries such as India, Vietnam, Turkey, Japan and many others — an experience they would not have in Ukraine.

Nagurney said she has never been more proud to be a faculty member at UMass.

“Through this partnership we have gone where no one has before and it is so appreciated by all those involved.”

Kalpen Trivedi, vice provost of global affairs and director of the International Programs office, said UMass is proud to do its part while Ukraine is being illegally invaded.

“This partnership is the most productive relationship we have had in the shortest periods of time,” he said. The partnership, he said, is a way to keep Ukrainian academia alive.

Ukrainian students said they miss their homeland and hope to return to aid in the recovery and reconstruction of their country.

In the meantime, UMass is doing its part to stem a potential brain drain in Ukraine by supporting the Kyiv school and its faculty.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

OUTLOOK 2024

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | K3

‘Not just the teacher’ Early childhood ed is vital, but pay for educators lags

By Jim Kinney

jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — Amaris Cook-Mitchell left Square One a year ago, taking another job at a private child care facility for more money.

“I lasted about a month,” she said.

Those were great kids, she said. She could tell that their parents had more resources than the Square One’s parents.

She knew those kids would have an easier path transitioning to kindergarten and elementary school, with their preschool’s emphasis on reading and math. She knew the Square One students are expected to have all the same social and behavioral skills once they get to kindergarten, too.

But it can be hard for a kid whose parents have to work to keep food on the table and for whom instability is the only constant.

“That made me think, ‘I need to come back,’” Cook-Mitchell, 21, said. “These kids, they need as much support as they can get.

Sometimes you are not just the teacher in the room. You are the therapist. The friend. The mom. The dad, sometimes.”

Square One grew out of the former Springfield Day Nursery, which was begun in 1883 by Harriett Merriam, daughter of Charles Merriam, co-founder of Springfield’s G&C Merriam Co. in Springfield, to aid the city’s working families.

Today, Square One offers a variety of education and support services that are tailored to the children and families served, including early education at centers in the city, as well as home-based care sites. The agency also provides after-school care for elementary-age kids, parent training programs, home visits and case management, too.

Cook-Mitchell started at Square One in 2018, right out of the early childhood vocational department at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy.

Her current job title is teacher, but she’s going to school to be a lead preschool teacher and have her own classroom soon, and her own set of kids.

It’ll also come with a raise.

That’s pretty good, Cook-Mitchell said, for a student whose schools had to call her mom almost every other day for one problem or another.

“Knowledge is the only way up,” she said.

But keeping the number of classrooms in operation at Square One — and other child care centers where many lower-income parents rely on state subsidies, so their children can learn while they are at work — has been tough, because of historically low reimbursement rates from the state, said Dawn Forbes DiStefano, the new president and chief executive officer of Square One. In January, the state Board of Early Education and Care approved new reimbursement rates for child care centers.

Child care centers across Massachusetts will start to receive at least a 5.5 percent boost to their daily per child reimbursement rate beginning this month, an increase of over $2,000 a year on average per child.

The agreement in January represents a 34% increase in early childhood reimbursement from $72.37 per child per day to $97.18.

The new rate comes with a realigning of old regional discrepancies in the reimbursement rate, DiStefano said.

“We’ve never seen a rate increase this high.

But that’s because our rate was the lowest in the commonwealth,” she said.

The differing regional rates had grown out of

T

Preschool teacher Amaris Cook-Mitchell at work at Square One’s Tommie Johnson Early Childhood Center in Springfield. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Left, preschoolers during story time at Square One’s Tommie Johnson Early Childhood Center in Springfield. Right, Kristine Allard, vice president of development and communication at Square One, spends some time with preschoolers at the Tommie Johnson Early Childhood Center in Springfield. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

alignment with economic reality. The cost of providing the service here is 18% cheaper than it is in metro Boston — think salaries, rent, groceries, fuel — but the old rate here was twothirds less than the Boston rate.

The money will help Square One, which also relies on fundraising to make ends meet, to keep up with expenses. For example, wages went up with its last union contract.

Under the old deal, a starting teacher made $14.40 an hour. Now, it’s $16.90.

DiStefano said the wages go up with time and experience. But she admits that, in general, earnings are not that different than what someone might earn in retail.

“Clearly, society has higher value and understands the value of early brain development.

But we are nowhere near where we need to be,” DiStefano said.

Dexter Johnson, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, said the

Child care centers across Massachusetts will start to receive at least a 5.5 percent boost to their daily per child reimbursement rate beginning this month, an increase of over $2,000 a year on average per child.” problems of getting and keeping staff vary between preschool classrooms and the afterand before-school programs for older pupils.

The qualifications are simpler for those in a preschool classroom with young children.

“It’s a great job for a college student and so forth,” he said. “In my years with the Y, that’s how I started.”

But it’s a recipe for high turnover, as class schedules change, and students graduate into careers that aren’t at the Y. MassHire Springfield lists more than 50 openings right now with job titles such as toddler teacher, preschool teacher and lead teacher.

Also, as preschool teachers earn more quali-

fications and gain more education themselves, this makes them more marketable than day care centers can afford, especially those where many parents rely on state subsidies.

“The public schools have gotten very heavily into preschool,” he said. “There has been that challenge of keeping up with salaries, with the school system and what a teacher makes in an elementary school classroom.”

DiStefano said Square One meets regularly with the Y and other providers on growing their workforce. That takes help, from Putnam, and from the Springfield Technical and Holyoke Community College programs that train adults interested in entering the profession.

Colleges must remain true to an institutional mission

HE NATIONAL BUSINESS and economic expectations for 2024 are not very encouraging. In addition, worldwide projections call for modest growth and lower consumer confidence.

For example, in reviewing the predictions from some economic sources, contributors from Forbes predict “a slowdown in 2024 ... unemployment will probably rise by a little … economic risks will continue due to geo-political concerns … and companies are becoming pessimistic about the value of capital spending.”

However, at a replan, as the statewide gional level, there are blueprint calls for signs of hope. higher education inThe Economic Destitutions and industry velopment Plan prepartners to improve sented by Gov. Maura workforce capacity in Healey, Lt. Gov. Kimseveral sectors. berley Driscoll and Nevertheless, there Yvonne Hao, secretary is a level of complexity of the Executive Office that must be considHubert Benitez of Economic Develered. opment, supports the An unfortunate notion that “Massachusetts is primed reality is that many higher education to lead an innovative, mission-oriinstitutions across the nation continented, high-growth economy” and ue to face an unprecedented number that the Commonwealth is prepared of challenges that have been threatento “tackle global issues like diseases ing their existence. and climate change, improve health The factors are well known — enrollcare, and educate and develop young ment declines, demographic shifts, In late December, JP Morgan pretalent.” industry competition, rising costs, sented its 2024 economic outlook, affordability, student debt, emerging Prominent role and is predicting a deceleration in college alternatives, social justice, economic growth for 2024, a possiState leaders believe that the Com- diversity, political issues, questioning ble reduction of consumer spending monwealth of Massachusetts “can the value of a college degree, student growth with a potential for unemploy- accomplish all of this while creating a perceptions on education, and most ment to increase. compassionate community that emrecently, the COVID-19 pandemic.

On a more global scale, the Interbraces diversity, celebrates freedoms, Some institutions of higher learning national Monetary Fund via its World prioritizes scientific advancement, are affected by one and others by sevEconomic Outlook is predicting and values safety for everyone.” eral of these issues. Nonetheless, to that global growth will fall by half a Without doubt, institutions of meet challenges of the post-pandemic percentage point as compared to last higher learning will need to take a recession, colleges and universities year. prominent role in supporting this must remain true to their missions,

especially if that is linked to economic and workforce development, access, diversity and opportunity, and to serving populations which have been traditionally marginalized.

AIC’s mission For more than 138 years, American International College has been focused on and supported by the college’s unique values of access, opportunity, diversity, belonging, and community.

AIC serves a demographic of students who come from diverse economic, social, and educational backgrounds. The college prides itself on being an access, opportunity, and a second chance institution, where faculty and staff work hard to help students succeed.

As an institution of higher learning, AIC is proud to serve a historically marginalized student body. It has not only played a fundamental role of being a positive economic neighbor, but it has been called to serve as an engine for community and economic development.

As a business community, we are called to continue to think creatively, innovatively and entrepreneurially

on how we will meet the needs of the post-pandemic recession.

Success will be more likely if institutions such as AIC remain true to their mission, as they are fundamental to the long-term sustainability of marginalized areas such as Mason Square in the city of Springfield.

We must work proactively and collaboratively to fulfill the workforce needs of our communities. AIC has been the institution that is focused on educating and generating the diverse workforce that the city and region need, and many of AIC’s graduates return to their communities to help improve the difficult conditions where they come from.

We are committed to being fully responsive to the needs of the community, to the city of Springfield and to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Only by working together, and by providing support to the institutions that educate the future generations, will we be able to succeed in this difficult economy.

Hubert Benitez, DDS, Ph.D., serves as the president of American International College in Springfield. Learn more at aic.edu and aicreimagioned .org.

%%SATFOL-%%3MONTH%%2DATE OUTLOOK 2024

K4 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

EDUCATION ROUNDUP

By Namu Sampath

nsampath@repub.com

TAYLOR SWIFT TAKES TO COLLEGE: Ten universities (and counting) are offering Taylor Swift inspired classes in the coming year. While the American pop star never went to college herself, her fans, known as “Swifties,” have taken it upon themselves to teach several Swift related courses this year. At Stanford University in California, a student will be teaching a Swift-inspired class called “The Last Great American Songwriter: Storytelling With Taylor Swift Through the Eras,” and have just 10 weeks to cover 10 albums, BestColleges, a guide to higher education, reports.

The average entry-level salary for the cybersecurity field has been reported to be $81,060, and with experience, salaries can rise easily above six-figures. (POP NUKOONRAT / DREAMSTIME / TNS)

By Nicole Williams

Special to The Republican SPRINGFIELD — How does $80K a year sound?

That number is right around what you can expect to earn if you land a job in cybersecurity, according to salary. com.

And, in a world that is filled with server attacks, phishing attempts and cloud backups, the need for more cybersecurity jobs has never been greater, said Gene Kingsley, of Chicopee, the new manager of the soon-to-be operational Cybersecurity Center for Excellence at Union Station.

“It’s everywhere,” said Kingsley. “We continue to integrate more and more technology into our systems, where everything is connected to a computer, even our thermostats. This means there are more points of entry into networks. The more we expand, the greater the need for protection.”

Along with Springfield Technical Community College and a consortium of other Pioneer Valley higher-ed institutions, the Cybersecurity Center is poised to open doors to more jobs in an in-demand field.

A long time coming Mary Kaselouskas, vice president and chief information officer for STCC, said that the center, which has been in the planning stages for three years, is set to be completed this summer.

STCC is the only technology community college in Massachusetts to offer students a degree in cybersecurity. The consortium of partner schools includes nearby Bay Path University, Elms College, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Western New England University, Springfield College and American International College.

The center is being built out in 6,000 square feet of space in Union Station and will be divided into two parts. One area will be a security operations center, often referred to as a “SOC,” which serves as a real-life command center to assist in protecting municipalities, businesses and government operations.

The second part of the project will be a “cyber range,” which will include software that will allow students to get real world training for those looking to get into the cybersecurity field. This section will be run by about 10 to 20 students with the supervision of the Kingsley, the SOC manager.

The Security Operations Center eventually will have four full-time employees: cyber range manager, technical support, administrative support and the manager.

Cybersecurity jobs range from entry-level, mid-level to advanced-level, and positions can be anything from a software engineer, cloud architect, malware analyst to forensics analyst, threat intelligence analyst and even ethical hacker.

The average entry-level salary for the field has been reported to be $81,060, and

“We continue to integrate more and more technology into our systems, where everything is connected to a computer, even our thermostats.”

Gene Kingsley

with experience, salaries can Springfield Technical Community College offers a certificate and associate degree program to rise easily above six-figures. teach students the needed skills when it comes to navigating the world of computer security.

The college offers two tracks for computer technologies, both being viable options to learn the

Degree opportunities skills of cybersecurity. About 140 students are enrolled in its degree cybersecurity program STCC offers a certifiand 80 students in the computer systems technologies program, both which yield an associate cate and associate degree degree. (BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE, FILE) program to teach students of thumb for online self-de- acting, and use a password basic tactics and those that the needed skills when it comes to navigating the manager,” Kingsley said. require a lot of technological fense and protection. world of computer security.

If something can be set up “First, be skeptical. The expertise.

The college offers two tracks with multifactor authentifirst thing we teach is to A few simple tips to for computer technologies, cation, Collins added, it’s a be cautious. Look at every both being viable options to be stay safe online email, what time was it sent, good idea to use it, as well as learn the skills of cybersemaking sure your passwords what is the link or url? Use Kingsley and Collins curity. About 140 students common sense. Pause before are unique for each account. shared some general rules are enrolled in its degree cybersecurity program and 80 students in the computer systems technologies program, both which yield an associate degree.

Students in the program come from various backgrounds and don’t need previous experience in the field. Their ages range from 18 to 60 years old, according to STCC officials, and the program attracts both career changers and those right out of high school. The college even works with some high schools, so that students can take classes for credit while still in high school.

“This program gives them an advantage, because they are taught theoretical knowledge that is turned into applied knowledge by the time that they graduate,” said Andrew Collins, an associate professor for the program.

A world that needs cyber experts Fighting cyber threats is not something just in the movies, though. Kingsley noted that new ransomware is released every day.

“A lot of your time is spent on prevention and detection,” said Kingsley of the work.

Every year, Collins travels to Las Vegas to attend DEFCON, a convention for ethical hackers, the proverbial “good guys” who try to penetrate their employers’ electronic defenses to test and improve them.

He said what he sees a lot of right now in terms of prevailing criminal methods are “phishing” and “social engineering” attempts.

Phishing is when fraudulent emails or messages are sent out appearing like they are from reputable companies. It is one of many elements in social engineering, a targeted attack to gain private information and spread malware.

He explained that students are trained in both

3196604-01

Other universities like Rice University in Houston, many of the University of California state schools, and Berklee College of Music in Boston will also be teaching a course on the pop star.

THE COLLEGE CRYSTAL BALL: With the rising cost of tuition, the burdens of student loan debts and the skepticism of the “return of investment” on going to college, younger people (Gen-Z and younger millennials) are “starting to question the value of a degree,” said Sebastian Sanders, the CEO and founder of The Sanders Hand, a nonprofit working to make society more equitable by providing skills and resources to youth. A shift in the college culture is already underway, he said. Numerous big name companies like Google and IBM have removed a degree requirement from job postings. Younger people are finding ways to market themselves differently — through social media and the rise of AI. AI IN HIGHER ED: How does artificial intelligence impact higher education?

According to Western New England University professor Tom Mennella, “technology is here to stay.” Many universities have banned the use of ChatGPT or other AI tools and others have encouraged it. He said WNEU has left it up to professors to decide. “If schools turn their back on technology, students are less prepared going into the real world,” he said. “We are supposed to prepare them for the workforce of tomorrow.”

Mennella also said there are some negatives of AI — like the fact that it sometimes gets factual information blatantly wrong and that people upload highly personal information to technologies. “It all comes down to how you use it and your intentions,” he said.

PERSONALIZED LEARNING: The landscape of modern education is changing. And more students now require their educators to be on top of personalizing that experience, said Medium writer Philip Richardson. In order to do that, educators must: “embrace technology wisely, foster a growth mindset, create more collaborative environments,” and should pursue more education on the topic.

With many young people on the fence about whether getting a degree is even worth it, personalized learning would welcome new models for learning, said Richardson.

BRAIN FOOD: Some majors are growing in popularity in western Massachusetts.

At University of Massachusetts Amherst, students can pick from a list of over 100 majors, including “Animal Science and Biotechnology,” “Sustainable Food and Farming,” and “Turfgreen Managment.”

Amherst College is offering new, “distinctive” courses, including a deep dive on Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, digging into true crime and its role in media, and the science behind what and how you eat, amongst others.

Mount Holyoke College has numerous programs dedicated to women’s, LGBTQ+, and other minority group studies.

Among the programs Westfield State University students have to choose from is “Wetlands Planning and Management,” a minor dedicated to students interested in becoming wetland scientists.

Opportunities for cybersecurity career grow in Springfield

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | K5

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K6 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Springfield superintendent looks to school year ahead — and back

A

S WE PROGRESS through the remaining part of this school year and anticipate the next, the Springfield Public Schools district is positioned for a period marked by strategic initiatives, academic and social-emotional interventions, infrastructure development and a commitment to facility upgrades.

empowering educators, expanding partnerships and transforming systems.

Our priority for this year is leveraging our high-quality curriculum to ensure educational equity and emphasizing the nurturing of social and emotional health.

Our focus on student wellness involves building relationships, supporting families, emphasizing social-emotional learning and engaging community resources. The district’s The Portrait of a Graduate commitment to continuous project — the community’s academic improvement vision of what Springfield includes transforming sysstudents need to find suctems, redesigning grading, cess after high school — has creating portfolios, aligning been and continues to be a evaluation systems, and process that I wholehearted- revising policies to promote ly embrace, and a key focus success and remove barriers. for the upcoming year is the Another Portrait of a Graducontinued implementation ate commitment is building of its strategic plan. This intentional relationships strategic plan will create an with families and commuequitable system that supnity partners, involving ports all students, and we engagement, decision-makare committed to advancing ing, sharing expertise and educational equity through creating pathways. ensuring just outcomes Addressing pandemic-infor each student, raising duced learning loss remains historically underrepresent- a top priority as we move ed voices, and challenging forward, with a commitimbalances of power and ment to providing academic privilege. interventions. Educators are At the core of this plan dedicated to bridging gaps are five strategies, which and ensuring every student include prioritizing well-be- receives needed support. ing, reimagining schooling, The focus is on granting dis-

Above, Springfield School Superintendent Daniel Warwick, left and Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy Principal Gilbert E. Traverso, right, gather in the hallway of the new $114 nillion school on Aug. 27, 2012. Above left, Warwick speaks during the unveiling of the new graphics featuring Springfield students on trucks used by Home Grown Springfield, the culinary and nutrition program of the school system. The event took place at the new Brightwood-Lincoln Elementary school. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)

Daniel Warwick trict schools the autonomy to choose best practices and proven programs that suit their unique needs.

A notable highlight is the upcoming construction of a new German Gerena Community School, which represents a significant investment and unwavering commitment to providing optimal learning environments for Springfield’s children. With community support, the initial phase of building the new school is underway, promising a positive impact on the educational experiences of teachers, students and families.

The new Gerena School project will bring the total investment in building new schools and renovating existing ones in Springfield to over $1 billion — the highest in the commonwealth.

Recognizing the role of the physical learning environment, the district continues

“As I reflect on the transformative journey we’ve undertaken together over the past 12 years, and my 48-year career as an educator with Springfield Public Schools, it is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to the incredible community of readers, faculty, staff and, most important, the bright and resilient children of Springfield.”

Daniel Warwick, Springfield Superintendent of Schools

aggressive efforts in updating facilities, including renovations and safety upgrades, and sustainability initiatives.

Reflecting on achievements in the fall and early winter, the district takes pride in aligning with strategic goals. In the year ahead, we will continue to build on the innovation, resilience, and dedication required to ensure every student’s well-being and academic success. Through the implementation of the Portrait of a Graduate Strategic Plan, targeted interventions, Gerena School construction and continuous facility updates, the district is shaping a future where education nurtures individuals equipped for the challenges and opportunities

of tomorrow.

As I reflect on the transformative journey we’ve undertaken together over the past 12 years, and my 48-year career as an educator with Springfield Public Schools, it is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to the incredible community of readers, faculty, staff and, most important, the bright and resilient children of Springfield. It has been an honor to serve as your superintendent, witnessing the collective dedication to education, growth and community that defines Springfield Public Schools.

The milestones we’ve achieved, challenges we’ve overcome, and the unwavering commitment to fostering

a nurturing and empowering learning environment will forever hold a special place in my heart.

As I embark on the next chapter of my life, I carry with me the indelible memories of shared successes and the knowledge that the seeds we’ve planted together will continue to flourish. I express my deepest gratitude to this community for your unwavering support and collaboration. May the spirit of excellence, compassion and continuous improvement guide Springfield Public Schools toward an even brighter future.

Daniel Warwick is the superintendent of the Springfield Public Schools. He retires this year.

First Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke schools How Student Inc. in Springfield is contend with workforce shortages

tackling busing workforce gap

By Aprell May Munford

amunford@repub.com

The COVID-19 pandemic kicked off a worker shortage.

Schools continue to feel the pinch in hiring staff, faculty and aides.

School leaders in Springfield, Chicopee and Holyoke are addressing the workforce shortage through aggressive advertisement, bonuses and assisting paraprofessionals with licensure.

Springfield Superintendent Daniel Warwick said the education workforce shortage has been the biggest challenge in his tenure.

Warwick said the district is working hard on advertisement and recruiting. At the same time, he said it is improving school culture and diversity and eliminating licensure barriers.

A retention bonus of

$2,000, along with improving the pay scale, has positioned Springfield to be competitive as an employer in Western Massachusetts, which has helped with retention, Warwick said.

The Holyoke Public Schools is in the process of addressing staff vacancies, said Erin Linville, chief of strategy and turnaround.

The city’s strategies include “appreciation” bonuses, an early release day for the holiday season, more staff discretion with prep time and an increase in pay for substitute teachers. Like Springfield, Holyoke is also working to improve school culture to create an environment that’s Video production teacher Jeff Dahm works with 11-year old Tyler Durand during a middle attractive to staff.

SEE SHORTAGES, PAGE K7 school summer program at Chicopee Comprehensive High School. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

“We are striving to be the best-fit district for educators and staff — one in which they can grow professionally, feel supported, and make a meaningful impact on our students’ lives.”

ANTHONY SOTO, HOLYOKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT AND STATE RECEIVER

By Aprell May Munford

amunford@repub.com

SPRINGFIELD — In Springfield, First Student Inc. says it has a full staff for all routes it runs transporting students.

The company has as of now solved any workforce shortages through recruitment at local events and virtual job fairs throughout the year.

“It is also important to provide competitive compensation in order to mitigate the workforce stoppage,” said Brenna Rudisill, proposal manager and communications specialist at First Student Inc. “In addition to our starting rate of $30.70, we offer paid training.”

First Student Inc. is offering a $500 referral bonus for employees and a $2,000 sign-on bonus for fully licensed CDL drivers.

Rudisill said the company routinely monitor routes and staffing levels to stay ahead of the problem of having enough

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | K7

Collaboration key to region’s prosperity Shortages

M

Y GRANDmother raised me to be an optimist.

She taught me the value of education, which, she always said, will help you find your way, and, once earned, can never be taken away.

Through both words and deeds, she taught me the value of a strong work ethic. Even if you’re not the smartest person in the room, she told me, no one else can control how hard you work toward your goals.

I took those lessons to heart.

I understood from an early age that education and hard work were the keys to my future.

Of course, Grandma was right. Because of the values she instilled in me, I was the first person in my family to go to college. A college degree provided me with opportunities unavailable to my parents, who could not afford to take care of both me and my brother.

I might not have always been the best student, but education and hard work led me to where I am today, the fifth president of Holyoke Community College, a job I could not be more excited and optimistic about.

I feel blessed to have inherited a bedrock institution with such a long, proud history.

During my interview for this job, I told the HCC Board of Trustees that, if hired, I would be of and for the community.

I’ve tried my best to live up to that pledge.

I grew up not far away, in Hartford, but I’m new to Western Massachusetts. I’ve made it a priority to immerse myself in the community, attending as many events as possible, engaging with key stakeholders to better understand the relationships, challenges and opportunities here — and figuring out how HCC can play an even more prominent role in advancing our community.

This is important work, and we must do it together.

George Timmons

as well as subsidized costs for international students.

In addition, the state recently awarded HCC (and its partners, including Baystate Health) a $1.46 million workforce grant to create a free program to recruit unemployed and underemployed individuals, train them first as nursing aides and then as

“I want HCC to be known as a true community partner, one committed to the region’s economic success.”

I believe collaborations and partnerships are critical to any region’s economic success.

In my short time here, I’ve already seen great promise.

During my first semester, I had the opportunity to take part in two grand-opening celebrations, one for the Tech Hub, a collaboration with Tech Foundry, the Alliance for Digital Equity, and many other corporate and community groups intent on closing equity gaps with regard to access to technology; the other was for the Holyoke Community Cupboard, a new regional food pantry managed by the United Way of Pioneer Valley at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute.

I am encouraged by the generous investments that have recently come our way from both the state and local groups. MassReconnect now allows any Massachusetts resident 25 and older to earn a community college degree at no cost. This pairs well with our own plan at HCC to open what we are calling the Adult Learner Success Center, a dedicated, wrap-around support program for our nontraditional students, who are generally older.

For more traditional-age students, those under 25, the state has increased the numbers eligible for free community college through the MASSGrant Plus program, and has instituted scholarship programs for nursing students,

nurses — and find them jobs.

Creating pathways to upward mobility is critical and demonstrates the value of community colleges to the regional economy. With so many new funding options available, there has never been a better time to be a community college student.

Also this fall, HCC received a $600,000 grant from the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation to expand its free Itsy Bitsy Child Watch Center, one of our many programs designed to address basic needs that can be barriers to a student’s academic success.

Private investments like that show great faith and confidence in the college. We don’t take that for granted.

I want HCC to be known as a true community partner, one committed to the region’s economic success.

I’m not a pessimist. I feel good about the region’s prospects. I feel good about being here and making sure that HCC remains a pivotal contributor to the social and economic prosperity of Western Massachusetts.

Because, if you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. At the end of the day, you’ve got to sit with yourself and ask, did you do anything to help make things better?

That’s pretty much how I grew up.

George Timmons, Ph.D., is the fifth president of Holyoke Community College.

vacancies open in the district. two years. Most said they While that is a high number continued to work full-time, of positions, the total number outside of the home, in educaCONTINUES FROM PAGE K6 of filled teaching positions in tion. The most common move The district also conducted Holyoke is similar to pre-pan- was to teach in a suburban a teacher retention study, in demic numbers, when more or rural district, followed by hopes of understanding what students were enrolled, Linteaching in an urban district, motivates teachers to work in ville said.

Linville said.

Holyoke and how to improve The most significant impact “We continue to hear about working conditions and reten- of the vacancies has been on the importance of the working tion, Linville said. teaching positions that would environment and conditions.

As in Springfield, Holyoke is otherwise be freed from the Teachers want to feel apprecisupporting the district’s para- classroom. ated, respected as professionprofessionals as some work For example, an English als, supported by their school to earn licensure as teachers, language arts coach is not leaders and colleagues, and enabling them to advance always able to spend time fairly compensated,” Linville their careers. coaching teachers and provid- said.

“We are striving to be the ing intervention to students Staff leaving the Chicopee best-fit district for educators because they must cover for a district also fill out an exit surand staff — one in which they classroom teacher who may be vey. Data on why they leave is can grow professionally, feel out, Linville said. Holyoke is closely monitored. In addition, supported, and make a mean- analyzing the highest priority staff participate in surveys ingful impact on our students’ needs at each school. Adjusttwice a year, Belville said. lives,” said Superintendent ments to student-to-staff ra“We look at the data around Anthony Soto, who serves tios and overall staffing levels staff culture and well-being as the state receiver for the will be made as needed. and put support into place. We district.

Chicopee has about 60 implemented ‘Care Solace,’ a “Teachers that work in open positions for teachers, mental health care coordinaHolyoke and stay in Holyoke paraprofessionals, support tion service … to help support have a deep connection and staff, substitutes, maintenance staff and students,” Belville love for this community and and food service employees, said. the students and families they Messier-Bristol said. serve,” he said.

According to Jennifer Chicopee Public Schools Belville, assistant superinrecently moved their recruittendent for instruction and ment and applicant tracking accountability, Chicopee has efforts to a more efficient been able to maintain class CONTINUES FROM PAGE K6 platform. sizes and teacher loads and “We are hoping (the platcontinue to offer enrichment qualified drivers. form) will identify and draw activities to students.

“Should there be a need for qualified individuals to the route adjustments, we work Exit surveys district in the coming year,” with our district partners to Christina Messier-Bristol, With study after study provide minimally disruptive the human resources adminshowing more teachers are changes,” Rudisill said. istrative secretary, told The on the edge, and thinking of Republican. quitting, each school district The district is focusing on is collecting data to gauge virtual and in-person job fairs teacher satisfaction — and to and increasing advertisement understand why they leave. on social media and teleIn Springfield, the human vision. It is also partnering resource department prowith local colleges to identify vides an exit survey. Though HOLYOKE COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL possible future educators and Warwick notes that staffing 2200 Northampton Street Holyoke, MA 01040 • 413-533-0111 support staff, she said. shortages are a national and Attention Parents statewide issue, the city’s Lottery for Student Placement Applications can be received up to Current openings survey has found that educaMonday March 4, 2024 at 12:00 noon Pick-up your application at the While the snapshot of open- tors are leaving for a mix of School or download at www.hccs-sabis.net ings fluctuates in Springfield, things, he said.

Lottery will happen on Tuesday, Warwick said all classroom Some staff members are March 5, 2024 @ 12:00 p.m.

Atención Padres positions are filled as of Febru- leaving the area, for instance, Lotería para Ubicación de Estudiantes ary. The Student Opportunity while others are leaving the Aplicaciones serán recibidas hasta el Lunes, 4 de marzo del 2024 a las 12:00 p.m.

Act has helped fund positions profession.

Recoja su solicitud en la Escuela o imprima en and interventions in SpringHolyoke recently surveyed www.hccs-sabis.net Lotería Martes, 5 de marzo, 2024 field, Warwick said. teachers who had voluntarily @ 12:00 p.m.

Holyoke has 68 teaching left the district in the past Mrs. Claritza Coriano-Baez

Bus

Admissions Officer

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K8 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Westover airport is ready for takeoff

“The airport is a place that “connects Chicopee and the region to the world, in a sense.”

Resumed charter flights, new leadership and hangar expansion time employees, Widor said.

By Lori Stabile

gional Airport. He brings both Special to The Republican his military and civilian airport CHICOPEE — From new leadbackground to his new role. ership and a hangar project to Widor said his interest in the resumption of Atlantic City aviation began as a child going charter flights and a rebrandto the air show at Westover ing effort, changes abound at with his family. He grew up in Westover Metropolitan Airport. Western Massachusetts.

The airport is a place that “It’s kind of where it all start“connects Chicopee and the ed,” Widor said of his interest region to the world, in a sense,” in aviation. “And it’s been a said Andy K. Widor, president/ trend throughout my career. airport manager of Westover Circling back to this area — and Metropolitan Development being able to be involved in any Corp. and Westover Metropoli- changes and updates to the airtan Airport. port and region itself. It’s been Chicopee Mayor John L. very enjoyable.”

Vieau says the impact of the WMDC and the airport on the Unique history city is “tremendous,” noting The property is unique. the positive effect on the econ- Westover was established by President Franklin D. Roosomy and tax base.

He said he is looking forward evelt as Westover Field in 1939 to working with Widor in his and became the largest military air facility in the Northeast in new role. Vieau also appoints three members to the WMDC World War II, according to the board.

Westover Air Reserve Base website. Then, in 1974, the “The airport runs 24/7 … it quasi-public Westover Metconnects us to the world and ropolitan Development Corp. the region. There’s a lot of potential there,” Vieau said. “Chi- was formed to convert military property around the air base to copee is very fortunate to not just have Westover Air Reserve civilian use.

With more than 1,300 acres Base, but to also have a municipal airport that provides that in play, the corporation developed land into three industrial connection to everywhere.” parks in Chicopee and Ludlow Widor, of Longmeadow, and the civilian airport, emtook over as president/airport manager in August, after three ploying approximately 3,600 people across 100 establishyears as the airport manager. ments, according to a study on A Navy veteran who transferred to the Air Force reserves, the economic impact of Westover conducted in 2021 by the Widor retired from Westover Air Reserve Base in 2016 as a University of Massachusetts loadmaster. Before becoming Donahue Institute’s Economic the airport manager, he worked and Public Policy Research for the Massachusetts Port Group.

Authority out of Worcester ReToday, the airport has 10 full-

The report found that business activity from the WMDCdeveloped areas supports $2.2 billion in economic output annually. The corporation manages day-to-day operations of the Westover Metropolitan Airport and handles maintenance of the industrial parks and their continuing development.

There are advantages to being tied to an active military base for the airport — namely, improved efficiency, according to Widor.

Westover Air Reserve Base is the nation’s largest base of its kind, home to more than 5,500 military and civilian workers, and maintains C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft operated by the 439th Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit.

The joint-use airfield agreement with the military allows the civilian side of the airport to use the runway 24 hours.

Through “pilot-controlled lighting,” runway lights can be turned on when the air traffic controller tower is unmanned, allowing the around-the-clock operation, an initiative that started approximately three years ago, Widor explained.

Westover boasts the longest runway in New England at 11,597 feet. Designed for larger military planes, it can be utilized by larger civilian aircraft that other airports cannot accommodate, according to the Donahue report.

A Sun Country Air jet at sunset at Westover Metropolitan Airport.

used by private planes and charters, Widor said.

“We accommodate various types of public charters … sports charters. There are various types of local corporations that will fly into this region ... general aviation customers as well,” Widor said. “And we have local residents that store their aircraft here, single-engine aircraft for the most part, for a hobby or business.”

Widor said Westover Airport is “perfectly located” with proximity to the Massachusetts Turnpike and Interstate 91. Widor said the airport has large hangars that can accommodate aircraft such as Beechcraft, Lear, Gulfstream, Global and Challenger, noting there is a need for hangar storage on a national level. To that end, a former military hangar is being refurbished and is expected to be completed this fall, featuring 31,500 square feet of aircraft storage space that will be marketed to private jet owners. The renovations to this third hangar will cost about $7 million, Widor said.

Westover has 13 hangars on the civilian side (with aviation Daily use and non-aviation tenants), The airport has no scheduled amounting to approximately 300,000 square feet of space, service, unlike Bradley International Airport in Windsor not counting the State Police Air Wing, which has its own Locks, Connecticut, and is

hangar.

Westover has a positive impact on the region economically. Crews and passengers that fly in on the charters and private jets will stay in local hotels, eat at local restaurants, and visit attractions such as the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, for events such as enshrinement weekend.

College basketball and football teams use the airport for games at local colleges, and celebrities use it for appearances at MGM Springfield, Widor said.

If there is a United Nations meeting in New York City, often aircraft flying in from other countries will land at Westover, Widor said. In addition, life-saving organ transports are done out of Westover, as aircraft will fly in and there will be an ambulance waiting for the trip to an area hospital, he said.

Charter flights Charter flights to Atlantic City returned last year after they were disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a five-year agreement with Caesars Entertainment Inc., travelers can fly in a 280-seat Sun Country Airlines 737 charter jet as part of a hotel, airfare and entertainment

ANDY K. WIDOR, PRESIDENT/AIRPORT MANAGER OF WESTOVER METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT CORP. AND WESTOVER METROPOLITAN AIRPORT

package through Reney Tours.

In the past, six charters would run. Widor said he expects the same number to be offered this year, with the first of 2024 planned for March.

Meantime, a rebranding effort was recently completed for a marketing campaign, in an effort to get the word out that WMDC and Westover Airport is one entity, as WMDC operates the civilian side of the airport.

Two logos were created. One shows a circle with a plane above the words “Westover Metro Airport operated by WMDC.” Another shows a plane flying through the “o” in the word Westover. That logo just has the words “Westover Metro Airport.” The WMDC is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The logos will be used locally and nationally. The WMDC logo will appear in local marketing efforts, with the Westover Metro Airport logo deployed for national placements.

Other advantages to being attached to an active military air base include the availability of a larger firefighting response due.

Bradley sees nonstop London flights as next step in post-pandemic recovery

By Jim Kinney

jkinney@repub.com

Icelandic carrier PLAY is offering no-cost stopovers in Iceland for travelers out of Logan International Airport. (PHOTO PROVIDED BY PLAY)

Budget airline launches no-cost Iceland stopover for Logan passengers

By Nate Doughty

Boston Business Journal

A low-cost, transatlantic airline carrier has launched a free stopover option in Iceland for passengers traveling out of Logan Airport who are en route to one of dozens of European destinations.

The no-cost feature being offered by PLAY, an Iceland-based carrier, allows passengers to add up to 10 days in the Nordic country as part of their layover at Keflavík International Airport in Reykjavík.

All of PLAY’s flights to and from North America already include a layover in Reykjavík, which can range in length from as little as under two hours to about half a day.

But with the stopover, passengers can extend their layover to a much longer timeline and visit Iceland’s varied natural beauties such as its volcanoes, hot springs and sights of the northern lights in the interim.

“Rather than having a few hours layover in Iceland, travelers can make a stop at this bucket-list destination for an extra day or week to experi-

ence everything our home country has to offer,” PLAY CEO Birgir Jónsson said in a press release. “Long stayovers are a win-win for both us and our passengers to enable exploration at a low price.”

Those prices start at $99 one-way as part of a promotional sale PLAY is offering tied to the stopover launch.

A ticket at that price only includes a personal item, though upgrades can be purchased for carry-on and checked bags as well as seat selection and priority boarding.

PLAY is launching this stopover feature at its other North American markets as well, which include Washington Dulles International Airport, Baltimore-Washington International Airport and New York Stewart International Airport.

The stopover option from PLAY is similar to the one offered by its rival Icelandair, which lets passengers extend layovers in Iceland by up to seven days at no additional charge.

WINDSOR LOCKS — Enough people within an hour’s drive of Bradley International Airport fly regularly across the Atlantic to London to justify a daily flight from Windsor Locks to the land of Windsor Castle.

“We have access to ZIP code data. We can see where people are flying and what airport they are using to make that flight,” said Connecticut Airport Authority Executive Director Kevin Dillon. “It becomes a matter of convincing these people to just use Bradley.”

So Bradley and the Connecticut Airport Authority have asked Connecticut businesses and the state government to help back its efforts to lure a flight to London and possibly Montreal as well.

It’s an effort Dillon said he’s bringing to Western Massachusetts in 2024.

“Can you commit to a certain amount of spending or a certain number of tickets on the flight each year?” he asked.

Getting a London flight will require concessions by the airport, such as discounts on fees or money for marketing.

It will also likely require a revenue guarantee for an airline, Dillon said, removing some of the risk a carrier would face.

FAA regulations say the airport cannot give a guarantee, but the state, in this case Connecticut, or business groups could promise to make up the difference if ticket sales don’t meet an airline’s expectations.

In 2016, Connecticut provided Aer Lingus up to a $4.5 million revenue guarantee for two years in exchange for nonstop flights to Dublin, Ireland.

In 2018, then-Gov. Dannel Malloy announced a reduced guarantee, limited to winter months, of up to $13.3 million over four years.

Aer Lingus did well with its

Travelers pass through Bradley International Airport. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

Bradley service until COVID restrictions hampered international travel. And it’s done well since, Dillon said recently. Aer Lingus had more than 5,000 passengers a month in the summer and extended a travel season that was to have ended in October with flights through the holidays.

The Aer Lingus flights are suspended now, but Aer Lingus expects to be back flying from Bradley in March.

for meetings with co-workers elsewhere.

“The London flight will give us a chance to make more of that up,” he said.

Dillon sees opportunities for businesses to locate, or expand, in the Hartford-Springfield region if there is quick access to London.

Bradley offers more nonstop flights now — 39 by 11 airlines — than it did pre-pandemic.

Many of those destinations were added over the past 18 London quest months by discount carrier Breeze.

The London efforts follow Beyond routes, Bradley has another year of recovery for Bradley, which claims to have landed more than $94 million handled about 6 million pasin federal money for consenger departures and about 6 struction projects.

In January, the U.S. Demillion arrivals in 2023. partment of Transportation While those figures are up about 10% from 2022, statis- announced $8.8 million for tics provided by the Connecti- Bradley under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. There cut Airport Authority show travel to be 5% to 7% down was a total of $245.9 million that included 153 grants in from before the pandemic.

37 states to modernize airThe drop is largely in port infrastructure, imbusiness travel, Dillon said.

Companies are still allowing prove runway safety and workers to travel to meet with create jobs.

That included nearly $18 clients and outside contacts.

But many have curtailed travel million in federal fiscal year

2023, with a total project cost of nearly $59 million, for what the airport calls its “vertical circulation” renovation.

The airport will expand by 22,000 square feet to accommodate new elevators and escalators on both ends of the terminal so travelers can move more easily. The project is expected to be completed in 2025.

Bradley passengers will no longer have to carry their own checked bags from the ticket counter to large X-ray machines.

“Bradley is one of the last where they screen checked baggage in the lobby,” Dillon said.

That will change with a new inline baggage screening building, complete with conveyor belts to move luggage.

For corporate jets, the Connecticut Airport Authority announced in December a new partnership with Sky Harbour Group Corp. Sky Harbour will invest $30 million in a multi-hangar complex and associated services for corporate jets.

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Valley Opportunity Council improving lives, one resident at a time

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | K9

“We try to find people where they are and help them get on a path to self-sufficiency.”

STEPHEN HUNTLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VALLEY OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL

By Carolyn Robbins

Special to The Republican CHICOPEE — On the frontlines of the war on poverty, opportunity is knocking.

The Valley Opportunity Council, supported by federal, state and local funds, is making strides in its effort to eliminate poverty by offering initiatives to help low- and moderate-income residents of Hampden County improve their lives.

To achieve its mission, the Chicopee-based community action agency — with locations in Holyoke and Ludlow — is armed with a $70 million budget and a staff of 325, providing a raft of programs for its clients, including fuel and housing assistance, day care, pre-K and adult education, jobs and career training, English as a Second Language and citizenship classes.

The council’s executive director, Stephen Huntley, said that most clients are referred to its programs by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), but others find their way by word-of-mouth — or in response to VOC’s outreach efforts.

“We try to find people where they are and help them get on a path to self-sufficiency,” Huntley said, noting that many of the agency’s clients struggle with multiple challenges — from teen pregnancy to homelessness.

Huntley said the agency is changing lives for the bet-

A view of a prekindergarten class at the Valley Opportunity Council in Chicopee. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

ter every day by providing programs that are key to economic success from early childhood to adulthood.

The council’s headquarters is located on the second floor of a hulking former parochial school building on Mount Carmel Avenue near the banks of the Chicopee River.

Off its long hallways, old classrooms have been transformed into full-day programs for infants and toddlers and prekindergarten for 3- and

4-year-olds.

The Mount Carmel Avenue day care site is one of eight center-based sites the council operates. In addition, the program oversees 145 home-based licensed day care programs. “We serve 1,000 kids,” Huntley said, noting that the availability or reliable child care is a critical component to the success of parents enrolled in these programs.

Down the hall from the early childhood programs

are classrooms dedicated to adults, offering citizenship classes, high school equivalency preparation courses, English for Speakers of Other Languages (EOSL) classes — and preparation to enroll in licensing programs for commercial truck drivers and certified nursing assistants, among other careers.

The council’s programs include food and nutrition services funded with vouchers from Women, Infants and

Children (WIC) with offices in Chicopee, Holyoke and Westfield.

The council’s energy aid has emerged as its biggest division, Huntley said.

“Our fuel assistance program serves 20,000 people across Hampden County,” Huntley said.

Huntley said the council is ramping up its Comprehensive Integrated Employment Services Employment program, located on 505 High St., opposite Holyoke City Hall.

Nadeem Sikander, who heads up that program, said it serves adults who receive DTA cash benefits for themselves or their children. Its purpose is to provide support that helps them get and keep jobs at living wages “that will allow them to advance in their careers,” Sikander said.

Clients receive free training and take part in “soft-skills” workshops.

The program has had pretty good success rate for placing graduates in jobs, which include health care, construction, truck driving and the culinary and hospitality industry, Sikandar said. “Since 2023, roughly 25 people have graduated from certified training programs.

Program’s impact For Lexus Paulino, a 24-year-old single mother of two from Holyoke, the program has been a godsend.

Her ambitions were tem-

porarily derailed when she became pregnant in her senior year in high school. After her graduation from Holyoke High School under a dual-enrollment program at Holyoke Community College, she held a number of low-paying jobs.

“I had been working at a handful of fast-food chains. but wanted to make more of myself,” she said, adding that she wants to inspire her young daughters.

“And to bring them to career day where I work someday,” Paulino said.

Paulino knew she wanted a career in health care when she showed up at the Valley Opportunity Council. “I come from a family of health care providers, nurses and CNAs,” she said.

Her goal is to earn her CNA certificate and follow up with training to become a phlebotomist.

As she embarks on her journey, Paulino said she is grateful for the support of adviser Genesis Ortiz.

“She’s been patient with me,” she said, acknowledging that she experienced some bad days when she felt too anxious to come in.

Paulino said she draws encouragement and support from other women enrolled in the program. “We’re a bunch of moms of different ethnic backgrounds striving to make better lives for our families,” she said. “It’s beautiful to see.”

Food insecurity on rise after pandemic UMass prof aids project to measure impact of waterways protection

F

IRST, LET’S DISPEL A centuries-old myth. No one succeeds economically by “pulling themselves up by their bootstraps.”

Family, community and even government play crucial roles in supporting individuals and households in various ways.

In modern society, government has a significant role and responsibility to ensure the public good.

The existence of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts highlights the systemic failure of both the economy and society to ensure that everyone has access to enough nutritious food for a healthy and productive life.

The Republican Staff AMHERST — A University

Andrew Morehouse

Pam Lohr, of Southampton, joins other volunteers in sorting through items at The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

every dollar donated.

That said, the SNAP program vastly surpasses our impact.

SNAP provides nine meals for every one meal that is provided by all 200 food banks combined across the country.

Subject to strict income eligibility and work requirements, households receive SNAP benefits on electronic benefit transfer cards, which can be used only to purchase food.

Approximately 1.2 million Massachusetts residents, or 17% of the state population (1 in 6), receive SNAP benefits.

In the last 12 months, the Food Bank has provided the equivalent of about 10.8 million meals.

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More than 51% are in families with children, older adults or disabled individuals.

More than 33% are in working families. In the four counties of Western Massachusetts, 224,000 individuals receive SNAP in 87 communities.

SNAP put food on their tables and it also stimulates tremendous economic activity.

Case in point: The Food Bank assisted 568 households to enroll in SNAP this year, resulting in the equivalent of a little more than 1 million meals over a 12-month period and an economic impact of $1.7 million in the region.

Harnessing the power of government for the public good, the Food Bank also engages in public education and advocacy to advance solutions to many underlying causes of food insecuri-

ty and hunger.

By working with communities and policymakers across our entire region, effective government policies and investments are passed and implemented that strengthen families and communities.

We invite the community to join us. For information, visit foodbankwma.org. Together, we end hunger.

Andrew Morehouse is the executive director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

02566196

(SNAP) benefits and federal child tax credits, which reduced childhood poverty by 40% during the pandemic.

Second, pandemic-era supply chain disruptions triggered inflation, which is now down significantly, although prices are much higher than before the pandemic.

Wages, while higher, have The Food Bank of Western not kept pace with inflation, in Massachusetts is dedicated to fact, for decades. leveraging effective governThe Food Bank exists for ment policies and investments these and many other reasons. to confront food insecurity and We provide healthy food daily end hunger. when and where it is needed It’s evident that as a socimost so that struggling houseety, we are falling short and holds can carry on with their not acting wisely when a lives and pursue their hopes significant number of people and dreams. consistently face food insecuIn the last 12 months, the rity because they cannot afford Food Bank has provided their next meal. the equivalent of about 10.8 The food assistance network in Western Massachusetts includes the Food Bank and its 175 independent, frontline member food pantries, meal sites and emergency shelters.

A telltale sign of the scale of our challenge and collective im- million meals. Approximately pact is the monthly number of half of this food was paid for by individuals seeking food assisfederal and state governments, tance across the four counties in about $1 million by private our region. Recent data reveals grants and individual donathat almost 107,000 individuals tions, and the rest of the food receive food assistance from was donated. our network in a single month, Our new food distribution marking a 29% increase from center in Chicopee is twice the low point of about 83,000 a the size of our former facility, year ago — still unconscionably enabling us to provide more high in the most powerful coun- healthy food to more people for try in the world. decades to come. In just the last Why has food insecurity few months since we moved increased so quickly over the in, we have already provided last six months?

25% more healthy food than in First, it’s a fact that federal the same period last year — the pandemic-era benefits dramat- equivalent of more than half a ically reduced food insecurity million meals. during that period. Except for We are confident we can universal school meals that sustain this growth moving are now permanent in Masforward. Our greater capacity sachusetts, all these benefits permits us to receive so much have since expired, includdonated food that we will be ing expanded Supplemental able to provide the equivalent Nutrition Assistance Program of more than three meals for

of Massachusetts Amherst resource economics professor was part of an effort to use machine learning to more accurately predict which waterways are protected by the Clean Water Act. David Keiser was part of a group of researchers that found a 2020 Trump administration rule removed Clean Water Act protection for a quarter of wetlands and 20% of streams in the U.S. The action also deregulated 30% of watersheds that supply drinking water to household taps, according to a statement from the university.

The Clean Water Act of 1972 protects the waters of the country, but does not precisely define which streams and wetlands it covers, the statement said, meaning that presidential administrations, regulators and courts have the final say

in deciding that protection.

The group used machine learning, also known as artificial intelligence, to understand those decisions, helping “decode the DNA of environmental policy,” according to Joseph Shapiro, a co-author of the paper published in January in the journal Science.

Shapiro is a professor at the University of California Berkeley.

“We can finally understand what the Clean Water Act actually protects,” Shapiro said.

The machine learning model found that the 2020 rule deregulated 690,000 stream miles, more than every stream in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas combined. And the wetlands that were deregulated provided over $250 billion in flood prevention to nearby buildings, the study estimated.

The study estimates that the machine learning model could save over $1 billion annually.

P.O. Box 109, Palmer, MA 01069 Office: 19 Poole Street, Ludlow

%%SATFOL-%%3MONTH%%2DATE OUTLOOK 2024

K10 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

Women most likely to quit over returnto-office mandates

By Cindy Barth

Boston Business Journal

Women, millennials and high-performers are among those most likely to quit their jobs at organizations that enact strict return-to-office policies, a new survey from Gartner shows.

The survey — conducted from May through June 2023 — analyzed the impact of mandated in-office requirements on various employee segments.

Among the key findings: The intent to stay among average employees dropped by 8% with strict return-to-office mandates. However, high-performing employees experienced a more significant decline, with their intent to stay plummeting by 16%, double the rate of their average counterparts. Millennials and women also showed lower intent to stay, with declines of 10% and 11%, respectively.

These findings come on the heels of a September 2023 survey involving 170 HR leaders in which 63% of them reported an increased expectation for employees to spend more days in the office.

However, a June 2023 survey of nearly 3,500 employees found that 48% believed their company’s mandates prioritized leaders’ desires over employees’ needs for optimal work performance.

Factors that contribute: less trust in employees to perform remotely; less employee flexibility and autonomy; ease of high-performers finding other, more flexible jobs; more risk of experiencing workplace bias on-site; and more difficulty balancing caregiver responsibilities.

HR dilemma While in-person collaboration can lead to moderate benefits, organizations are grappling with encouraging more frequent office returns.

Some HR leaders faced low compliance when urging employees to spend more time in the office, leading to the implementation of stricter RTO mandates.

In addition, RTO policies and mandates have left employees feeling unheard, not considered and generally disillusioned, the Gartner survey shows. While many company leaders have said they want employees to come back to the office to improve organizational culture and employee performance, only 40% of workers whose organizations have implemented an RTO mandate said employee feedback was considered in designing it. That dynamic, in turn, left 4 in 10 employees saying the mandate made them feel like the organization doesn’t understand how they get their work done.

Here’s a closer look at what the survey found related to women, millennials and high-performers.

When it comes to an RTO mandate, women have a significantly lower intent to stay compared to men. That’s due, in large part, to the fact that women still shoulder the majority of caregiving responsibilities for child care, elder care and home care, the survey found.

In fact, more than half of the women surveyed said they would choose a position with greater flexibility over 10% higher pay when considering a job offer. Rigid in-office days and times often introduce schedule complications that not only require more planning hours, but often add additional costs for transportation and alternative care.

Women also said they experienced lower inclusion at organizations with an RTO mandate, especially compared to men. Women also encounter more microaggressions and biases in physical work settings than in remote settings, particularly in industries where they are underrepresented. The remote

“High-performing employees are more easily able to pursue opportunities at organizations that offer hybrid or fully remote policies.”

CAITLIN DUFFY, DIRECTOR IN THE GARTNER HR PRACTICE

setting, in contrast, can make their underrepresentation less apparent, respondents said.

Compared to workers of other generations, millennials experience significantly lower intent to stay with an RTO mandate.

This may be due, in part, to the fact that they are the current generation most likely to have caregiving responsibilities that need added flexibility in order to manage.

In addition, costs to manage those caregiving responsibilities come into play in a similar way as for women.

Though going into the office can be beneficial for millennials in offering focus time away from potential distractions at home, Gartner data showed that millennials’ performance was lower at organizations with RTO mandates.

That may be due to having more experience than their Gen Z counterparts, making millennials chafe more at RTO mandates because of having a better understanding of what environment supports their work best and being less able to customize their environments when forced to operate within rigid on-site requirements.

Lack of trust?

High-performers, meanwhile, often see RTO mandates as a signal that their organization doesn’t trust them with the autonomy to make the best choices about how they get their work done.

Many of these workers feel they have proven themselves and maintained high levels of performance throughout the pandemic and remote working.

“High-performing employees are more easily able to pursue opportunities at organizations that offer hybrid or fully remote policies,” said Caitlin Duffy, director in the Gartner HR practice. “Losing high-performers to attrition costs organizations in terms of productivity, difficulty in backfilling the role and the overall loss of high-quality talent available to fill critical positions.”

Along with millennials and Gen Z, high-performers do experience some modest benefits from in-office mandates. Not only do high-performers get to interact with their immediate teams and direct manager more frequently in-person, but they also have easier access to senior employees.

That enables them to build a larger network to leverage for career advancement and performance beyond their immediate teams or projects.

Overall, findings from the Gartner survey suggest that a more flexible approach will yield better results than a one-size-fits-all mandate.

And with only a few years of experience operating in a remote and hybrid environment thus far, many organizations are still on a learning curve as far as which work-design characteristics best support their own employees’ performance, well-being, engagement and retention.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

State eyes developing new system of transportation finance Gov. Healey creates task force, WMass business group

By Bruce Mohl and Gintautas Dumcius CommonWealth Beacon

Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt predicts the task force she is heading on how to fund transportation in Massachusetts will be different from all those that have come before.

“It isn’t just like we hope this thing will happen,” she said after an MBTA board meeting in late January. “It’s if we do these steps, these are what we think we can get in projected revenue from these particular items, these particular interventions. It is going to be very specific.

We’re not going to be dodging potential options just for political reasons. That’s what’s going to be different this time.”

Tibbits-Nutt said the task force will look at all sorts of revenue options as part of an effort to put the MBTA and regional transit authorities on sound financial footing and find a replacement for the gas tax, which is expected to shrink in importance over time as the state transitions from gasoline to electric-powered vehicles.

“The reason it is so broad is that we’re not looking at funding a particular project.

We’re not looking at closing a particular fiscal year’s budget. We’re looking at the next 10 to 20 years and how are we going to pay for this,” she said.

The task force, created by executive order, will have 27 members, including six cabinet officials, the two chairs of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee, the general manager of the MBTA, the state’s climate chief, and the director of federal funds and infrastructure.

“We’re not looking at closing a particular fiscal year’s budget.

We’re looking at the next 10 to 20 years and how are we going to pay for this.”

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY MONICA TIBBITS-NUTT

topping out at $905 million in fiscal 2029.

The panel will also include James Rooney, the CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, who has been advocating for such a task force for several years. Other members will come from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the MBTA Advisory Board, the Massachusetts Association of Regional Transit Authorities, the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, and other business groups geographically dispersed across the state.

Two additional members will come from organizations representing low-income rural and urban communities that have “historically been underserved by transit.”

The mandate in the executive order is broad. It refers to exploring “pricing mechanisms” to advance transportation and resiliency goals and generate sustainable funding. It also calls for strategies to encourage “mass transit, bicycle use, pedestrian-friendly development, and transit-oriented housing and economic development and discouraging carbon-intensive transportation uses.”

At the MBTA, the funding challenge is not something far down the road. It’s already here. The budget filed

by Gov. Maura Healey provides enough money for the T to stay afloat in the coming fiscal year. But with spending far outpacing revenue at the T, mounting deficits are forecasted for the next four years,

Earlier effort The last time state officials tried to put the MBTA on sound financial footing was 2000, when lawmakers steered a portion of state sales tax revenue to the T. Over the next 20 years, however, sales tax revenue “grossly underperformed expectations,” according to a presentation to the T board. Sales tax revenue grew at an annual growth rate of 2.29%, well short of the forecasted growth rate of 6.5% to 8.5%. That translated into lost revenue of somewhere between $8.9 billion and $15 billion. The T’s finances also took a hit when the authority was saddled with nearly $5 billion in debt that came with hefty annual interest payments.

In their January presentation, T officials suggested Beacon Hill must step up with new or additional revenue sources. They included a chart showing revenue sources of other peer transit agencies, including sales, gas, payroll, vehicle sales, vehicle rental, property, and real estate transaction taxes.

Other revenue sources listed in the chart include fees on rideshares and vehicle licenses as well as tolls, congestion charges, and traffic violations.

Doug Howgate, the president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, said he thought it was a good idea to try to tackle the question of where future funding should come from for roads, bridges,

and transit.

“Bringing together a diverse group of folks to do that makes sense,” he said. “I think the question is what’s the end result. Is it 15 different people saying 15 different things or is there some sort of agreement? Hopefully we can build some sort of consensus there.”

The task force is charged with returning with a report by the end of this year.

Out of thin air Gov. Healey’s executive order creating a transportation funding task force this week also appeared to create a new regional chamber of commerce.

The second section of Executive Order No. 626 outlined the task force’s membership, including representatives of various business groups. The 128 Business Council, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce were all specifically named.

The problem with the last one is that the Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce doesn’t exist, unless we’re talking about the one in New Hampshire.

A Healey spokesperson acknowledged the mistake, and said the executive order should have referred to the 1Berkshire chamber. The organization was the result of a 2016 merger between four economic development groups, including the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. A representative from 1Berkshire will be appointed to the task force, as originally intended, the Healey spokesperson said.

WNEU helps push economic innovation

M

ASSACHUSETTS is commonly known as the state anchored in the industries of “eds and meds” because of our world-class hospitals and outstanding institutes of higher education.

Consequently, in the intricate tapestry of our local economy, the impact of our colleges and universities cannot go unnoticed. Western New England University provides substantial economic contributions and invaluable investments in the future.

Last year, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts, an organization of 59 institutions that I am honored to serve as chair, unveiled a groundbreaking economic impact study, revealing the indispensable role played by its members across the state.

The statewide annual impact of association member colleges and universities stands tall at an impressive $71.1 billion. Zooming into Western Massachusetts, the economic landscape is bolstered with the influence of 11 member schools, collectively generating a staggering $3.3 billion and sustaining 19,400 jobs in the region.

Amidst this formidable group, Western New England University stands out as a significant contributor, with an annual economic impact exceeding $664 million and the support of 3,360 jobs.

These figures are not just cold statistics. They represent the lifeblood of our communities.

Visitors drawn to our institutions inject $22 million into the local economy, creating a ripple effect that touches

“A Western New England University education transcends the classroom, instilling in our students not only academic knowledge but also industry-related experience and relevant skills.”

Robert Johnson, Western New England University president

Robert Johnson businesses, restaurants and services throughout the region. When we consider both our operational and capital spending, the total economic contribution of Western New England University reaches an impressive $168 million.

The economic impact study serves as a clarion call, underscoring the pivotal role that institutions like ours play in sustaining a robust and vibrant knowledge-based economy.

Here in Springfield, across Western Massachusetts, and throughout the Commonwealth, our schools are true economic engines that power progress and prosperity.

However, our commitment extends beyond economic contributions. We invest in our students, nurturing their growth and positioning them for success in an ever-evolving job market by providing an agile-minded education.

According to a Georgetown University study, Western New England University ranks in the top 6% of colleges and universities nationwide for return on investment. Locally, we proudly claim the No. 3 position in the Pioneer Valley and No. 1 spot in Springfield.

Our graduates’ success is further exemplified by the median starting salary, surpassing that of 52 of the top 100 institutions in the country, as reported by U.S. News and World Report. Among

selective institutions, we stand tall as the 10th in the country for the likelihood of moving students from disadvantaged to affluent backgrounds, according to Harvard’s Opportunity Insights Project and The New York Times.

The testament to our commitment is reflected in the outstanding 98% job placement rate our graduates enjoy.

A Western New England University education transcends the classroom, instilling in our students not only academic knowledge but also industry-related experience and relevant skills. We believe in the transformative power of education, and our track record demonstrates that this investment pays dividends throughout our graduates’ careers.

The Center for Social Justice within our law school encourages student involvement in pro-bono work with marginalized communities across Greater Springfield through its legal kiosks, and expungement and records-sealing events.

The Justice Bus allows for the Center for Social Justice to take these services on the road and meet community members where they are.

Similarly, the student-run Bear Paw Clinic in the College of Health Sciences and Pharmacy provides free hands-on occupational therapy services to the community, under the direction of a licensed occupa-

tional therapist.

The list of examples goes on.

Western New England University will be able to support even more growth across the entire campus in 2024 including through the expansion of the School of Business’s FinTech Center that will offer certificate revenue and entrepreneurship opportunities, and the establishment of the School of Engineering’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems.

Both projects were funded in part through MassTech grants totaling over $2 million. We look forward to opening the doors to both spaces, and others like it, to our community partners and industry leaders for shared knowledge and success.

As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, it is imperative to recognize the symbiotic relationship between our institutions and the communities we serve. The success of our graduates fuels the local workforce, driving innovation and sustaining a thriving economy.

Western New England University tells a story of economic vitality, community engagement, and transformative education. Let us celebrate the profound impact of higher education on the Valley economy — where the investment in knowledge pays dividends for generations to come.

Dr. Robert E. Johnson is president of Western New England University in Springfield.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

OUTLOOK 2024

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | K11

State faces growing teacher diversity challenge Study: Gains not keeping pace with increased student diversity

By Bhaamati Borkhetaria

CommonWealth Beacon

Massachusetts has made strides in its effort to increase teacher diversity, but the K-12 student population is growing more diverse at a much faster rate, according to a new report.

Over the last decade, Massachusetts has doubled the number of new teachers of color hired annually, and minority teachers have gone from making up 7% of the K-12 teacher workforce to 10%.

But because the state’s student population is diversifying much faster, the gap between the share of teachers of color and students of color in the state has grown wider over this period, and is projected to get even larger, according to the study carried out by MassINC in partnership with the advocacy group Latinos for Education and the Wheelock Educational Policy Center at Boston University.

“These changing teacher demographics are not keeping pace with the changing student demographics in the state,” said Olivia Chi, one of the Wheelock researchers who consulted on the report. “If the historical trends continue as they’ve been doing over the past number of years, that gap between students and teachers of color in terms of that representation gap is going to continue to widen.”

Above, Tarkan Topcuoglu, CEO of the Hampden Charter School of Science in Chicopee, visits with students Caleb Rodriguez, left, and Devin Medina during a seventh grade science class.

Top left, Timothy Sneed, executive director of Baystate Academy Charter Public School in Springfield, chats with ninth grader Joanined Velez during her Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science. Bottom left, Students in a seventh grade science class at the Hampden Charter School of Science in Chicopee. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

coupled with early retirement incentives for the pool of mainly White educators in those By the numbers districts approaching retirement age.

In 2012, when teachers of color made up 7% Urban districts in the state accounted for of the state teacher workforce and students three-quarters of the net growth in teachers of color accounted for 33% of the K-12 student Those college graduates of color who go into of color in Massachusetts from 2012 to 2022. population, the representation gap was 26 perteaching remain at a lower rate than whites, The study says the chances that a student of centage points. Despite the increase in teacher further exacerbating the problem, according color is taught by an educator of color vary diversity over the next decade, that gap grew to to the report. After five years in the field, less widely across urban districts. It estimates that 35 percentage points in 2022. Based on current than 40% of new teachers of color remain, students of color in the four Gateway Cities in trends, it’s projected that the gap will be 38 while more than 50% of new white teachers the Merrimack Valley (Haverhill, Lawrence, points by 2030, when it’s estimated that teachare still in classrooms.

Lowell, and Methuen) have about a 23% ers of color will make up 14% of the teaching chance of having a teacher of color in given Set of strategies workforce and students of color will be 53% of school year, while those in the seven urban the K-12 student population.

The report outlines a set of strategies that districts in Metro Boston (Boston, Cambridge, could boost teacher diversity, including creating Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Quincy, and Remultiple pathways to teacher licensing, creatvere) have about a 60% chance of having an ing more early pathways to educator careers educator of color. through Early College programs, and more Former state Education Secretary Paul Refunding for grass-roots community groups that ville said that even without the extra barriers A significant body of research shows that work to draw more people of color into teaching, that prospective teachers of color face, the students of color benefit from having teachers of and the development of teacher apprenticeship teaching profession has a recruitment and the same race in the classroom. Studies indicate programs for people without four-year degrees. retention problem that has worsened since the that such students achieve higher test scores, Legislation filed on Beacon Hill includes a pandemic. He said retaining teachers longer by are disciplined less, have higher attendance, and bill that would create an accelerated, tuimaking the teaching profession more attractive are more likely to graduate from high school and tion-free teacher occupational apprenticeship is an important part of the answer to the overall attend college. For that reason, the report says, program as well as legislation that would teacher shortage and the goal of bringing in — increasing the diversity of the teacher workforce establish a fund to support bilingual teachers and retaining — more educators of color. is “essential to closing racial and ethnic dispari- and incentivize dual language certification.

“We haven’t done a good job of attracting ties in educational achievement.”

Latinos for Education is advocating for a The report says increasing the diversity of the broad bill, filed by state Rep. Alice Peisch, the teaching workforce is a multifaceted challenge, assistant House majority leader and former starting with there being fewer candidates of education committee chair, that incorporates color on track to become educators. Students of many of the report’s recommendations, includcolor complete high school at lower rates than ing alternate certification pathways and a reWhite students, and those who do graduate quirement that public school districts set goals go on to college and receive four-year college for teacher diversity, and collect and report degrees at a far lower rate. Students of color publicly on progress meeting those targets. who obtain a bachelor’s degree are then far less There is also legislation, filed by Sen. Pavel likely than their white peers to pursue teaching Payano and Rep. Priscilla Sousa, aimed at careers, the report said. boosting teacher diversity by allowing school This is partly because students of color districts to consider factors like diversity in tend to carry more college debt and have less addition to seniority if layoffs are necessary. family wealth, which may discourage them Teachers unions are strongly opposed to the from going into a profession with lower pay legislation, saying that it would give districts than other fields. The report says would-be too much discretion over layoff decisions. educators of color also carry the trauma of The teacher diversity report takes a differracism in their own educational experience ent tack, advocating instead for hiring and and recognize “structural racism continues to retention bonuses for new teachers in dispermeate education.” tricts with high minority student populations

people to the teaching profession particularly in post- COVID times. Teachers were so stressed during COVID,” said Reville, now a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. “There’s something of a crisis in teacher supply right now, let alone in the supply of teachers of color. We, in some respects, haven’t created an attractive sustaining profession for a lot of people who have choices.”

Bending the curve Despite the report’s discouraging projections on teacher diversity, if current trends hold, it says the state education department has been focused on the issue, and by “strategically allocating resources, Massachusetts can bend the curve and ensure that it ends the decade with a far more diverse and inclusive educator workforce,” “There are a lot of innovations already happening across the country that we can draw upon and many of these are already in process within the Commonwealth,” said Amanda Fernandez, CEO of Latinos for Education.

“It’s a matter of organizing and really starting to make more investments in the organizations that are providing services and support for teachers of color to come into the profession and to stay in the profession.”

Find your fun side on

The Other Side of Massachusetts

Let ’23 be a model in year ahead for community-supported farming

M

OST SMALL BUSINESSworked, more pests, weed pressure, es in the Pioneer Valley and plant disease and rot. Rising rely on a combination temperatures, including more of expertise, grit, heatwaves, will stress the health of adaptability and luck to survive on workers and livestock, and reduce slim margins in a highly competiproduction of some heat-sensitive tive global market — especially on crops. And more extreme temperathe heels of the disruptions connectture swings will damage crops in ed to the COVID-19 pandemic, unpredictable ways: Cold snaps including supply chain issues and can kill off early buds, oscillation Claire Morenon in the fall can affect fruit tree inflation. This is especially true for local farmers, whose seasonproduction for the next year, al businesses are dependent on increasingly and maple syrup production relies on a specific unpredictable weather. temperature pattern in the early spring.

As they look ahead to the 2024 growing seaMeanwhile, the effects of high inflation son, many local farmers are still managing the have continued to challenge local farmers and effects of a difficult 2023. Last year’s extreme increase financial pressure on many families weather events brought freezes in February at the grocery store — at the close of 2023, and May that damaged peach, apple and blue- food prices were up 26% nationally since berry crops, and then widespread flooding in 2019 (as compared to 2.6% from 2015-2018).

July that destroyed thousands of acres of crops, The federal government stopped the expandcausing tens of millions of dollars in losses. ed COVID-19 SNAP payments in February This flooding was part of a broader pattern of 2023, leaving the lowest-income households heavy rain, which also made fields unworkable in our communities in real jeopardy. Project and damaged crops, even on farms that didn’t Bread reported in fall 2023 that hunger rates experience river flooding. were trending upward to nearly one in five Massachusetts households experiencing food insecurity, and that BIPOC households are disproportionately suffering.

These issues — climate change, hunger, and the ways that big challenges interact with The weather in 2023 was a taste of the existing inequities — go well beyond the cachanges that climate scientists forecast for the pacity of individual businesses or households Northeast — the range and unpredictability to address. In 2023, we saw what an immense of which bring real challenges for local farms. difference an engaged, responsive, caring We will see more precipitation, including more community can make. People donated money extreme rainfall events, like those that caused to flooded farms, and farmers donated food or the flooding in 2023. Increasingly wet summers sold it at cost to help their fellow farmers meet SEE FARMING, PAGE K12 also will result in sodden fields that can’t be

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Javier Reyes, UMass Amherst chancellor

By James Foster

Special to The Republican AMHERST — Javier Reyes is the new chancellor of University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is the 31st leader to take over the role in the university’s history.

1. Tell us a little bit about your role and sector.

As the chancellor, I oversee all the operations of the university. We’re like a small city, where you have a very large administrative and infrastructure areas with facilities, dining and residence halls, our (public) safety and environmental safety, our HR. Think of our university as a small city with 75% of its population being 18- to 24-year olds. We have 16,000 students in our residence halls. We have over 30,000 students, over 23,000 of whom are undergrads.

The others are grad students. We have a growing population of online students.

My job is to always (remind) us that our students and their experiences are our North Star.

Yale may bring back SATs Yale University is considering whether to reinstate standardized testing and join Ivy League peer Dartmouth College in a policy shift that reflects a broader reevaluation within higher education admissions.

Jeremiah Quinlan, Yale’s dean of undergraduate admissions, said in an email that the university is “closely considering” its testing policy, adding that he expects to make an announcement in the coming weeks about the school’s plans.

Dartmouth said earlier this month that it will once again require applicants to submit scores starting in the fall.

Selective colleges ditched exams such

Javier Reyes, center, the new chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and his wife, Maritza, chat with UMass President Marty Meehan. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

5. What’s the best simple advice you’ve received since entering the business world?

The best advice given to me, when I became dean of a business school, was to make sure that you spend a lot of time with your students. You’re not going to be in the classroom all that long or for very long with them. You have to look for venues where you can still connect with them, hear from them and really have conversations with them. And that’s something that I always do. You’ll see me walking across the campus. You see me hopping into the events of student organizations. You’ll see me drop into classes. You’ll see me get a group of students to gather around a table and just talk about things.

We need to listen and hear them. What are the things that are working and not working for them?

6. What surprised you in the past year in higher education?

It’s surprising to see when things got hard with the events globally, we were doubling down that we’re a place of learning, understanding and knowledge creation. We are the place where questions can be asked, when people are trying to understand.

Right now, some people are fearful of asking, because there’s a lot of things happening around the world that you just don’t know how people are going to react. The university should be one in which you champion the questions, all questions. We’re doubling down on being the place where we can have this conversation.

Class of ’24 interviews are edited for clarity and length.

as the SAT and ACT early in the pandemic as test centers closed. But they’re slowly revisiting that decision and considering whether the assessments can help identify promising applicants.

been around for more than a century, but the apprenticeship program with Multiverse will be different.

The 12-month program is modeled after an existing one in Britain, where Multiverse’s vice president of learning, Rebecca BOSTON Agostino, said apprenticeships are far common. Employers are assessed Applied analytics, anyone? more a levy to financially support apprenticeNortheastern University, which has ships, she said, making them both a widelong distinguished itself through its co- spread on-the-job training opportunity op program, is launching an apprentice- and something virtually guaranteed. ship program for students wanting to go Northeastern and Multiverse aninto applied analytics fields. nounced the partnership on Tuesday, Northeastern is partnering with a Brit- with applications for students opening the ish education firm making its first such same day. Students are paid for the time deal in the United States. That company, they put in as apprentices in the workMultiverse, opened its first U.S. office in place and earn credits toward a bachelor’s 2021 in New York to begin an American degree. There’s no cost, the partners said, expansion, and it has picked Northeast- making for a major distinction when highern as its first higher education pairing. er education can be so costly.

Northeastern’s co-op program has — Wire reports

Farming CONTINUES FROM PAGE K11

their obligations. A new Farm Resiliency Fund, housed at the United Way of Central Massachusetts and coordinated in partnership with CISA and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, distributed $3.3 million to affected farms. The state, with the leadership of our Western Massachusetts delegation, established a new $20 million Recovery Program for Agriculture.

CISA, along with many peer organizations, is focused on helping farmers adapt to climate change — not just recover from disasters. Our second Climate and Farming Week brought together 256 people at nine events to exchange information and to plan for the future. CISA’s technical assistance program has expanded to include a special focus on providing expert guidance for farms that are looking to adapt their crop plans, farming systems and infrastructure to our changing climate.

CISA also teamed up with partners led by the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative to advocate for the Healthy Incentives Program, a state program that fights hunger by providing an instant rebate of $40 per month or more when shoppers use SNAP to purchase produce from participating local farms and markets. As a result of this advocacy, HIP is now included as a permanent

To expand economic opportunity, focus on digital equity Once considered rural challenge, digital inequity now an urban problem

from their communities. It’s moving people perhaps from areas that are more of the rural and agricultural areas 2. What spurred you to get into more of city and industrial landinto your line of work? scape, which has now created a strain I went to Texas A&M to do my Ph.D. in some of the agricultural and rural in economics and I fell in love with the areas of the country. Communities that idea of research, teaching, creating that were vibrant are now being challenged, determination of new knowledge, giving so I think that we have to respond to it to our students and having the ability that effect, as well. to do research at a high level. That’s why I went into higher ed as an academic.

It’s a very, very rewarding job, to be honest, to be in academia. It’s a very rewarding experience to have about 5,300 freshmen Some people across the world and coming in and 5,000 students graduating. across the nation (are) questioning the As the ones that are graduating and getting value of higher ed. It’s because they out there into a career pathway that they are asking, “How does it reflect back in may change the world, you get a new group my community? How can I do that?” At of new students with new energy. One of UMass, we are looking to form a new them might be the next president of the economic development group working United States, one might be the one that with Western Massachusetts commucreates the next Google or one creates a nities to understand what are their cure for cancer or becomes an incredible needs and how can we ensure that we poet or an incredible writer. provide degrees and experiences for our students that show them that they can 3. What’s your impression go back to their communities. of the higher-ed sector?

4. How do you see higher-ed I think the landscape is changing, and changing in the next year? you can always do better, whether it’s higher education or any industry. COVID I think there’s a lot that will affect and changed the world, and before COVID, impact higher education this year. First demographics in the U.S. and around and foremost, you have the election, and the world were changing. Industry was you know that that will be something that is changing. AI was surfacing. The way in discussed (that) impacts higher ed heavily. which we needed to provide career pathI just came back from a (meeting) of ways has changed. And therefore, univer- university presidents and chancellors. sities are changing with that landscape.

We got together to talk about “what is For many years, we’ve been attracting the goal for the next 10 years.” It’s about students, and then we’ve positioned retention and graduation rates, but also them in career pathways that in many figuring out how we play a role in reduccases are taking those students away ing the cost of higher ed.

NEW HAVEN, CONN.

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OUTLOOK 2024

Worker-owner Millie Garcia of Springfield picks lettuce in the Wellspring Harvest greenhouse in Indian Orchard on its one year anniversary. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

part of the Massachusetts state budget, and is funded at $13.4 million for fiscal 2024. CISA’s Senior FarmShare program fed 700 low-income seniors in 2023 and is growing to 850 shares in 2024, a 70% increase since 2022. And local farmers were able to donate 300,000 pounds of food to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, despite the difficult year.

We know that our local farmers will face whatever challenges and embrace whatever opportunities brought by the

coming year as they always do — with resilience, determination, and a strong sense of community. Let’s allow the amazing support they received in 2023 to serve as a model in 2024 and beyond.

Claire Morenon is CISA’s communications manager. She has been with CISA since 2006. In the past, Morenon has worked on fruit and vegetable farms in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. She graduated with a degree in political science from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana.

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides subsidized internet and devices to hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents.

The state is also leveraging nearly $50 million in fedBy Josh Kraft eral funding for the express and Dan Noyes purpose of increasing digital CCESS TO THE access, including creating the digital world — it’s new Digital Equity Partsomething many of nerships Program. But this us take for granted funding is not inexhaustible — as we go about our daily lives. the ACP program is already at But for Yenny Alvarez, owner risk of running out of funding of Antojitos Gourmet, a family next year, creating a potential restaurant in the heart of East benefit cliff for participants — Boston’s Latino community and money alone won’t meet — is the difference between the need. success and failure.

In addition to long-term funding, sustainable digital inclusion requires a commitment to community-driven This fall, Yenny joined approaches that make access Tech Goes Home at Maverick easier to achieve, as well as colLanding Community Services laboration between businesses, in East Boston for a roundphilanthropic organizations, table conversation about the nonprofits and the public secimportance of digital access. tor. Digital-equity efforts that In Spanish, Yenny told the are designed from the ground other people in the room up, rather than the top down, her story: how she attended are more equitable, effective a Tech Goes Home course, and sustainable. People should where she gained the tools always be the focus. and skills to handle accountToday, in the city ing online, create documents and find suppliers on the inof Boston, 17% of ternet, significantly improving households — or many aspects of how she runs upwards of 47,000 her business and allowing her to grow the business faster households — don’t than she could before. have a desktop or Yenny’s story reflects the laptop computer profound impact that digital access — even a “simple” step at home, and 19% like uploading a restaurant — or nearly 53,000 menu or the ability to research households — lack a supplier — can have on the economic opportunity and a home broadband well-being of individuals, famconnection. ilies, and entire communities.

But for hundreds of thousands across Massachusetts, Making that a reality is best that access remains out of accomplished when funding reach, and thus, so do better and strategy are channeled career opportunities, profesthrough community partners sional development resources, — that’s the concept behind tools for growing a business, Digital Equity Partnerships, and more. and it’s the approach that’s led It is imperative we have a to the greatest success with vested interest in expanding the ACP program. equitable economic opportuIt’s also what led the New nity, and doing so — especially England Patriots Foundation in today’s world — requires an to award a $500,000 grant to intentional focus on expand- Tech Goes Home, a nonprofit ing digital access. that has been working to ex“Access” isn’t as easy as a pand digital access in Boston snap of the fingers; it requires — and across Massachusetts connecting people with com- — for more than 20 years. puters, internet service and Community-focused organidigital skills, as well as build- zations have intimate knowling support from businesses, edge of the needs of their philanthropy and communineighbors, an understanding ty-focused organizations to of the specific, persistent ensure those resources reach barriers facing the people they everyone who needs them. serve and personal relationOften considered just a rural ships to ensure that there is challenge, digital inequity trust throughout the entire in Massachusetts is actually process — from access to concentrated in urban comadoption. Neighbor-to-neighmunities. bor approaches are the most Today, in the city of Boston, effective way to scale digital 17% of households — or upaccess efforts. Public and wards of 47,000 households — private funders can’t stop at don’t have a desktop or laptop allocating funds; real impact computer at home, and 19% requires that those funders — or nearly 53,000 households create strong, intentional — lack a home broadband con- partnerships with communinection, according to data from ty-focused organizations to the American Community identify the greatest needs Survey (ACS). Statewide, nearly and ensure limited resources half a million households are spent effectively. lack a computer at home, and Only together can we pro502,000 don’t have a broadvide access to digital devices, band internet connection. reliable internet and training The communities experithat will unlock pathways to encing the greatest barriers to economic mobility for more access are the same ones that people. have suffered from exclusion We know what it takes to and underinvestment for close the digital divide in decades. A closer look at the Boston and across Massachunumbers reveals that digitally setts, but the work will take all disconnected communities of us. And we all have a stake are disproportionately BIPOC in creating more equitable and low-income. Different pathways to economic opporforms of digital exclusion — tunity, building stronger comwhether that’s lack of basic munities for all of our famiinfrastructure, language bar- lies. We challenge everyone riers, cost, or something else — funders, community-based — map directly onto persistent organizations, experts and disparities in education, community members — to health, housing, and econom- join this effort to advance ic opportunities. digital equity through a strong The need isn’t theoretical; partnership approach. research from the National Together, we can ensure that Skills Coalition found that everyone, like Yenny, can use 92 percent of jobs in the U.S. the digital world as a springtoday require digital skills. Eq- board to greater opportunity uitable opportunity requires and wellbeing. equitable digital access.

Josh Kraft is the president In the wake of COVID-19, of the New England Patriots there has been significant Foundation. Dan Noyes is the public investment aimed at CEO of Tech Goes Home, a digital equity. The federal nonprofit working to advance government launched the digital equity.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | K13

Senate president renews push for free community college

By Michael Jonas

CommonWealth Beacon BOSTON — Picking up where she left off last year, Senate President Karen E. Spilka is renewing her push for free community college in Massachusetts, touting a report that lays out a plan to cover all costs for residents attending one of the state’s 15 public two-year schools.

Spilka, joined by the Senate’s top budget writer, the Senate chair of the Legislature’s higher education committee, and several community college presidents, said the report, which pegs the annual cost of such an effort at $170 million, moves the state “one step closer to that vision of free community college for all.”

But plenty of steps remain before such a plan is in place, not least of them getting the House and Gov. Maura Healey on board with a big new outlay at a time of uncertainty over state revenue.

Last year, the Legislature approved a proposal from Healey to cover tuition and fees at community college for all students 25 and older.

The state has also funded a program that covers all tuition and fees for all students in nursing programs at community colleges. The two programs together are budgeted at $38 million.

Spilka wants to take those efforts much further, covering tuition and fees for all community college students. The 86page report released in January by the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges lays out three potential models — with widely varying price tags — to get there.

The plan described as the “preferred model,” based on input from some 30 stake-

holders who served on an advisory group, would cover the cost of tuition and fees for all students, as well as books and supplies, and provide a $2,000 stipend to defray some living costs for lower-income students. The report, prepared by the Boston Consulting Group and funded by a $1 million allocation in the 2024 state budget, puts the annual cost of such a program at $170 million.

A lower cost model, which would only cover tuition and fees, with a modest stipend for books and supplies, is estimated to cost $115 million, while a plan to provide a much larger stipend to low-income students for living expenses would cost $365 million.

Sen. Joanne Comerford, D-Northampton, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, called community colleges “one of the great equity engines of our time,” adding that “this is the moment to lean into public higher education.”

The program would provide more aid to the low-income students who make up 60% of community college enrollees in the state, but it would also help those from families with higher incomes.

Gaining support Free community college programs have gained support in a number of states as a way to create a pathway to better jobs for lower-income residents.

By 2031, according to a study from Georgetown University, more than 70% of all jobs will require some education beyond high school, something that is true of nearly all those jobs providing a gateway to

Education

“passes up an opportunity to go to a more selective college with a stronger track record of ensuring first generation or high-need students graduate on time.”

How to fund a free community college effort is likely to be a major challenge for supporters.

Cost question Pressed on the initiative’s cost during the same week the governor announced mid-year budget cuts because of lower revenue numbers, Spilka acknowledged the uncertainties of state finances.

“We realize all revenue is cyclical,” she said.

But Spilka and Senate Ways and Means chair Michael Rodrigues insisted that the program could be sustainably funded.

They pointed to the Fair Share amendment, which adds a 4 percent tax on income greater than $1 million, as one potential source of funding. Rodrigues said new revenue forecasts have increased the estimate of how much the millionaire’s tax will generate in fiscal year 2025 from $1 billion to $1.3 billion.

Revenue from the surcharge is supposed to be divided equally between education and transportation needs.

“The last thing any of us want to do is start a program and then have to backtrack on it in a few years,” said Rodrigues. “It is affordable, it will be sustainable,” he said of a free community college initiative.

The report estimates that a free community college program would boost enrollment at the schools statewide from 35,000 full-time equivalent slots to 42,000 FTEs and would lead to 3,000 more

Massachusetts State Senate President Karen E. Spilka is renewing her push for free community college in the state.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

students obtaining an associate’s degree or finishing a community college certificate program each year.

The report recommends that funding be limited to students who maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and who are earning at least six credits per semester “to encourage persistence and ensure that funds are going to those meaningfully engaged.”

Even with those requirements, the report suggests the program will create added challenges for community colleges, many of which already struggle with low completion rates.

“Expanding wrap-around support will be particularly important with the introduction of free community college, as reduced financial barriers may attract students less academically and socially prepared for college, as well as expanding the number of students from underserved backgrounds who may need more broader supports,” it says.

last year.

He attributed that to the new MassReconnect program that covers tuition and fees for all students 25 and older as well as to a state program of wrap-around support, which provides advising, tutoring and other services designed to aid student persistence and success. In 2022, students getting services through the SUCCESS program were 16 percentage points more likely to persist and return to the college the following year than those who did not take part.

The report says a free community college initiative should be accompanied by scaled up funding for the support program. While that could help student success rates, it is one of several additional costs the report identified beyond the estimated $170 million core cost of a free community college program.

The report said expanding the wrap-around service program to all students taking at least 6 credits at community colleges would cost an added Enrollment trends $40 to $60 million per year.

Community college enrollIt also outlined a further $87 ment has been declining in the million in added annual costs state, but Vander Hooven, the to colleges from expanded enMount Wachusett president, rollment and recommended said his campus has seen a $15 million in new spending to 30% increase this semester increase community college compared with the same time faculty salaries.

said in an email in response to “The most effective way to counter declines in enquestions.

About a decade ago, the rollment is to provide vital, current, and relevant ac- university started efforts to recruit students more broadly ademic programs and vibrant student experiences.” from across the country and

CONTINUES FROM PAGE K1

will really be our guidebook to any changes we have to make.” Ahead of that, the college has made few changes to its undergraduate programs.

In talking with high school students, Scully said a major concern he hears is the cost of higher education.

“It’s no secret that college is expensive,” he said.

That’s a common concern of students, said Gregory W. Matthews, vice president of enrollment management at Western New England University.

In considering college, “education for education’s sake is not at the top of people’s minds,” he said. “There is a significant consideration in the market of ‘What’s the price I’m going to pay and what’s the job my kid is going to get?’”

In recognizing a growing demand in cybersecurity jobs, the school is adding a cybersecurity major this fall.

“We are expanding what we do for job relevance,” Matthews said. The school has about 2,535 students this academic year, an increase that made up for enrollment declines it saw in 2022, Matthews said.

“We’re moving forward, but those dynamics have made it a harder market to work in,” Matthews said.

“The same old, same old doesn’t work like it used to.”

Going to high schools for recruiting visits is still a tried and true recruiting method, he said. But overall, the university made significant changes in how it recruits undergraduate students, he said, declining to go into more detail because of the competitive market.

One way American International College is broadening its recruiting: getting prospective students into its classrooms when students are still in high school.

In a program that started this fall, the college is offering classes for college credit

the middle class.

In a recent CommonWealth Beacon essay, former state education secretary Jim Peyser said a free community college program in Tennessee, launched in 2015, led to 45% increase in community college enrollment. The program, which includes intensive mentoring and guidance support, saw significantly higher graduation rates for the initial cohort of participants than for the overall student population.

James Vander Hooven, president of Mount Wachusett Community College, said free community college in Massachusetts would be transformational. “This opportunity that we have before us presents, in my lifetime, the greatest opportunity to build on equity and access in higher education,” he said.

Free community college programs can be an attractive option not only for those seeking a two-year degree, but as a cost-saving stepping stone for students who complete an associate’s degree and then transfer to a four-year college.

Questions have been raised, however, about whether that is that is necessarily the optimal path for all lower-income students.

A recent analysis of federal Pell grant recipients found that 28% of those enrolling in community college in Massachusetts ended up transferring to a four-year institution, but less than half earned a bachelor’s degree. A further concern raised by higher ed experts is that free community college programs could have the unintended consequence of exacerbating a phenomenon known as “undermatching,” in which, Peyser wrote in his recent essay, a student

HUBERT BENITEZ, AIC PRESIDENT

to high school students at the John J. Duggan Academy in Springfield. Students who complete a certain amount of credits and meet GPA requirements are admitted to the college, and those who complete an associate’s degree program receive a $4,000 scholarship.

“AIC sees the national trend of lower enrollments as an opportunity for colleges to strategically adapt to the evolving landscape of higher

education,” Hubert Benitez, the college’s president, said in a statement. “The most effective way to counter declines in enrollment is to provide vital, current, and relevant academic programs and vibrant student experiences.”

In the last year, the school added a slew of new fields of study for undergraduates, including cybersecurity, eSports gaming administration, digital media production and arts and entertainment management.

The school has about 1,167 undergraduate students, according to its website. A college spokesperson said enrollment figures over time were not available.

Gains at UMass The University of Massachusetts Amherst seems to be bucking the national downward trend in enrollment.

Undergraduate enrollment at the state’s flagship school has gradually increased over the last decade, increasing by

Since 1985

about 2,000 students since 2014 to its current count of 22,854 undergraduates.

The number of American 18-year-olds will begin to drop around 2025 across the country. Administrators at UMass have been preparing for that demographic shift, said Jim Roche, vice provost for enrollment management.

“In anticipation of this decline, UMass Amherst put measures in place years ago to help assure that we would be able to weather the storm,” he

internationally, Roche said.

The pandemic’s normalization of virtual meetings helped that initiative.

“Nowadays, it’s as easy for our recruitment team to meet face-to-face and in real time with someone from Singapore as it is someone from Springfield,” Roche said.

Over the last 10 years, the number of out-of-state students attending as undergrads has increased by more than 1,000 students. In-state students also increased, and still, nearly three-quarters of undergraduates are from Massachusetts.

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Is tutoring the answer to pandemic learning loss?

Amid compelling evidence it boosts student achievement, it’s hard to implement

By Michael Jonas

CommonWealth Beacon

Almost four years after the coronavirus pandemic upended schooling across the U.S., millions of students are still struggling to regain the learning loss that set in from months of shuttered classrooms. In Massachusetts, achievement levels in math and English remain well-below pre-pandemic levels, according to the most recent MCAS scores.

As the Globe reported in September, at the rate of improvement seen from 2022 to 2023, it would take eight more years for student achievement to return to pre-pandemic levels.

As schools across the country face the daunting challenge of making up ground lost due to the COVID disruptions, one of the most promising strategies for doing that is an approach launched in Boston 20 years ago — on the top floor of a former auto parts store.

In 2002, the Match Charter Public High School, which had opened two years earlier in temporary space, moved into a new home on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston The three-story building it acquired had been home for decades to Ellis Inc., better known as Ellis the Rim Man, an auto parts and accessories dealer whose rooftop billboard was nearly as well-known as the Citgo sign that rises over Kenmore Square a mile to the east.

The school had quickly recognized that many of its students, predominantly Black and Hispanic teenagers from lower-income homes, were arriving significantly behind grade level. Match supplemented classes with tutoring sessions, but school founder Michael Goldstein said the volunteers and graduate students they recruited to “do an hour here and an hour there” didn’t seem to be making much difference. That’s when he and other Match leaders came up with an unusual proposal that they brought to the school’s board of trustees.

While Match transformed the first two floors of their new home into classrooms and offices, the top floor of the former auto parts building was empty.

The school had planned to rent it out to generate revenue, but didn’t have a tenant lined up.

“We went to the board and said, here’s a crazy idea: We could build that place out as a dorm and have a bunch of live-in tutors,” said Goldstein.

The board signed off on what became known as the Match Corps, a year-long fellowship for recent college graduates who would earn a modest stipend through the federal AmeriCorps program while serving as full-time tutors to the school’s students. Most tutors lived on the top floor of the building, which was converted to a makeshift dormitory, and the school dramatically ramped up tutoring to become a central part of its approach to instruction.

The school was inundated with applications to join its new tutor corps, with 460 people applying for 45 slots for the 20042005 school year. With just 186 students at that time, Match was able to have one tutor for every four pupils. A key element of the initiative was having tutoring baked into the regular school day, with students spending two class periods each day in smallgroup sessions with a recent college grad.

service for students who stayed late for that help, and it had online tutoring available in the evening from 6 to 8 pm.

The school’s most recent 10th grade MCAS proficiency score in English was still below its pre-pandemic level, but for math, which has been the focus of most of its tutoring effort, proficiency was nine percentage points higher than in 2019.

One reason districts may have been reluctant to develop tutoring programs with the federal pandemic funds is that the money must all be spent over a few years. A challenge for schools and districts that think the introduction of tutoring has been helpful will be figuring out whether there’s a way to continue the services after the pandemic funding runs out.

“I would say this is something that has undoubtedly worked,” said Rebello. “And we should not just want to return to the pre-pandemic status quo. We should scale what’s working and support these initiatives after ESSER funding ends,” he said, using the acronym for the federal emergency aid. “That’s where true transformation will come from.”

among Match students jumped from 56% to 92% in English and from 72% to 96% in math.

Over time, versions of the Match model, which has become known as “high-dose” or “high-impact” tutoring, usually defined as at least three 40- to 50-minute sessions per The state has set aside $8.2 million this school year for grants week, have been implemented to districts for early literacy tutoring for students in kindergarin districts around the country.

More recently, some state-level ten through third grade. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN) initiatives have been launched to address pandemic learning loss. operations for the organization, “diluting the product.”

Research on high-dose which has grown to also operate The Massachusetts Business tutoring shows that it generan elementary and middle Alliance for Education, citing ates larger effects on student school in Boston. “It’s the whole the strong evidence behind learning than almost any other relationship thing that makes it high-dose tutoring, has voiced proven education intervention – effective.” frustration that the strategy isn’t from lowering class sizes to early being used more widely in the Strong results childhood programs. Tutoring state to address pandemic learnover the course of a standard The high-dose tutoring ing loss. The group has urged school year can move student approach has been replicated state officials to push harder, achievement “multiple months with strong results in districts using the bully pulpit and stronahead per year,” said Matthew across the country, including in ger incentives, to see tutoring Kraft, an education economist Lawrence when the Merrimack implemented by more disat Brown University, with some Valley district was first put into tricts. Ed Lambert, the group’s studies showing even larger state receivership in 2011 because executive director, said he gives gains of a year or more. of years of mismanagement and Riley lots of credit for stepping Question of scale For all of its clear benefits, low student achievement. Around in to get schools reopened. “We however, tutoring has joined lots the same time, Match leaders need that same urgency now for In the world of education, of other innovations in education helped bring the model to a set of learning loss,” he said. where silver bullet solutions are that seem to offer great promlow-performing schools in HousThe business alliance said a rare, the appeal of bringing to ise but have been stubbornly ton, where research by Harvard review of plans submitted by scale something with as strong difficult to implement at the kind economist Roland Fryer showed the state’s 20 largest districts for an evidence base as high-dose of scale that would really drive it boosted achievement. use of the final round of federal tutoring is obvious. The track population-wide improvements.

A nonprofit called Saga Eduemergency funding showed record of past such efforts, There are virtually no other cation, co-founded in 2014 by only Salem planning to use the however, is not encouraging. education improvement strata former Match administrator money on high-dose tutoring.

A Clinton administration egies that have the rigorous, and a Match graduate who was tutoring initiative dubbed A welcome addition research-based evidence of in the first cohort of students “America Reads” fizzled out tutoring “to meaningfully move there to get high-dose tutoring, Kate Carbone, the deputy before ever really getting off the needle for students’ acahas helped deploy the approach school superintendent in Salem, the ground. Meanwhile, the No demic achievement,” said Kraft. in schools in Chicago and other said the tutoring programs the Child Left Behind law, signed “What we know far less about is cities, with strong results emerg- school system launched in 2021,

by President George W. Bush how to take the kind of smaller, ing from rigorously conducted which are staffed by outside in 2001, provided more than boutique one-off models [that research trials. vendors vetted by the state, have $2 billion annually for tutorhave shown such effects] and A 2020 paper that considbeen a welcome addition to the ing. But that effort saw uneven take that to scale.” ered all the available evidence district’s efforts to address the attendance rates, tutoring was on tutoring concluded that, disruption to learning from the often provided at low “dosage,” Help when needed on average, it generates math pandemic. and it suffered from low adopIt was a Wednesday afternoon learning gains over the course Unlike at Match, not all Salem tion, with only 23% of eligible at Match Charter High School, of a school year that can close students in a given grade are restudents participating. and Amber Mejia was deep about half the achievement into trigonometric ratios and gap seen between low-income the Pythagorean theorem. But and higher-income students, Mejia, a South End resident who suggesting that divide could be NEW! Only online. was a 16-year-old sophomore closed in two years. during a visit to the school last The federal government year, wasn’t making her way has sent billions of dollars to through the geometry concepts states to address the impact on her own. Sitting across from of the pandemic, with schools her in a large sunny room on the using funding on everything school’s ground floor was Daniel from HVAC improvements Garcia-Barnett, who graduto curriculum programming. ated the previous spring from Massachusetts has received Dartmouth College, where he $2.6 billion over three rounds majored in cognitive science. of funding from the ElementaGarcia-Barnett, 22, is part of ry and Secondary School Emera cadre of a dozen or so tutors gency Relief Fund, or ESSER. Match now has working at the The third and largest round school. “I have very young ener- funneled $1.6 billion to the gy, so I feel connected with these state, with districts required to kids, more so than I expected,” spend at least 20% addressing he said. With that, Garcia-Barlearning loss between now and nett hit on one feature of the pro- September of this year, when gram — that he’s a “near peer” to the federal funding program Mejia — that tutoring experts say ends. can contribute to the relationSeveral states have launched ship-building that bolsters the large-scale statewide tutoring effectiveness of the sessions. initiatives using the federal “Usually in class I’m not able money — Tennessee is spendto get the help I want,” said ing $200 million to target one Mejia. “It’s good to know that in every five students. But somebody’s always going to be Massachusetts, with a strong there to help you,” she said of tradition of local control of the four times per week that she schools, has largely deferred meets with Garcia-Barnett. decision-making about how to “It’s more focused,” Myles address learning loss to indiClark, also a 10th grader at vidual districts.

Match, said of the tutoring sesThe state has set aside $8.2 sions. “You get the help as soon million this school year for as you ask for it.” grants to districts for early After more than two decades of literacy tutoring for students experience, Match school leaders in kindergarten through third say the effectiveness of their grade and $3.2 million for math tutoring program is grounded tutoring for grades 4 and 8, but in a handful of key principles, otherwise left it to districts to including having tutors work decide how to spend the emerSubscribers can access more than 100 pages of TV grids. with small groups of no more gency federal money.

Find all the movies, hobbies, family, news, sports & broadcast network channels. than three students, integrating “We’re trying to be thoughtAnd, they can print the easy-to-use grids on a home printer.

Our new online TV section is only one of the extras that users get. tutoring into the schedule of the ful,” said Jeff Riley, the state standard school day, and making education commissioner. He sure tutors are regarded as fully pointed out that the state overPLUS: part of the school staff and are rode local control during the ‹ A cover story on the following a curriculum that pandemic by ordering schools latest top show aligns with lessons being taught to reopen when his office ‹ What not to miss on your by classroom teachers. thought it was safe to do so. But favorite streaming channels The school also puts a lot of Massachusetts is a state that, ‹ TV crossword puzzle stock in the relationships that by and large, “lives by control,” ‹ TV word search puzzle are fostered by making sure Riley said. “We have to trust students have the same tutor people in the field to put toSubscribe today! throughout the school year. The gether plans that will work for work of tutors, like that of teach- their individual communities.” ers, often extends well beyond “I’m a big fan of tutoring,” the school day hours. said Riley, who brought it to FREE for subscribers.

“There were students I had Lawrence where he served as Already have a login?

All print customers of The Republican Don’t know how to log in? to call every night — ‘did you the state-appointed receiver Explore all that your online Start by activating can access the online newspaper and newspaper has to offer. your account. Visit complete the assignment?’” before becoming commismany extras at no additional cost.

Visit enewssr.repub.com. myaccount.masslive.com said David Steefel-Moore, who sioner. But it has to be done Not a subscriber? Call (413) 788-1100 or subscribe.masslive.com. online started as a Match tutor in 2012 well by districts committed to and now oversees network the effort, he said, or you risk 3195559-01

‘Nowhere to hide’ Unlike a traditional classroom of 20 or 25, where it’s easy for struggling students to get lost in the crowd, “there’s nowhere to hide” when they are one of only two or three students in a tutoring session, said Goldstein. “It’s class size reduction on steroids.”

The results following the introduction of daily tutoring were striking. In one year, proficiency rates on the 10th grade MCAS

ceiving tutoring. This year, the funds are providing early literacy tutoring for 200 students in kindergarten through second grade and math tutoring for 100 students in grades 4 and 8. Salem has also delivered English language arts tutoring to 50 middle school students and math tutoring for 85 students in grades 3 to 5. Some of the tutoring is done in classrooms, some is done by pulling kids out of class, and some is taking place during after school programs for students who were already staying for that.

Without a formal evaluation, Carbone said teasing out the impact of the tutoring is difficult, but Salem saw larger proficiency gains on the 2023 MCAS than the state overall for English in grades 3, 4, and 5, and larger math gains in two of the three grades.

“It’s never one thing that creates the improvement that we’re after,” she said. “I would say tutoring is part of a greater portfolio of supports for students, but an important one, and one we believe has paid dividends for us.”

Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Fall River has also used federal funding to pay for tutoring. “Learning loss is real,” said Andrew Rebello, the school’s principal. “And there were disproportionate effects on kids who were in crisis before the pandemic.”

He said the challenge to make up lost ground was even greater for vocational schools, because their schedule involves alternating weeks of academic classes and time devoted to vocational training.

The school hired a retired math teacher and a second former school official as tutors. Highest need students were pulled out of math classes to get small group tutoring. Meanwhile, the school negotiated its teachers’ contract so that each teacher stayed late at school one afternoon per week to provide individualized help to students. The school added bus

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | K15

OUTLOOK 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

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Cannabis sales growing despite industry speed bumps, challenges

By Dave Canton

dcanton@repub.com HOLYOKE — Who knew sparking up a fatty could be so serious?

Just ask the people who brought that righteous flower to the party, dude: the cannabis industry. To cannabis merchants, getting a buzz is big business and very serious indeed.

Meg Sanders, the CEO of Canna Provisions, has stores at 830 Dwight St. in Holyoke and in Lee, and a cultivation and manufacturing facility in Sheffield. Her Holyoke shop opened in 2020, as then-Mayor Alex Morse sought out companies to bring new business to downtown Holyoke.

“He wanted to utilize this industry to kind of revitalize a lot of the areas in Holyoke, and bring jobs and rehabilitate buildings, and just create a thriving cannabis community,” she said.

Then, COVID hit.

“Governor Baker closed us down for two months,” she said. “Obviously, he did not deem cannabis as essential.”

Alcohol, however, received state clearance for sales during that time.

Pandemic shutdowns notwithstanding, the legal cannabis industry has weathered competitive market forces and legal woes unlike any other industry. It also pushes against better-established and cheaper street sales of marijuana.

Cannabis sales by state-licensed companies began in Massachusetts in 2018. Since then, cannabis retailers racked up more than $4 billion in sales of recreational and medical-grade cannabis and related products, according to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.

In 2022 alone, the industry tallied about $1.5 billion in sales. That same year, the industry paid out $157 million in excise taxes to the state government and at least another $50 million to cities and towns where the product is sold.

Clockwise from above: Some of the items available at Zaza Green in Springfield; An almost mature marijuana plant grows at the 253 Farmacy dispensary in Turners Falls; Some of the team at Zaza Green cannabis dispensary in Springfield. From left are Tim Rooke, goodwill ambassador, Leia Bhuiya, part owner and Tom Rooke, wholesale manager; and Canna Provisions CEO Meg Sanders, left, chats with musician, actor and author Steven Van Zandt during an appearance at the Canna Provisions dispensary in Holyoke to promote his line of cannabis products. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

anywhere from $300,000 to $1 million.

Sanders called the flood of licenses early in the cannabis rush, ”a race to the bottom.” ”We saw (that) in Colorado and in Oklahoma, where the rollout was very loose,” she said. She said Canna Provisions appreciated that Holyoke took a more measured approach to its opening of dispensaries in the city.

Northampton an ‘endo’ epicenter All purveyors are aiming to have good prices, Early in the licensing phase of cannabis sales Sanders said. But market pressures have dropped prices even more: What started at in Western Massachusetts, Northampton, $40 to $50 for an eighth of an ounce when perhaps unsurprisingly, became the nexus of cannabis sales in the region. prohibition ended, is now down to $20.

“I think it was Commissioner (Kimberly) The city jumped into the market with a Roy who said prices in Massachusetts have single medical cannabis license in 2016, but dropped 200 percent since 2022,” Sanders by 2021, the last year a license was issued, noted. “There are two people winning right the city had 14 retail licenses. Other Pioneer now, and it is not the industry. It’s the state, Valley cities and towns have been very conbecause of taxes, and the consumer, because servative about issuing permits for cannabis there is super cheap weed out there.” sales; Southwick, for example, is considering its first permit this year. Springfield, meanwhile, is five times larger population-wise than Federal laws still a wrinkle Northampton and has issued only six licenses. in a budding industry Competition, undercapitalization and poor Under federal law, cannabis remains a locations have come into play, and of the origi- Schedule 1 narcotic. Possession of any quantinal 14 licenses issued in Northampton, just 10 ty is considered a felony, and conviction could bring imprisonment. Heroin, peyote and LSD are operating today, city records indicate. are also considered Schedule 1 drugs, accordThe state has issued about 417 licenses for both medical and recreational sales, the state ing to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Paradoxically, cocaine and fentanyl, are cannabis board reports. Because of specialclassified as Schedule II drugs and are considized requirements for security and local zoning, opening a cannabis dispensary can cost ered less likely to be abused than cannabis.

Feds still tax cannabis-derived income While the federal government considers Jonathan Black is the CEO of Califorcannabis among the most dangerous of drugs, 38 states have legalized either medical or rec- nia-based Cheech and Chong’s Global Holding Co. and Cheech and Chong’s Canreational sales within their borders. nabis Co., with local shops in Northampton, Some legislators, meanwhile, have floated proposals to change the federal government’s Deerfield and Greenfield.

He said even if federal legalization of canapproach to marijuana sales. In 2019, the Senate took up S.240, known as the Marijuana nabis were to happen today, tax and banking Revenue and Regulation Act. It would remove laws would soon need to be changed, as well. marijuana from the Controlled Substances “That would be huge for our business. The Act schedule of drugs altogether and impose a federal excise tax on sales in states that have re-scheduling of cannabis would mean a whole new landscape for tax write-offs that legalized it. can’t be taken now. Current regulations set a The bill was referred to the Senate Finance massive hurdle for businesses to be successCommittee, where it remains to this day. ful. It deeply affects us, yes. But, it is really In 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services recommended that the DEA tough on a small mom-and-pop business in this industry.” change the scheduling of marijuana to note The federal government does not recognize its known medical benefits and a low risk of abuse. The DEA will review the proposal, but cannabis as a legal product and regulates it might take years.

SPRINGFIELD RESCUE MISSION’S SEE SALES, PAGE K16

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SPRINGFIELD RESCUE MISSION’S SPRINGFIELD RESCUE MISSION’S

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By Dave Canton

dcanton@repub.com

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“Cannabis is about an experience and a culture and who better than Cheech and Chong to really bring that to people,” Black said.

Cheech and Chong’s products — such as Cheech and Chong’s Love Machine and Low Rider flower cannabis and a THC-infused drink called High and Dry — are on sale in 12 states, Black said.

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NORTHAMPTON — As volatile as the Northampton market appears, a national chain fronted by two 1970s poster boys for cannabis, comedians Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, has made a major move into the area, opening not one but three shops in Pioneer Valley towns.

Jonathan Black, the CEO of Cheech and Chong’s Global Holding Co. and Cheech and Chong’s Cannabis Co., said the business partnered with local businessmen to bring three dispensaries to the area: one in Northampton, one on the South Deerfield/Whatley line and another in Greenfield. He said the brand of the two cultural icons is a substantial force.

“From our standpoint, our brand goes back at least 52 years of Cheech and Chong being in the public eye,” he said. “They have been trying to promote the positive benefits of cannabis use and cannabis products. When it comes to getting our products into everybody’s hands, including medical and recreational, or an infused drink, we wanted to test that outside a mass market. We have done plenty of testing in large cities, where we have had a lot of success, but we hear a lot from our

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K16 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Massachusetts cannabis prices hit all-time low, with record 2023 sales

By Irene Rotondo

IRotondo@masslive.com

Cannabis prices in Massachusetts have hit an all-time low, just after the Cannabis Control Commission announced a new annual sales record in 2023.

The adult-use pot shops’ sales in the Bay State exceeded $1.56 billion last year, surpassing 2022′s total gross sales by $78 million and marking the state’s sixth consecutive year of record-setting sale growth, according to the CCC. In December, retailers and deliveries earned $140.1 million in sales, higher than August 2023′s record sales and falling in line with almost every individual month last year passing 2022′s statistics, according to the CCC. By the end of 2023, state data showed the average price of an eighth-of-an-ounce of cannabis flower, a typical measuring unit and common dispensary purchase, was around $20 — in 2021, the average end-of-year price was $45.

The low price point had stayed about the same throughout the majority of 2023, with January the most expensive at about $25 for an eighth.

Ava Concepcion, CCC acting chair, said the statistics showed

progression in positive consumer experiences as the industry continues its upward climb.

“This continued growth confirms that Massachusetts’ regulated marijuana industry is still a maturing market,” said Concepcion.

“As more retailers and delivery licensees come online, flower prices start to stabilize, and the stigma surrounding cannabis slowly dissipates — legal, tested products are becoming more accessible, affordable, and approachable than ever before, and that’s reflected in the multiple sales records licensees broke in 2023,” the chairperson said.

But Bay Staters actually in the pot-selling business told MassLive in December 2023 that this “buyer’s market” was making it hard to stay open.

The low price points were “almost like a kick in the teeth” to a lot of people in the industry, Jennifer Ngo, the chief of staff at Bud’s Goods, said in a previous interview. Bud’s Goods has dispensaries in Worcester, Abington and Watertown.

And Daniel Sumner, an economist at the University of California, Davis, has closely studied trends in the cannabis industry,

including similar price drops in other states that legalized the drug earlier.

“We don’t want to sound too callous about this for people who are in the business,” he previously told MassLive. “If you built your business around the idea that you could sell weed for $50 or up, and it turns out the sustainable price is $30 or $35, then some people are not going to make it.”

There had been at least 17 businesses reported in early December 2023 to have returned or lost a state-issued license to work in the cannabis industry, the CCC previously told MassLive.

Though some remained open — selling medical marijuana after surrendering their recreational license, for example — that count did not include how many businesses closed their doors but held onto their licenses.

In February, the CCC said as of Dec. 31, 2023, there had been 338 marijuana retailers and 21 delivery businesses that’d received the CCC’s notice to commence all operations.

Over a five-year span, the four highest adult-use cannabis sales months all occurred in 2023, with nine of the top 12 all-time sales

A tray of marijuana buds is inspected at the 253 Farmacy marijuana dispensary in Turners Falls. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

months happening in 2023.

Still, the CCC plans to expand even more access to those looking to break into the “still-growing industry,” and said applications would start being accepted on Feb. 5 to the fourth cohort of its Social Equity Program.

SEP is designed to help people who’ve been arrested or sentenced to prison as a result of past mari-

juana illegality get into the cannabis industry through free technical assistance and training.

There have been over $5.65 billion in gross cannabis sales since the first legal business opened in Massachusetts in November 2018, the CCC said.

MassLive reporter Will Katcher contributed to this article.

Sales CONTINUES FROM PAGE K15

against it. Yet, income from the sales of marijuana is taxable under IRS regulations. At the same time, regulations do not allow cannabis business to deduct expenses, such as facilities, transportation, utilities or employee salaries and benefits.

Former Springfield City Councilor Timothy Rooke is now the coordinator of government relations and outreach to the community for ZaZa Green, a Springfield dispensary. He said current state taxation plays against the industry. Currently, recreational cannabis-based businesses pay more than 20% in state and local taxes and fees for their operation. It starts with a 10.75% excise tax to the state, as well as a 3% local tax for the host city and an additional 3 percent “community impact fee” as mitigation for the operation of a cannabis-based business. There is, of course, an additional 6.25% sales tax.

Heavy taxation Between the various taxes and fees assessed on cannabis businesses and the onerous federal regulations, the net effect is chilling on already small businesses, cannabis business advocates say.

Attorney James Smith is a partner with the Boston law firm of Smith, Costello and Crawford. He has represented cannabis companies and lobbied for the industry since 2012.

The firm currently represents about 30 different cannabis-related outfits. He pointed out the paradoxes built into the laws.

“The feds tax cannabis differently, because it is federally illegal,” Smith said. “The (Massachusetts) state tax code actually mimics the fed, so they are taxing cannabis as though it was still illegal, when clearly it is not.”

Massachusetts Senate bill S.3096, submitted in 2022 and called The Host Community Agreement Reform Act, includes wording to detach the state tax code from the federal regulations, thus allowing cannabis businesses in the state to take the same deductions as other businesses. The Cannabis Control Commission is currently holding public hearings on the bill. The reform bill also simplifies the host community agreements, making them easier to negotiate.

“While it should be a fairly routine process, it is anything but,” Smith said. “We take a client all the way through everything from local zoning, leases, local host community agreements and permits. On the state side, there is the process for the CCC provisional licenses, architectural review, final inspection and licensing. It is quite a process to get a simple store open.”

TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

regulations block cannabis companies from using credit and debit transactions at the register. Instead, local retailers need to find a local bank that will work with them, which can spur inflated user fees.

“It is a frustration to not be considered a legitimate business through federal government eyes,” she said. “It goes back to the larger banks that we are unable to utilize even for debit transactions. We have to implement other ways that fall into the category we are allowed to use, like the ATM. It is the larger banks that don’t connect with cannabis.”

To buy a cannabis product in a legally licensed dispensary in Massachusetts, you must make your purchase in cash. To that end, most dispensaries have an ATM available to allow customers to withdraw through credit and debit cards.

Once a cannabis-based business wades through the governmental regulations, pays its taxes and then actually turns a profit, putting that money into a bank is another hurdle, Smith said.

“A lot of banks will just not work with the cannabis industry because of federal regulations,” said Smith. “Due to the amount of additional paperwork that is required, banks that will work with the cannabis industry have to hire extra people. They charge the customer the additional cost of doing business, which can run into the thousands of dollars a month.”

Smith also points out that having to deal with large amounts of cash is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive.

Cash needs to be treated differently from electronic transactions, with secure safes

on site in the retail facility and transport in armored cars.

Still a black market affair for some One problem most legitimate businesses don’t have to deal with is competing with illegal street dealers, who can sell larger quantities and for cheaper prices, in part because they don’t pay taxes, Rooke, of ZaZa

Green, noted.

“Black market sales are an issue, “Rooke said. “We are not talking about homegrown product. That is legal in Massachusetts. It is the larger illegal operators coming in. There are no controls on the product they sell. We know how much THC is in our product; we can tell you. All of our products are lab-tested. But on the street,

you don’t know what you are buying.”

Rooke said he thinks some buyers resort to the black market because of the low price.

“Some people may say it is not worth the risk,” said Rooke.

COVID-19. ZaZa Green appears to be pandemic-proof, and she said being in the cannabis business feels like she is on the front lines of positive change.

“I knew I wanted to get into something, but something that would have meaning,” she said.

Pandemic proof?

“It goes back to thinking about Bhuiya, a native of Brazil, someone that I knew, (who) was said her first business, a healthy going to feel better because of foods cafe, closed because of something we had to offer.”

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Parity needed for banking Leia Bhuiya is a partner in the newly opened ZaZa Green on Springfield’s Page Boulevard. She said federal banking

Employees make test purchases on Nov. 20, 2018, before the state’s first legal recreational sale of marijuana took place, at the NETA facility in Northampton. (DON

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | 17

Megan Dobro of SafeTiva Labs, the CEO, plus sales and marketing

By James Foster

accurately. It’s a wild place that inherently is fun. I’m really proud WESTFIELD — Megan Dobro is the of what we’ve built, despite how founder and CEO of SafeTiva Labs, frustrating this industry is. a cannabis testing lab in Westfield.

Dobro, 38, is a mom of two kids What spurred you to get but considers SafeTiva, which had into your line of work? its grand opening in October 2022, I was a biology faculty member as her third. at Hampshire College before this, and I loved my job. I feel like a Tell us a little bit about your very curious nerd who just loves role and business. teaching and figuring things out.

[My role] is a little bit of everyHampshire was going through thing. Because I’m a scientist, I some financial difficulty and some do have a lot of interaction and challenges, and at that time, some oversight of the lab activities, but friends from California reached I’m also doing sales and marketing, out and said they wanted to build and trying to promote SafeTiva and a cannabis testing lab in Western bring business in. I’ve viewed my Mass. and do I know of any scienrole as CEO up until now as being tists who were looking for a job. I typical of a startup CEO — I’m the said I didn’t know anything about safety net, so anything that moves cannabis or analytical chemistry, through the cracks, I’ve got it. but that I might be looking for a At SafeTiva, we built a very high- job. That group didn’t work out, but tech lab that focused on ‘throughI grew this really strong passion to put’ and turnaround time, without build a testing lab. compromising accuracy. Our twoThe state really needed it, I day turnaround time is the fastest learned a lot, and I saw how the in the state, which means we get industry was going, and I felt that I samples in, and two days later could really contribute to it. we are sending out reports with results. We have a really kickass What’s your impression team of talented scientists who of the cannabis industry? Is it are so passionate about getting to hitting or missing? the right answer and making sure We have a long way to go. The we’re one step ahead to be able to whole industry is struggling a lot. test all types of cannabis matrices I think the way it was rolled out in Special to The Republican

2.

1.

3.

(for) professionalism and honesty, transparency and ethics. I think that’s what we need to get to, the legitimacy of a legal industry that we all want to see.

liant marketing strategist named Crystal Childs to have more fun with it.

As I said, I am a science nerd, and it’s really hard for me to break out of that into really having fun with How do you see your sector what I’m doing. changing in the next year?

She told me that my professionThe regulations up until now alism is hurting me, and I think to have been vague, and so everyone some degree having fun and just is interpreting what they think they focusing on building relationships should be doing, and the conseand not taking myself as seriously quences are really high. And so I is what I’m going to focus on. think in the next year regulations Our chief operations officer, are going to get more clear, the Steve Lynch, tells me a lot to conMegan Dobro Cannabis Control Commission trol what I can control and to really will tell us more explicitly what emphasize relationship building, we should all be doing, so there is partnerships, building the lab that some standardization across the we envisioned for ourselves that industry. we can be proud of and has transMassachusetts didn’t plan for the It might be a naive hope rather parency, ethics and high standards, future, and there are way too many than a prediction, but I think that and that we’re here for the long licenses, and so a lot of businesses Massachusetts does a really great run. are going to go out of business in job of valuing small local business2024. It’s painful. It’s hard to watch es and supporting families who What surprised you in the people who are so passionate about grew up in Massachusetts and have past year in your industry? this plant and had a vision for what been doing this for a long time.

It’s a hard question because we’re they were going to contribute and As long as we continue to do in uncharted territory, and so I what their business was going to that and focus on the community don’t have any expectations. be like, and then they lose everyaspect, those who survive through Every day is a surprise, because thing. It’s really tough. I remain the next year will continue to thrive we are charting the course in real optimistic, and I think that we are beyond that. time. making slow progress. There is a People have called this industry big grassroots movement to change What’s the best simple akin to building an airplane midregulations, to create a fair busiadvice you’ve received since flight. ness space, to hold both regulators entering the business world?

We’re figuring it out every day, and business owners accountable Recently, I got advice from a bril- and so it’s always a surprise.

4.

6.

5.

Above left, Ture Turnbull, and above right, Wes Ritchie, co-CEOs of Tree House Craft Cannabis.

At right, bags of used plastic packaging from cannabis products collected as part of Tree House Craft Cannabis’ recycling program. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

CANNABIS

Mass. company starts recycling program to cut down on single-use plastic

By Tréa Lavery

tlavery@masslive.com

A Massachusetts cannabis company is trying to help protect the environment by finding new life for the individual packages used in the industry.

Tree House Craft Cannabis, which has dispensaries in Dracut and Pepperell, a farm in Colrain in Franklin County and a new location opening

in Groton, introduced its new recycling program last year as a way to cut down on plastic waste.

To date, the company has collected more than 400 pounds of material for recycling, representing thousands of customers participating in the program.

“Millions of these products are being sold annually,” Ture Turnbull, the company’s co-

Cannabis products must be packaged in child-proof, opaque containers. Because of this, the industry produces a lot of small plastic containers. (COURTESY PHOTO)

CEO said. “It’s not quite the Bottle Bill (which allows consumers to recycle bottles and cans for a rebate), but it is an initiative to share our values and to set it right.”

In Massachusetts, like other states where it is legal, the packaging of marijuana is strictly regulated.

Cannabis products must be packaged in child-proof, opaque containers with plain designs and clear labeling, from larger amounts of flower down to individual pre-rolled joints. Because of this, the industry produces a lot of small plastic containers, which frequently end up in the garbage.

The issue was brought up in a staff meeting by one of the company’s employees, who was concerned about the effect it was having on the environment.

Turnbull explained that he and his co-CEO Wes Ritchie are passionate about their values and try to stay true to those values with their business decisions.

So it made sense to come up with a plan to change things.

He compared the plastic packaging to single-use plastic bottles. In September, Gov. Maura Healey banned state agencies from purchasing them. “[This industry] is still in its infancy, but if you don’t set the parameters correctly in the beginning, you’re going to end up with a much larger problem at the end,” he said.

It took about a year to research the problem and make sure they were following all

the state regulations, but in May, the company officially launched its new recycling program.

Customers can bring in any used plastic, glass or metal cannabis container, regardless of whether the product was originally purchased at Tree House, and turn it in for a $4 pre-roll.

The company then sorts all of the donated packaging and sends it on to a recycling company, which turns the re-used plastic into new packaging that Tree House uses for their own pre-rolls produced at their farm in Colrain.

The plastic is also used for other products, such as flipflops and plastic trays. And

Turnbull said the company has even put out a call for artists to create a public art installation from the recycled materials.

While they’re still in the first year of the program, Ritchie and Turnbull are already hoping to help spread it to others in the cannabis industry.

They’ve spoken with the owners of other dispensaries who have been interested in implementing similar programs, and are also advocating at the state level for the Cannabis Control Commission to consider encouraging recycling among cannabis companies, with generally positive feedback so far.

Ritchie said Tree House

wants to “plant the flag” on recycling, taking the first steps to make it easier for other companies to follow. He said they’ve done extensive research and consideration for the program, down to ensuring that their plastic packaging and labels have the same melting point to make them easier to recycle.

“It doesn’t have to be perfect, because right now, it’s a disaster. We’re trying to make it better,” he said. “We’re really trying to also signal that the barrier of entry is not that high. If you are a company that cares about this, you can participate too, and still have a positive impact in the right direction.”

OUTLOOK 2024

K18 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

BANGKOK

Thailand made pot legal 2 years ago ...

That could change soon

comment in January would make using cannabis “for entertainment or pleasure” a crime punishable by a 60,000

By JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI baht (about $1,700) fine. It The Associated Press would allow medical marijuana, but didn’t give details of Two years after Thailand how it would be controlled. made pot legal, the country Thailand was the first appears set to crack down on country in Asia to legalize its freewheeling drug market cannabis. Decriminalization with a ban on “recreational” was spearheaded by the Bhuuse. mjaithai Party, which made Legal cannabis has fueled it a major part of its platform Thailand’s tourism and in the 2019 general election farming trades and spawned campaign. The party’s strongthousands of neon green hold is in the poor Northeast, shops, but it’s facing public where it promised farmers backlash over perceptions that cannabis would be a new cash under-regulation has made crop. the drug available to kids and Party leader Anutin Charncaused crime. virakul became health minisThe Health Minister Chon- ter and an important member lanan Srikaew said last week of the military-led coalition, that he had recommended a pushing through a 2022 draft bill to the Cabinet that amendment to the Narcotics would ban recreational canna- Law that dropped cannabis bis use while allowing medifrom the list of controlled cal. The Cabinet is expected drugs. to approve sending that Anutin had promised that Parliament soon, but has not cannabis would be allowed yet taken it up as of its most only for medical use, but in recent meeting on Tuesday. practice the market was nearA draft version of the law ly unregulated. that was circulated for public The Health Ministry issued

NATION

regulations that made cannabis a “controlled herb” that requires a license for planting or selling, as well as banning online sales, sales to pregnant women and people under 20, and public smoking. But cannabis can be purchased easily by practically anyone at many unlicensed establishments or online.

Thai media was quickly filled with reports of drug-fueled violence and abuse, including among young people, who were not supposed to have access to the drug.

The Health Ministry reported a spike in people seeking treatment cannabis-related psychological issues, from more than 37,000 patients in fiscal year 2022 to more than 63,000 patients in 2023.

Other studies pointed to more young people using the drug.

In the 2023 election campaign, all major parties — including Bhumjaithai — promised to limit cannabis to medical use.

Kalyapat Rachitroj, a lawmaker from the opposition Move Forward Party who has

a medical degree, said the plant has economic benefits, and has uses in health care to relieve pain and for terminally ill patients. But, she said, widespread recreational cannabis has created social problems such as youth drug abuse.

Given the current situation, “we have no option but to put marijuana back to be classified as narcotics once again.”

Cannabis advocates and entrepreneurs oppose a radical rollback.

Chokwan “Kitty” Chopaka, a cannabis shop owner and activist in Bangkok, acknowledged problems involving cannabis use but said they are due to lax enforcement of existing regulations.

She said many officials still see cannabis as a dangerous narcotic. “Where we, on the other hand, see it as a plant.

It’s an herb. It’s something that we have had traditionally for a very long time.”

Rattapon Sanrak, the founder of Thailand’s first legal cannabis shop, said it would be an overreaction to put cannabis back on the narcotics list.

An elephant with the munchies

A new study, published in the Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research journal, found more older Americans are using cannabis today than before the pandemic. According to researchers with the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, roughly 1 in 8 Americans over 50 currently use the substance.

“As the stress of the pandemic and the increased legalization of cannabis by states converged, our findings suggest cannabis use increased among older adults nationally,” addiction psychologist and study lead Anne Fernandez told the University of Michigan.

“Older adults represent a vulnerable age group for cannabis use due to interactions with medications, risky driving, cannabis-related mental health impacts and increased possibility of falls and memory issues.”

To determine how many older adults are currently using cannabis, compared to years passed, researchers analyzed data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, a poll funded by AARP and Michigan Medicine.

The poll was taken in January 2021 and featured 2,023 older adults. While roughly 12% of older adults in the study said they used cannabis within the past year, only 9.5% used the substance in 2019.

Like many captive elephants, Nidia had chronic foot problems. Fissures had formed in the 55-yearold Asian elephant’s foot pads, and her toenails had cracked and become ingrown. Painful abscesses lingered for months. Nidia had lost her appetite, and she was losing weight.

Dr. Quetzalli Hernández, the veterinarian in charge of Nidia’s care at a wildlife park in Mexico, was desperate. She decided to try cannabidiol, or CBD, the nonintoxicating therapeutic compound found in cannabis.

For help, Hernández reached out to Dr. Mish Castillo, chief veterinary officer at ICAN Vets, a company engaging in veterinary cannabis education and research in Mexico. To Castillo’s knowledge, no one had purposely given an elephant medical cannabis. But he and his colleagues hoped it would reduce Nidia’s pain and stimulate her appetite, as they had seen the drug do for cats, dogs and other species.

They started low and eventually settled on a dose of 0.02 milligrams of CBD per pound of Nidia’s weight, which she took daily with a chunk of fruit. Calibrated by weight, the dose is onetenth to one-fortieth of what Castillo gives to dogs or cats.

Yet, it worked.

The first sign that the treatment was effective was when Nidia developed a serious case of the munchies. Within days of starting CBD, she

Inside one of the grow rooms as the Oneida Indian Nation’s Verona Collective, a large-scale “seed-to-sale” marijuana operation, in Verona, N.Y., on Dec. 5. (SCOTT SCHILD / SYRACUSE.COM, FILE)

went from finishing just onethird of her food to virtually all of it, and sometimes even went for seconds. Within five weeks, she had gained 555 pounds.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

Virgin Islands pushes forward on pot use A stalled marijuana law in the U.S. Virgin Islands got a big push Tuesday after an advisory board approved a list of proposed rules and regulations that would govern the recreational use of cannabis in the territory.

The board’s vote represented a key step toward implementing a law approved more than a year ago to allow the recreational use

on the three islands. A 30day public comment period on the proposed regulations and rules is scheduled to start soon.

“We have been waiting a very long time for this,” Dr. Catherine Kean, the advisory board’s chairperson, said.

The board also is finalizing a list of people it thinks are qualified to have their criminal records expunged of simple cannabis possession, as authorized by the law. The list will be shared with legislators, the island’s Supreme Court and others in upcoming weeks, board member Positive Nelson said.

Some 300 people in the U.S. Virgin Islands have been convicted of simple marijuana possession in the past 20 years.

PD: Body found in fire at ‘clandestine’ pot lab Los Angeles police are investigating an explosive and deadly fire at a Green Meadows industrial site Feb. 10 after a body was recovered amid signs of an illegal cannabis operation, fire and police officials said.

The body appeared to be that of a man, though officials have yet to confirm the person’s identity, said Brian Humphrey, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman.

Officer Jader Chaves, an LAPD spokesman, said a second person was transported to a hospital in critical condition, though he had no additional information on the cause or nature of that person’s

vendors who sell without a license.”

He called for more discussion on the best way to control the drug.

“People who don’t like it, people who are users, people who operate businesses, I think these parties have to find a common ground on how to exist together.”

The front and back of a package of Nerdy Bears, which contain Delta-8 THC. The candy was purchased at a Columbus corner store on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The gummies contain the font and branding of Nerds candies. (ADVANCE LOCAL, FILE)

LOS ANGELES

By Kevin Rector

He also said the move would be impractical or even impossible, given how big the industry has grown.

“I don’t think there’s anyone who disagrees with the control of use for underage children. No one wants to see people puffing weed on the street,” he said. “Sellers … also don’t want to see those street

ECATEPEC DE MORELOS, MEXICO

More older adults are using pot post-pandemic

Los Angeles Times

Cafe founder Rattapon Sanrak prepares flower buds of marijuana for customers at his shop in Bangkok, Thailand, on Feb. 12. (SAKCHAI LALIT / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

injuries.

Chaves said the operation uncovered at the industrial building in the 800 block of East Manchester Avenue was being investigated as an “illegal butane honey oil clandestine lab.”

“Butane honey oil” is a potent hash product made using highly flammable butane to heat marijuana extract. The process is considered volatile and extremely dangerous, and such underground operations are illegal despite the broader legalization of many cannabis products in California.

Humphrey said 113 firefighters battled the blaze for more than an hour, after arriving on scene to the sound of explosions following a 911 call about 1:17 a.m.

Humphrey said the building was about 100 feet long by 50 feet wide and appeared abandoned from the outside — but that “didn’t add up” given the explosiveness and strength of the fire.

As firefighters began trying to knock down the blaze, they realized that some sort of cannabis operation had been underway inside, Humphrey said. There were cannabis products, processing equipment and some sort of gas cylinders lying around, he said.

They fought to enter the building, then were pushed back as the fire grew and the building gave way, he said.

The blaze initially threatened other surrounding buildings, but firefighters were able to contain it to the one building,

Humphrey said.

After containing the fire and entering the site farther, firefighters found the body, he said. A team from the Los Angeles County coroner’s office also responded to the scene and removed the body.

The hash oil produced in such labs has become increasingly popular, particularly with the rise of electronic cigarettes. But they have also caused many explosions in Southern California — landing hash “chefs” and other bystanders in burn centers with catastrophic injuries.

In just one example, an explosion at a lab in a commercial building near Knott’s Berry Farm in Anaheim in 2022 injured at least four people, including two firefighters.

Experts say ‘diet weed’ can be dangerous

By Hunter Boyce

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“Diet weed” is a phrase used to describe Delta-8 products, which are often synthetic recreations of a chemical compound found in cannabis. First popularized following the 2018 Farm Bill that permitted the sale of hemp, Delta-8 users have reported improvements to their sleep, anxiety and pain without feeling any of the intoxicating effects often associated with marijuana.

Doctors, however, are quick to point out the health ramifications of consuming Delta-8 products are hard to quantify.

There have simply not been enough large medical studies on the product for doctors to completely understand how it works. CNN reported last week that Delta-8 can still be dangerous.

According to America’s Poison Centers, calls related to Delta-8 products have spiked in recent years. The organization even referred to Delta-8 THC as one of the “emerging public health threats.”

“In 2022, Poison Centers managed 3,358 exposures to Delta-8 THC, an increase of 82 percent from 2021,” the organization reported. “This demonstrates the growing use and popularity of Delta-8 THC products, which are available in many forms, including gummies, chocolate, candies, cookies, vaping cartridges, infused drinks, and even breakfast cereal.”

The America’s Poison Centers is not the only group speaking up. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration

issued a statement in 2022, bringing attention to the lack of regulation concerning Delta-8 products.

“It is important for consumers to be aware that Delta-8 THC products have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA for safe use in any context,” the FDA reported. “They may be marketed in ways that put the public health at risk and should especially be kept out of reach of children and pets.”

As of November 2023, at least 17 states have banned Delta-8 products, and seven others have “severely restricted” them. Even in

Vape cartridges containing Delta-8 THC at the Empire CBD shop at Destiny USA in Syracuse. (ADVANCE LOCAL, FILE)

states where the products are banned, however, the National Cannabis Industry Association said they can still sometimes be found sold openly at convenience stores.

OUTLOOK 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | K19

HARTFORD, CONN.

Not a good neighbor?

Connecticut has a marijuana shortage, while New York has a glut of weed

By PAT EATON-ROBB and MICHAEL HILL

The Associated Press

Marijuana retailers in Connecticut say a dearth of licensed growers in the state’s fledgling legal pot industry has left them with a shortage of product to sell.

The supply problem has appeared after slow retail growth in neighboring New York last year left growers there struggling with the opposite: an excess of supply.

It would seem both problems could easily be solved by shipping product a few miles over state lines. But that would violate federal drug laws. So each state that legalizes marijuana is left with its own process for licensing growers and sellers, and trying to create a balance between the two within state borders.

Benjamin Zachs, the chief operating officer of Fine Fettle, which operates five dispensaries in Connecticut, said he worries that low supply in stores is leading some customers back to their former, illegal dealers, and across state lines where he cannot go to get product.

When recreational sales became legal in Connecticut in January 2023, he said, there were seven dispensaries in the state and four producers.

“Now we’re a year later and there are 26 open dispensaries and only one more producer, grower, cultivator,” Zachs said. “And that’s a micro-cultivator, so that’s only about 5,000 square feet of additional canopy.”

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, which regulates the industry, said it appears there is a temporary problem as new licenses for growers make their way through the pipeline. Eleven cultivators and five microcultivators, who grow in smaller spaces, have received a provisional license and are moving toward final licensure, the department said.

“As a new agricultural industry, there are natural fluctuations in supply and demand,” said Kaitlyn Krasselt, a department spokesperson. “The limited variety was exacerbated by increased demand over the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. Retailers experienced heavy traffic in relation to the holidays, and the record sales in our December data supports that.”

New York, meanwhile, is emerging from the exact opposite problem it faced while gearing up its legal cannabis market.

Lawsuits and bureaucratic issues slowed

Cannabis flowers are sold in the “pop up” location of Smacked on Jan. 24 in New York. A year after Connecticut legalized recreational marijuana use, cannabis retailers are experiencing a shortage of product, while just across the border in New York growers have had to deal with an excess of supply. (JOHN MINCHILLO / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, FILE)

the opening of state-licensed dispensaries to a crawl last year. That left the first wave of pot farmers unable to sell much of their fall 2022 harvests because there were too few stores to sell what they grew. With revenue from sales crimped, farmers struggled financially.

New York belatedly hastened the pace of retail openings, and the state listed 61 adult-use dispensaries open statewide this month. Farmers say the crisis has eased some.

“In the last month it is better because more dispensaries are opening. So we’re beginning to see some momentum to relieve what has been extraordinarily painful,” said Gail Hepworth, who operates Hepworth Farms with her sister in the Hudson Valley.

A check of stores in New York and Connecticut found similar pricing, with 3.5 grams of flower selling in each state for between $50 and $75.

Still, the irony of two very different supply chain problems striking adjacent states is not lost on farmers.

“It’s just so unlike any other market, right?

Because it has to all be siloed within one state,” said Brittany Carbone, co-founder of Tricolla Farms and a board member of the Cannabis Association of New York.

Retailers are wary that the expected increase in supply doesn’t lead to a glut in Connecticut, as it did just across the border, Zachs said.

“To me, while this is frustrating and annoying and difficult to address, this is a problem that is

Top, flags with a marijuana leaf wave outside the Connecticut State Capitol building in April 2021 in Hartford, Conn. A year after Connecticut legalized cannabis use, retailers are experiencing a shortage, while New York growers have had to deal with an excess of supply. (JESSICA HILL / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, FILE)

Above, people smoke marijuana outside the Smacked “pop up” cannabis dispensary location in New York City. (STEVE WHITE / FOR STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE)

not unexpected,” he said. “What generally happens in states is that at first there is not enough supply, and then there is an oversupply, and that creates a total mess.”

Still, he’s wary of any push for a national law and standard, which he fears would lead to large corporations taking over the industry from smaller farms.

“States are rightfully focusing on entrepreneurs in areas impacted by the war on drugs — Black and brown communities,” he said.

“Even the largest cannabis growers right now are startups, I would argue. And the story of the regular American family farm is a cautionary one, I would argue, when we look at solutions to this.”

3194747-01

K20 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

OUTLOOK 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Hemp-based THC products are showing up all over Gummies and drinks falling through regulatory holes and cracks

with a warning that consumption of the product could result in a failed drug test. There was no similar disclaimer on the seltzer sold at the Halifax dispensary.

The other big difference

By BHAAMATI BORKHETARIA was the price. The Whitman Commonwealth Beacon seltzers cost $19.99 for a fourJustin Evans and his wife pack plus a bottle deposit. were dining at Barrett’s The Halifax seltzers cost $7 Alehouse in West Bridgewaapiece, $2 more than their ter recently when his wife Whitman counterparts. And noticed Cheech & Chong the seltzers sold at the heavily seltzers on the menu contain- regulated Halifax dispensary ing 5 milligrams of THC, the rang up with additional state high-inducing psychoactive sales tax and state and local ingredient in marijuana. excise taxes. All told, the four Evans was stunned. A seseltzers in Halifax cost $33.60. lectman in Whitman, he has From what he has seen, been working since May 2022 Evans believes two markets to bring marijuana dispensa- are emerging for products ries licensed by the Cannabis containing THC — one that is Control Commission to his heavily regulated by the state town. He knows social conand one that is not. He worries sumption of marijuana isn’t that the one will undermine legally allowed yet in Massathe other. chusetts and he wasn’t aware “Before our first store even cannabis products could be opened [in Whitman], this sold outside of a dispensary. stuff just showed up on the After the dinner discovshelves with equivalent prodery in West Bridgewater, he ucts that probably undermine began sleuthing around and the entire business strategy found gummies and seltzers of the businesses we were so containing THC in Whithopeful would bring jobs and man at his local gas station, revenue to the town,” said Quality Fuel. He spotted a Evans. “That’s been discourfour-pack of CANN “hi boy” aging.” seltzers branded as a “cannaProducts made from cannabis-infused social tonic” at bis plants are very stringently his local liquor store, Regal regulated and tracked by Marketplace. And he found the Cannabis Control Comwhat appeared to be the same mission from “seed to sale” seltzer at a marijuana dispen- with excise taxes, packaging sary in Halifax. Both products requirements, strict daily purcontained the same 5 millichase limits, licensing, testing grams of THC. protocols, and more.

There were some key difAs Evans came to realize, ferences between the CANN products made from hemp seltzers at his liquor store in plants have none of the same Whitman and the marijuana regulations. dispensary in Halifax. The The reason hemp is treated Whitman seltzers were ladifferently is because the 2018 beled as having hemp-derived federal Farm Act removed THC and CBD and the list of hemp from the definition of ingredients included “inmarijuana, which is considdustrial hemp extract.” The ered a controlled substance Halifax dispensary seltzer under federal law. Hemp said nothing about hemp or comes from the same plant as CBD, and included “cannabis marijuana but is distinguished extract” on its ingredients list. by the fact that it must contain The Whitman seltzers came less than 0.3 percent THC by

Marijuana-infused drinks inside a refrigerator in Portland, Oregon. (TANYA MOUTZALIAS / MLIVE.COM)

volume.

The intention of the law was to make hemp seeds and hemp fibers, which are used to make paper, more readily available. Businesses also market the CBD in hemp as a relaxant. But now businesses are deriving the limited THC in hemp to produce the new products that are starting to show up on store shelves.

A federal court decision in California affirmed the legality of such products in the spring of 2022.

Brandon Pollock, the CEO of Theory, a cannabis company that owns dispensaries in Medford, Chicopee, and Great Barrington that are regulated by the Cannabis Control Commission, said his employees attempted to alert state agencies in Massachusetts about hemp-based THC products but were unable to figure out which agency was responsible.

“Some people who work at our company saw [hemp-derived] THC drinks on the menus [and] on the shelf at liquor stores. We talked to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission. They said that’s not allowed, but we’re not gonna do anything about it. That’s up to MDAR,” Pollock said, referring to the Massachusetts

Department of Agricultural Resources. “And MDAR said it was up to the Department of Public Health. DPH said it was up to the local municipality to deal with. So it’s a very odd situation right now in Massachusetts where it doesn’t seem like anyone wants to sort of take responsibility for enforcement.”

The Cannabis Control Commission said it only regulates cannabis and not hemp. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources said it regulates the growing and processing of hemp but not what hemp-based products retailers choose to sell. The Department of Public Health said that hemp-derived THC edible products are illegal based on Food and Drug Administration regulations but would not confirm if DPH is responsible for regulating the hemp-derived products.

DPH subsequently said it is working on updating current guidance to local boards of health and others to address food with hemp-derived THC compounds. Current guidance focuses only on CBD. John Nathan, the CEO of a company called Bay State Extracts, which produces hemp-derived compounds

like CBD and sells them, said hemp products should be more tightly regulated.

“Your marijuana product has to pass a testing that is verified by the CCC so marijuana products are exponentially more reliable in terms of matching what’s on the label,” said Nathan. “I would like enforcement on testing [on hemp products] to ensure everything is what it says it is in the interest of consumer safety.”

Under Cannabis Control Commission regulations, a customer has to scan a photo ID to enter a dispensary, buy a product, and when they leave.

There is a strict age limit for who can enter.

“The restrictions put on the regulated cannabis industry are pretty intense,” said Evans, the Whitman selectman.

“There’s a lot of those steps that the less regulated market might not be following.”

Peter Grinspoon, a doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School who recently published a book about the medical science behind cannabis, said it is worrying to have unregulated products that are readily available to children.

“We’re already worried about the effect of cannabis on teenage brains,” said Grinspoon. “What about these unregulated products with things that haven’t been tested? The danger is just in the lack of education and lack of regulation. People could be getting anything [when they purchase a hemp product].”

Pollock, the owner of Theory, said sales of hemp-derived products aren’t adversely affecting his business but he pointed out the double standard in how hemp-derived products and the cannabis products that he sells are regulated.

“It’s more of a philosophical question,” he said. “Why would we go through such an expensive and intense regu-

latory process to create these regulated products if you could simply just sell THC with no license?”

Lawmakers overseeing the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy did not return phone calls.

The hemp-derived products have been cropping up all over the country, even in states where marijuana isn’t legal.

Some states have explicitly regulated these hemp-derived products and have faced significant pushback from hemp businesses who say that these laws can be very hurtful to their businesses.

Maryland, New York and Virginia drastically limited the amount of THC contained in hemp-derived products. New York has implemented the most strict cap–a hemp-derived product cannot contain more than 1 milligram of THC per package.

Minnesota has taken a somewhat different approach by allowing intoxicating hemp-derived products to remain on sale as long as each serving has no more than 5 milligrams of THC and no more than 2 servings of THC are in a package.

The state’s legislators have kept these products legal while introducing more regulations on testing requirements, more strictly enforced age limits, and state registrations of sellers.

Grinspoon said that banning hemp-derived THC products isn’t the solution to the hempbased products, but that more regulation is necessary.

“I’m not necessarily a proponent of banning it because if you ban it then it just goes to the illicit market and it’s even more dangerous,” Grinspoon said. “But I certainly do think it needs to be regulated. I’d much rather … it would be regulated so that you know what you’re getting and you know what you’re not getting so that people aren’t poisoning themselves.”

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650 New Ludlow Road South Hadley, MA

| SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

“It depends on the area that you are in. High income and high traffic means high demand.”

COLVEST CEO AND FOUNDER FRANK COLACCINO

Frank Colaccino, CEO of The Colvest Group in Springfield, proposes a $10 million, 24,000- to 30,000-square-foot retail and restaurant project called Towne Shoppes of Longmeadow at the site of the former First Church of Christ, Scientist. (BRIDGET ANN PEERY / THE REPUBLICAN)

What’s dominating in the commercial real estate market?

It’s warehouses, industry and quick-service eats

Frank Colaccino, center, smiles as auctioneer Paul Sheer tries to cajole him into bidding higher for the former Chez Josef banquet facility in Agawam. He was the runner-up bidder to the Southwick Baptist Church, which bid $1.4 million for the property. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

looking to expand its already expansive reach.

“So that’s a big change,” he said, comparing it to the relatively quiet days of the

By Jim Kinney pandemic and immediate aftermath. “You jkinney@repub.com are starting to see people look at this market SPRINGFIELD — A hungry traveler on any com- as far as development opportunities.”

It’s not just in retail. “Anything in a smaller, mercial strip in Western Massachusetts will learn pretty quickly who’s driving the market industrial, warehouse has sold for more money, quicker, than it ever has in the past,” for retail space, said Jeremy Casey, principal said Brendan Greeley, president of R.J. Greeof SR Commercial real estate.

Jersey Mike’s opened last month in Longley in Springfield.

There are small manufacturers ramping up meadow, Popeyes chicken has added new outlets, and Starbucks is adding locations, SEE ESTATE, PAGE L19

Welcome home?

State’s $4.12B housing bond bill anticipated By Jim Kinney — Over the next year, Way by developers, Finders — a regional housing agency — have four projects under construction And Keith Fairey, president and CEO of who say could in Agawam, South Hadley, Holyoke and Way Finders, will tell you the units prototaling 206 homes. duced are nowhere near enough. investment has Ludlow, It will have a fifth project, with another 70 Western Massachusetts is a region that, lagged long units in Amherst, a little further out on the according to a 2022 study by the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute, needs timeline.

SEE HOME, PAGE L16 enough Seeing these projects to fruition isn’t easy. jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD

At right, carpenter Paul Pennell of Holyoke installs door hardware on a unit at Rosewood Way Townhomes, Way Finders’ new affordable housing development in Agawam. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

YOU BELONG AT BAYSTATE At Baystate Health we know that treating one another with dignity and equity is what elevates respect for our patients and employees. It means we are more than just an organization–we are a community, where you belong.

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OUTLOOK 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

‘The most important thing in our customers’ lives’

Fed’s rate decisions will dictate ’24 for local bankers, consumers “Consumers have been pretty resilient, and the strength of the economy though the end of the year showed that.”

By JIm KInney

jkinney@repub.com MONSON — Daniel R. Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank, is happy that he was wrong about 2023.

He hopes his skepticism about 2024 is similarly misplaced.

“I was projecting a quick and hard recession at the end of this past year,” he said recently, assessing the year that was and looking into 2024 for his bank, the industry in general and its customers. “We didn’t see that recession.

Consumers have been pretty resilient and the strength of the economy through the end of the year showed that.”

That doesn’t mean the economy — and business for banks — isn’t risking a slowdown in the first half of 2024.

“The good news was the consumer was resilient,” he said. “And we’ve seen the speed that inflation can come down.”

In December, the Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged, but board members hinted that rates could come back down in 2024.

For central bankers at the Fed, the interest rates are both the brakes and the accelerator on the economy. Cheap money means lots of economic activity, but a risk of too much of that money chasing too few goods and services: inDaniel R. Moriarty is president of Monson Savings Bank. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE) flation. Higher interest rates mean less inflation but an increased risk of a slowing economy and less employment.

DANIEL R. MORIARTY, PRESIDENT AND CEO, MONSON SAVINGS BANK

Effects on the mortgage rate The Fed’s rate tinkering has real effects for consumers, especially homebuyers.

The rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was about 6.66% in the middle of January. A year ago at this time, the 30-year fixed-rate averaged 6.33%.

But those rates spent a chunk of 2023 — 17 consecutive weeks — above 7%. That means much higher monthly payments for people who got accustomed to rates just under 3% back in 2020 and 2021.

“Lower mortgage rates are critical for our communities’ homeownership goals,” said Aleda De Maria, executive vice president for consumer banking operations at PeoplesBank. Aleda De Maria is the executive vice pres“It’s the most important thing in our customers ident consumer banking and operations at lives.”

PeoplesBank. (PAUL SCHNAITTACHER PHOTO)

Demand and supply Also tough for homebuyers is that housing demand still exceeds supply in Western Massachusetts, even with mortgages costing more.

“A lot of our customers miss out, because there are multiple bids,” she said.

Matthew Garrity, president and CEO of Florence Bank, said higher interest rates hurt home buyers in one other way.

People who bought when rates were low are reluctant to sell now, he said. No one wants to give up that lower rate.

But Garrity said we’ve likely seen the interest rate peak. And, in other good news, unemployment remains low.

“There were also some very positive things,” he said. “And great optimism to 2024.”

Other key rates Industrywide, savings rates remained pretty flat in 2023, with some consumers drawing down from nest eggs they built during COVID. The business opportunity in banks as interest

rates rose was moving money from low-yield savings into higher-interest, rate-timed accounts, like certificates of deposit.

Lower interest rates mean that activity will subside, but mortgage lending and business borrowing will pick up, Garrity said.

De Maria said many companies have cash reserves and are borrowing less these days. But she said activity is gaining, especially in health care and among nonprofits groups. Industrial demand looks stable, too, she said.

Matthew Garrity is the president and CEO of Florence Bank. (KELLY FLETCHER PHOTOGRAPHY)

“It really comes down to relationships,” De Maria said. “There is competition all over the place. “Brick and mortar, and digital.”

Garrity agreed that it’s about human-to-human relationships. In addition to quick, online access, he said customers want a name and a Work from home is here to stay phone number of a trusted employee whom Few developers are borrowing money to build they can reach out to when needed. office space, however, especially on speculation or to rent out to others, as there is less demand. Branch-ing out The business culture has changed: Working In 2020, PeoplesBank launched fully online national Zynlo Bank in a bid to attract Generafrom home is here to stay. tion Z customers who don’t see the need to ever PeoplesBank, headquartered in Holyoke, also realizes there are other businesses, both banks and visit a branch; the bank was founded in 1885 other financial services firms — that want to help and backed by the Paper City’s silk and manufacturing magnates. people borrow, save and manage their money.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth,” she said.

Even with rapidfire demands of 21st-century banking, the majority of new PeoplesBank accounts are still opened in person, De Maria noted.

PeoplesBank is looking for more sites for new branches, concentrating on Connecticut, she said.

Florence Bank is looking to add branches in Hampden County, where the Northampton-based bank has locations Springfield, West Springfield and Chicopee, having opened first in West Springfield in 2017.

For Monson Savings, executives are always looking for a potential branch location, but the emphasis is in investing in technology, like new ATMs, Moriarty, said.

What will happen if we fail to make progress on housing?

W

HEN I CAME TO MASsachusetts from Puerto Rico two decades ago, I was able to save enough money working in my social services job to enroll in grad school, and later make a down payment on a modest home in West Roxbury.

Working from the kitchen table of my new house, I completed my MBA and drafted a business plan for a marketing startup, which I launched in 2013 and have since grown to employ 126 staff, serving diverse clients across New England.

Mine is the classic Massachusetts success story.

But it’s becoming increasingly outof-reach for other entrepreneurs, due to some of the highest housing costs in the nation, which has contributed to an outmigration of 120,000 residents over the past three years.

We need Gov. Maura Healey’s bold

action on housing now to reverse these trends.

“It is the most ambitious housing plan in Massachusetts history,” said Healey during a recent Joint Committee on Housing hearing, promoting her $4.1 billion package. “But we have never had a moment like this in the history of our Commonwealth where housing is so out of reach for so many people.”

A scan of local news on any given week brings similar stories: University graduates are leaving because they can’t afford $3,000 monthly rents in Boston. Businesses are struggling to recruit workers, losing talent to more affordable states. New immigrants are left searching for spots in shelters because they can’t afford a small room for their family For close to 300 years, Massachusetts has been known for its sky-isthe-limit opportunity for entrepreneurs and dreamers. But we risk becoming the next California, with a mass exodus of people and talent, if we don’t act now.

Losing residents left Massachusetts to buy Massachusetts lost 750 homes and start families in lower-cost neighresidents per-week to other states in 2023, boring states; even if it according to Census means traveling long data reported by The distances for client meetings.

Boston Globe. Only four states saw a larger exoIn Lawrence, ASG opdus: California, Illinois, erates a brick-and-mortar contact center employing New Jersey and New York. If it wasn’t for new JosIane MartInez many local, multilingual immigrants coming to residents. Our contact Massachusetts, our overall population center is contracted by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Comwould be in serious decline.

As a local business owner, I am munities (HLC) to expedite applicaacutely aware of the housing chaltions for affordable housing, reviewing lenges faced by our employees. When many claims for vulnerable families in need. But as our staff works to provide I started Archipelago Strategies Group (ASG) 10 years ago, I was able affordable housing for others, many to grow the company quicky, recruit- face their own challenges finding housing in Lawrence — a community that ing the brightest professionals from our universities and communities. In was once seen as affordable.

Boston, our staff includes highly Healey’s Affordable Homes Act inskilled marketing consultants who cludes investments in renovating our low-income housing stock; policies to make salaries commensurate with industry standards. allow homeowners to build accessory Yet many of them cannot afford to dwellings; and local zoning changes rent or buy in the city. Others have that would spur more affordable

housing around MBTA communities.

The bond bill is before the Legislature, which has elicited a mountain of testimony from community advocates in support of action.

Some members of the real estate community remain opposed to a transfer tax included in the bill for real estate valued above $1 million, as well as other zoning measures. This must not derail the opportunity for bold action on housing now.

Not only will Healey’s bill create and preserve 70,000 homes, it will also create nearly 30,000 jobs; produce $25 billion in economic impact; and bring in $800 million in tax revenue to our communities.

Massachusetts made my entrepreneurial success story possible. But if we don’t act now on housing, my story will become history, as entrepreneurs leave for greener (and more affordable) pastures.

Josiane Martinez is founder and CEO of Archipelago Strategies Group and co-chair of the Governor’s Latino Empowerment Advisory Council.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

OUTLOOK 2024

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | L3

‘Jumping back in the market’ Real estate sees rebound from stagnant 2023

By Jim Kinney

jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — The number of single-family homes sold across the Pioneer Valley was down in 2023, falling 19% from 2022.

That’s 5,413 residential closings in 2022, dropping to 4,467 closings in 2023.

Meanwhile, the median sales price of those homes was roughly unchanged, up only 3% from $312,000 in 2022 to $325,000 in 2023.

Condominium sales volume took a similar hit, down 22%, from 886 sold in 2022 to 691 in 2023. The median price of a condo across Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties was up 6.7% from $225,000 to $239,000.

Volumes were similarly down in 2022. But the median price that year was up 9.5%.

No bursting bubble Peter Ruffini, broker/owner of RE/MAX Connections and president of the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley for 2024, said what didn’t happen in 2023 was the “bursting bubble” many predicted.

“It’s a much more stable market than we were seeing in a while,” he said. “It was very much a seller’s market.”

He said the imbalance in the real estate market is deeper than a lack of inventory of homes for sale. It’s an across-the-board housing shortage.

“We simply don’t have enough total houses and housing — that includes apartments — for the people who need it,” Ruffini said.

But rather than feel down, real estate professionals are ever the optimists, envisioning A home for sale offered by RealLiving Real Estate on Hillside Road in South Hadley in 2020. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE) a rebound in 2024, with lower interest rates, easing inflation and a strong jobs market. If only they had houses to sell.

“Buyers are jumping back in the market,” said Sue Drumm, of Coldwell Banker Realty, who is also president-elect for 2025 at the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley.

The COVID effect Call it the long shadow of COVID-driven changes to society.

“The real estate market exploded,” said Drumm. “During that time, we ate up all the inventory that was available.”

The pandemic also slowed home building.

Higher interest rates — with a 30-year fixed-rate loan climbing to a two-decade high of 7.08% by late October — also made homeowners reluctant to put houses on the market and give up that cheap 3% loan they’d gotten a few years earlier.

“It caused a hiccup in inventory,” she said.

Buyers are hurting when rates go up.

“So, for the same amount of payment, you are getting less house,” Ruffini said.

“They are all hot, to be perfectly honest. Demand is high everywhere.”

SUE DRUMM, OF COLDWELL BANKER REALTY

Tough switch from renter to buyer High rents drive some potential buyers into the ownership market. But those same rental costs also make it hard to set aside money for a home purchase.

“They are trying to be buyers,” Drumm said. “But with rents as high as they are, they have a hard time saving their down payment money and their closing cost money.”

Ruffini said that while he still sees multiFewer homes for sale ple offers on the same property, he also has At the end of December, the inventory of seen sellers drop their asking prices. available property was down 30.8% from a “You almost couldn’t come to market with year earlier, with 435 homes for sale in Dea high price during COVID,” he said. “Now, Realtor Peter Ruffini visits one of his company’s listings in Agawam. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN) cember 2023 versus 629 for sale the previyou need to do your homework.” ous year, the Realtor Association said.

“We usually don’t start the spring market new school buildings, parks and reasonable tax Out-of-town buyers are still coming into With rates lower, supply-chains opening up until April, May, but things are starting to rates. There isn’t one town that’s seemingly the Pioneer Valley, and local buyers are and interest rates now in the 6.6% range and pick up already,” she said midwinter. trendy right now at the expense of others, forced to spread their search wider than a falling, Drumm expects more homes to be Callers tend to be first-time buyers, she said. the Realtors said. few targeted hamlets. on the market soon.

They’re often looking for ranch-style homes in “They are all hot, to be perfectly honest,” “Now, it’s like they are saying, ‘Find me a And buyers are already lining up. neighborhoods with good schools, particularly Drumm said. “Demand is high everywhere.” place on Earth,’” he said.

T

Private sector is engine of economic opportunity

HE MASSACHUSETTS business community enters 2024 at a moment of unparalleled promise, as we work to create an economy that offers every Bay Stater the ability to work, raise a family and share in our common prosperity. That sense of promise is born from the single but profound truth that Massachusetts thrives during times of change.

How do I know that? I’ve seen it time and again as I have visited AIM member companies across Western Massachusetts.

neutral by 2050.

State government must keep its foot on the I’ve seen it at gas in the quest to make Massachusetts both MGM Springfield, the four-diamond competitive for jobs and affordable for those downtown Springwho would fill them. field anchor that recently hosted an AIM discussion with regulation and efficient its foot on the gas in the quest to Massachusetts Secretary permitting, that are the make Massachusetts both competiof Transportation bedrock of business tive for jobs and affordable for those Brooke Thomson success and job creMonica Tibbits-Nutt. who would fill them. AIM has been The promise of ation. We have work to a key voice in the competitiveness Massachusetts for both business do on that front — Massachusetts conversation and we look forward to and workers will be fulfilled only if slipped to 46th on the Tax Foundacontinuing that role in 2024: business, elected officials and every- tion’s State Tax Business Climate • AIM first and foremost supports day citizens work together to make Index and we ranked 49th for “Cost public policy that encourages people to it happen. Assets like our unparalof Doing Business” in CNBC’s Top live and work in Massachusetts instead leled education system, an enviable States for Doing Business. of opting to move to lower-cost states. technology development system and But economic development must We support further reduction of the I’ve seen it at the new Holyoke Tech a vibrant advanced manufacturing also address the soaring cost of short-term capital gains tax to 5% to Hub, where IT workforce organizabase will pay off only if the comeverything from housing to child care stimulate business investment. tion Tech Foundry is working with monwealth rolls up its sleeves and to health care, which is driving some • Massachusetts should also join Holyoke Community College to pro- creates the environment that allows of our best and brightest employees every other state in New England and vide digital literacy and tech support business to turn these assets to jobs. to less expensive parts of the country. exempt rolling stock — tractors, trailfor residents of one of the nation’s How do we accomplish that goal?

The exodus of working-age people, ers and rail cars — from sales tax. And first planned industrial cities.

Let me suggest that Massachusetts accelerated by the rise of remote let’s allow deductions for business I’ve seen it at Baystate Health, needs a new, far-reaching approach work, is exacerbating an already dire interest, so that companies will not be which led us through the dark days to economic development, one that labor shortage that has employers penalized for borrowing and investing of the COVID-19 pandemic and seamlessly melds competitiveness struggling to fill their payrolls in an in growth. stands as a testament to the central for the business community with economy running at 2.9% unemploy• AIM supports the objectives of role that health care plays in the affordability for the residents who ment. the governor’s Housing Bond Bill to region’s economic health. work in our companies and live in The good news is that Massachuaccelerate the development of new I’ve seen it at the Pioneer Valley our communities. setts made significant progress last housing and to moderate the cost our Transit Authority, where ridership Make no mistake, we must contin- year on both the competitiveness and employees must pay to buy homes is growing and the organization is ue to prioritize the traditional pillars affordability portions of economic and establish roots. transitioning rapidly to electric vehi- of economic development, like development.

• AIM supports permitting and cles, with a goal of becoming carbon advantageous tax rates, streamlined But state government must keep siting reform for energy generation

that will eliminate the persistent burden of high energy costs on Massachusetts employers. The commonwealth’s laudable efforts to transition its economy to renewable sources cannot be permitted to bankrupt employers who already pay among the highest electricity rates in the country.

• AIM supports a swift resolution to the $2.5 billion deficit hanging over the state’s unemployment insurance system. Business should not be saddled with additional taxes because Massachusetts “over withdrew” federal relief funds to pay jobless claims during the pandemic.

AIM represents more than 3,400 Massachusetts employers of every possible description — global manufacturing companies, mom-andpop grocery stores, cutting-edge research-and-technology startups and sophisticated service companies.

The association remains a uniquely powerful voice to remind all of us that the private sector is the engine of economic opportunity. Businesses flourish and can provide good jobs when government acts as a productive partner.

We look forward to working with our many partners during 2024 to make that vision a reality.

Brooke Thomson is the president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts.

OUTLOOK 2024

L4 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

The ‘Blueprint’ to keeping small Pioneer Valley businesses running

By Nicole Williams

Special to The Republican

Since 2021, small businesses in the Valley have been receiving personalized mentorship and training through a local resource called the Business Blueprint Program.

Kasey Corsello of Easthampton, Dee Dice of Northampton and Jack Clemente of Westfield have helped over 50 local businesses build resilience to weather the changing economic landscape brought on by the pandemic. The program has helped four groups of entrepreneurs in Easthampton, Northampton, and Westfield and is starting with a fifth group of businesses in Westfield.

As a new year begins, the program’s leaders are in the hunt for new funding sources, after getting initial support from Valley Community Development Corp., Franklin County Community Development Corp., American Rescue Plan Act and Community Development Block Grant programs.

Corsello, who has a background in leadership and business coaching, owns a business with her husband, Vincent, called Corsello Butcheria in Easthampton.

She said her own experience running a small business during the pandemic gave her the desire to help others to move through difficult situations and thrive.

“The pandemic really laid clear the inequities that were there among businesses and shed light on people’s mental health,” says Corsello. “People don’t always talk about it, but it impacts your ability to be productive and not burn out, especially entrepreneurs.”

Corsello partnered with Dice, who has experience ranging from creating a fruit and produce market on Martha’s Vineyard and selling groceries nationally to business consulting for organizations such as the Valley CDC and the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp.

Dice consults independently through her own company, Constant Growth Marketing and Consulting.

The program funded its first two groups of businesses with help from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation with Easthampton’s Mayor Nicole LaChappelle as a conduit, who had a connection to the foundation, and then funding from the American Rescue Plan Act with state Sen. John Velis’ assistance.

The two founders then joined with Clemente, who was able to secure Community Development Block Grants for the next rounds of businesses.

“Each qualifying business receives a grant of $2,500,” said Clemente. “This opportunity is specifically designed

Vincent Corsello, owner of Corsello Butcheria in Easthampton, grinds meat for a customer. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

“The pandemic really laid clear the inequities that were there among businesses and shed light on people’s mental health.”

KASEY CORSELLO

to support low- to mid-income entrepreneurs and the funds can be used to improve or develop the business infrastructure, which is a critical component for growth and efficiency,” Clemente said.

This is a big draw for businesses to participate in the program, as they can use the funding to grow their businesses in specific ways, such as buying equipment or website design.

The eight-week program is conducted over Zoom and combines training in traditional business strategies, like shaping an elevator pitch and getting a handle on financial management and marketing. Tina D’Agostino, owner of Blooms Flower Truck and Studio, works on an arrangement in her Participants get free access Westfield studio. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN) for three months to the software program LivePlan, sessions and four one-on-one “The Business Blueprint It’s not an informationwhich helps them create busi- mentoring sessions, in which Program is a holistic apal dump. It’s interactive ness plans. participants plan out how to proach to business buildbecause we want to create Also included in the promeet their goals, both logisti- ing,” says Corsello. “We are transformation.” gram are frequent breakout cally and emotionally. co-creating the experience.

This coaching seeks to

help participants protect the desire to get into business from harsh realities of the marketplace.

“As business owners, you don’t want to be resentful at the thing that you love, because it came from passion,” says Corsello. “The ‘why’ you did it can get lost in the weeds and muck of life while you’re just trying to survive.”

Sessions such as “Elevator Speech and Business Planning” and “Learning and Understanding Ourselves as Learners — Your Nervous System as a Tool” are woven together to give participants strategies to be successful during tough times.

Another key part of the program is in the section “Financials: Navigating Fear in Your Business,” in which entrepreneurs can understand their emotional relationship to risk and strategize to move through their fears to meet their goals.

Lauren Clark, co-owner with Miranda Brown of Tip Top Wine Shop in Easthampton, says the program helped her shape a business plan and secure needed funding.

“Meeting regularly with other entrepreneurs was helpful,” says Clark. “We could talk with people who were in a similar situation.”

Tina D’Agostino, a graduate of the program’s last round of businesses and owner of Blooms Flower Truck and Studio in Westfield, says that learning coping mechanisms to handle unexpected stress was one of the greatest takeaways from the program.

Connecting with other small business owners was one of her favorite aspects of the program, too.

“There were a lot of benefits,” says D’Agostino, “but specifically as a ‘solopreneur,’ you’re more isolated. Learning from others, commiserating with others, knowing that you’re not in it by yourself was reassuring. We were all cheerleaders for each other, and we offered support. It was a real eclectic group of people of diverse backgrounds. It was nice to forge new friendships.”

At the end of the eight weeks, the businesses get together to meet in person and celebrate their accomplishments.

Dice explains that in the past the program focused on businesses from one location that were either start-ups or wanting to strengthen their infrastructure.

Moving forward they are looking to expand and work with organizations that would like to provide this resource for businesses that are members.

“Learning from others, commiserating with others, knowing that you’re not in it by yourself was reassuring. We were all cheerleaders for each other, and we offered support.”

TINA D’AGOSTINO

Housing market collapse? Don’t bet on it The lowdown on real estate nationwide

home takings are up nationally, says Forbes Adviser. Foreclosures are at about 60% of pre-COVID levels, but economists do expect the numbers

By Noah Hoffenberg to climb somewhat as the year rolls nhoffenberg@repub.com on. Credit goes to the economy — CRASH COURSE?: Everyone low joblessness numbers, growth in wants to know: Is 2024 the year of wages and loan quality all contributthe housing market crash? Experts ing. Homeowner equity in the past says that’s not likely, according to few years also has helped forecloBusiness Insider. Because home sure figures to drop. demand can’t be met, prices are FLATTENED HOMES: While staying level. If supply were to ratch- mortgage rates are expected to drop et up and demand went down, prices some, home prices are expected to would be dropping like a bomb. A remain flat, reports Money.com. recession might cause the housing That said, there’s still not much in market to crash, but not necessarily, the way of inventory. Pre-pandemic, Insider says. Housing crashes are there were 1 million homes on the notoriously hard to predict. Insiders’ market nationwide, the St. Louis experts assure us that now is not the Federal Reserve says; by Novemtime. ber’s close, there were only 754,846.

CALL OFF THE SHERIFF: With competition strong for availExperts are not expecting a foreable listings, the pressure will stay closure tsunami in 2024, even as on. Prices won’t drop, as long as

there isn’t a large influx of listings.

Experts advise to expect flat or a 1% drop in prices for the year.

IF YOU AIN’T BROKE, FIX IT: The National Association of Realtors is telling its membership that a lot of homeowners are going to stay put and fix up or expand what they have.

Rehab and reno wish lists include sustainability features; mother-inlaw apartments; pickleball courts; basement redos with indoor saunas or cold plunges; media centers; home offices; landscaping; and AI tech. The association notes that millennials and Generation Z homeowners are all about sustainable and local to diminish their carbon footprints while also giving their hardearned dollars to local businesses.

Ecosystems, too, are important for people who are staying put. Whether in rural or city settings, you can expect to see an upswell of “conservation communities” or “agrihoods” popping up from coast to coast.

Picture this: More front yards might be going au natural accordingly, chock full of native species of trees and plants instead of a manicured lawns.

RENT TORMENT ABATES: Less punishing rent hikes are ahead, says Architectural Digest. Experts report to the stately magazine and website that the market is stabilizing after years of flux. Last year was marked by small drops or hikes in rent, because of greater supply.

Digest cited The Wall Street Journal, which expects rents to stay relatively stable. Renters, if they see any changes at all, should budget for rent increases in the “low single

digits.” Matter of fact, freebies such as one month’s rent, waived pet fees and lower security deposits aren’t uncommon, Zillow says, as property managers try to entice the next tenant.

LIKE IT’S THE ’80S: Pull out your parachute pants, spiked hair and Van Halen records, because there’s something to celebrate: The Rental Housing Journal reports that 2024 will be the biggest year for new multifamily housing since the 1980s. The growth will open up or bring online the most new apartments in the U.S. in decades. The Journal says data from the Census Bureau shows that this growth should be sustained for the year.

New multifamily apartment units hit an all-time record last year, too: 1 million. Start saving now for the security deposit, plus first and last months’ rent.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | L5

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

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L6 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

‘Welcome back’ “Move to Springfield and take space at half the price.”

Andrew Melendez, director of the Latino Economic Development Corp., stands in the doorway of one of the new businesses in the 1350 Market, a business incubator on the ground floor of the MassLive Building, 1350 Main St. in downtown Springfield. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

ity of ready, built-out spaces is minimal,” Vega said. “I think “The demand that’s the biggest challenge.”

Entrepreneurs are looking is out there. for a loading dock. Or they We get are looking for a commercial contact kitchen.

“The demand is out there,” quite a he said. “We get contact quite a bit.” bit.”

Vega said the new owners of the Open Square complex Aaron Vega, Holyoke will soon announce a major crises of 2008. That will leave Planning and residential rehab. And Winn about 30,000 square feet — Development director out of 60,000 square feet now Development continues its available — left to rent. And work on 88 apartments at the retail space. the remaining 30,000 square historic Farr-Alpaca Mill, a The office tower also hosts 55-and-older development feet is spread throughout the businesses called 1350 Market, called The Residences on building, a suite here and a overseen by Latino Economic suite there, said Plotkin.

Appleton.

Development Corp. and develOn a smaller scale, Paper A state agency moved in oped as a place for microbusi- City Clothing opened a retail last year occupying two and a half floors. Another entity, not nesses to rent small retail and shop this year in the downservice spaces at affordable a state agency, is looking to town. rates. It’s got businesses such follow with 300 jobs.

Joseph Charles and Jeffrey as Bella Luna Aesthetics & Cattel worked on their space “It’s fair to say that SpringWellness salon and Adani Nail for a year before opening their field has turned the corner,” Studio. he said. business — similarly called PaThe Development Corp. also per City Fabrics — at 330 High Two years ago, the Business was given $100,000 in local Improvement District surSt. in Holyoke a few weeks ago.

American Rescue Plan Act veyed landlords and property Back in September 2023, funding as part of the city’s MassDevelopment announced managers to find more than a 11th round of ARPA awards. million square feet of unused a grant of $47,450 in its In the TDBank Building, office space in Springfield.

Transformative Development Plotkin said he has no up-to- Mykonos — a Greek restaurant Initiative Equity Investment date figures, but he knows a lot forced out of the Eastfield Mall program to Paper City Fabrics, food court when the mall shut so the partners could build out of that space is accounted for down — reopened in January. now. its sewing school and retail At 1593 Main St., Cafe Dior The reason: price. space. Renovations will include opened in October with coffee, new systems and finishes, Office space in Springfield cappuccino and more, all with plus restoration of the original goes for $17 to $18 a square an at-home living room vibe. foot. In Boston, that’s $60 to mosaic tile floor and carpentry.

Meanwhile, The Artist Cafe $100. In Hartford, it’s more The grant was funded by the is the newest establishment than $30.

Barr Foundation. in downtown Springfield for “Move to Springfield and Charles proudly shows off coffee lovers, wine connoistake space at half the price,” the tile work on the floor, all of seurs and emerging artists to he said. it he uncovered and cleaned, sit, relax and enjoy the vibrant and the restored woodwork.

More Springfield atmosphere.

Some of it still has the carved developments “W” monogram of a former In Holyoke The MassLive Building business: Waldorf lunch.

In Holyoke, city Planning and He loves the store’s big already has attracted the first Western Massachusetts branch Development Director Aaron corner windows with plenty of of Keezer’s, the oldest second- Vega said there are entreprelight and points to the Suffolk neurs looking for space, and Tailor Shop down the street. hand clothing store in America, which was attracted by the there is space available.

“We want to build a commuBut, a caveat: “The availabil- nity,” he said. promise of reasonably priced

EVAN C. PLOTKIN, PRESIDENT AND OWNER OF Evan C. Plotkin, president and owner of NAI Plotkin, a Springfield-based real estate brokerage and NAI PLOTKIN management company, on a balcony of 1350 Main St., which he manages. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

CONSTRUCTION ROUNDUP

By Larry Parnass

lparnass@repub.com

D.C. GIVES SECTOR A BIG BOOST: Nationally, the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors Act, in 2021 and 2022, will help propel the construction industry this year, according to the Deloitte Research Center. But there are concerns, the firm says: Materials prices are volatile and labor costs are increasing. On top of that, relatively high interest rates can sap construction activity. A leading trade group, Associated Builders and Contractors, says profit margins should grow in the first half of the year, and staffing as well.

LABOR AS X-FACTOR: Pessimists warn that the construction outlook for 2024 will be greatly affected by the availability of labor. The publication Business Journals notes that the issue of worker shortages was in play long before the pandemic. Still, some recent U.S. Bureau of Labor reports provide hope that labor gaps will not constrain growth this year.

The construction industry netted 17,000 new jobs in December, an increase that beat expectations.

“Between December 2022 and December 2023, industry employment grew 2.5%, to 197,000 new jobs, according to an analysis of BLS data by industry trade group the Associated Builders and Contractors,” the publication reported.

RATE WATCH & MORE: Optimism about a good year for construction in the U.S. carries a footnote: The Fed needs to stand by its signaled intention to lower, not increase, interest rates, notes Richard Branch, chief economist for the Dodge Construction Network, who spoke with the publication Engineering News-Record.

Branch is also wary of geopolitical risk, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. If things continue as is in those hotspots, Branch’s outfit expects the value of construction “starts” to go up 7% this year, compared to a 1% increase in 2023.

Alex Carrick, an economist with ConstructConnect, told the Engineering News-Record that the residential housing construction market will not really heat up unless interest rates fall.

GREEN EXPECTATION: The experts at Deloitte also say the industry must be prepared to meet customer expectations for responsible environmental practices — which goes by the shorthand term sustainability. The demand for environmental values is rooted, in part, in the fact that buildings are energy hogs that can exacerbate the climate crisis.

The International Energy Agency estimates that worldwide, structures draw

one-third of the energy used. The people at Deloitte note that the clock is ticking on compliance with rigorous goals for sustainability. The International Energy Agency, with its “Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario,” is calling for new buildings — and even a fifth of those already built — to be “zero-carbon-ready” at the end of this decade. How do construction firms get there?

Strategies include avoiding or limiting materials that generate greenhouse gas emissions, using equipment that draws less energy and employing designs that allow buildings to trim energy use. Deloitte notes that the government is helping the cause through the Federal Buy Clean Initiative, which links $2 billion in procurement to the use of lower-carbon construction materials.

THE ‘NON-BUILDING’ PICTURE: The Dodge Construction Network forecast for the year ahead breaks down which sectors will have the edge nationally, in terms of initial work, known as “starts.” (Actual completion will stretch for most projects into a future year.) Though the overall gain is pegged at 7%, the forecast isn’t so bright for construction of office buildings — in light of the continued “return to office” debate and the surplus of existing space generated by companies that have downsized. Where will the growth come? With federal infrastructure investments poised to fly, construction of highways and bridges will increase 23%, Dodge predicts. “Environmental public works” will gain 10%. In the housing sector, both single-family home construction (up 9%) and multifamily housing (up 14%) will advance. In a sign of the times, one construction category that’s not poised for growth this year is power plants (see “Green Expectations” above).

THE AMAZON EFFECT: The year 2023 wasn’t great for commercial construction, which is likely to end up being down 6% for the year. One expert says that slump can be attributed mainly to a reduced demand for warehouse construction. The reason? Amazon has recently accounted for a whopping 16% of warehouse building in the U.S. It slowed that pace in 2023, according to the Dodge Construction Network.

FACTORY REBIRTH: An economist in New York says government spending is helping in another construction sector as well. A drive by the Biden administration to expand semiconductor manufacturing is spurring construction of factories. “Construction activity is one reason the Federal Reserve rate hikes have not brought the economy to its knees like the economic models from other business cycles had forecasted,” Christopher Rupkey of PWDBONDS told Reuters.

Springfield, Holyoke downtowns see a return of business activity

By JIm KInney

jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — When he’s showing space in the MassLive Building to prospective office tenants, Evan C. Plotkin knows not only to show off the view but to point out to the visitor what’s happening down below.

It’s a virtual tour: 31 Elm with its new apartments and Copper + Kin Restaurant, the park improvements in Court Square, the new electronic sign at the MassMutual Center and its still-under-construction parking structure. He points to the historic Clock Tower building at State and Main streets, part of a $68 million redevelopment expected to be ready for occupancy sometime in 2025.

Also on that block, the city’s TD Bank building, where Balise Auto Group is moving 54 jobs to start, including human resources, accounting and finance.

“Well, welcome back,” said Plotkin, president and CEO of real estate company NAI Plotkin and an owner of the MassLive Building.

By June of this year, he will have leased 90,000 square feet in the MassLive Building, also known as One Financial Plaza, in 2023 and 2024, filling whole floors of the building left unoccupied since the financial

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Study finds building more housing lowers rents Researchers say ‘supply skeptics’ have it wrong

By Michael Jonas

CommonWealth Beacon

It’s a question that looms large over the effort to promote more development in housing-starved Massachusetts: Does increasing the supply of housing, even if it’s mainly higher-cost, market-priced units, temper the run-up in costs that has so many residents straining to make ends meet?

The idea follows the basic economic principle of supply and demand — when more of something is made available, its price falls. But there are plenty of “supply skeptics” who aren’t convinced that simply opening the housing production spigot will lower costs, and argue instead that it often just drives up prices by promoting gentrification.

In a recent report, only 30% to 40%of those polled in a national survey of urban and suburban residents believed a 10% increase in housing production would result in lower home prices and rents.

Against that backdrop, however, a research team at New York University issued a report last month arguing that there is clear evidence that boosting supply is the key to lowering or moderating housing costs.

The report also argues that boosting the supply of higher-cost housing can have positive ripple effects on housing availability at lower price-points. The report concludes that new housing construction triggers “chains of mobility,” with those occupying newly built units freeing up slightly less costly units where they previously lived, lessening the competition for those places.

“All the evidence shows that it does reduce housing costs,” said Vicki Been, director of the NYU Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy. The report by Been and two NYU colleagues attempts to look at all the evidence available from studies of the question.

“In sum,” they write, “significant new evidence shows that new construction in a variety of settings decreases, or slows increases in, rents, not only for the city as a whole, but generally also for apartments located close to the new construction.”

With Massachusetts needing to add roughly 200,000 new housing units to catch up with rising demand and population growth, state officials say housing construction is the overarching answer to the housing shortage and affordability crunch. “I think it is in many ways a supply-demand issue,” said Ed Augustus, Gov. Maura Healey’s housing secretary. “If you’re a renter or a buyer of a home, you’ve got very little power in this market. All the power goes to the person who has what’s in very short supply.”

Jesse Warga, lead carpenter at Phil Beaulieu & Sons Home Improvement, cuts siding on a home project in Somers, Connecticut. Looking on is contractor Fran Beaulieu, son of the company’s founder. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

A Habitat for Humanity worker helps to build a home for a military family in need on Carew Street in Springfield. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

Amaral, who runs the city’s Office of Housing and Community Development, told the New Bedford Light. “It has this cascading effect throughout the market.”

One thing the report authors, state housing officials, and supply skeptics agree on is that Conrad Duquette works on a home at the Fields at Chestnut project in East Longmeadow. building more housing alone will not solve the (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE) housing crisis facing people at low incomes. development in the immediate area has been a costly units where they previously lived, lessIncreasing the supply of housing is necesparticularly challenging question for researchers, ening the competition for those places. sary, said Been, but “it’s not sufficient because because development tends to happen in areas That process, the report says, works its way there will always be people who do not make that are already undergoing change or becoming down the income ladder, with one study from enough money or can’t work for whatever more desirable. “This makes it hard to disentan- Helsinki showing that by the fourth such reason and don’t have enough income to pay gle changes in rents that are caused by pre-exist- round, half the units being vacated are then for housing.” She and her co-authors said ing growth in demand from changes caused by occupied by tenants from the lower half of robust housing subsidy programs are crucial the new supply,” write Been and her co-authors. the national income distribution. for those households.

In an interview, Been said new housing New Bedford officials are talking up exIn Boston, “rents are so far out of reach,” development tends to have two effects, pulling actly that effect as they promote construcsaid Brown, the tenants coalition director, that in opposite directions. Increasing the supply of tion of new market-rate housing as well as more housing subsidies and income-restricted housing tends to lower its cost or slow the rate income-restricted units. “More units on units are crucial “to reach really low and even of cost increase, but new development often the market give people more choices,” Josh moderate income people.” also brings new amenities to a neighborhood — restaurants, shops, better maintained parks Not all agree — that push prices upward.

The build-more mantra doesn’t have every“Which of those two things is going to one convinced. predominate is the critical question,” she said.

Judith Liben, an attorney at the Massachusetts “Under what circumstances would the ameniLaw Reform Institute, said the idea that inty effect swamp the supply effect?” creasing supply will temper costs doesn’t seem It can differ depending on the particular cirevident in many Massachusetts communities. cumstances, she said, while adding that across “Over and over, supporters say, the more the breadth of studies that have been conducted, market-rate housing you build, the more “the supply effect seems to be predominating.”

Your business is unlike others. So are our financial services, which chance we’ll have for moderating rents that deliver unmatched personal service, show unconditional care for our The ‘counterfactual’ are already too high,” she said. “If you think community and help you see that no goal is unattainable. about cities like Malden and Quincy and Because housing growth tends to come Worcester, and now even Fall River and Low- in places experiencing high demand and ell, we see article after article about the boom upward pressure on prices, Been said it’s not Discover an uncommon level of expertise. That’s unbanking. in market-rate housing. The next day there unusual to see rent increases in an area along is article after article saying nobody can live with a development boom. here anymore. What has been the actual effect “You don’t know what the counterfactual in cities that have seen a boom in market-rate is,” she said, referring to what would have housing? As far as I know, rents in those cities happened to rents in the area had the develcontinue to rise, and displacement remains an opment not taken place. One study cited in enormous fear.” her report found that the average new apartKathy Brown, executive director of the Boston ment building lowers nearby rents by 5% to Tenants Coalition, echoed that skepticism of 7% “relative to the trend rent growth otherthe supply theory. “I don’t buy it,” she said. “It wise would have followed,” a change that the just feels like the experience in Boston does not authors said translated to savings of $100 to Freedom is yours. show this. We’ve had all this crazy development $159 per month. and rents have not gone down, they’ve gone up.”

The report also argues that boosting the While the NYU researchers say the bulk of supply of higher-cost housing can have freedom.coop available studies point strongly to the opposite positive ripple effects on housing availability effect, they note there are reports from some at lower price-points. The report concludes Freedom Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA. Shares and deposits in excess of NCUA limits are fully insured cities that show rents going up near new devel- that new housing construction triggers

by MSIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #478769. opment. “chains of mobility,” with those occupying Trying to gauge the “spillover” effects of newly built units freeing up slightly less

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Extra Credit is Outlook 2024’s sector-by-sector news in brief. Here, we present news from finance, information tech, real estate and manufacturing.

NEW ORLEANS

Green version of Mardi Gras beads?

It’s a beloved century-old Carnival season tradition in New Orleans — masked riders on lavish floats fling strings of colorful beads or other trinkets to parade watchers clamoring with outstretched arms.

It’s all in good fun but it’s also a bit of a “plastics disaster,” says Judith Enck, a former Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator and president of the advocacy group Beyond Plastics.

Carnival season and the city’s annual series of parades ended on Tuesday — Mardi Gras — a final day of revelry before Lent. Thousands attend the parades and they leave a mess of trash behind.

Despite a massive daily cleanup operation that leaves the post-parade landscape remarkably clean, uncaught beads dangle from tree limbs like Spanish moss and get ground into the mud under the feet of passers-by. They also wash into storm strains, where they only complicate efforts to keep the flood-prone city’s streets dry. Tons have been pulled from the aging drainage system in recent years.

And those that aren’t removed from the storm drains eventually get washed through the system and into Lake Pontchartrain — the large Gulf of Mexico inlet north of the city.

The nonbiodegradable plastics are a threat to fish and wildlife, Enck said.

“The waste is becoming a defining characteristic of this event,” said Brett Davis, a New Orleans native who grew up catching beads at Mardi Gras parades. He now heads a nonprofit that works to reduce the waste.

One way of making a dent in the demand for new plastic beads is to reuse old ones. Parade-goers who carry home shopping bags of freshly caught beads, foam footballs, rubber balls and a host of other freshly flung

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | L9

its operations in Georgia, a state the company says is friendlier to the firearms industry.

The company’s recent history has been marked by a lawsuit after the Sandy Hook school massacre and bankruptcy filings that led to new ownership of the Ilion plant, where the workforce has dwindled from about 1,300 workers more than a decade ago to around 300.

But the move still stings for the village of 7,600 people, who face the prospect of a dramatic revenue loss and a vacant, sprawling factory.

“When Remington leaves, it’s not going to be like a facility leaving, it’s going to be like part of your family has moved off,” said Jim Conover, who started at Remington in 1964 packing guns and retired 40 years Paradegoers catch beads during the Krewe of Gemini parade in downtown later as a production manager.

Gun-making dominates and Gulfport, Mississippi, on Feb. 10. (HANNAH RUHOFF / THE SUN HERALD VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS) defines Ilion. It’s entwined with the goodies can donate the haul to the billion. town the way car production is with Arc of New Orleans. The organizaThe Amazon executive chairman Detroit. tion repackages and resells the prod- notified the U.S. Securities and Mayor John Stephens meets with ucts to raise money for the services it Exchange Commission of the sale of village board members under a seal provides to adults and children with 11,997,698 shares of common stock portraying Eliphalet Remington disabilities. on Feb. 7 and Feb. 8. holding a long gun.

The city of New Orleans and the The collective value of the shares of The four-story, brick plant by Artourism promotion organization New Amazon, based in Seattle, was more mory Street and Remington Avenue Orleans & Co. also have collection than $2.042 billion. looms over the community about 55 points along parade routes for cans, The stocks were grouped in five miles east of Syracuse. glass and, yes, beads. blocks between over 1 million to Everyone knows someone who Aside from recycling, there’s a more than 3.2 million. worked at the plant. small but growing movement to find In a separate SEC filing, Bezos has The current owners of Remingsomething else for parade riders to listed the proposed sale of 50 million ton Firearms, RemArms, blamed lob.

Amazon shares around Feb. 7 with “production inefficiencies” for the Grounds Krewe, Davis’s nonprofit, an estimated market value of $8.4 plant closure in a Nov. 30 letter to is now marketing more than two billion. union officials. They cited the high dozen types of nonplastic, sustaincost of maintaining and insuring able items for parade riders to pitch. ILION, N.Y. about 1 million square feet of space Among them: headbands made of in multiple buildings, many dating recycled T-shirts; beads made out of What happens when to World War I. paper, acai seeds or recycled glass; Remington leaves? wooden yo-yos; and packets of loTEL AVIV, ISRAEL cally-made coffee, jambalaya mix or Remington began here two centuIsrael’s finance other food items — useful, consumries ago and generations of workers able items that won’t just take up have turned out rifles and shotguns minister blasts space in someone’s attic or, worse, at the massive firearms factory in wind up in the lake. the middle of this blue-collar village Moody’s downgrade “I just caught 15 foam footballs at in the heart of New York’s Mohawk Israel’s finance minister has a parade,” Davis joked. “What am I Valley. slammed a decision by the finangoing to do with another one?”

Now residents of Ilion are bracing cial ratings agency Moody’s to for Remington’s exit, ending an era downgrade Israel’s credit rating.

SEATTLE that began when Eliphalet RemingBezalel Smotrich says the decision ton forged his first rifle barrel nearby “did not include serious economic Bezos sells nearly in 1816. claims.”

The nation’s oldest gunmaker In its announcement, Moody’s 12M Amazon shares recently announced plans to shutter warned that the ongoing war in Gaza Jeff Bezos has filed a statement the factory in the company’s original and a possible war in the north with with federal regulators indicating home early next month, citing the Hezbollah could adversely affect his sale of nearly 12 million shares of steep cost of running the historic Israel’s economy.

Amazon stock worth more than $2 plant. Remington is consolidating It downgraded Israel’s rating from

A1 to A2 and said the outlook for the country’s economy was “negative.”

It’s the first time Moody’s has lowered Israel’s credit rating, which is used by investors to measure the riskiness of investing in a global entity or government.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel’s economy remains strong.

NEVADA

Musk’s Neuralink moves legal home Elon Musk’s brain implant company Neuralink has moved its legal corporate home from Delaware to Nevada.

The move came just over a week after a Delaware judge struck down Musk’s $55.8 billion pay package as CEO of Tesla.

Neuralink became a Nevada company on Feb. 8.

That is according to state records.

Its physical headquarters is in Fremont, California.

The Delaware judge ruled Jan. 30 that Tesla’s board was too cozy with Musk and the size of the package was unfair.

Musk later wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that companies should not incorporate in Delaware.

He wrote that shareholders of Austin, Texas-based Tesla would be asked to consider moving the company’s legal home to Texas.

WASHINGTON

Biden announces $5B for computer chips The Biden administration is announcing an investment of $5 billion in a public-private consortium aimed at supporting research and development in advanced computer chips.

The National Semiconductor Technology Center is being funded through the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. That law aims to reinvigorate the computer chip sector within the United States through targeted government support.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo says, “We need to be building for the future and that means making investments in R&D.” — The Associated Press

Auto Care Experts Car Care by the Miles Modern automobiles are technological marvels. As advancements in automotive technology have made cars more reliable than ever, drivers may feel as though vehicle ownership also is more handsoff than ever before. Though it’s true built-in diagnostic technology is designed to alert drivers when issues arise, it can still benefit motorists to recognize when certain issues may arise.

this time, as the experts at AutoZone® note that most drivers get between two and five years out of a set of brake pads. If that sounds like a significant disparity, it is, and that’s because driver behavior is a significant variable affecting the life of the pads. Drivers who brake hard will likely need to replace their brake pads with greater frequency than drivers who brake slowly.

Cars and the people who drive them are different, so mileage intervals are not always the best measuring stick for maintenance issues.

However, the following rundown can serve as a guidebook for drivers who want to know what to expect at various mileage intervals.

• 50,000 to 90,000 miles: As noted, there is no uniform guideline governing when vehicle components will need to be replaced. Hoses are a good example of that, as recommendations regarding when to replace hoses range from 50,000 to 90,000 miles. That’s a significant gap, but drivers can be on the safe side and start discussing the status of their hoses with their mechanics around the 50,000 mile marker. It’s unlikely the hoses will make it all the way to 90,000 miles before they need to be replaced, but drivers can keep that mileage marker in mind and aim to replace the hoses before that point even if no issue has arisen. Timing belts also tend to fail between 80,000 and 100,000 miles, so this is another part to consider replacing as a vehicle reaches this point.

• 30,000 miles: The experts at Auto Trader note that disposable engine air filters usually last between 15,000 and 30,000 miles. If it’s been around 30,000 miles since the engine air filter has been replaced, now is a good time to replace this important part, which prevents components like dirt and debris from getting into the engine. This also might be a good time to replace the fuel filter, which prevents debris from clogging fuel injectors.

• 50,000 to 60,000 miles: It’s around this time that drivers may need to replace their vehicle batteries. Little-used vehicles may need a new battery much earlier, as lengthy periods of little or no use adversely affect the life expectancy of vehicle batteries. Brakes also may need to be replaced around

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“I’d say when it comes to building a business, character and coachability matter over skill and talent every single day.”

Jeremy Casey of SR Commercial Realty

By James Foster

something that I could build and create a culture that I was SPRINGFIELD — Jeremy Casey looking for. I took a lot of that is the founder and owner of commercial debt and finance SR Commercial Realty in experience and brought it Springfield. In the last year, into this industry. There’s a SR Commercial has sold large barrier to entry, it takes multiple properties, includabout three years to really ing around 37 apartments in make it. There is a 5% success Belchertown and many com- ratio in the first two years. mercial units in Sunderland.

One of the things I set out to do when we built this is to create a training platform and an opportunity for people that don’t have commer1. Tell us a little bit cial real estate experience. about your business.

And one of the great things SR Commercial is a full-ser- about our company is it is vice, independently-owned built up of individuals of colcommercial real estate or and women. Our average brokerage. We do everything age is 31 years old, where the from landlord-tenant to average age of this industry seller-buyer representation, ranges from 50 to 60 years as well as property manageold. I think youth brings the ment, through a company opportunity for coachability called Streamline Commerand an open mind. cial Management. We’ve 3. What’s your imdone over 450 transactions, pression of your intotaling over $140 million dustry or sector? in volume. One of the more notable deals we’ve done I think it’s hitting and was the Treehouse Brewmissing, because if you look ing facility in Deerfield. We at the different asset classes, just represented the Mental office right now is missing Health Association on the heavily due to the influence purchase of the 350 Memorial of COVID, with social disDrive in Chicopee, which was tancing, given the at-home the old MassMutual Conferwork environment that is ence Center. now more widely accepted.

That switch really routed 2. What spurred you to get the office industry and asset into your line of work? class, whether it was leasing Previously, I was a comor selling. mercial lender in local and Quick-service restaurants, regional banks in this market or what we call QSRs, the and was looking for somedrive-thru style restaurants thing that had more flexibility, are thriving. And look at

building a good culture, your place becomes somewhere people want to go to work, I think you have a much higher probability of attracting and retaining the right style of character.

Special to The Republican

6. What surprised you in the past year in business?

Where did all the people go? I think the one thing that surprised me was the gig economy, which is really sought after in millennials, xennials, people starting all of their own businesses, as opposed to working for corporations.

Entrepreneurship isn’t as avant garde as it used to be. I think that’s one of the things that’s putting a stress on your typical work or corporate or business environment, because more people are out there pursuing service-style businesses that they can Alfonso Santaniello and Jeremy Casey, both of Agawam, enjoy a beverage and chat during the do on their own, which has 13th annual Mainline Drive Pig Roast in Westfield in 2019. The annual four-hour event was held fragmented the employment at Peerless Precision Inc. in Westfield. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO) market. I thought it would 4. How do you see 5. What’s the best simple what’s coming to this marstart to rebound once the your sector changing advice you’ve received ket — Popeyes is coming to work-at-home environment in the next year? since entering the this market. Starbucks has started to (head) back into business world? opened up a lot more. We now We’re starting to hit an office. But, I think it’s it’s out have Raising Cane’s, which is equilibrium, due to the I’d say when it comes to of the box now, so it’s kind of another one that’s coming to change in rate environbuilding a business, charachard to put that back in. this market. You’ll see a lot of ment. ter and coachability matter I think the work environthose coming through Enfield Now that that rate environ- over skill and talent every ments need to change or or Chicopee. ment is on a decline, we’re single day. That’s why I think semi-accommodate, or corMultifamily is a really starting to see that perk back people hiring a lot of employ- rect that, or amend. I thought tight inventory, but heavily up. ees are having difficulty, and people were going to start demanded, asset class. That’s The interesting thing that that is something completely coming back to work. It’s not why everyone’s talking about we’re seeing on the comindustry agnostic. Every single the case anymore. the affordability crisis right mercial real estate side is industry across the board now, because we don’t have that lease rates are far more that we work with is having Class of ’24 interviews are enough housing. attractive. employment issues. If you’re edited for clarity and length.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | L11

David Tynan and Daniel Dones

TEAGNO CONSTRUCTION

By James Foster

Special to The Republican AMHERST — David Tynan and Daniel Dones have been co-workers and friends for years, but recently took over Teagno Construction, an established business in Amherst.

“You can’t just jump on and chase everything and just grow too fast.

You have to be realistic.”

1. Tell us a little bit about your role and business.

Dones: We are a full-service general contractor specializing in high-end residential and commercial projects in the Valley. We’ve been in business for over 40 years and recently acquired the business from the former owner, who retired.

Tynan: We all wear a lot of hats. Generally speaking, I do general management — billing, financial stuff, large project management and estimating — and Dan does large project management.

Dones: We have about 15 people for employees, with office staff being only three people at max — the rest of them are field employees. Most of our heavy lifting is done by big subcontractors. Most of what we handle is the actual carpentry tasks and project management.

rest is history. I kind of worked my way up, and now we own it.

Dones: David’s been here for 15 years, and I’ve been here off and on and then I left for a while, so probably a total of six or seven years or so. We worked in the field together, and he brought me back, actually, with the hopes that we would develop the company further.

Lo and behold, we ended up purchasing the company from the previous owner.

2. What spurred you to get into your line of work?

Dones: For me, I grew up in my family with being immersed in the construction field. Later on in life, I joined the military and sort of started a career there. I just sort of married the two, and this seemed like the best fit for me.

Tynan: I went to school for business and finance and always loved building things.

Finance just wasn’t really doing it for me, so I decided I wanted to be a carpenter and came here years ago, and the

3. What’s your impression of your industry?

Dones: Right now, federal regulations are driving some of the cost in the industry to a point where it’s not financially reasonable for the common person to build new construction or do large-scale renovations, because of the new parameters that are set with the building codes.

Tynan: We think the direction that energy code is headed is a really good direction, but one of the things we’re getting a little bit concerned

DAVID TYNAN

David Tynan, left, and Daniel Dones, co-workers and friends, recently took over Teagno Construction, an established business in Amherst. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

with is that rapid adaptation is necessary. The codes just went into place at the beginning of this year, and we’re just kind of starting to catch up and see the real cost implications of that and how it reaches sometimes beyond the scope of an owner or client’s intended project, to include other portions of their home or business that they weren’t necessarily planning.

Even capital projects for institutions and commercial projects, I mean, everyone’s got a budget. Extensive energy codes really drive costs in a direction that I don’t think people were quite expecting yet.

4. How do you see your sector changing in the next year?

Tynan: Right now, the industry’s battling cost of construction, both in renovation and in new construction, with the ability to provide affordable housing for people, too.

There’s just kind of a shortage everywhere.

I think we’re dealing a little bit

too with like a COVID hangover, so to speak. In the midst of COVID, there was an influx of people investing lots of money into their homes, because they’re working from home, mostly.

Now, people are returning a little more back to work. We’ve also seen a pretty good influx of people moving from out east to the western part of the state. It still seems to be a pretty common occurrence around here, mostly because of what this area has to offer versus being inside a very congested city. I think a pretty well-to-do, educated, relatively young workforce is leaving the cities, because they have the ability to work remotely so much.

We’ve started to see commercial infrastructure pick back up — private commercial, not state-funded stuff.

Dones: Another part is the labor force, too. We work our butts off and get tons of work scheduled and under contract and everything else. We pat ourselves on the back, and we’re like, ‘Wait, we don’t have anyone to perform all this work.’

That creates another problem in itself: trying to find qualified individuals who are available and willing to do this kind of work. It’s tough, because I think there’s still a little bit of a stigma of a younger workforce going directly into the trades.

5. What’s the best simple advice you’ve received since entering the business world?

Tynan: Sustainable growth.

Avoiding growth for the sake of growth, without having a sustainable backbone to maintain and facilitate that growth, and to maintain reputations and quality as you grow. You can’t just jump on and chase everything and just grow too fast.

You have to be realistic.

Dones: Again, it’s part of the COVID honeymoon. Because there was so much demand for home renovations, everyone was a contractor. You saw people grow at an incredible rate that was just completely unsustainable without any real infrastructure behind it. You see some of it coming to a head now, where they’re just fizzing away. There’s contractors we talk to all the time who now

“We work our butts off and get tons of work scheduled and under contract and everything else.”

DANIEL DONES

can’t perform the same way they did before. But all their growth happened in a one- to two-year time frame in the last couple of years. One of the things we got from Don, the former owner, was stability.

That allowed us to really operate at an even keel with some growth.

6. What surprised you in the past year in your industry?

Tynan: If you were to tell me four years ago, when we could build a relatively high-end custom home for $350 a square foot, that in the next four years we’re going to have a pandemic, a string of natural disasters, we’re going to jam a shipping liner in the middle of the Suez Canal, and we’re going to pile on all this other stuff with COVID, and then bring in a ton of new code upgrades and energy efficiency stuff, and see like 40% inflation in construction costs, I would have been petrified.

But we just haven’t seen that manifest into less demand as of yet. It defies logic and our whole future is kind of hedged on that defiance of logic right now.

Class of ’24 interviews are edited for clarity and length.

IN MEMORY OF JEFFREY E. POINDEXTER (1969—2024)

It is with deep sadness that Bulkley Richardson announces the passing of Jeffrey E. Poindexter, our trusted colleague and dear friend.

Jeff was a highly regarded litigator, but he was so much more than an attorney. To us, he was family.

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L12 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

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Sears inherits a National Association of Realtors in flux

By Jim Kinney

jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — Kevin M. Sears says he’s got a simple message when he meets with realty professionals all over the county in his first few weeks as president of the National Association of Realtors.

“As Realtors, we’re problem solvers. We adapt,” said Sears, an owner/broker at Sears Real Estate of Springfield. “That’s what we are doing. We’ve got customers and clients who we are helping to achieve the American Dream.”

The association has 1,200 local associations and more than 1.5 million members.

It is the country’s largest trade association.

And Sears is inheriting some association problems that will need solving and adaptation.

Sears — who had been the organization’s president-elect — took over the top spot in January, months

early, after then-President Tracy Kasper had resigned, citing a blackmail threat about a nonfinancial matter.

The previous president, Kenny Parcell, resigned in August following a story in The New York Times that detailed sexual harassment in the association’s workplace culture.

Also, in October a federal jury in Kansas City found that brokerages were unfairly inflating commissions, conspiring to require home sellers to pay the broker representing the buyer of their homes, in violation of antitrust law. A jury decided that about $1.8 billion in damages will go to sellers.

Sears said the Missouri case comes down to consumer education.

“It’s not a controversy,” he said. ”Unfortunately, there was a bad verdict in Missouri.”

The key is to explain to sellers of real estate not only what the Realtor

will do but how that person expects to be paid, and how that fee will be calculated.

“Additionally, I point out how much I will offer to the buyer’s broker,” Sears said. ”I think the protections are in place.”

But, he said in the future, contracts with the buyer will be more detailed.

“At the end of the day, this is all about consumer protection,” he said. “I’m all about making sure the consumer is well-informed.”

At the association, a Culture Transformation Commission has been meeting since last fall, and Sears said he’s encouraged its members and the organization’s new executive director to provide recommendations.

“Give us a roadmap to help fix the culture in the organization,” Sears said.

The buying, selling environment The association does a lot of

that will slow the economy.”

Post-COVID-19, the association is also facing a steep dip in home sales.

Sales of previously occupied homes totaled 4.09 million nationally in 2023, an 18.7% decline from 2022.

That meant 2023 was weakest year for home sales since 1995 and the biggest annual decline since 2007.

In the Pioneer Valley, sales fell from 5,413 to 4,382, a decline of Kevin M. Sears, president, 19%.

National Association of Realtors “It is awfully difficult to sell if there are no properties,” Sears said. lobbying. Sears said what he will But with interest rates coming be imparting to elected officials as down, homeowners might be more president of the National Associawilling to put homes on the market tion of Realtors is simple: Housing is — and give up that low rate they have 20% of the gross domestic product. now — freeing up inventory in the “Elected officials should be housing market. encouraging home buying, and the “We could have a nice spring buy, sell, lease and transfer of real market,” Sears said, “if interest rates estate,” he said. “Barriers put up on continue to go down.”

“At the end of the day, this is all about consumer protection.

I’m all about making sure the consumer is wellinformed.”

Rent growth ranks Boston as tops for investors

By Greg Ryan

Boston Business Journal

Boston is the best market in the country for investors in apartment properties over the next five years, thanks to filledup buildings and projected rent hikes, according to a new report.

No other region is expected to see as much growth in market revenue per available foot through 2028, research firm Green Street Advisors found.

The metric accounts for effective market rents and occupancy levels. The Boston area also ranks as the top market for risk-adjusted returns.

An aerial view of the downtown Boston city skyline at sunset. (BILLIE WEISS / BOSTON RED SOX / GETTY IMAGES, FILE) One of the biggest reasons that investors in existing apartment buildings can anticipate environment improves, even so much bang for their buck? with relaxed zoning.

The lack of competition from Developers are also connew development. cerned many cities and towns The Boston metro area will concentrate rezoning combines a low supply of where there are newer multiapartments with above-average homeownership costs, according to the report. That leaves many renters unable to buy a home and facing more limited options on finding another apartment than much of the rest of the U.S.

family or commercial properties, where new development is unlikely any time soon.

When it comes to limiting rent increases, Boston and a handful of other municipalities

are seeking to put rent control or stabilization measures in place but need State House approval. A push to bring rent control to the statewide ballot this year petered out.

The apartments in the North End neighborhood of Boston. (FILE PHOTO)

omy anchored by universities like Harvard and MIT, he said.

Green Street puts the risk-adjusted expected return in the

27 tours in four days the week after the holiday, ultimately receiving 11 offers, according to St. John.

Advocates for a rent control proposal started to pack the Boston City Council Chamber on March 2, 2023, in advance of a hearing on legislation from Mayor Michelle Wu. (CHRIS VAN

A legacy of quality.

BUSKIRK / MASSLIVE)

Boston metro at 7.5%, compared to 7.1% in large markets nationally. The report does not include dollar figures for market revenue per available square foot.

As with other types of real estate, apartment sales have fallen as rates have increased.

Still, last year more than $3 billion in sales took place in Greater Boston, in line with the average from 2015 to 2020, according to CBRE. Sales volume has dropped here to a much lesser degree than they have in U.S. markets including New York and Atlanta, Green Street data show.

“We see really good activity on the few deals we do have in the market,” St. John said.

CBRE handled last month’s $101.5 million sale of the 197-unit Flats on D complex in South Boston to an Eaton Vance affiliate. The team put the offering out the day before Thanksgiving and conducted

Boston-based real estate investment firm Jones Street Investment Partners recently bought a 404-unit complex in Fall River. The firm is looking at rate volatility as a shortterm phenomenon that creates an opportunity to be active when others are sitting on the sidelines, founder and CEO Matt Frazier said.

“The value is just so compelling that we’re comfortable with (a) negative spread for a short period of time, at the beginning of the hold,” Frazier said.

While the lack of supply may help their existing properties, real estate developers are generally eager to build more housing, if the economics make sense.

The MBTA Communities law is one of the main levers that state officials are using to increase housing production, but development will likely be limited until the financing

For over a century, residents of the Pioneer Valley have put their confidence in the Loomis Communities to provide the highest-quality senior living services in the region.

From our recent accreditation by CARF International to our 5-Star Skilled Nursing Rating from Medicare, we remain continuously committed to adhering to the highest standards of service and care, treating each day as an opportunity to meet and exceed residents’ and families’ expectations.

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The region has seen a moderate pickup in apartment construction the past few years, and Colliers researchers recently reported an increase in vacancies and stalled rent growth in 2023’s final three months.

But the outlook is different over the long-term.

The jump in interest rates, coupled with factors like high construction costs, tighter loan standards and unfriendly zoning, is expected to lead to a dramatic fall in construction activity.

The drop-off can already be seen: Building permits were pulled for about 7,160 multifamily units in the region in 2023, down 32% from the previous year, according to preliminary U.S. Census Bureau data. The number of buildings with five or more units to begin construction was cut in half.

“If interest rates come down soon, that will help, but it’s not going to be a magical remedy,” Colliers research director Jeffrey Myers said of construction activity.

The recent supply bump pales in comparison to what has happened in other markets. The Boston area grew its multifamily inventory by 1.6% in 2023 and is expected to do similarly this year, thanks to projects that got underway before the financing market turned, according to a recent CBRE report. But nationwide, supply is projected to grow 3.1% this year and by more than double that percentage in places like Nashville and Raleigh.

The lack of supply is not the only thing that makes the Boston area’s existing apartment stock an attractive purchase, said Biria St. John, co-leader of CBRE’s New England multifamily investment sales team. The region is appealing because of high household incomes and a diversified econ-

An aerial view of Boston Common. A report found the Boston metro area combines a low supply of apartments with above-average homeownership costs. (FILE PHOTO)

OUTLOOK 2024

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | L13

MANUFACTURING ROUNDUP

By Larry Parnass

lparnass@repub.com

A HANGOVER PROBLEM: Remember all those supply-chain gaps during the early pandemic? In manufacturing, that era of scarcity — and demand — seems like a long, long time ago. In 2023, manufacturing continued to struggle not with shortage but with excess — bogged down by a glut of inventory, says Brooke Sutherland of Bloomberg. Factories in the U.S. ended last year in their longest slump in a generation. But hope springs … if not eternal, then at least for now. Sutherland notes that Nippon Steel Corp.’s bid to buy United States Steel Corp. is a show of faith that manufacturing will rebound amid continued federal spending on infrastructure.

INFRASTRUCTURE TICK-TOCK: But when will the money flow? It’s been a long time (26 months) since the $550 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law in November 2021. That monumental investment has only recently started to flow, observers say. “I still think we’re in the early innings,” Blake Moret, CEO of Rockwell Automation, said of the effects of government stimulus in a November interview.

Peerless Precision is a machining shop in Westfield that produces parts for thermal imaging systems, engines and other applications. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

JUST RIVETING: One porthole into the manufacturing sector’s prospects in 2024 is the lowly fastener. Yes, those things that join two or more objects — bolts, screws, rivets, grommets and such. They are essential elements in manufacturing, and when sales of fasteners flag, Sutherland points out, factories are usually light on incoming orders.

Bloomberg tracks these sales, for companies like Fastenal, and found that they were weak at the end of last year.

FACTORIES A GO-GO: If you think of manufacturing in the U.S. mainly as places where wrenches are made, we hate to break it SPOTTY PERFORMANCE: Needless to to you: Those “Hogan’s Heroes” TV shows you say, how different regions in the U.S. fare this like are reruns. One of the hottest manufacturyear, in manufacturing, will depend on their ing areas today, and another target of governlocal mix. For example, the Federal Reserve ment investment, is the production of semiBank of Philadelphia is warning that manuconductors. The country is trying to be more facturers in that area are not seeing the kinds self-sufficient with this essential element of of orders needed to pump things up in 2024. computing. And the rise of artificial intelligence The Fed had just polled businesses in eastern will gobble up these devices for the foreseeable Pennsylvania. “The survey’s broad indicators future. The CEO of Siemens AG, a huge global for future activity weakened, suggesting less company, told Bloomberg his intel shows that widespread expectations for growth over the the U.S. will see construction of a new data cennext six months,” the Fed posted. ter every month. Those facilities create an inELECTRIFYING NEWS: Apart from tense demand for electrical equipment. “When boosts from Uncle Sam, manufacturing our hyperscalers want to build data centers mojo has been flowing into the production of because there’s huge demand to train the large electric cars and batteries, industry-watchers language models, every month counts,” Roland note. But the end of 2023 showed some shaky Busch said. “Look at their balance sheets and knees. Inventories of EVs on lots hit a record the money they’ll make.” A recent research in December, according to Cox Automotive. report predicted the global semiconductor That could signal consumer apprehension market will grow in size from $529 billion last that would tend to take the glimmer off this year to $617 billion in 2024. The biggest makers part of manufacturing. But that’s said in the are SAMSUNG, Qualcomm, Advanced Micro industry press to be likely only a pause. One Devices Inc., Intel Corp., Micron Technology show of faith that’s still on the horizon was the Inc., SK Hynix Inc. and NVDIA. injection of money by a private equity firm, Experts with the Deloitte Research Center EQT AB, into a company that processes spent point out that investments in semiconductor batteries and handles scrap from “gigafactomanufacturing, and in “clean technology,” are ries.” That came, Bloomberg notes, at a time almost double the levels of 2021 – and 20 times when companies had announced plans to what the industry was seeing even in 2019. create as many as 30 immense plants to crank YOU-ROBOT: Over the last dozen years, out batteries for EVs. the installation of robots has advanced steadi-

Top, The Society of Manufacturing Engineers hosted the Eastec manufacturing trade show at the Eastern States Exposition. This is an industrial robot going through a demonstration cycle.

Above, U.S. Tsubaki, a manufacturer of roller chains for the automotive industry, has a facility at the Westover Industrial Park in Chicopee. This is a chain inspection station on the new manufacturing floor. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

ly in manufacturing, except for a slight step back in 2020.

RE-SHORING UP: The fate of U.S. factories is mentioned often in political circles. In the no-BS business world, a wish to “re-shore” industry in America, after decades of globalization that thinned out the domestic factory landscape, has to make bottom-line sense. The business press is full of examples of companies continuing to invest in what some call the “old economy” of manufacturing. Bloomberg says that’s particularly true in the industrial,

I

materials and energy sectors. Last year, $400 billion flowed into corporate takeovers in those areas, twice as much as the year before. A chart reviewed by Outlook showed that some of the biggest manufacturing companies, including Rockwell Automation, Deere, Eaton, Johnson Controls and Vertiv, plan to spend considerably more this fiscal year on capital expenses than would be justified by their anticipated revenue growth for the year. Why? They appear to be betting that good times are ahead for American manufacturing.

succeeded because of their financial empathy and a value position similar to our own: “Do what’s best for our client.”

t’s been 100 years and a lot has happened in that time. For years we’ve been primarily known as portolio managers and advisors.

However, our work involves much more. For example, risk management uses a lot of our time and experience along with other responsibilities.

This firm has survived 6 wars, witnessed 17 U.S. presidents take office, and welcomed a market that gave investors a good return overall for 2023*.

And when we say “clients are the assets that matter,” we mean exactly that. We’ve

Our ongoing success is due in large part to our clients and our commitment to the region. Have a conversation with with us and learn more about who we are and how we do things.

Over the years, our client relationships started with a conversation. And many such relationships have spanned generations.

*The New Yorrk Times, “A Rip Roaring 2023” Jan. 1, 2024

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Susan M. Collins | Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

The promise and potential of New England Editor’s note: The following is an edited version of prepared remarks by Susan M. Collins, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, to the Boston Economic Club on Feb. 7. Collins’ remarks represent her own views and not necessarily those of her colleagues on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors or the Federal Open Market Committee.

KEY POINTS IN COLLINS’ ADDRESS

A

T THE BOSTON Fed, our district includes just about all of New England, and I take seriously my commitment to all six states, visiting each one at least annually.

Exchanging perspective with a wide range of stakeholders in the economy is vital to policymaking – and is meaningful, inspiring, and really enjoyable.

Although I lived in New England at an earlier stage of my career, I have been able to return with “fresh eyes” and note some of what makes it wonderful. Without question the talent and brainpower in so many fields – certainly economics and finance among them – make this region very special.

Today we’re gathered in Boston. Extraordinary problem solving has occurred here, creating better living standards and entire industries – in medicine, technology, and financial products, to name a few. We have amazing talent and institutions here.

I mention this because we live in a world of challenges, and Greater Boston and New England face many – including housing supply and expense; transportation infrastructure; access to dependent care, and the potential for climate shifts to affect assets or expenses.

But we have an immense capacity for innovation and problem solving, as we’ve shown. I look forward to what we can accomplish in New England to support a vibrant economy that works for all. I am optimistic about what we can accomplish when we care, collaborate, study, and act.

Susan M. Collins, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

• U.S. economy overall performed “remarkably well” in 2023. Inflation slowed notably last year, while the job market remained quite favorable. She is optimistic about price stability and a healthy job market.

• More evidence needed that the “disinflationary” process will continue. Developments in the economic data highlight that progress toward achieving the Fed’s mandated goals could be uneven, and more time is needed to discern whether some of the promising economic trends of 2023 will broaden and persist.

• The threat of inflation settling persistently above the Committee’s 2 percent target has receded, and risks to the economy overall are moving into better balance. A “sustained, durable return” to 2 percent inflation will likely require demand growing at a more moderate pace this year.

• Policy should reflect the commitment to restoring price stability while also aiming to preserve the more-equitable outcomes seen in this recovery.

The outlook opments, which tend to be disinflationary. In particular, Given the positive economic last year’s improvements in news, what can we expect the economy’s productive going forward? And what can capacity were driven by further monetary policy do to achieve resolution of supply chain price stability at the 2 percent bottlenecks; a rebound in labor target, while maintaining a supply, in part driven by immi- healthy labor market? remain elevated in the near gration; and increased labor An open question is how term, given income from productivity in some sectors. much longer supply-side the strong labor market and Importantly, these positive progress will continue. While the wealth some households economic developments have we may see some more labor have accumulated in the afcontinued to be unusually eq- force growth, the prospects termath of the pandemic. uitable, a point highlighted by for additional labor supply And many companies still Cecelia Rouse, former chair improvements seem somehave ample internal sources of the Council of Economic what limited. And although to finance their expendiEconomic performance Advisers and now president there may be some further tures, although increased As I mentioned, the U.S. of the Brookings Institution, effects on consumer prices credit costs are starting to economy overall performed at our economic conference from the past resolution of affect capital investment remarkably well in 2023. last fall, which some of you supply chain bottlenecks, decisions. Further, the unGDP growth, at 3.1 percent, attended. most of that is likely behind expected strength in recent defied widespread pessimistic The rise in labor force parus. Also, productivity is GDP and labor market data forecasts made at the end of ticipation among working-age always difficult to forecast. exemplifies the on-going 2022. The unemployment rate individuals was widespread Many businesses, especially resilience of demand, and remained historically low – across racial and other demo- in the services sector, have highlights that the anticipatbelow 4 percent – with strong graphic groups. learned to operate effective- ed slowdown in activity may overall employment gains and I have heard from contacts ly with fewer workers – but take some time. healthy wage increases. in New England that some there is likely a limit to how However, I do see some These positive developemployers have increased far this process can go. signs consistent with an exments were accompanied by efforts to train workers and So, while we may still get pected demand moderation. greater progress on inflation are exploring ways to find some positive supply-side Delinquencies on credit than most anticipated. Head- untapped talent. This should news, a durable return to 2 card and auto loans have line and core inflation, where continue expanding opportu- percent inflation will likely risen briskly and are around the latter excludes volatile nities for people who typically require demand growing at pre-pandemic levels. And National economy, food and energy prices, were face greater challenges finda more moderate pace this some consumers are becomFed policy both around 2 percent over ing employment. year. I expect this slowdown ing more reliant on revolving Economic outcomes last the last 6 months of 2023.

In this strong labor market, will happen, but the timing debt to finance their expendiFed’s portfolio, mission year surpassed most observThey had been above 3 perwith unemployment rates is difficult to predict, and the tures.

I’d like to highlight some ers’ expectations, including cent and 4 percent, respecnear historic lows, many road may well be bumpy.

Orders for capital goods of the ways the Boston Fed my own. Growth and the tively, in the second half of workers have also moved into To be clear, the current excluding aircraft are slowing, reflects that spirit of innova- labor market remained quite 2022. better jobs. Aggregate wage stance of monetary policy suggesting that businesses are tion and problem-solving. strong, while inflation slowed By the way, obviously food growth was around 5 percent is consistent with achieving becoming increasingly sensiAs you know, the strength notably. and energy are vital, but in 2022 and 4 percent last this outcome. However, the tive to higher financing costs. of an economy has many As some of you know, I have we focus on core inflation year, and wage gains have balance sheets of both houseAnd despite the recent hiring dimensions – so the Federal described myself as a “realbecause it has been shown to been especially favorable and holds and businesses are strength, there are indications Reserve, our nation’s Central istic optimist” for well over a be a strong predictor of future sustained for lower-paying stronger today than in prior of the labor market normalBank, is involved in a number year now. These very encour- inflation trends. occupations. While such deperiods when the Fed needed izing at healthy levels. In of activities, all in the public aging trends have reinforced Normally, strong economic velopments cannot be taken to restrain demand to achieve particular, job turnover rates interest. Most people know my optimism that we are on activity tends to raise inflafor granted, they represent price stability. I will not be have declined noticeably since us for monetary policy, and a path to price stability, with tionary pressures. tangible progress toward surprised if demand remains the first half of 2023, and job the research that underpins inflation durably at 2 percent, The fact that this did not achieving a more broad-based fairly robust in the early part openings are down, especially it. We’re also supervisors of and a healthy labor market. occur indicates significant, and inclusive notion of full of 2024. in more cyclical sectors. some of the nation’s financial However, the “realistic” part favorable supply-side develemployment.

Consumer spending could SEE COLLINS, PAGE L15 institutions, and provide back-end infrastructure and services for the financial system. And we examine factors that could limit people from participating in the economy, and support research and collaborations that expand prospects for progress in communities.

I’ll mention just two examples of Boston Fed innovation.

First, many parts of New England that were once centers for manufacturing or natural resources have faced long-term challenges. Our Working Places initiative, started under my predecessor Eric Rosengren, is based on research showing that an essential element of placeDan Moriarty, President & CEO, reads to children at Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services. based economic resurgence is local, cross-sector collabAs a local community bank that has been in business for oration. Now in 30 communities across five states, over 150 years, we’re proud to support our communities, teams of local leaders choose we understand the local market, and we’re experts at taking a shared goal for improving the economy that benefits care of our personal and business customers. Let us show you low-income people – for the Monson Savings Bank difference. We are here to help. example, creatively supporting workforce development, affordable housing, or childcare supply; or removing barriers to entrepreneurship.

They develop and imple413-267-4646 ment strategies. The Fed www.monsonsavings.bank hosts, convenes, and supMEMBER FDIC I MEMBER DIF ports these efforts – but not financially. The real work is in local ingenuity and com-

mitment.

Second, I mentioned the Fed’s work on payments. It wasn’t so long ago that paper checks had to be physically flown around the country to settle at the bank they were drawn on – a slow, costly necessity. The Boston Fed and others helped pioneer digital check imaging, and expanded automated clearing of electronic payments – and more recently, creation of an entirely new interbank system for instant payments, the FedNow Service.

When fully available, instant payments will provide substantial benefits for consumers and businesses, including rapid access to funds, or justin-time payments to manage cash flows in bank accounts.

The FedNow Service can help workers in the gig economy get access to their wages on completing their shifts; help consumers pay a bill on its due date, avoiding a late fee; and help small businesses get instant proceeds to help cash flow.

is important as well – uncertainty remains elevated, and there are risks to my outlook – although those risks are coming into better balance.

A recent data release showing a surprisingly strong labor market is a case in point – and in this case, good news. Still, it helps illustrate the logic in methodically waiting for more evidence that the economy is sustainably on that desired path, before beginning a policy adjustment.

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Collins CONTINUES FROM PAGE L14

Overall, these developments imply that the risks related to inflation and economic activity are coming into better balance. In addition to the points I’ve discussed, many measures of inflation expectations have returned to pre-pandemic levels. This all suggests to me that the risk of inflation running persistently above the committee’s target, while still there, has receded.

Policy Implications In this context, I think that policy needs to reflect a steadfast commitment to restoring price stability — following through on the progress we have made — while also aiming to preserve the more-equitable economic outcomes seen in this recovery. And I remain cognizant of the geopolitical and other risks around my baseline outlook.

This brings me to what I plan to focus on going forward as I monitor economic developments and consider appropriate policy. I certainly believe policy should remain data dependent and that it is not appropriate to specify a pre-set path. Given the progress to date and the more balanced risk environment, my holistic assessment of available data will focus on gaining additional confidence in the baseline forecast of sustained low inflation with a healthy labor market.

It is important to recognize that the path the economy takes toward the Fed’s mandated goals may continue to be bumpy and uneven, and we should not overreact to individual data points. To my thinking, that reflects the realities of a unique and challenging pandemic and the economic recovery from it. Expecting all indicators to be well aligned is too high a bar, but seeing sustained, broadening signs of progress should provide the necessary confidence I would need to begin a methodical adjustment to our policy stance.

To this end, here are a few of the developments I will be watching closely: I continue to look at the components of inflation — not because the composition matters for achieving our target, but because different components behave differently.

Housing as well as non-shelter service price inflation are taking longer to return to their pre-pandemic trends, and I hope to see additional progress there.

I want to see evidence of wages evolving in a way that is ultimately consistent with price stability. Here I’ll note interesting work by Boston Fed economists, which suggests that, given the increases in prices and labor productivity to date, there is room for wages to catch up and continue increasing at a healthy pace for some time without necessarily spurring inflationary pressures.

It is also important that shortas well as long-term inflation expectations remain well anchored. And given the centrality of labor market developments to the outlook, I will continue to look for signs of labor demand moderating in an orderly way, to a healthy, sustainable balance with supply.

So, while heartened by the progress to date, I will need to see more evidence before considering adjusting the policy stance. Indeed, I fully support the Federal Open Market Committee policy statement.

It unambiguously reaffirms the committee’s resolve to achieve and maintain our inflation target. For the moment, policy remains well positioned, as we carefully assess the evolving data and outlook.

That said, as we gain more confidence in the economy achieving the committee’s goals, and consistent with the last set of projections from FOMC participants, I believe it will likely become appropriate to begin easing policy restraint later this year.

A methodical, forward-looking strategy that eases policy gradually will provide the flexibility to manage risks, while promoting stable prices and maximum employment.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | L15

Commentary

Internships key to keeping our grads in Mass.

Network of public colleges, universities one of state’s most important assets

By Julie Chen, Pam Eddinger and John Keenan ACH DAY IN MASSAchusetts, college students report to internships, co-ops and work-study jobs that put them at the heart of our state’s fastest growing economic sectors — life sciences, clean energy, robotics, advanced manufacturing and biotech. These students aren’t just handed low-level, routine tasks.

As part of our state’s strategy, the Healey-Driscoll administration proposed a statewide internship where companies will receive incentives for hiring Massachusetts college students. A half-dozen quasi-governmental agencies working on economic development will be key to implementing this internship. And they’ll draw on proven success. For example, the Mass Life Sciences Center has funded more than 6,000 internships involving more than 1,000 companies over the past 14 years.

They participate in research, Massachusetts’ network analysis and strategic discusof public colleges and unisions. They work with innovaversities is one of our state’s tors and entrepreneurs. And most important assets. Our when their shifts are done and public institutions of higher it’s time to clock out, these education are essential to the students head home with a civic and cultural vitality of paycheck, as well as first-person our communities and regions. insights and hands-on learning They are trailheads of opportuthat enhance and give true nity and prosperity for tens of meaning to what they’re learn- thousands of students. ing in lecture halls and labs.

And they’re critical to our Their experiences are essen- economy — engaging and tial. They are opportunities preparing students for a host for self-discovery. In many of jobs and fields, including in cases they match students the fastest growing industries with future employers, giving in Massachusetts. promising interns a jump We know that paid, hands-on on establishing professional experience not only improves networks and jobs right out of outcomes once students enter college, and hiring managers the job market, it supports a pipeline of trained talent. their success in college. All And they are important for the three of us can attest to that, as commonwealth. These work education leaders and individopportunities anchor talented ually. We each have our own students who come here to version of this story. study, keeping them in MasPaid experience is leading sachusetts after graduation. students at Bunker Hill ComAfter all, it’s easier to stay if munity College to careers in you already have a job lined up. some cases, and to more speTalent is an indispensable cialized educations for others. part of the Healey-Driscoll Students at Salem State administration’s new econom- University are parlaying what ic development plan, “Team they learn in the field into jobs Massachusetts: Leading once they finish school.

Future Generations.” The plan At UMass Lowell, real-world envisions our state’s leadership experience is so important role in creating an “innovative, that starting with the freshmission-driven, high-growth men who came to campus economy.” this fall, every student is now

E

The Zoo at Forest Park intern Mallory Judson gives “Pepe” the skunk some cuddles. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

promised the opportunity for at least one co-op or internship — for pay or college credit — by the time they graduate.

The statewide plan unveiled in December imagines a similar promise. Our long-term vision is for every college student studying in Massachusetts to graduate with at least one internship or co-op on their resume.

This isn’t the only strategy to ensure we keep top talent and leadership in Massachusetts – far from it. The plan calls for an expanded MassTalent initiative, helping to identify and train workers for jobs in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, health care and clean energy.

It envisions modernized career pathways and licensing systems for people working in trades. It focuses on supporting the key economic sectors we’ve mentioned, and it

outlines ways to address two critical areas for our state’s economic future — housing and transportation.

We congratulate Gov. Healey, Lt. Gov. Driscoll and Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, as well as the impressive group of leaders, thinkers, innovators, and advocates who worked on this plan.

We look forward to working toward its implementation.

And we look forward to a day when every college student in Massachusetts learns not only in the classroom but in the workplace, lab or field.

UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen, Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger and Salem State University President John Keenan were members of the education team that helped to develop the state’s economic development plan.

you can the clock?

Think youThink can beat thebeat clock?

Do you trust your GPS or do you always assume you can get there just a little bit faster? Arriving to

Do you trust your GPS or do you always assume you can get there just a little bit faster? Arriving to

a birthday party a few minutes late isn’t usually a big deal, but overestimating your control as an

Think you can Think you can beat the beat clock? the clock?

a birthday party a few minutes late isn’t usually a big deal, but overestimating your control as an investor can potentially lead to serious problems for you and your finances.

investor can potentially lead to serious problems for you and your finances.

Many of us are guilty of overconfidence at one point or another. Say you check directions and see

Many of us are guiltythat of overconfidence at one point or another.

Sayand you check directions andmake see it in 15.” it will take 17 minutes to get to your destination think, “Okay, great. I can Sound familiar? that it will take 17 minutes to get to your destination and think, “Okay, great. I can make it in 15.”

Do you assume trust your GPSyou or do you always canall get there justsubconscious a little bit faster? Arriving to We have biases, but that doesn’t mean they Do you trust your GPS or do you always can getassume you familiar? a birthday party a few minutes late isn’t usually a bigSound deal, but overestimating yoursubconscious control as an We all have biases, but that doesn’t mean they need to get in the way of your financial need Ito get in the way of your financial success. As a financial there just a little bit faster? Arriving to a birthday party a few believe insuccess. the power ofadvisor, markets toyoufix As a financial I can help set up guardrails against your own biases and give investor can potentially lead to serious problems for you and your finances.

We all have subconscious biases, but that doesn’t mean they need to get in theyour way of your financial advisor, I can help you set up guardrails against own minutes late isn’t usually a big deal, but overestimating your you theturn tools and education you opportunities need to manage your hard-earned wealth with confidence. problems and them into success.

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Saygive you check directions and see and education you need to give biases and you the tools control as an investor can potentiallyMany lead problems through constant and visionary In addition toinnovation providing personalized guidance, I also with serve confidence. as a knowledgeable resource you the tools and education you need to 15.” manage yourfinancial hard-earned wealth that it will take 17 minutes to get to your destination and think,your “Okay, great.

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In addition toinpartner providing personalized financial I also Many of us are guilty of overconfidence at one point or but anothWe all have subconscious biases, that doesn’t mean they need to get the wayfor ofmy your financial financial advisor, I can help you setserve up guardrails against own biases and resource give asI help a knowledgeable and accountability partner er. Say you check directions and seesuccess. that As it awill take 17 minutes How can youyour reach yours?

Now we have turned the corner, it'sfor time for longthe toolsgreat. and education you make need to manage your hard-earned wealththat with confidence. my clients, helping them to stay on track their to get to your destination and think,you “Okay, I can it for action. It's time to rebuild and regrow this city to termI goals. in 15.” Sound familiar?

In addition to providing personalized financial guidance, also serve as a knowledgeable resource

I believe in the power of m problems and turn them in through constant innovati thinking.

ever. and accountability partner for my clients, helping them to stay on its trackbest for their long-term goals.

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I believe in the power of markets to fix problems and turn them into opportunities through constant innovation and visionary thinking.

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I believe in the power of markets to fix problems and turn them into opportunities © 2021 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. 21-BDMKT-5139 TA 8/21 that we have tur through constant innovation and Now visionary thinking. action. It's time to reb

its best ever.

Now that we 21-BDMKT-5139 have turned the it's time for © 2021 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. TAcorner, 8/21 action. It's time to rebuild and regrow city to Believe in thethis future, its best ever.

but take ac

Now that we have turned the corner, it's time for Mark W Teed, WMS, CRPC® action. It's time to rebuild and regrow this city to Senior President, Investments 2021Vice Raymond its©best ever. James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. 21-BDMKT-5139 TA 8/21

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1500 Main Street, Suite 1700 // Springfield, MA 01115 1500 Main Street, Suite 1700 // Springfield, MA 01115 413.372.6610 // teedcapitalmanagement.com

413.372.6610 // teedcapitalmanagement.com

© 2023 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC

© 2023 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York St

Mark W Teed, WMS, CRPC®

L16 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

%%SATFOL-%%3MONTH%%2DATE OUTLOOK 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Even ‘affordable’ housing can cost nearly $500K per unit to build

By Jim Kinney

jkinney@repub.com SPRINGFIELD — About $451,000.

That’s what a unit of affordable housing costs to build, says Keith Fairey, president and CEO at Way Finders, a housing agency based in Springfield.

Take Rosewood Way Townhomes in Agawam, a Way Finders’ complex now under construction just off Springfield Street. It’s 62 units. It’ll cost $28 million.

“That number has gone up significantly over the last three or four years,” he said. “Inflation is a big part of it.”

Inflation turns up everywhere: the supply chain for materials, job site-related fuel and labor.

“So all these things have sapped real estate development,” he said. “They are all in an increasing pattern right now.”

It might be improving a little, however. Material delays are less than they were, and the price of fuel is coming down.

The cost increases affect single-family home building, as well. But, Fairey said, multifamily construction involves more expense and can necessitate bringing in infrastructure, like

water, sewer and electricity, which single-family homes don’t need to the same extent.

But Western Massachusetts, where land is cheaper and labor less expensive, has an advantage over Boston-area affordable housing projects that can cost $700,000 or more per unit.

Way Finders finances its housing developments with a broad mix of federal and state tax credit equity, state housing production fund resources, loans from financial institutions, local community preservation committee allotments and grants.

Rosewood Way Townhomes are slated to be completed this year, and an application period is imminent for those looking to be considered for a residence.

Twenty apartments are reserved for households at or below 30% area median income. Twenty-seven apartments will be reserved for individuals and families at 60% of the area median income, 20 units will be set aside for households at or below 30% AMI, and five will be market-rate. Ten other apartments will be for households who qualify through MassHousing’s Workforce Housing Program.

Visit wayfinders.org to learn more about Rosewood Way A construction worker inside a “barrier free” unit for people living with disabilities at Rosewood Way Townhomes, Way FindTownhomes or to apply for a ers’ new affordable and market rate housing development in Agawam. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN) unit.

“It’s a bunch of different factors working together that gets you to this point.”

KEITH FAIREY, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF WAY FINDERS

include the Residences at the it can do some good, he said. apartments.

Vault, an old bank renovation He’s told as much to the new He said if the bond bill passproject, and the long-destate Housing Secretary Ed es, his company has plans to layed rehab of the old school Augustus, on the latter’s trips work with the Mental Health department building at the to visit Springfield projects.

Association of Springfield to foot of State Street into its “The distribution of redevelop supportive housing. planned Merrick Park Apart- sources has to be quicker,” And he’s got a message for ments.

Pulsifer said. people who blanch at the price “But yet both projects sit tag. It is expensive, he said, to Cost of homelessness here today, unfunded, but build this type of housing. is worse ready to go, and it could be “But it’s not as expensive as another year on one and Donald Mitchell, managthe cost of recurrent homeseveral months on another,” ing director of Renaissance lessness,” Mitchell said.

Pulsifer said. “And we sit Development, which is To house a family of three A view of Rosewood Way Townhomes, Way Finders’ new housing development, as construction here waiting.” rehabbing the Kavanagh in emergency shelter, it costs takes place in Agawam. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN) Pulsifer said just getting Furniture building at 443 the public about $105,000 a money available for projects State St., said demo work is year, about $8,000 more than Why isn’t more Sheehan said. “These projects is not enough. The state completed, and the part of the the annual cost of a publichousing being built? have to pencil out.” also has to invest in staff to building that won’t be reused ly-funded housing subsidy, The No. 1 reason for a lack review applications and get is already down. The site will according to national advoCONTINUES FROM PAGE L1 It takes too long, of new housing construction money out the door, where be transformed into 35 or 36 cates.

17,000 more rental units at is because developers lack es- and it’s costly or below $500 a month for sential capital. But that could In Holyoke, city Planning rent. The overall shortage of change. Gov. Maura T. Healey and Economic Development all housing units — rented and and her administration have Director Aaron Vega greeted owned — was 11,000 in 2018 proposed a historic-sized the groundbreaking at the and is projected to grow to housing bond bill of $4.12 Farr-Alpaca project with 19,000 units by 2025. billion. joy, but he pointed out that “It’s a bunch of different fac“It’s going to benefit Westit took seven years to get tors working together that gets ern Massachusetts. Your those 88 apartments under you to this point,” Fairey said region,” said Lawrence H. construction. of the construction phase.

Curtis, president and man“That isn’t going to cut it,” That includes the high cost aging partner at WinnDevel- he said. of construction, NIMBY-ism opment. His company’s track If the bond bill passes — as from neighbors and a relucrecord includes construction a former state representatance of communities to wel- of nearly 200 developments tive, Vega has high hopes come housing developments. in 11 states and Washington, — he expects that long-an“We don’t have the units D.C. ticipated projects, such as we need,” he said. “We don’t Healey’s proposal is quite the next phase at Farr Alpaca have them at the various price a jump from the $1.8 billion or additional housing at the points that people need and housing bond bill that Gov. mixed-use Open Square desire.”

Charlie Baker’s administraredevelopment, will have a tion passed in 2018. That shorter timespan from plans Tremendous need money, from a five-year-bond to construction and final for affordable housing bill, is about to run out. product.

Tucked back from busy Meanwhile, developers of Before, after and in Springfield Street, the housing — public, private and between those key steps in 3 C O U N T R Y C L U B R O A D | H O LY O K E , M A Rosewood Way Townhomes nonprofit — wait for word on building are the costs. Fairey 4 1 3 . 5 3 2 . 1 8 0 0 | W W W. D E L A N E Y H O U S E . C O M in Agawam already have passage of the housing bill, noted that it can cost as amassed 900 inquiries for just while working on existing much as $450,000 per unit 62 homes. And Way Finders projects and planning for the when building multifamily has not even begun to adverfuture. housing. tise yet.

Winn finished work in Waiting on multiple “We found a great site,” 2023 as a partner rehabbing sources of funding Fairey said. long-vacant 13-31 Elm St. in Kids can walk to the High Springfield, a project yieldFor Gordon Pulsifer, of School and library. Grocery ing 74 new apartments. The First Resource Development stores Stop & Shop and company also is building 95 Co., that means cobbling toGeissler’s are nearby. apartments for people age gether private financing and Visiting the site in mid-De55 and older in the newest public funding, along with cember, workers were comphase of Ludlow Mills and 88 state and federal tax credits pleting interior spaces. All the apartments in the first phase encouraging the rehab and buildings already had been of the Farr-Alpaca Mill rehab reuse of historic buildings. framed out. The units are on Appleton St. in Holyoke.

“We have so many opbright and sunny with open Curtis said of potential deportunities in Springfield. floor plans. velopments: “We’re looking at There are so many historic Way Finders will landscape more mills. ... We are always buildings,” Pulsifer said. ”So the site, now filled with creating the pipeline of devel- Springfield is lucky. Very forconstruction equipment, with opment,” he said. tunate that we have so much pathways and lawns. There Timothy Sheehan, Springhistoric fabric in the city.” will be a community center, field’s chief economic develFirst Resource opened the too. opment officer, said business- $57 million, 92-unit Knox Although controversial with es are taking fresh looks at old Residences development in the community when first and under-used city sites, too. a historic former car factory proposed, Fairey points now “All of the developers are overlooking Mason Square 1 C O U N T R Y C L U B R O A D | H O LY O K E , M A to the people who — simply looking at how best they can in fall 2023. It filled almost based on driving past the site balance the cost of developimmediately.

4 1 3 . 5 3 3 . 2 1 0 0 | W W W. S TAYAT T H E D . C O M — now want to live there. ment and get the best return,” Other future projects

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | L17

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

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OUTLOOK 2024

L18 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Construction industry grapples with its top killer:

By J. Edward Moreno

The New York Times

At One Madison, a high-rise under construction on 23rd Street in Manhattan, workers face dangers daily: live wires, electrical hazards, heavy machinery. Cold gusts of wind whip around them as they lay concrete and operate forklifts. Access to the upper floors of the 28-story building is a ride on a noisy construction elevator.

City and federal officials visited the site recently to give a safety presentation, but they weren’t there to remind workers how to avoid falls or injuries.

They were showing workers how to prevent the biggest killer in the industry: a drug overdose.

“We ask you to do things based on getting home at the end of the day,” Brian Crain, a compliance assistance specialist at the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, told a crowd of more than 100 workers in hard hats. “Addiction works the same way,” he said.

Construction workers already had the highest on-the-job death toll of any industry. Now they are more likely to die of overdose than those in any other line of work, according to a new analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That disparity stems in part from addictive medication workers are prescribed to manage pain from injuries, which are common because of the physical nature of the work.

It’s an issue that the industry — which is already trying to protect its workers from falls, electrocutions and chemical hazards — has struggled to get a handle on for more than a decade. The presentation at One Madison in November was just one example of how the industry has started reckoning with the problem in recent years. Unions now employ full-time addiction and mental health specialists, and workplace safety experts have increasingly had to focus on preventing overdoses.

The industry has the highest death rate attributed to overdose, according to the CDC study, which was published in August. The report, the agency’s most comprehensive examination of overdose deaths by occupation, found that there were more than 162 overdose deaths per 100,000 construction workers in

OVERDOSES

Loftus, who now provides addiction services for members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors, said that his union had begun to notice that the overdose problem was getting severe in 2015 when it lost five members to overdoses in 11 months, and that the problem had gotten only worse.

One of the first members Loftus helped with recovery was Michael Cruz, a 25-year-old construction worker who had an opioid addiction.

In October 2016, Cruz had just bought building supplies at Home Depot for an upcoming job when Loftus invited him to dinner. Cruz had recently checked out of a 30-day rehab program and was eager to get back to work. He was particularly excited about the next project because it would be the first he would be able to work on from start to finish.

Cruz declined the dinner invitation.

Later that night, he was found at his aunt’s apartment in Queens, dead of an apparent overdose, lying next to a bag with the measuring tape and other supplies he had bought that Workers continue exterior finishes at the new Brightwood-Lincoln Elementary School site. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE evening.

REPUBLICAN, FILE) Loftus was the last person to speak to Cruz. “That’s how it happens,” he Brendan Loftus knows that experi- said. “It’s that fast.”

2020, the most recent year for which ence firsthand. In 1998, he fell down data is available. The food service inAcross the country, overdose deaths an elevator shaft at a construction dustry, with nearly 118 deaths among are on the rise. That is in part because many who are addicted to prescription the same number of workers, had the an addiction recovery specialist with site. He learned that he had a spinal injury while in the emergency room the St. Louis Laborers’ health and second-highest rate. painkillers may turn to street drugs such as fentanyl and other potent synBut in the same year, the number of welfare fund. Walsh, who is in recov- but decided to not manage his pain with opioids because he had already ery for drug addiction, is one of two overall deaths on the job in conthetic opioids, which health officials people the union employs full time to overcome an opioid addiction. He struction was about 10 workers per say are often mixed with other stimulants. The pharmaceutical industry was getting married in a month, so 100,000, according to data from the help members struggling with drug against medical advice, he returned Department of Labor, suggesting that addiction. has been widely accused of profiting “It’s pretty prevalent in our popula- to work after only two weeks. “I had a off the nation’s opioid crisis, which workers were roughly 16 times as likekilled nearly 645,000 people from wedding to pay for,” Loftus said. tion,” he said. ly to die of an overdose as they were Construction work tends to be cyInjuries in construction are more from a work-related injury.

1999 to 2021, according to the CDC. “Statistically, this is a bigger threat common than in other fields. The job clical, adding to the pressure to work Cruz’s addiction started with painis often stressful and hard on workers’ whenever possible. Once one project killers that he had been prescribed to construction workers’ health and is done, a worker may not know when after a car accident left him with linbodies, making them susceptible to safety than the actual work,” said Brian Turmail, a spokesperson at the injury and more likely to seek medical the next one will come. Wayne Rusgering back pain. Eight years later, he sell, 32, a construction worker from attention for pain relief.

Associated General Contractors, a had just earned his first paycheck after In many cases, workers carry heavy New Jersey, has been out of work construction industry trade group. checking out of rehab when he died.

“He was hiding it well enough,” since November.

The industry mirrors demographics tool bags on their shoulders and “Money can stop coming in, but vulnerable to addiction: A majority of spend long periods bent down or on his sister, Lizbeth Rodas, said at her home in Morristown, New Jersey, their knees. One-third of construction your bills don’t,” he said. Russell construction workers are men, who which was adorned with framed spent some of his time off taking a are more likely than women to die of workers have muscle or bone ailments, which make them three times mental health and addiction course overdoses overall. Hispanic people family photos, including two of her offered by his union, the Internation- brother. She described Cruz as both are overrepresented in the construc- as likely to be prescribed opioids for al Union of Elevator Constructors. At a jokester and a gentleman who was pain. They also do not often get paid tion industry and have a rising oversick leave, which could make opioids a recent meeting, four of the 10 men like a brother to her children. “We dose mortality rate overall. in attendance, including Russell, had thought he was cured and everything The industry is often rife with casu- an option for getting back to work was back to normal.” struggled with substance abuse. quickly. al substance use, said Aaron Walsh,

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | L19

In Longmeadow, the new owners of 62-yearold Longmeadow Shops have no plans for major changes. Local owners sold the highend plaza in December to a Florida company for $30.4 million.

The Longmeadow Shops were sold in December for $30.4 million. (BRIDGET ANN PEERY / THE REPUBLICAN)

Estate

of building.

“We are left with a depleted industrial market,” he said.

CONTINUES FROM PAGE L1 On Feb. 6, Winstanley Enproduction, trucking compa- terprises and NorthPoint Denies that need area for storage velopment received Westfield as the supply chains flow Planning Board approval for a more freely in a post-COVID 524,000-square-foot wareworld, and contractors — inhouse and distribution buildcluding companies that build ing — called Falcon Landing. highways — looking for bases It’s being built on spec. of operations to store equipThere are other projects in ment. the works, as well.

Add to that the soaring cost Recently, the half-occupied of construction, lack of avail- former post office building at able space and the slow pace 47 Pleasant St. in downtown

Northampton was sold out of a mortgage foreclosure to local investors.

Holyoke Mall representatives said more than 10% of the center’s square footage is set to be remodeled or renewed in the first quarter of 2024. That includes space for Monsoon Bistro in January, and the soon to be Terra Nossa Brazilian Grill and Milkshake Lovers.

On Boston Road, Atlantic Retail already is advertising to fill Springfield Crossing De-

velopment being built in place of the old Eastfield Mall.

Developers Onyx Partners Limited bought the old mall in April 2023 for $4.5 million and are building a $65 million to $85 million complex with some top national retailers.

The old Sears at the site is under separate ownership, but its owners also presumably have plans to redevelop.

In Connecticut, the Enfield Square Mall is close to being sold and redeveloped after an old department store was con-

demned there last summer.

In Longmeadow, the new owners of 62-year-old Longmeadow Shops have no plans for major changes. Local owners sold the high-end plaza in December to a Florida company for $30.4 million.

Next door, Colvest CEO and founder Frank Colaccino received permission to move forward with Towne Shoppes of Longmeadow for yet-to-be-named retailers and restaurants. It’s the site of the former First Church of Christ,

Scientist, on a 3-acre parcel at 916 Williams St. The church will be demolished and the intersection redone.

Colaccino said demand for retail space is variable.

“It depends on the area that you are in,” he said. “High income and high traffic means high demand. There seems to be a lot of tenant activity.”

A highlight, he said, was helping retailers who were in the old Eastfield Mall to find new locations in his developments or elsewhere.

“You are starting to see people look at this market as far as development opportunities.”

JEREMY CASEY, PRINCIPAL OF SR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

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Above, from left: Alicia Espringer reads a story with son Leon, 6, both of Montague, at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst; Cassandra Holden is the executive director of the Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity in Northampton, and 1-year-old Holly McWilliams of Shutesbury enjoys a beehive of books at the The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst.

A year of diversity (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Professional dancer Michelle Marroquin does some rehearsing in a studio at the Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity in Northampton. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Arts venues reach for more diverse lineups as audiences rebuild

By Tina Lesniak

Special to The Republican

Entering 2024, the Western Massachusetts arts and entertainment scene is firmly in its groove. With attendance up, venues are welcoming artists, performers and events as people return to enjoying such gatherings.

“I’m really pleased to be able to present such a diverse range of global roots artists and plan to continue making that a big part of our programming in the future,” explained John Sanders, a partner with DSP Productions which puts on the

Green River Festival.

This year’s June festival will feature wellknown acts like Cake, Fleet Foxes and Gregory Alan Isakov, as well as international artists like Ukrainian “ethno chaos” band Dakhabrakha, Afro-Cuban rockstar Cimafunk and Mexican “cumbia punk” band Son Rompe Pera.

A similar view can be seen at the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst. The museum strives to use picture book art to promote understanding and inspire a love of art.

“Our exhibitions travel to major museums

and libraries all over the United States and the world,” said Jennifer Schantz, executive director for the Eric Carle Museum. “We truly believe that picture book art makes the world a much better place.”

Over February vacation week, the museum will host a series of special storytimes featuring author-illustrators Astrid Sheckels, Cecilia Ruiz and Josh Funk. On March 24, the museum celebrates Very Hungry Caterpillar Day with an art studio project, scavenger hunt and author Kevin

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ROUNDUP

By Namu Sampath

nsampath@repub.com

The lowdown on arts and entertainment in the U.S. and elsewhere ...

TRADITIONAL STREAMING IS OUT: With streaming subscription prices rising and a tough year for studios with show cancellations and strikes, Eric Deggans, TV critic for NPR, thinks studios will have to reconsider what streaming looks like. Many sources predict 2024 will be “rough for TV,” with Netflix reducing the number of shows it produces each year and Amazon laying off “several hundred” of its Prime and MGM studios division employees,

per Wired.

REBRANDING STREAMING IS IN: Sites with free alternatives, namely Amazon’s FreeVee, the free version of Peacock, and the Roku Channel, are booming in popularity, Fast Company, an innovation magazine writes. Studios are starting to realize Gen-Z and younger generations are turning to social media apps, like TikTok, to stream shows and movies for free. In August, Peacock tested this theory and released full

TikTok is still rising as a platform. (MICHAEL DWYER / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, FILE)

SEE DIVERSITY, PAGE M19

episodes of its comedy series, Killing It, in five parts, on TikTok, which reportedly garnered over 7 million views. A study found that nearly a quarter (23%) of TikTok users are more likely to discover entertainment content on social and video platforms versus other platforms.

TIKTOK SHOP TO TOPPLE AMAZON: The majority of TikTok’s user audience is under 30 years old, according to Statista, making Generation-Z and Millennials the perfect consumer of TikTok Shop, the new way for consumers to shop online.

The fourth most popular social media platform has jumped into the e-commerce industry and is positioning itself to “compete with Amazon,” in 2024, Vogue Business reporter Madeline Schulz wrote.

SEE ARTS, PAGE M19

HOT OFF THE

PRESS! 3196617-01

L O C A L LY O W N E D . FA M I LY O P E R AT E D .

OUTLOOK 2024

M2 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

RETAILING ROUNDUP

Stays in WMass hotels, motels on upswing

By Larry Parnass

Special to The Republican

lparnass@repub.com

PAYING PIPER: Retail experts say they expect to see continued innovation in how people pay digitally, including new uses of their customers’ phones. Stores like it because the systems are seen as increasing loyalty (they will tell shoppers it’s all about giving them a better “experience”). …

AI RISING: Who’s your Daddy, I mean data? Not surprisingly, artificial intelligence is worming its way into retailing. Companies are using generative AI prompts to anticipate supply chain needs, helping them get the right products to the right places. Yes, the future is now with AI. In the movie “Minority Report,” Tom Cruise’s character, with new eyes, is mistaken for a “Mr. Yakimoto” by an AI hologram: “Welcome back to the Gap,” the machine says.

“How did those assorted tank tops work out for you?” Inc.’s retail trend report says that kind of outreach is here. “Retailers are now able to offer highly personalized shopping experiences, curating product recommendations and content that resonate on an individual level,” Goldstein writes. …

Another example: The fashion company Stitch Fix is using generative AI and customer order histories to enable its “stylists” (the supposed personal shoppers for distant customers) to create seemingly personalized messages about their wardrobes, to curry a sense of connection. … Companies are also layering augmented reality into online shopping, with things like “virtual try-ons.” The eyeglasses vendor Warby Parker helped pioneer this in that market.

Amazon and Walmart let online customers try on goods virtually as well. …

LOSE THE MIDDLEMAN: Nicole Gillo, of Retail Info Systems, says one of the sector’s key changes in the rise of “direct-to-consumer brands.” They include ventures like Rent the Runway that skip the traditional retail stop, passing some of the savings to buyers. But some direct-to-consumer operations — including Melissa & Doug, Kizik, and Princess Polly — are opening a few brick-and-mortar stores, which they report is building customer loyalty and trust, as well as enabling faster returns and exchanges. …

OLD AS NEW: Lest you think it’s all about the shiny and new, members of Gen Z are credited with getting retailers to pay attention to “recommerce” — this generation’s documented wish to live more sustainably and without wasting resources. Among the players: Carhartt and Lululemon. The apparel firm Carhartt is working with a re-commerce platform, Trove, on clothing resales. …

CONTINUED CONSOLIDATION: Becca Coggins, who follows retailing for McKinsey, said in a recent podcast that after years of turmoil, the sector is trying to find its footing for 2024 and beyond. “Over time, the long arc of the industry continues to be toward more and more consolidation of economic profit coming from a smaller group of large retailers.” …

The trade publication Chain Store Age says that high levels of retail theft will alter the landscape nationally, prompting big retailers to invest in more in-store staff and move away from self checkout systems.

“Retail theft will continue to be a real problem for an industry that doesn’t yet appear to have a sustainable, scalable solution,” the magazine reports. Enter “defensive merchandising,” in which stores lock up more stuff, even if that annoys paying customers. ...

‘OMNICHANNEL’ CHATTER: The buzziest of the retail buzzwords is “omnichannel” sales, says Inc. magazine. That refers to a quest to meld online and offline shopping and snap buyers wherever they are.

That’s good news for people who still like to go into stores, the magazine reports. “These spaces are no longer just transactional hubs but are transforming into realms offering unique, immersive experiences,” Joel Goldstein writes in Inc. “Imagine stepping into a store that hosts DIY workshops, boasts cozy in-store cafes, or features augmented reality fitting rooms.”

Brick-and-mortar stores not only hang on, they can boost a brand’s business, according to the publication Retail Info Systems.

By Lori Stabile

Tourism was on the upswing in 2023 in Western Massachusetts and the trend is expected to continue for 2024, with a few hoteliers embarking on hotel projects that will bring additional rooms to the region.

While some hoteliers remain cautious about 2024 projections, since inflation and the economy could impact travel habits, they agree accommodations are on the rebound in the post-COVID-19 world, even though increased costs have caused them to raise rates.

“I think it’s safe to say in Western Mass, it’s pretty much rebounded to pre-pandemic levels,” Shardool Parmar, president of Pioneer Valley Hotel Group, said in an interview.

Parmar is building a TownePlace Suites by Marriott, a 77-room hotel he expects will be completed by year’s end in Hadley. The project is replacing the old Rodeway Inn, the group’s oldest property.

Pioneer Valley Hotel Group also operates La Quinta by Wyndham in Springfield, the Holiday Inn Express in Ludlow, and Homewood Suites by Hilton and Hampton Inn, both in Hadley.

Parmar is expecting modest increases for 2024, noting that business was strong after the pandemic as people were eager to get out.

Increased cost for wages and insurance have increased rates, however, he said. He estimates hotel occupancy in the Springfield area was 60 percent last year.

Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, said many businesses still face staffing issues.

But members have rebounded from the “devastating hit that tourism took during the pandemic.”

When looking at group business, inquiries and occupancy, Hampden County was up 9.8% in 2023 compared with 2022. Almost every month in 2023 exceeded 2019 figures, Wydra said in an email in response to questions.

“Bleisure,” the act of combining business and leisure travel, is a new trend.

Most visitors to the region travel in by car to attractions, including the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, MGM Springfield, Six Flags, Eastern States Exposition, Springfield Museums, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Yankee Candle and Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory, among other destinations.

Some arrive to partake in outdoor opportunities along the Mohawk Trail, like Zoar Outdoor. Seasonal attractions such as The Big E and Bright Nights also are popular, she said.

Wydra said visitors are curious about “off-the-beaten path” attractions. They also want to know where locals dine.

Upbeat in Springfield In Springfield, Mark Henshaw, general manager of the Marriott Springfield downtown, said the property reopened as a brand-new Marriott at the end of 2022.

While the atmosphere after COVID-19 had been challenging, he said business started rebounding in 2023.

In the year ahead, the 266-room hotel anticipates reservations and occupancy levels to remain similar to 2023.

Henshaw said he is expecting “minor” rate increases around a few percent, depending on bigger economic issues.

Corporate travel improved last year, Henshaw said. His property has 15,000-squarefeet of meeting and event space, which has been a draw.

“I think it’s safe to say in Western Mass, it’s pretty much rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.”

SHARDOOL PARMAR, PRESIDENT OF PIONEER VALLEY HOTEL GROUP

Still, Ghalibaf is forecasting a strong 2024, and will continue to bank on the city he has been in for the past 33 years.

“I don’t know how smart it is to put all your eggs in one basket, but I have. I love Northampton. It is a very relaxed town. You come to visit and immediately you fall in love with it,” Ghalibaf said.

Shardool Parmar, president of Pioneer Valley Hotel Group, at Homewood Suites by Hilton in Hadley. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

Mansour Ghalibaf is the owner of the Hotel Northampton, shown above.

“I love Northampton.

It is a very relaxed town.

You come to visit and immediately you fall in love with it.”

Mansour Ghalibaf

Growth in Northampton In Northampton, hotelier Mansour Ghalibaf is building a new 109-room hotel at the site of the former Daily Hampshire Gazette building on Conz Street, adjacent to a 106-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott hotel he opened a decade ago.

He also owns the Hotel Northampton in the city’s center, a property he bought in 2006.

The new 66,000-squarefoot hotel — branded as a Home2 Suites by Hilton — is expected to open in July 2025, according to Ghalibaf.

Ghalibaf said the new hotel will not compete with the Fairfield property next door, since it will cater to a different market: Home2 Suites is a long-term, extended-stay hotel featuring rooms equipped like small condos.

“It’s for people who want to stay a little longer, stay with children … if parents are coming to visit (their

children) at the universities, it’s very convenient for them,” Ghalibaf said.

Another market, he said, are people doing lengthy home renovations who need somewhere to stay, as well as those coming to the region for several months to study at the colleges or work.

The project includes a second phase with a residential building with 31 luxury condominiums on the same 3.5-acre parcel.

“The demand on the housing is very high,” Ghalibaf said.

The selling price for the one- to two-bedroom condo units has not yet been determined; they will range from 900 square feet to approximately 1,200 square feet.

Ghalibaf said the cost of the project is in the “millions.” He described the site as “one of the best in Northampton,” with easy access to Interstate 91.

Guests at the Fairfield Inn often comment that they

like being able to walk to downtown Northampton to shop and eat, he said.

The historic Hotel Northampton serves a different market in that it hosts weddings, functions, corporate events and has a restaurant. Fairfield Inn only offers breakfast.

Ghalibaf said business is good and comparable to pre-COVID-19 levels. But inflation has been challenging.

The expense of doing business has risen — everything from labor to materials. Since 2020, he estimated rates have increased 8 to 10%.

It wasn’t until 2022 that accommodations returned to normal, Ghalibaf said. While corporate meetings remained low that year, they have since climbed back. Zoom meetings — popularized during the pandemic — continue to depress corporate travel.

“Companies used to travel and now they can do some of it with Zoom,” he said.

A Holyoke perspective In Holyoke, Mick Corduff, chef and owner of the Delaney House, Log Cabin and D. Hotel & Spa, a 60-room boutique hotel, agrees that business is back to normal, though corporate travel is still lacking.

Corporate events are now smaller, with attendance averaging between 10 to 50 people.

Corduff said occupancy rates at his hotel last year averaged in the mid- to high 60s, with the fall season at 90% and most weekends also in the 90% range. Room rates are approximately $179 a night and up.

Before the pandemic, the Delaney House had a Sunday buffet-style brunch. That brunch finally returned in January, a combination of diners wanting buffets again and the restaurant having the staff to do it, Corduff said.

Weddings, Corduff said, remain a strong element of the business. The number of attendants might be down to 120, compared with 150 before the pandemic. That attendance decline may be budget-driven, as labor and food costs have risen dramatically.

“Here we are, years later, and we are still trying to figure out what the new normal is,” Corduff said of the post-pandemic period.

“It was almost a reset on the business to adapt.

We’ve always been thinking outside the box, and adapting to whatever comes our way,” he said. “COVID was a heavyweight fight. I feel we came out stronger and looking forward to the future.”

Mall scene Retailing remained strong at the Holyoke Mall at Ingleside, where more than 25 new businesses have opened since 2020, including 12 new brands that debuted last year, according to marketing director Ruth-Ann Hastings.

The mall features 142 businesses, with 40 of them not found within 30 miles, such as Apple, Best Buy and Macy’s.

“We had a strong recovery from the pandemic,” Hastings said.

Monsoon Bistro, a Chinese and Thai restaurant, recently opened, and Terra Nossa Brazilian Grill and Milkshake Lovers are slated to open this spring.

The Dick’s Sporting Goods Warehouse Sale Store was to close by mid-February, as planned, as it was a pop-up test concept for the brand, Hastings said.

OUTLOOK 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | M3

“We are excited to host Black designers from across the state to compete for the title of the 2024 Massachusetts Top Black Fashion Designer.”

TIFFANY ALLECIA, PLANNING COMMITTEE, MASK OFF DAY IN SPRINGFIELD

Tiffany Allecia, at left, models for photographer Chucky Crespo in downtown Springfield. Above, Cory Waring is a freelance creative director in the Springfield area. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Glitz, glamor & guile

By Aprell May Munford

amunford@repub.com

The glitz and glamor of the Springfield area’s rising fashion industry will be back on local runways this year.

On March 2, fashionistas are invited to an extravaganza that explores heritage, identity and creativity. And next fall, Springfield Fashion Week will be back after a successful launch in 2023.

The Inaugural Mask Off Day in Springfield early next month will be a daylong event focused on transforming familiar spaces into a tapestry of cultural celebration, said Tiffany Allecia, the

planning committee’s chair.

Among other cultural events planned for the day, attendees are invited to witness the future of fashion unfold at the African Diaspora International Fashion Show and the Massachusetts Top Black Fashion Designer competition.

“We are excited to host Black designers from across the state to compete for the title of the 2024 Massachusetts Top Black Fashion Designer,” Allecia said. “We are honored to be a part of acknowledging their dedication, passion and skill.”

Clothing designer Sarmad Ameli seeks to push boundaries of streetwear and avant-garde fashion. (PHOTO BY BILLY SINGH)

Fashion designers with links to UMass put visions on runway

By Aprell May Munford

amunford@repub.com

Jeron Stimage-Norwood is the founder of Springfield Fashion

SEE FASHION, PAGE M18 Week. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

AMHERST — Two clothing designers with connections to the University of Massachusetts Fashion Organization are making names for themselves.

Sarmad Ameli pushes the boundaries of streetwear and avant-garde fashion, as he blends Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) representation and social advocacy in his design work.

And Anaise Louis created the After Awakening brand in Boston in 2020, before graduating from the University of Massachusetts Fashion Organization in May 2023.

Louis is a Haitian American

with a deep sense of pride in her heritage who follows creative pursuits in visual artistry, graphic design, creative styling and web design.

Ameli’s inspirations Inspired by the “Woman, Life, Freedom” revolution in Iran, Ameli designed and sewed two remarkable looks for the South Asian Political Action Committee’s 2022 fashion show at Tufts University, embracing the theme of “South Asian Resistance through fashion,” which was featured in the Tufts Daily newspaper.

“I felt like there was very little Persian cultural represenSEE UMASS, PAGE M18

“‘I know we sell food,’ I always say this. We are more of a people company than anything else.

If we do that right, everything else will fall into place.”

MICHAEL D’AMOUR

Charles L. D’Amour, chairman of the board for Big Y Foods Inc., takes a look around the newly remodeled West Springfield store. At right is a view inside the store. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Big Y grows, morphs to meet changing customer needs

By Jim Kinney

jkinney@repub.com WEST SPRINGFIELD — Charles L. D’Amour, chairman of the board for Springfield-based Big Y Foods Inc., relishes giving a store tour.

On a busy weekday morning, he visits with employees at Big Y’s store in Century Plaza in West Springfield, then chats with customers — and even at one point bends over to pick up a dropped grocery list.

D’Amour explains how brothers Paul and Gerald D’Amour — his uncle and father — founded Big Y back in 1936, then opened their first supermarket in 1952 just outside the gates of what’s now Westover Air Reserve Base.

Today, Big Y has 72 supermarket locations — with five more on the way — along with 18 convenience stores and an experimental store, the Big Y Express Fresh Market in Springfield’s Tower Square. It

also operates Table and Vine.

It employs almost 12,000 people.

Posters in the break room remind employees to greet customers, find out what they need and help them. Apart from that human connection, Big Y is equipping stores with more self-service checkout stations and even an app that lets people scan and pay without really stopping.

Behind the scenes, another big change is taking shape.

Charles D’Amour has stepped down as head of the company. His nephew, Michael P. D’Amour, is now president and chief executive officer. Richard D. Bossie serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer and Theresa A. Jasmin is CFO, or chief financial officer. Michael P. D’Amour

is the third generation in the company.

When asked to explain the transition, Charles D’Amour points to a wall-mounted photo of Gerald and Paul, dapper with their bow ties, smiling in front of a display of bread in one of their early stores. The image is familiar to Big Y shoppers and figures prominently in today’s stores.

“They were of a generation where, you know, you died with your boots on. You just kept going until the end,” Charles D’Amour said. “And for a lot of reasons, especially the scope and sophistication of our company these days, several years ago — many years ago, now, actually — we decided that’s probably not the best thing for our company.

“Probably not the best thing for me, in many ways,” he said. “And so we’ve been working on this particular

transition for a while, but quite frankly, across our whole company, we’re focused on succession planning, leadership transition.”

It’s a leadership transition years in the making.

“We’ve got six members of the third generation working in our company now, which is pretty exciting. There aren’t a whole lot of companies that can make that boast,” Charles D’Amour said. “But we’ve got a great group in the third generation led by Michael stepping up, and then Rick is stepping into the executive vice president, chief operating officer role. And it’s actually the first time in our company that we’ve had a non-family member in that role. So we’re pretty excited about that.”

For Michael D’Amour, preserving the company’s legacy reinforces the culture that makes Big Y successful.

“We’re trying to get the stories and the folklore from

Charlie on paper and video.

And same with these folks that have been with us for 40, 50 years,” Michael D’Amour said. “They have great stories of our founders that we want to try to capture. So that would come to the fourth generation that never knew them. How do we continue to get them to understand kind of what they’re representing here — and what our mission and what our vision is and what our roots are. Where our values are — and how do we carry those forward.” “‘I know we sell food,’ I always say this,” Michael D’Amour said. “We are more of a people company than anything else. If we do that right, everything else will fall into place.”

Growth path Meantime, the company keeps growing. Last month, Big Y announced it purchased lease interests for three super-

market locations within Big Y’s marketing area: 1076 Post Road East in Westport, Connecticut; 14 Candlewood Lake Road in Brookfield, Connecticut; and 290 Turnpike Road in Westborough.

The D’Amours can’t say who they bought the operations from. All of the stores were constructed but never opened.

But local media in these communities say the locations were built as Amazon Fresh Markets.

“And that doesn’t include our Tower Square store,” said Bossie, the executive vice president and COO, who started with Big Y on the night crew at the Great Barrington store. “Plus our ‘C store’ business (convenience stores) is growing and thriving ... up to 18 stores. Plus our Table & Vine store. So we have some breadth as far as formats.”

The Tower Square store opened in June, filling a vacant street-side space in one SEE BIG Y, PAGE M18

Today, Big Y has 72 supermarket locations — with five more on the way — along with 18 convenience stores and an experimental store, the Big Y Express Fresh Market in Springfield’s Tower Square.

OUTLOOK 2024

M4 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

‘When MGM Springfield does well, entire city does well’ Our staff is committed, not only to the success of the resort, but to the city of Springfield and surrounding communities.

I

A slot machine player at the MGM Springfield casino.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

N AUGUST 2018, I HAD the privilege of traveling to Western Massachusetts for the first time to support the opening of MGM Springfield. I remember marveling at how the architects and designers were able to intricately weave Springfield’s history into every corner of the resort; how the 14-acre parcel in the heart of downtown — decimated by a tornado — had been radically and beautifully transformed into a living, breathing economic engine to aid in the renaissance of this historic city.

Today, just five years later, I am honored to now lead a property I have long admired.

This is the most stunning and unique property in MGM Resort’s regional portfolio, and I know I am not alone in that belief. As I settle into my new role as president and COO, what impresses me most is the incredible MGM

“The way we treat our employees is the way we treat our customers — we want to be examples. That’s the way we lead, that’s the way we run our company.”

JOIN DEVOIE, HOT TABLE

MGM Springfield has also provided over $1 million of direct and in-kind support for area nonprofit groups since its opening. Our philanthropic support focuses on programs delivering service in the critical areas of food insecurity, public education and workforce development.

Looking forward to the year ahead, we will continue to build upon the successes Louis Theros of 2023 and our mission to “entertain the human race” by Springfield team that includes elevating the already incredsome of the best and brightest ible service our team delivers in the industry. for our guests. We remain Our staff is committed, not focused on offering the most only to the success of the redynamic gaming and sports sort, but to the city of Springbetting experience, providfield and surrounding coming unparalleled stays in our munities. That commitment award-winning luxury hotel is evident in the fact that, in and exceeding expectations in 2023 alone, our team members our dining venues. contributed over 3,000 volMGM Springfield’s enterunteer hours to area nonprofit tainment calendar ensures organizations, equating to 125 guests can enjoy spectacular full workdays of service. local and household name

performers close to home at the MassMutual Center, Symphony Hall, ROAR Comedy Club and at other venues throughout our resort.

We know the millions of guests who visit MGM Springfield to dine, play and stay have a tremendous economic impact on neighboring businesses and the downtown economy. Our partnerships throughout the city are strong and ever-growing.

We know that when MGM Springfield does well, the entire city does well. That remains our singular focus.

The gaming industry is in its infancy in the Commonwealth but has already made great strides. By continuing to work together as a community, supporting each other in our goals and objectives, we can unleash this amazing city’s potential.

Louis Theros is MGM Springfield’s president and chief operating officer.

“We attract better managerial candidates because they know ... they will not be getting a call on Sunday because something happened and needs a manager.”

CHRIS DEVOIE, HOT TABLE

How the panini became job one for city’s growing Hot Table

By Dave Canton

dcanton@repub.com

How did an idea by two Springfield brothers become a growing restaurant chain?

For John and Chris DeVoie, it involved good fortune — and taking it one step at a time.

Here’s their story. It started with a bit of yearning, backed up by a good contact.

“We had always had this itch to do something entrepreneurial and we had this brother-in-law who had some restaurant experience,” John DeVoie said.

On top of that, they recognized that a specific place in Springfield could use a coffee shop/restaurant.

“Chris and I are both Western New England University alums and from that experience we knew the neighborhood was underserved. There is also Mass Mutual there, but there is no Starbucks, no Panera Bread. So, when a location in the Breckwood Shops opened, we jumped in,” John DeVoie said.

The experience their brotherin-law brought was extensive.

Don Watroba had owned Admiral DW’s in Chicopee, the Goldmine Restaurant in Easthampton and TD Smith’s in Springfield, among other restaurants. He would play an integral part in the Hot Table story.

Both John and Chris DeVoie worked corporate jobs as they planned this new venture.

Chris DeVoie was in electronic sales and John handled construction sales, jobs that kept them on the road all the time.

So, when it came time to jump on the restaurant dream, it was Watroba who did the jumping.

With a name direct from an Italian colloquial term for little food shops, which incidentally carry panini sandwiches, Hot Table opened in 2007.

The first Hot Table was temporarily managed by Watroba and featured coffee and espresso with panini sandwiches on the side.

But a twist came from a sister who took a cruise that featured “build your own” paninis. The customer gets to

Panini sandwiches for a catering order are prepared at Hot Table’s Chicopee location. Lindsey Dewar and Calleigh Vona, at right, are pictured in the restaurant’s kitchen. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

see a long line of ingredients and can pick whatever they want in their sandwich. It was a big hit aboard the cruise ship, and, as it turns out, at Hot Table restaurants.

“After a while, the paninis took over everything,” John DeVoie said. “That’s where the seen other restaurants close. revenue was coming from.”

Hot Table became an instant Springfield favorite.

Moving forward What really proved the John quit his corporate job a brothers’ business acumen year after the business started was the third location in and took over management Enfield. The restaurants were from Watroba, who stayed making some money and on as a partner. Chris DeVoie there was a location available, came on board 10 years later. but it would put them headNot long after the first Hot to-head with national chains Table proved to be a hit, Mass Panera Bread and Five Guys.

Mutual, seeing what Hot Table “That was our jump into the was doing, offered a prime lo- ‘Big Boy pond,’” John DeVoie cation in the former Baystate said with a laugh. “It took a West in downtown Springfield, while for people to come to now Tower Square, that had know us, but it has flourished

back line, to not interrupt the experience of our customers coming into the store,” Chris DeVoie said. “So we put the production in a separate area, behind the line, so to speak.”

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the company to accelerate those changes to accommodate take-out serving.

The second control the company has regarding quality involves those who work for them. Both John and Chris DeVoie say they work as hard to attract good help as they do customers.

“The way we treat our employees is the way we treat our customers — we want to be examples,” John DeVoie said. “That’s the way we lead, that’s the way we run our company.”

Hot Table is closed Sundays.

That’s unusual in the fast/ casual restaurant category.

But it’s an example of how the company treats its employees, the brothers said.

“That allows us to attract better people because they know that in the restaurant business, it’s usually seven days a week,” Chris DeVoie said. “It is a quality-of-life Not long after the issue. We attract better managerial candidates because first Hot Table they know ... they will not proved to be a be getting a call on Sunday hit, Mass Mutual, because something happened and needs a manager.” seeing what Hot “It is a day of rest,” John Table was doing, DeVoie said. “We have people offered a prime of every faith, or no faith, working for us. We run our location in the business this way. We are not former Baystate going to open on Sunday. You West in downtown can do whatever you want with the day.”

Springfield, now As Hot Table expands into Tower Square. other areas, the brothers from there.” rience at each Hot Table. are adamant that corporate Watroba then stepped out of Chris DeVoie said the com- headquarters will remain in the company and Longmead- pany recognized that technol- Springfield. ow’s Rich Calcasola came in ogy was changing how people “I know this place does not as a partner. order restaurant food. With get a lot of love,” John DeVoie apps on smartphones allowsaid, looking out from the 23rd Expansion mode ing customers to place orders floor of Tower Square. “A lot of The chain now has 10 ahead for pickup or delivery, people like to make fun of it. locations in Western Massathat required two preparation But we love it, because we startchusetts and northern Conareas, a front line for in-house ed here. We are living proof of necticut and two more in the ordering to allow guests to it. Our headquarters are here, eastern end of the state. Two customize their panini, and a we give back to the community, more shops are planned soon, second line for to-go and app which is important to us. We do and the brothers are looking orders. it because it is what we want to for new areas to expand into.

“We were already duplicat- do and it is good for our busiIt is important to them that ing what we did on the front ness. I think we are champions customers have a good expe- line in a modified way in the of this place.”

OUTLOOK 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | M5

“It’s the resilience of our fans.”

NATHAN COSTA, THUNDERBIRDS PRESIDENT

Fans cheer for the Springfield Thunderbirds at MassMutual Center during the Calder Cup playoffs Atlantic Division finals game against Charlotte Checkers on May 25, 2022. Thunderbirds president Nathan Costa is pictured at right. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

How ‘bout those T-Birds?

Springfield Thunderbirds average 6,000 fans a night despite garage construction

and from nearly losing the franchise.

The game turned out to be a 6-1 Springfield victory over the Florida Panthers affiliate.

It drew 6,793 fans — matching

By Jim Kinney the hockey seating capacity of jkinney@repub.com the arena, which seats 8,000 for SPRINGFIELD — Fans at the basketball and floor shows — on MassMutual Center ticket that Saturday night, Jan. 27. window were having trouAs of Feb. 10, at a game celble. They wanted blocks of ebrating the Springfield IceSpringfield Thunderbirds O-Topes of “The Simpsons” tickets next to one another for fame — the team has recorded a Saturday night game against nine sellouts. the Charlotte Checkers.

That’s pretty good for a city Some walked away, but that nearly lost its American A drone view of the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. Construction of a new parking garage can be seen at rear left. others took a deep breath and Hockey League affiliation in (BRIDGET PEERY / THE REPUBLICAN) bought seats scattered around 2016, when the old SpringMarketing might the arena, if that’s what they field Falcons left town — when that happened,” said Costa’s boss, managing six years, creating $76 million needed to do to see the game. despite being the home of the Nathan Costa, president of partner and Springfield Back in September, the in wages and tipped income A disappointment for them, AHL’s offices and having a the Springfield Thunderbirds. businessman — hadn’t put Thunderbirds and their own- since 2016. That’s from the but a clear sign of success team continuously since the “That was a dark day.” together an investment group ership announced that the team’s own operations, namefor the team’s long drive to 1950s.

It would have been even and identified an AHL team in team has had a $126 million ly its purchase of goods and rebuild from the pandemic “I was working for the AHL darker if Paul Picknelly — Portland to move to the city. overall economic impact over SEE T-BIRDS, PAGE M6

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%%SATFOL-%%3MONTH%%2DATE OUTLOOK 2024

M6 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Lesley Hamilton of the Norman Rockwell Museum

By James Foster

field trips. We hope to continue to be at the forefront of new and exciting ventures.

Special to The Republican STOCKBRIDGE — Lesley Hamilton is in her sixth year in the finance department at Norman Rockwell Museum.

1. Tell us a little bit about your role and business.

As the director of finance and administration, I wear many hats. My main focus is on the financials, which means leading the museum’s monthly accounting, as well as working with our audit company to complete the annual audited financials.

Another focus is working closely with the museum’s director of people and culture and the administration of our company benefits on payroll.

I also oversee all contracts and agreements, and we work on improving processes and procedures for all faculty and staff at the museum.

2. What spurred you to get into your line of work?

I actually got into accounting as kind of a fluke. I got my bachelor’s in math with education certification, and I was a secondary math teacher outside of Boston for three years after college. A few years later, a after dealing with some health issues, I took a position as a financial assistant at a place I had been volunteering at, doing entry-level bookkeeping, and I grew from there. I moved to the Berkshires in 2012 and worked in accounting for a few years and have really enjoyed it, so I decided to pursue a master’s in accounting, as well. I came to the Norman Rockwell Museum in 2018, and I feel like I have found where I’m supposed to be, which is the nonprofit art sector. The challenges and excitement of working across departments to further the mission of the museum has been very rewarding.

5. What’s the best simple advice you’ve received since entering the business world?

Communicate with co-workers the way they will be most receptive to your communication. Another way of saying that would be to be flexible in the way you communicate.

Some people prefer email, others like online chat. Some people prefer phone calls, others speaking in person.

When I tailor my method of communication, as well as the content of my communication to the recipient, I always get better results.

6. What surprised you in the past year in your industry?

The fluctuation of visitor rebound at various institutions is a big one. At Norman Rockwell Museum, we’ve been surprised that visitors haven’t taken advantage of our online prepaid discount.

Visitors seem to prefer the flexibility of going to a museum or other attraction “The Four Freedoms” gallery at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. (SARAH EDWARDS / THE PLAIN DEALER, FILE) without committing to a date, even if they pay more. They 3. What’s your initiatives can take time, and tend to walk up and pay their “What has surprised me is impression of your therefore public and private admission, instead of doing the cost to invest in new industry or sector? funding is essential. (The it ahead of time online for a Both travel and entertainmuseum) depends greatly on a small discount. In the finance technologies can often be ment industries seem to combination of attendance and and business world, museums prohibitive, especially for a have bounced back. People funding, and we’ve seen that are in a constant race to try non-profit like ourselves.” have been slower to return to those institutions with large to embrace new technology, museums. Certain blockbuster endowments and business which improves efficiency in Lesley Hamilton, director of finance and administration, Norman shows and special events do funding that carried them procedures. What has surRockwell Museum. continue to drive attendance, through the pandemic seem to prised me is the cost to invest and we at the museum are have rebounded faster. new initiatives and partnerembrace the full campus inside in new technologies can often optimistic about our summer ships has become increasingly and out. We’re also building be prohibitive, especially for a 4. How do you see season, which will feature an important, as well. Across art our growth with online aunonprofit like ourselves. your sector changing exhibition about the art and museums, we’ve also seen diences by launching a new virClass of ’24 interviews are edithumor of Mad Magazine. Our in the next year? an enhanced commitment to tual museum, including virtual ed for clarity and length. expansion into virtual offerIt seems like museums are diversity, equity, access and ings was also quite successful evolving their approaches and inclusion. Many institutions, during the pandemic and has diversifying their revenue including Norman Rockwell led us to explore how to reach streams. Constant goals have Museum, aim to welcome new larger audiences that might been to offer compelling exhi- visitors who may not have not be able to visit Western bitions, new programs, excitpreviously thought they were Massachusetts. So, in the non- ing events and connections to interested in our content and profit arts sector, trying new the community. And exploring expand our experiences to

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lower than the final average.

Attendance always rises in the second half of the season, CONTINUES FROM PAGE M5 after the holidays, as hockey services and money spent by season at all levels picks up fans in Springfield on game and as playoffs near. nights.

This year, at 22-19-3-2, the Seventy-eight percent of Falcons are in the middle of Thunderbirds fans told pollthe league’s Atlantic Division. sters they spend money on And for a seventh consecusomething other than hockey tive season, they again reached while in downtown Springa near sellout of 6,793 fans for field for a game.

Opening Night presented by Much of that added ecoMGM Springfield on Saturday, nomic activity comes from Oct. 14, against the Hartford Thunderbirds fans visiting Wolf Pack. Only scattered downtown bars, restaurants tickets were available. and other attractions on game That’s all the more impresnights. The Thunderbirds help sive because, as Costa points create a lively downtown more out, the MassMutual Center is than 40 nights a year, many in the only building in the league the midwinter, when few oth- without an attached parking ers would be out and about. garage. The MassMutual CenThe team is averaging ter will again have one when a around 6,114 fans a night. Last construction project wraps up year’s average turned out to late this year. be 6,162, a record in the 80“It’s the resilience of our year history of professional fans,” Costa said. hockey in Springfield. Early The Civic Center Garage season numbers are always project — with space for 800

to 900 cars and 10,000 square feet of retail area — will be ready by December.

The new $35 million garage replaces an outmoded and crumbling structure that closed in 2022.

In the meantime, many people park at MGM Springfield, then head to the MassMutual Center for Thunderbirds games, or other events.

The new garage will include internal retail space and an outdoor plaza between garage and arena. It’s space Costa hopes to fill — weather allowing — with attractions like an outdoor rink.

It’s more family fun — which is the quality that the Thunderbirds sell as much as the hockey.

In the minor leagues, team executives like Costa have little control over players and strategy. All that’s controlled by the parent club, in this case the St. Louis Blues of the NHL.

While the Blues want to create a winning environment and get their players used to winning, it’s not the highest priority.

“We control what we can control,” he said.

One of them is local promotions. They include the March 23 “Napoleon Dynamite” night, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the cult classic comedy. Fans will be able to meet the Jon Gries and Efren Ramirez, the actors behind the movie’s characters “Uncle Rico” and “Pedro.”

At the arena, last month, the MassMutual Center unveiled a new outdoor video board, part of a $3 million sign project.

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OUTLOOK 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | M7

Great heights reached in ’23 — and this year will be even better

M

ANAGED BY MGM, MassMutual Center’s mission is to generate significant economic impact for the residents of Western Massachusetts by providing high-quality facilities and services, recruiting and retaining the best staff, and creating Sean Dolan a mix of entertainment and tourism activity that inspires residents and visitors to expe- Jon Stewart/Pete Davidson, rience and enjoy downtown and so many more. Not only Springfield and the region. did we host this world-class entertainment, but we also serve as home to the incredibly successful Springfield Thunderbirds, who continue Thanks to the dedication to sell out the arena on a and commitment of our staff, weekly basis, and American fiscal 2023 was very success- International College’s men’s ful, generating $56.6 million ice hockey team, who have in gross economic impact. had a tremendous run of sucWith 441,000 attendees cess on the ice. and 597 jobs supported, In the Convention Center, MassMutual Center had the our sales team saw a record highest economic impact in performance in 2023 — seeing our history. some of the busiest months in When we reflect on 2023, the venue’s history, while sigwe’re reminded of the oncenificantly surpassing booking in-a-lifetime entertainment goals. that we brought into the Our success was driven market in partnership with by our strategic solicitation MGM Springfield, including plans, trade show attendance Kevin Hart, Tina Fey and and collaboration with our Amy Poehler, Bruno Mars, Bill marketing team. Some of the Burr, Santana, John Mulaney/ events we hosted included

Dancers, from left, Tara Murphy, Charles Murrell and Scynthia Charles perform during Springfield’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the MassMutual Center in January.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

Red Sox Winter Weekend, Ironman 70.3 Western Massachusetts, National Energy and Fuels Institute, New England Home Performance Conference and Trade Show, School Nutrition Association of Massachusetts, New England Grooming Show, New England Pop Warner Cheerleading Championships, New England Region Volleyball Association, and dozens of other private conventions, meetings, consumer shows and special events.

None of this would be possible without our amazing staff — it is remarkable what this team is able to deliver to our guests and our clients.

Our 2023 post event survey results (shown below) set us apart from our competition, and it can’t be stated enough how blessed we are to have the individuals that make up our team. In 2023, we had five nominees for the Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence, with two of our employees winning their categories.

• How likely are you to recommend MassMutual Center? 9.2 /10.

• How likely are you to return? 9.43 /10.

• Rate your experience: 4.72 /5.

Looking to 2024, we anticipate surpassing these records: • Our economic impact and booking pace is trending higher — with groups booking as far out as 2028.

• Our partners at Oak View Food & Beverage have introduced exciting new subcontractors, including On The Rocks, Bears, Wooster Street Pizza, Sausage Guy and Chick-fil-A. • We’ve created premium experiences, whether that be our Suites, our Perch or our newly introduced VIP Lounge during select shows.

• We’ve created a new entrance to the arena on State Street, helping get our guests into the venue safely and

Marcelino Navarro from Yuma, Arizona, helps set-up the Jurassic Quest show at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

efficiently.

Excitement continues to build with strategic investments in the MassMutual Center by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Our Convention Center carpet has been replaced, we’ve launched a brand-new production room with top-tier equipment that delivers a great fan experience, and our brand new digital marquee has gone live, allowing us to showcase our events, sponsors and community partners. Progress on the much-anticipated garage continues to move forward.

The new facility will offer office space, restaurant and retail establishments, and there are plans for an outdoor park.

So much of our success is impacted by the incredible partnerships we have within our community. We work closely with the Springfield Thunderbirds, Greater Springfield Convention and

Visitors Bureau, the city of Springfield, Springfield Boys & Girls Club, the Springfield Business Improvement District, Friends of the Homeless, the Springfield Regional Chamber, Western Mass Sports Commission and so many more key contributors to the overall experience that

is building in Springfield.

We are honored to be a part of this community and are very much looking forward to 2024 and the continued growth and success of Springfield and Western Massachusetts.

Sean Dolan is the general manager of the MassMutual Center.

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OUTLOOK 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Above, from left, are The Photographer’s Hut, a four-person AirBnb in Orange, and The Fox Earth Cabin, an A-frame, tiny cabin located in Southampton. (SUBMITTED)

Sizing up top-rated AirBnbs in Western Mass.

By Namu Sampath

the pond and lake nearby.

Or try your hand at an up to It’s no secret that western two person stay at The MahiMassachusetts is a sight for a can Cabin, located in North traveler’s sore eyes. Not only Adams, said to be a “snippet are the views inviting. So are of America’s Switzerland.” some of the places visitors can The cabin is at the highest pay to stay. peak of the Hoosac Range and In fact, a house in the Berkoffers a slice of the Berkshires shires was named the ‘”Coolto guests. For $235 per night, est AirBnb in Massachusetts” guests can enjoy mountain

by Conde Nast Traveler and views, free parking, and a Good Housekeeping in 2021 grill/fire pit, among other and was also mentioned by the amenities.

Architectural Digest magazine Have you ever wanted to stay in 2018. at a yurt? Located just across the border from Hancock, is an Off-Grid Yurt with no running water or electricity. The yurt boasts two bedrooms. For $111 Whether you like to truly per night, guests can enjoy the disconnect or want a unique tranquility that being off-grid (and maybe quirky) place to has to offer — including access stay, here is a peek at some of to hiking and nature trails, the top rated AirBnbs in west- in-yurt games, and no cell ern Massachusetts (and a little service. Perfect for a disconfurther west). nected getaway.

Or stay at the Valley View For the adventurous Post and Beam Villa, located If you want an escape from in Whately. The villa has views the hustle and bustle of your of the Pioneer Valley and of everyday life, dip into The the University of MassachuPhotographer’s Hut, an up setts Amherst. For $1,093 per to four-person tiny home in night, guests can stay in a cabOrange. The home is located in nestled in the woods with near Tully Mountain. For $76 all the amenities the home has per night, guests have access to to offer. It’s the “perfect spot amenities in the home and to for family gatherings/reunions nsampath@repub.com

Whether you like to truly disconnect or want a unique (and maybe quirky) place to stay, here is a peek at some of the top rated AirBnbs in western Massachusetts (and a little further west).

in Southampton. The cabin is perfect for “glamping,” a combination between glamorous and camping. For $150 per night, guests can enjoy “a charming and peaceful oasis,” the listing reads. “Watch the horses and donkeys graze.

Build a campfire. Read a book.” Southampton is located in the Pioneer Valley and minutes away from “top-rated restaurants and other attractions.”

property boasts full-service luxury amenities, including options to book a private chef.

Or, if you love to ski, consider The Kemble in Lenox. The lodge, a Gilded Age mansion, is not only surrounded by gorgeous views, but sits in a prime location, with much to do in the greater area. For a whopping $3,536 per night, more than 16 guests can stay at the lodge.

And if you want to stay at the “Coolest Air BnB in MassachuFor the comfort-seekers setts,” rated not only by ArchiIf you love history and want tectural Digest magazine, but Close to the Vermont-Massachusetts border is the Silo Suite in an escape, The Freeman Berk- also Conde Nast Traveler and shires may call to you. Located Good Housekeeping, stay at Williamstown. (SUBMITTED) in Great Barrington, the Free- The Filomena: where hisand romantic getaways,” the stay in the Berkshires at a man was built in the 1800s torical charm meets modern listing says.

Mid-Century Glass Octagon in and is an Adirondack-style design.

Otis. With wraparound glass estate set on 40 acres. For The home was built in 1850.

For the fun and funky windows, this chalet is located $1,685 per night, the estate Many of its original archiYour stay in this silo doesn’t on seven private woodland is complete with a vineyard, tectural details are intact, have to be solo. Close to the acres. For $286 per night, up games room, and private dock including wood ceilings, slate Vermont-Massachusetts to four guests are permitted — not to mention the great fireplaces and beautiful carborder is a Silo Suite in Wilto stay at the chalet. In winter, outdoors. “There are plenty of pentry. For $1,050 per night, liamstown. The silo has a king the site is perfect for a weekways to spend your days,” the up to 12 guests can enjoy all bed, fireplace, kitchenette, end ski trip. “Enjoy unoblisting reads. there is to experience in West and a ¾ bath. Up to two guests structed views while you are Sunset Falls — where luxury Stockbridge. are allowed, so it’s perfect for surrounded by floor to ceiling meets nature on 167 private Or, if you’re anything like me couples. For $200 per night, windows in complete privacy,” acres — is located in New and want to experience this guests can enjoy “the real the listing reads.

Marlborough. The rental beautiful home but can’t afford beauty” the silo has to offer: For a blend between luxuoffers space for up to 14 guests it, watch “Diary of an Old views of the rolling Berkshire rious and unique, consider a and has breathtaking mounHome,” Season 3, Episode 5 hills. stay at the Fox Earth Cabin, tain views. At a hefty price of on Max or Discovery, in which Others may opt for a unique an A-frame tiny cabin located $3,450 per night, the massive The Filomena was featured.

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1/20/23 12:32 PM

OUTLOOK 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

A

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | M9

Quality policies needed on Beacon Hill to benefit region

S THE MANAGER OF THE Big E, you might expect me to write about “Ledgers and Livestock,” and indeed I could wax on for hours about those subjects. But I am an accountant by training and profession, and in that context the words “ledgers” and “livelihood” have special meaning to me. Today, I’d like to share my concerns for the ledgers and livelihoods of all of us in the Pioneer Valley during 2024.

I am blessed. I know it and I try to be grateful for that fact. Aside from my health and family, I am also blessed in other important ways.

One of the most important is that my office at Eastern States Exposition is but a short walk from the home I was born and raised in. I work for a 108-year-old legacy organization, in a community I cherish. I live proximate to everything in this world that is important to me, including lifelong friends and the K-through-12 schools we attended. I am privileged to work for an organization that does great good for our community.

The Eastern States Exposition’s Big E ranks as one of the five largest fairs in North America and one of the five largest public events on this continent. To put that in perspective, the University of Michigan has the largest stadium in North America, seating 109,901 people. In a football season, the Wolverines will play five games in that stadium. Their combined attendance is less than one-third the attendance of our fair.

Lollapalooza is a four-day music celebration in Chicago that has been known to attract as many as 400,000. At that rate, if it ran for 17 days, it would join The Big E league.

I always wonder if our region realizes the immensity of The Big E and the value of its economic output, estimated to be in excess of $750 million. The Eastern States Exposition is one of the top economic engines in the state, and by far the biggest thing in New England when we open every September. Some people are inconvenienced by the crowds we draw, but far more benefit from them, both from the joy of participation and for the economic

benefits the fair brings birthplace of some of to all in the region. And the most important this is where the theme industry the world has of 2024 Outlook comes ever seen, from Abinto play. sorbine Jr. and the first The Pioneer Valley commercially manuis the heart of Western factured automobile Massachusetts and tire to the roller skate.

Greater Springfield is Things ubiquitous but at its center. The term no longer affecting “pioneer” conjures our economy. Sadly, Eugene Cassidy images of a wagon the current trend train heading across advanced by policythe frontier in the 1800s. But that is makers promotes tax receipts from not our Pioneer Valley. Our pioneers the sale of recreational drugs. Those were entrepreneurs and thinkers. policies do not improve our quality Poets, doctors and academics, of life. Therefore, we pioneers must inventors, capitalists, and builders of engage and influence. businesses with vision and purpose.

When traveling on the opposite They possessed the same grit of any end of Interstate 90 in Spokane, wagon train driver, but their purpose Washington, I noticed an enormous was to create commerce, jobs and highway sign that welcomed me to wealth in this community.

“Hooptown USA.” My immediate At the Eastern States, we take our reaction was: “How could this be? charter seriously. We study it and Spokane, Washington? While it keep it encapsulated in our mission might be the right street, it’s the statement, providing a constant wrong end.” But because Spokane Fairgoers visit the Big E fair on opening day. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN) reminder that our job is to advance hosts the world’s largest three-on“agriculture, education, industry and three basketball competition, it of Fame, have taken steps to assert straight, efforts like this build family.” To that end, based on the christened itself with a title rightthis region’s dominance in the our community and contribute to vision of our 19th-century founder, fully belonging to Springfield. In sport. The second Hooplandia will balancing the “Ledgers and LiveliJoshua L. Brooks, and his indusresponse, two nonprofit charitable be celebrated on the grounds of hoods” of the valley economy. trialist cohorts, like Horace Moses organizations, the Eastern States The Big E from June 21 to 23.

Gene Cassidy is the president and (Strathmore Paper Co.), Noyes Fisk Exposition and the Basketball Hall While setting the record CEO of the Eastern States Exposition.

(Fisk Tire and Rubber) and others whose businesses powered our city and its region, we have built one of the biggest economic engines in the commonwealth. This effort continues to promote business and industry and employment, increasing the quality of life in our region. To be ISITOR SPENDING REPtrailing only health care Our survey methodology successful, we, and other pioneers of resents a major catalyst for and education. was designed to, in part, this contemporary age, need policies the Western Massachusetts Looking ahead into study potential visitors that promote the pioneering spirit. economy and some new 2024, we have a great to Western MassachuThose policies come from within data will help the Greater Springfield deal of fresh statissetts who originate from us, the new pioneers, as we think Convention and Visitors Bureau, tical evidence that it our most important forward into the future, asking ouralso known as “Explore Western will remain a top-tier Northeast feeder marselves how and where our children Mass” online, to be increasingly economic driver. kets. We contracted with will be employed. What will they do? efficient as we work to continue Destination marketthree leading travel industry What can I do to affect the future attracting tourist dollars. ers worldwide knew research partners to Mary Kay Wydra gather and analyze that will enhance or even create that COVID-19 had an environment that anchors our reshaped the tourism data. The surveys were children and attracts people to our landscape, with some regions faring deployed in early 2023, examining Pioneer(ing) Valley? What policies better than others. It was critical that the full calendar year of 2022. coming from Beacon Hill can I influOur regional visitor industry is high- we precisely determine how behaviors Spending by some 4 million ence? Particularly tax policy: an area ly significant in terms of both ecoand attitudes had shifted among our visitors to Western Massachusetts where the commonwealth is puninomic importance and employment, most prospective visitors. In response, (Franklin, Hampshire and Hamptive, effectively chasing the entrepre- having generated $1.3 billion for the the Visitors Bureau commissioned den counties) in 2022 was profound, neurs and philanthropists out of this region in 2022. Currently, the number three separate studies in early 2023 to recording $872 million in direct state and its economy. of jobs supported by travel and tourassist in structuring and targeting our sales. Their activity also generated SEE TOURISM, PAGE M16 This pioneering valley is the ism ranks third in Hampden County, marketing campaigns for 2024.

WMass tourism numbers are looking up

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M10 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

The Springfield Museums offer Free First Wednesday of every month through 2026. At right, from top: In November, the Springfield Museums achieved national acclaim by being reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums, one of only 3% of the museums in the U.S. to have earned this honor, the highest distinction possible for an American museum; and 3-year-old Tamir Davis tries the plasma ball as part of the It’s Electric program inside of Springfield Science Museum. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

Reaching for the stars at the Springfield Museums

to? According to Americans for the Arts, since 2017, the museums have had a whopping $132 million impact on the local economy. Leveraging the worldwide appeal of Dr. Seuss and capitalizing S IF ON CUE, THE round tourist destination many visitors park on the on the properties of a unique final months of 2023 and cultural attraction that street and in city lots, generatmuseum complex that enKay Simpson broke all previous draw visitors from around ing foot traffic throughout the ables visitors to experience admission records, the world while serving as an area. Even when the museums art, history and science in as visitors came together at essential community anchor are closed to the public, they have more than doubled their one location, the museums the Springfield Museums for for residents of all ages. From are still active. During the attendance — a phenomenal have parlayed their assets to vacation week activities, visits September through June, the day, school groups particincrease almost unprecebecome a major economic to the Grinch’s Grotto, the Dr. museums provide an infinite ipate in curriculum-based dented in the museum world. driver for the local economy.

Seuss Gingerbread House dis- variety of offerings — from programs in our museums. In During 2024, we anticipate The museums’ growing play and all of the exhibitions workshops and lectures to a the evenings, we offer classes, that attendance will grow popularity has been matched on view in our spectacular five wide array of weekend family major events and exhibition exponentially as a result of by recognition in the field. museums. The culminating programs and drop-in spaces openings. In addition, a robust our new “First Wednesdays” In November, the museums flourish of peak attendance that encourage children menu of outreach programs program funded by a remark- achieved national acclaim capped an outstanding year and their adult caregivers to provides educator-led activiable $800,000 three-year by being reaccredited by the of rebound, accomplishment discover and learn togethties to schools and organizagrant from Art Bridges, which American Alliance of Museand growth. er. During the summer, the tions throughout the area and provides free admission to all ums, one of only 3% of the museums are open seven beyond. visitors the first Wednesday museums in the U.S. to have days a week and offer daily Studies have shown that of every month. earned this prestigious honor, family programs to accomdestinations with architecturWhat does this all add up the highest distinction possiNever have the museums modate vacationing schoolally significant buildings have been more ready to start a children along with the influx a high level of tourist appeal, Hope and Healing new year or more confident of out-of-town visitors. The and the magnificent and about their ability to build on museums are humming with historic museum buildings their successes to reach high- activity throughout the year that surround the Quadraner levels of visibility, renown and their effect on the city is gle are a must-see attraction and excellence. enormous. for many visitors. Not only Beautifully sited on more While some attractions cal- that, the museums’ ninethan 9 acres of land in the culate their economic impact year campaign to upgrade heart of downtown Springbased on specific dates and and restore these important field, the museums are times, the museums’ ongolandmarks has resulted in a interwoven with daily life in ing activities add vibrancy to $10 million-plus investment the business and residential downtown Springfield every in capital improvements districts that surround the day of the week. Visitors to that created hundreds of Quadrangle. Open 320 days the museums often patronize jobs for construction firms, per year, the museums are downtown restaurants and restoration specialists and not just a seasonal attraceateries. Many of them stay tradespeople.

Many women and their tion, nor do they present overnight and shop at other Since opening The Amazonly scheduled events. The businesses while they are in ing World of Dr. Seuss Muchildren in the Springfield museums are a unique yeartown. On especially busy days, seum in 2017, the museums

A

ble for an American museum.

What’s ahead? In 2024, in addition to advancing museum-wide priority goals, the museums will press forward on their Evolution Campaign to reinvent and reimagine the Science Museum as a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) center of learning and innovation.

Last year, we installed a state-of-the-art digital projection system to supplement the original projector built by hand for the planetarium in 1937. After 86 years, we are finally able to fully showcase the wonders of the universe for visitors. If we can do that, the sky’s the limit — and this year, the museums will reach for the stars to achieve unimaginable new heights.

Kay Simpson is the president and CEO of the Springfield For Women and CHildren

Transitional House for Women and Their Children area go without housing on a daily basis. To help meet the needs for selfsufficiency, long-lasting sustainability, and life skills education for the people in need in our community, Christina’s House manages three properties for these familes. They service to provide emotional, spiritual, physical support and education for program families as they transition from homelessness to permanent and stable living environments.

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Justin Peritore

PROFESSIONAL CHEF, CEO OF HOPPY MUSTARD

Justin Peritore, left, a professional chef and the CEO of Hoppy Mustard, with friend and mentor Mychal Connolly, founder of Stand Out Truck. (HOANG’ LEON’

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | M11

By James Foster

Special to The Republican SPRINGFIELD — Justin Peritore is a professional chef and the CEO of Hoppy Mustard, his invention that combines hops and mustard.

1. Tell us a little bit about your role and business.

I am the CEO, founder and owner of Hoppy Mustard.

Right now, I have a lot of hats, just because we just launched this past November. It all came about because I love hops, I love mustard, and I believe when you combine the two of them, it brings this really awesome umami flavor.

When I started Hoppy Mustard, I went through the EforAll program that helped me form my business to get it ready to launch in November. They were a crucial learning tool in this whole development.

NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

2. What spurred you to get into your line of work?

I’ve been in the industry ever since I was really young. What really got me into (it) was my grandmother and my mother, just making family meals. It led me on to going into culinary arts to get my degree.

I’ve been a chef ever since the early 2000s, so I’ve been in the (business) for a while. This has been my dream, to bring something of my own to the industry.

time of the takeover.

NEW YORK

Less is more?

Consumers have fewer choices

Selman Careaga, president of Coca-Cola’s Global Category, reaches for Coca-Cola Spiced, the beverage company’s new offering in North America in three years, Feb. 6 in New York.

(BEBETO MATTHEWS / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, FILE)

ATLANTA, GA.

Coke’s ‘spiced’ drinks are 1st new product in 3 years Coca-Cola is on a mission to add a little bit of spice in your life with its first new product in more than three years.

The soda company will be selling Coca-Cola Spiced starting Monday, Feb. 19. While the name might be deceiving, these new sodas are not actually spicy.

Available in regular and zero sugar, Coca-Cola Spiced blends “the iconic taste of Coca-Cola with a burst of refreshing notes from raspberry and spiced flavors,” a statement said.

What really makes the drinks spicy are its packaging, according to the company.

“Coca-Cola Spiced maintains the classic Coke trademark red supplemented with a sleek swirl made up of raspberry-inspired colors,” the statement said. “Both varieties feature a bold, dominant script to hero Coca-Cola’s branding — white for full sugar varieties and black for zero sugar.”

Coca-Cola Spiced and Coca-Cola Spiced Zero Sugar will be available in cans, packs and bottles at most national retailers. The drinks will be priced similarly to other Coca-Cola products, the company said.

LONDON

UK’s Body Shop goes into insolvency

5. What’s the best simple advice you’ve received since entering the business world?

My mentor, Mychal Connelly, told me to create dope stuff and stay sucker-free. It just keeps your mind set on point on where you’re going with your business.

it so much that I would make it for myself and carry it around

cluttered, then you don’t get overwhelmed.”

Even in the auto world, shoppers are finding fewer choices.

Both General Motors and Ford have been touting how they are limiting the number of option combinations customers can get on their vehicles to reduce manufacturing and purchasing complexity.

That’s a reversal from a few years ago when there was an explosion of choices, encouraged in part by online shopping that paid no mind to space constraints. But that didn’t always lead to sales so companies started pruning selections a year or two before the pandemic.

— MassLive and wire reports

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The Body Shop, the British beauty and cosmetics retail chain, said on Tuesday that it has appointed insolvency administrators after years of financial struggles.

The retailer, which grew from a single shop in 1976 to become one of the most recognizable retailers on the British

high street with hundreds of stores in the United Kingdom and beyond, is known as an early champion of ethical practices in business.

FRP, the administrators hired by The Body Shop, said it will “now consider all options to find a way forward for the business.”

“The Body Shop has faced an extended period of financial challenges under past owners, coinciding with a difficult trading environment for the wider retail sector,” FRP said.

The announcement came just weeks after the chain’s new owners Aurelius, a European private equity firm specializing in buying and turning around troubled firms, took control of the business.

The retailer of soaps, creams and make up was founded in 1976 by Anita Roddick and her husband as one of the first companies to promote so-called ethical consumerism, highlighting its fair trading practices and cosmetics and skincare products that were not tested on animals.

Roddick, an environmental and human rights campaigner as well as a businesswoman, was lauded as the “Queen of Green” because she put corporate social responsibility and environmentalism front and center of her business long before it became fashionable.

The brand became hugely popular in the 1980s, when it listed on the London Stock Exchange, and has stores in some 80 countries, including many operated through franchises.

Roddick and her husband sold The Body Shop to beauty giant L’Oreal in 2006. The brand was passed on to Natura, the Brazilian cosmetics business, in 2017, which sold it on to Aurelius late last year in a deal valued at $261 million.

The company employed about 7,000 people worldwide at the

How much choice is too much? Apparently for Coca-Cola, it’s about 400 different types of drinks.

That’s why the beverage company recently decided to discontinue half of them, shedding brands like Tab, Zico coconut water, Diet Coke Feisty Cherry and Odwalla juices but still leaving about 200 others to choose from.

It’s a move that other businesses are making as well, reducing the variety of offerings from mayonnaise to cereals to cars and instead focusing on what they think will sell best.

Stew Leonard’s, a supermarket chain that operates stores in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, now has 24 cereal flavors or types, down from 49 in 2019. Edgewell Personal Care Co., the maker of Schick razors and Banana Boat suntan lotion, has trimmed certain varieties of its anti-bacteria wipes Wet Ones, among others. And Dollar General, based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, used to stock six different kinds of mayonnaise on its shelves and is now looking to drop a couple of them.

“The consumer is not going to know the difference,” Todd J. Vasos, CEO of Dollar General, told analysts in December.

“Actually, it’s going to make her life a little simpler when she goes to the shelf.”

Just a year ago, Kohl’s store in Clifton, New Jersey had tables stacked high with sweaters and shirts in a rainbow of colors as well as dress racks crammed with a wide assortment of styles. Now, it boasts a more edited approach — tables have slim piles of knit shirts that focus on fewer colors, and many dress racks have been reduced to just three or four styles.

Under its new CEO Tom Kingsbury, Kohl’s has been cutting back on the colors and variations of sweaters, jeans and other items, while sending their buyers into the New York market more frequently to bring in fresh trendy merchandise.

“We would go out, and we would buy a lot of goods and it would come in 12, 14 months later, and it didn’t perform very well,” Kingsbury told analysts in a call in November.

“We’re going to be using the marketplace, so that we can

react to the business quickly, getting into trends.”

Some customers like the changes so far.

“It’s pretty organized,” said Kimberly Ribeiro, 30, who was at the Kohl’s store on a recent Friday. “If it’s not so

4. How do you see your sector changing in the next year?

I believe that it’s a vibrant market that is going through a restructure moment. But, what that restructure is is a lot of collaboration within the community and businesses that are forming partnerships with each other. That’s why I believe, right here, that Western Massachusetts is thriving.

6. What surprised you in the past year in your industry?

There’s this huge community, specifically in Springfield, of business owners who have not just included me, but have also made it so that they have helped me up.

“It all came about because I love hops, I love mustard, and I believe when you combine the two of them, it brings this really 3. Tell us more about Mustard? awesome umami flavor.” Hoppy When I first started, I loved JUSTIN PERITORE, HOPPY MUSTARD

my kitchen. Then, when I had friends and family come over, because I believe in community and sharing, they were enjoying it themselves.

I also met Diana Szynal, the president of the Springfield Regional Chamber. She tried it, she loved it, she shared what she did with it before I had really started selling it, and people began asking for it. That evolving community and idea of sharing and caring and coming to the table with a common interest can really transcend boundaries.

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M12 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

“I am born and raised in Springfield and have always been a fan of Springfield.”

MICHELLE GROUT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Michelle Grout

SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

By James Foster

focus on business development, renewing infrastrucSPRINGFIELD — Michelle ture, and supporting all of the Grout, a Western Massachuproperty owners, businesses setts native, recently became and visitors alike to have a the executive director for the positive experience in the Springfield Business Improve- downtown. Our motto is ment District after a career in “Build a destination to live, real estate. work and play.”

Special to The Republican

1. Tell us a little bit about your role and business.

The Springfield BID originated in 1998, and we were just renewed for five more years. It is designed as the driving force for economic development, cultural, social (activity) for downtown Springfield. Our mission is to facilitate growth within the community by utilizing resources efficiently. We subsidize a lot of city services within the boundaries of the downtown, such as public safety, clean and safe, and beautification. These are all things that people visually and tangibly see. We also

2. What spurred you to get into your line of work?

I am born and raised in Springfield and have always been a fan of Springfield.

This job actually came to me as a career change. I was formerly in real estate for 25 years and found it to be very fulfilling, helping people with a big life purchase and helping families to find a home. It seemed to me a natural transition to go into a different realm of economic development, helping people achieve their goals to build a better downtown and a better place. I am very happy to be here today in the position I am to be able to contribute to the downtown.

3. What’s your impression of your sector? Is it hitting or missing?

I think there’s a little bit of both. In some areas, as we rebound from the pandemic, there’s a lot of enthusiasm and opportunity out there.

However, in other areas, I feel it is lacking, because some people’s interests have waned. We need to get everyone on the same page and strike a balance, so we continue to grow and not fall back.

Michelle Grout, executive director of the Springfield Business Improvement District, left, and BID Marketing and Creative Services Project Manager Samantha Savoie, are framed as they take some photos of an ice sculpture frame at the Springfield Business Improvement District’s 6th Ice Sculpture Invasion. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

6. What surprised you in the past year in your industry?

4. How do you see business 5. What’s the best simchanging in the next year? ple advice you’ve reI will say it’s the commitI definitely see it improving. ceived since entering ment that people have down This year, specifically with our the business world? here, not only from the develprogramming, we saw a resurTo listen. Honestly, to sit opers who you see at the 31 gence in participation, wheth- back and listen to what people Elm (development and) the er it came from the businesses, like, what they don’t like.

Massachusetts Convention the sponsors, the visitors, the Respect their opinions and use Center Authority in its inpatrons, people were really, the information that you gath- vestment in creating a bigger, really enthusiastically embrac- er from everybody to make the better, brighter, accessible ing normalcy again. What we best decision for what we do in Convention Center. There’s did this year that was different achieving our goals, because if also the property owners was a lot of collaborations to we’re not listening to everythemselves who have douhelp expand our audience body and what they have to bled down on their commitbase and to get more people say, there’s no point. ment to Springfield. We’ve

involved in what we do.

opened over a dozen businesses in the last year, and that’s probably being very conservative. I think we’re likely closer to two dozen small businesses and eateries. We’ve also welcomed over 1,500 new employees to the downtown, which is due to the office ownership, who have really be able to adjust and pivot to what clients are looking for in making Springfield a desirable place to call their business home.

Class of ’24 interviews are edited for clarity and length.

UMass study: ‘Customer is always right’ “We cannot ignore that over 53 million adults in the U.S. suffer from taking toll on worker mental health mental health issues and over A recent study shows that employees with mental health conditions benefited and performed better at work when company policies supported workers and discouraged customers from rude behavior.

80% of hospitality employees say they have mental health issues.”

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST ASSOCIATED PROFESSOR MELISSA BAKER

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

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with it, because it was just part of the business. Now, I’m not sure we can do that anymore,” Baker said in a statement.

Kim and Baker’s study showed that employees with mental health conditions benefited and performed better at work when company policies supported the workers and discouraged customers from rude behavior. The study also found that policies like these didn’t drastically affect mentally healthier employees.

“We cannot ignore that over 53 million adults in the U.S. suffer from mental health issues and over 80% of hospitality employees say they have mental health issues,” Baker said. “The good news is, there are so many companies out there now that have changed the tide, in terms of destigmatizing mental health issues and provide

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might always be right, but an Isenberg School of Management researcher has found that hostile posturing is doing harm to employees.

Research from University of Massachusetts Amherst Associated Professor Melissa Baker, chair of Isenberg’s Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, determined that incivility from ill-behaved customers, and company policies that support them, is doing damage not only to the mental health of employees but also their ability to serve other customers.

Baker and co-author Kawon Kim of the University of South Carolina also found that employees with their own mental health conditions were more susceptible to hostile customers.

“For decades, a customer could be uncivil, angry, yelling or just plain wrong, and employees were expected to deal

great support to employees.”

Support for employees includes counseling and mental health training for supervisors; social media statements that show the contributions of workers; and signs that direct shoppers to “be kind or leave.”

Post-pandemic incivility and turnover in hospitality have aided in a culture shift at many companies, Baker said.

Without a focus on employee well-being and with too much focus on the customer, firms risk losing their most talented workers, she said.

To businesses, Baker said, “(You) need to make sure that you have the employee’s back.”

The research team queried 183 hospitality workers from across the nation in restaurants, hotels, clubs, airlines and theme parks.

To see the full study, check the International Journal of Hospitality Management’s April edition.

Stay focused on the moment amidst the rustic, historic charm of Emma’s Place on Wilder Pond, a homey atmosphere with breathtaking treetop and aquatic views.

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | M13

Mickey Mouse, Cinderella performers might unionize

By AMY TAXIN

The Associated Press

Workers who help bring Disneyland’s beloved characters to life — including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Cinderella — are looking to unionize.

Rocco J. Falcone II, president and CEO of Rocky's Ace Hardware, with his son and category manager, Johnny Falcone. (HOANG 'LEON' NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

Optimism running high for 2024

2

024 MARKS ROCKY’S Ace Hardware’s 98th year in business. We are fast approaching our 100th anniversary and are laser-focused on continued growth, so we can make 2026 a major celebration on all fronts.

At this moment, we are in the process of acquiring two new stores — Smith Ace Hardware & Lumber in Rockport and Hometown Ace Hardware in Gloucester.

This brings our total number of stores to an even 50, spanning nine states. That’s an accomplishment of which we’re all very proud.

We’re looking forward to this year with an optimism, tempered a bit by wisdom and experience. We’re still recovering from the chaos caused by the pandemic, when the industry saw an increase in store traffic and sales. However, that upswing came with simultaneous challenges in procurement, pricing and supply chain deliveries. We are now in a stabilizing mode, investing in resources and optimizing processes that will drive efficiency across the organization.

While we continue to invest in the longer term, we understand that our company will be affected by several economic factors beyond our control. We hope to see inflation continue its downward trend and, like everyone, await the Fed’s next moves regarding interest rates. Both factors directly affect the real estate market, profoundly impacting our industry. A healthy economy drives trips to stores, whereas high borrowing costs and low home values can mean fewer people buying home-improvement and construction products. The statistics also tell us that high ticket home-related items are often among the first category consumers cut back on

Craftsman tools on display at Rocky's Ace Hardware store on Island Pond Road. (HOANG 'LEON' NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

Rocco J. Falcone when they decide to reduce discretionary spending.

This year also will see us continuing to invest aggressively in training and education. “Experience the Difference” is our motto, and the service our store associates provide is our primary difference versus the competition. This year, we’re again hosting all our store managers in Springfield for a three-day leadership summit, focused on sharpening their leadership skills and preparing our stores to meet our 2024 goals. Live virtual training is also provided to all store associates and managers by our skilled group of partner vendors, who bring our associates up to speed on key product information to provide customers with knowledgeable, expert service for all their home hardware needs.

We see plenty of reasons for optimism for the coming year.

We have a strong partnership with Ace Hardware. We con-

“We’re looking forward to this year with an optimism, tempered a bit by wisdom and experience.”

ROCCO J. FALCONE

tinue to work with incredible brand partners. And most important, we have a team of dedicated “Red-Vested Heroes” working the aisles of every Rocky’s location to provide customers with the superior service that has kept our business growing for 98 years.

That’s the birds-eye view, of course — we invite you to visit your local Rocky’s Ace Hardware to learn more about our involvement in your community and the ways in which we support the local economy. We are proud of the relationships our store teams build with our local communities — we consider this strength to be a key indicator of our success as an organization.

Labor organizers announced the campaign saying performers want better safety conditions and scheduling policies to help them keep the magic alive for visitors.

While most of the more than 35,000 workers at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California already have labor unions, about 1,700 performers in parades, character actors and support staff do not.

“This isn’t one of those situations where we’re out making the employer the bad guy,” said Kate Shindle, president of Actors’ Equity Association, which would represent the performers. “It is uniquely important Disney remains a place that people view as magical, and I think that (unionizing) will improve that across the board.”

Union membership has been on a decadeslong decline in the United States, but organizations have seen growing public support in recent years amid high-profile contract negotiations involving Hollywood studios and Las Vegas hotels. The National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency that protects workers’ right to organize, reported more than 2,500 filings for union representation during the 2023 fiscal year, the highest number in eight years.

Disney operates two theme parks — Disneyland and Disney California Adventure — and a shopping

Rocco J. Falcone is the president and CEO of Rocky’s Ace Hardware Inc.

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Visitors walk toward Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in the background at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. (JAE C. HONG / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, FILE)

and entertainment area called Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California.

Disneyland, the company’s oldest park, was the second-most visited theme park worldwide in 2022 with 16.8 million people coming through the gates, according to a report by the Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM. Union cards were circulated to promote forming a labor union under the Actors’ Equity Association, which traditionally represents actors and stage managers.

The group already represents theatrical performers at Walt Disney Co.’s Florida theme parks, organizers told The Associated Press.

Actors’ Equity officials declined to say how many cards were returned but said they hoped to collect them from more than half the performers, which would let them ask Disney to voluntarily recognize the union rather having to seek a vote through the National Labor Relations Board. They expect the process will take weeks.

Disneyland officials said in a statement that they believe cast members deserve the

right to a confidential vote.

Those who want to form the union, which they are calling “Magic United,” are seeking to address safety issues in costuming, such as keeping items clean and using appropriate fabrics for high-intensity dancing.

They also want more stable scheduling.

Some performers are also concerned about being asked to wear tights and make-up that don’t match their skin tones, erratic and unpredictable staffing and fair pay.

Still, they said they relish working at the parks, where they play a unique role in creating the Disney experience, union officials said.

“We have to consistently be living and breathing the Disney brand or else the product suffers,” said Logan Benedict, a performer and union negotiator at Disney World in Florida, who has been supporting the organizing effort in California. “It’s vital that Disney takes care of their frontline workers.”

The union has advised California workers not to speak on the record about unionizing, said David Levy, an Actors’ Equity spokesperson.

M14 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

muralist will be selected based Can America turn a productivity The on previous “work and experience, commitment to creating public boomlet into a serious boom? art that reflects the community where the art is located, and increasing the diversity of artistic representation in Turners Falls.”

By Talmon Joseph Smith

The New York Times

Kevin Rezvani came of age in kitchens: spending summers at his grandfather’s bakery in Japan, doing work-study in his college cafeteria and working for years as a line cook at mid-tier restaurants, along with some stints in fast food.

By his late 20s, the biggest takeaway Rezvani had from his experience “working in every kind of thing in food” was the industry’s widespread inability to reconcile the art of a kitchen, and the science of a restaurant, with the math of a business.

Too many ventures, he says, are not profitable enough to justify all the work hours needed from managers and employees to stay afloat, much Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics less grow. In other words, they fall short on productivity.

“There’s a very fine line between doing OK, and doing well in this business,” said Rezvani, now 36. “And if you’re doing OK, it’s not worth your time.”

He and two partners opened a casual sit-down restaurant near Rutgers University in New Jersey a few years after his graduation.

But in early 2020, they split from him over personal and business disagreements, and he was on his own.

To pay bills, he worked for a moving company and made deliveries for Amazon, which was booming during the lockdowns, as people idled at home spent their disposable A double cheeseburger from 7th Street Burger, a New Yorkbased chain that just opened its first New Jersey location in income on buying goods.

Those sorts of businesses, Hoboken. (JEREMY SCHNEIDER / NJ ADVANCE MEDIA, FILE) Rezvani observed, are unornamented, lean and stringent the rate from 2005 to 2019. tank in Washington. “So I’m about how many machines On a less technical level, going to be a productivity or work hours are needed per productivity can generally be optimist for the first time in order. Looking for a second my life.” explained by the old axiom shot at opening a restaurant, about “doing more with Analysts at Employ he made maximizing output less,” or the folksy virtue of America, a firm that tracks his North Star: “I was like, ‘I “getting the biggest bang for financial and labor market have to make this whole thing your buck.” data, attribute much of the more efficient.’ It’s a business improvement to a discrete Economists tend to sigh at the end of the day.” phenomenon: Commercial with relief whenever they construction has grown at a see a gain in productivity, In early 2021, he noticed scorching pace — fueled in because it offers a potential a restaurant space for lease part by Biden administraon East Seventh Street in the win-win for workers, customers and business owners: tion programs — as inflation East Village neighborhood abated and the price of oil of Manhattan. The landlord, If businesses can make as and raw materials, includmuch money or more in desperate for tenants after ing lumber, plunged back fewer work hours, then — the pandemic shutdowns, to more normal levels after gave him and his new partner according to standard economic logic — they can make the supply shocks of 2022. A a discount. They had to memo from RSM points to scrounge to make the security more per hour, reinvest in deposit, but believed in their operations and pay workers a bit more without sacrificing bet. profitability (or leaning on “I maxed out my credit card,” Rezvani said. “And it price increases to push profits higher). hit.”

As Joseph Brusuelas and Featuring a minimalist menu, hole-in-the-wall Tuan Nguyen, economists at square footage, and a limthe consulting firm RSM, put it in a note in late January: ited set of ingredients and “The increase in American produce, 7th Street Burger opened that May and quickly productivity over the past took off. From 40 employees year, if sustained, is a potential game changer for the 16 months ago, it has grown into a chain with 330 employ- economy that represents that ees across 13 locations and mythical rising tide that lifts the living standards of all.” plans for a national expanIn recent history, the givesion.

Some swankier, full-service and-take between gains in restaurants in the city with productivity and increases in long lists of overhead costs, a worker pay has been uneven. fluctuating workforce and a Many economic models set of rarely picked menu op- suggest that if workers begin tions are “making 200 bucks doubling their daily or hourly production, they are likely an hour” in sales, Rezvani argues. But on a good day, he to be paid about twice as can do $2,000 an hour “with much as before. From 1979 to 2022, however, productivity three guys on the grill, with three items on my menu, nine grew by more than four times ingredients in my restauthe inflation-adjusted 14.8% rant.” growth in compensation for average nonsupervisory “We’re a cash machine,” Rezvani said. workers in the private sector, who are roughly 8 of 10 peoIn search of a win-win ple in the labor force.

Still, so far in this cycle, 7th Street is the sort of success story that exemplifies productivity has acted like the nascent burst in produca secret sauce, enabling the other ingredients of what tivity that the U.S. economy has experienced over the past analysts have been calling a “soft landing” to coexist: year or so, after a plunge in 2021 and 2022. slowing inflation, sturdy ecoEconomists typically mea- nomic growth, strong wage sure productivity as a simple gains and unemployment near record lows. ratio: the total amount of “Pandemic-related labor output an economy produces shortages caused a lot of per hour worked by its labor force. On that score, produc- businesses to think of how tivity increased 2.7% in 2023, they could use labor more efficiently,” said Dean Baker, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and over the an economist at the Center past two quarters has been for Economic and Policy Regrowing at more than double search, a labor-focused think

“There’s a very fine line between doing OK, and doing well in this business.”

KEVIN REZVANI

“the integration of advanced technology into the production of goods and provision of services” as now paying dividends, too.

A growing slate of firms in finance, manufacturing and transportation logistics are offering digital tools that — even without avant-garde AI features — seem to offer the ballyhooed promise of working “smarter, not harder” and cutting down on drudgery.

Ycharts, a company founded in 2009, sells a platform on which users visualize complex financial market data, then create sleek, customizable charts and portfolios.

After recent updates, the company reported that its customers at financial advisory firms had been saving more than a dozen hours on average per week on the busywork of data analysis.

There has also been a swift overall shift toward corporate belt-tightening since 2021, in reaction to either higher borrowing costs brought on by higher interest rates or an expected slowdown in sales.

The town of Montague is seeking an artist to paint a mural on one side of the Shea Theater. (COURTESY OF COMMON WEALTH MURALS)

MONTAGUE

3,000-square-foot mural to be painted on Shea Theater

By Juliet Schulman-Hall

jschulman-hall@masslive.com

On what is now a blank space on the brick building of the Shea Theater Arts Center will soon become a mural that aims to be a “gateway” to branding the town as a “creative community and encouraging residents and visitors to stop and enjoy local retail shops, restaurants and the art scene,” according to a statement.

While the mural is expected to be complete by September, the town is looking for an experienced muralist to transform the 3,000-square-foot wall.

The design of the mural will be inspired by the input from a community listening session and by information given to the artist by the mural steering group, the statement said.

The steering group was created to oversee the project and comprises Montague residents, business owners

and representatives from the Shea Theater, RiverCulture and the town’s planning department.

The artist will receive $15,000 and will cost of paint, supplies, equipment, transportation, room and board will be covered. The deadline to apply is March 10.

Applications must include a to-scale color concept sketch on which the steering group will evaluate and provide feedback.

The muralist will be selected based on previous “work and experience, commitment to creating public art that reflects the community where the art is located, and increasing the diversity of artistic representation in Turners Falls,” according to the statement.

OUTLOOK 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | M15

“I don’t want to be part of the problem anymore. I want to be part of the solution.”

MICHELLE WIRTH

Michelle Wirth

OF FEEL GOOD SHOP LOCAL

By James Foster

Special to The Republican SPRINGFIELD — Michelle Wirth is the founder of local website and business Feel Good Shop Local (and the co-owner of Mercedes-Benz of Springfield).

six months into the pandemic.

(We) started Mercedes-Benz of Springfield in October of 2017. And then the pandemic hit and the in the last two weeks of March, the world 1. Tell us a little bit about stopped. That feeling for the your role and business. two and a half months of not I am the founder of Feel knowing and not knowing how Good Shop Local. We’re long it would have to go, where onboarding new stores every we’d have to just hold on, it week. People either refer instilled in my mind that everygreat stores to me, or I go out body that is an entrepreneur and find them. I also have a out there has a dream and they team that’s helping me. deserve to have their dream It’s all about optimizing the come true, especially if they’re website, marketing on behalf of trying to make the world a betthe small businesses, and then ter place, provide a service. growing the website, growing I live in downtown it in terms of number of stores, Northampton. And as I noticed number of products, and that every other storefront was ensuring a seamless shopping closed. Then I went into my experience. I kind of make it favorite gallery, and I realized so that when you visit feelthey were having like a liquidagoodshoplocal.com, you feel tion sale after they had been like you’re walking down Main there for around 36 years. So Street and window shopping.’

I started talking to the owner, and I realized like it was a con2. What spurred you to get nection issue, and that I could into your line of work? solve the problem.

I got into this business about I don’t want to be part of the

problem anymore. I want to be part of the solution. Like everybody else, I was getting things delivered to the house, but it was not local. So I thought, ‘What if I could just provide the things that I’m great at, like an infrastructure, like a website and marketing?’ That’s what I do. I connect people on a local market.

Michelle Wirth, center, owner of the Mercedes-Benz of Springfield dealership in Chicopee, was the keynote speaker at the 2017 Innovative Thinking and Entrepreneurship Lecture at Bay Path University. (DAVE ROBACK / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

there’s any almost information out there as to why it’s beneficial for the consumer, too.

For a long time, it was difficult to shop local. And how do I define difficult? Difficult is, “I don’t know this store exists, so I have to do a lot of research to find it. I don’t have a ton of time, so I don’t want to have to conform myself to when they’re open, and they’re available. And then I don’t want to be disappointed. Like if I go to the store, I want to come out with what I need.”

At feelgoodshoplocal.com, you can literally shop 55 stores in the Pioneer Valley with one checkout experience. So, yes, find something you love at five different stores, put them all in your cart. You can have them shipped wherever you want.

So I think we need to train people that that model now exists.

3. What’s your impression of your industry or sector?

I think there are many talented people doing really wonderful things, pouring their whole heart and soul into what they do. And I feel like what’s missing is effective resources for them and community, like banding together. We need to come together to get the economic power we want, and the respect and the attention.

I think people intrinsically know it’s good to shop local, but I don’t know that many people understand specifically how it’s beneficial to them.

I feel like the perception is 4. How do you see always it benefits the small business owner, which it does, your sector changing in the next year? and it’s the right thing to do in a way, but I don’t think that If we do nothing, I think

more and more businesses will start. People will still feel like they can make it and have a dream and do it, but they only will be able to reach a certain level of success. They might have that feeling of not having enough resources, or they might build a website, but then have no money to market to bring people to it.

Or they curate a new store, and then they don’t have anybody coming into the store to shop it.

It can be a struggle, trying to make it work day to day.

That stress will be alleviated if something like this could take off. If we do nothing, it’s going to continue to be a struggle for many small businesses.

Even the best work really hard to make it work. I’m hopeful that as more and more people learn about this as an option, that it creates an avenue of vitality for small businesses. And then they don’t have to worry about being an expert in building a

website or marketing or even have to worry about being responsible for every single piece of their success. They could lean on each other and create a community.

5. What’s the best simple advice you’ve received since entering the business world?

One piece of advice that I got while I was still in engineering school was that nothing is hard. It’s just time-consuming, so really anything is possible. You just have to put the time and effort and energy into it. But the thing I learned in business and what our mantra is here at Mercedes-Benz Springfield, and pretty much in everything I do, is be nice and be competent, because if you’re not competent and you’re nice, most likely people will (pass by) until you are competent.

Class of ‘24 interviews are edited for clarity and length.

Together, We End Hunger

Every dollar you contribute provides three nourishing meals.

foodbankwma.org 3196457-01

M16 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

OUTLOOK 2024

“Western Massachusetts has long been fortunate to possess unique attractions, excellent accessibility and a reputation for affordability, and these desirable attributes won’t change soon.”

MARY KAY WYDRA

Clockwise from left: a scene from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, speaks at an event her office hosted to highlight a downtown resurgence and celebrate MGM Springfield’s fifth anniversary; and Denise Descoteau and Kathy Hebert, of Holyoke, have fun with 4-yearold Harper Henshaw at The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)

Tourism CONTINUES FROM PAGE M9

• Reasonable Rates •18-hole Regulation Courses • Designed for All Skill Levels • Challenging Layouts

• Pristine Conditions • Knowledgeable/Friendly Staff • Great Food and Drinks • Host to USGA /Mass Golf Events

3196639-01

$136 million in state and local taxes. (Enough to pay for some 2,000 local school teacher positions!) On average, visitors to our region spent a whopping $2.3 million every day.

Data showed that regional tourism-supported employment was 11,466 jobs, up some 7% from the prior year.

(That’s enough people to fill the MassMutual Center 1.4 times!) Most striking was that this figure had already recovered to 91% of the pre-COVID level, indicating a strong (and still-continuing) comeback of visitor-related employment.

Survey results showed that in 2022, 80% of Western Massachusetts tourists typically came from six key Northeast markets: metro New York (28%), greater Boston (26%), Hartford/New Haven (9%), Philadelphia (7%), Providence (6%) and Albany (6%). Leading attractions visited included MGM Springfield, Six Flags New England, Yankee Candle Village, Springfield Museums and Basketball Hall of Fame, plus major events such as The Big E and Bright Nights.

The survey results demonstrated visitor consistent purchasing in five business categories, led by attractions and entertainment ($282 million), lodging ($179 million), food and beverage ($158 million), transportation ($131 million) and retail ($123 million).

Additionally, the Visitors Bureau noted that 2023 hotel occupancy in Western Massachusetts exceeded 2022 numbers in 11 of 12 months, and anecdotal attendance reports from our attractions were similarly strong during the year.

Another major factor we expect to drive regional visitor spending in 2024 (and beyond) is our region’s continuing emergence as a favored destination among sports event planners. In 2023, we hosted the first ever IRONMAN 70.3 Western Massachusetts, with some 1,240 athletes competing on a six-town course set up across Hampden County.

This exciting event will return on June 9, even bigger and better.

The MassMutual Center will play host to the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Regionals, along with two

New England Regional Volleyball tournaments this winter.

The Eastern State Exposition will again be the site of Hooplandia, returning in June with its exciting three-on-three format basketball tournament.

Based on these successes, the Visitors Bureau is taking an aggressive posture and will continue to pursue athletic and sports-related events in the future.

The Visitors Bureau projects a solid year for the overall Western Massachusetts visitor industry in 2024, with continuing job growth, growing tax revenue and increasing stability for businesses.

Western Massachusetts has long been fortunate to possess unique attractions, excellent accessibility and a reputation for affordability, and these desirable attributes won’t change soon.

Therefore, we expect to see record numbers of people who will be eager to discover (or return to!) our very special part of New England in the year ahead.

Mary Kay Wydra is president Scott Bradley, of Rochester, N.Y., the third-place finisher of the 2023 Ironman 70.3 of Western Massachusetts at the finish line. of the Greater Springfield Con- Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Mary Kay Wydra, director of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau hold the tape. Last year’s race drew 1,240 athletes to Springfield. (JEANETTE DEFORGE / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE) vention and Visitors Bureau.

200 YEARS of bringing the news home.

Celebra ng

s

s

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | M17

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

1824 - 2024

The Republican Newspaper turns 200!

W

Celebra ng

e’re not accustomed to writing about Today, The Republican’s business model ourselves, but after two centuries it’s has transformed into something, including the probably about time. That’s because the story most sophisticated digital news, that would of The Republican is also the amazing story surely confound the first of the three Samuel of the city and region we call home. Whether Bowles who guided this newspaper. What your family or your business has been here hasn’t changed through the decades is for many decades, or only for a few years, you The Republican’s passion for truthful, hardshare in the story that we will be telling in our hitting journalism – telling the news of the day 200th Anniversary book and through various from Springfield and around the world, and other means throughout 2024. helping local citizens make informed decisions As publisher of The Republican, I am about the direction of their community and steward of the tradition of 200 years of fine their democracy.

1824 - 2024 journalism by The Republican. As such, I Please join us in celebration of our 200th am privileged to stand on the shoulders of Anniversary – and yours. newspaper giants – leaders such as Samuel Bowles, Samuel Newhouse, and David Starr.

To understand what they and others built and sustained is also to comprehend what makes America great.

The Republican’s history is their story, but also the story of their colleagues, living and dead. And of the city called Springfield.

And of every woman, man and child who has lived in the broader Western Massachusetts community. And of democracy itself. When Samuel Bowles founded the newspaper in 1824, he not only was publisher, but also editor, typesetter, and printer.

George Arwady, Publisher & CEO

The Republican’s 200th Anniversary Celebration is sponsored in part by:

Barnes Air National Guard Base, Baystate Health, Congressman Richard E. Neal, Eastern States Exposition, Eversource, Flint Group, Lancer Transportation & Logistics, Legacy.com, Manroland Goss Web Systems, MGM Springfield, Polish National Credit Union, PeoplesBank, Premiere Staffing Services, Raymond James Financial, 6-Brick’s Dispensary, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Western Mass Economic Development Council

To subscribe to The Republican call 413-788-1100 For sponsorship advertising opportunities call 413-788-1250 or email advertising@repub.com 3195864-01

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M18 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

The future of interior design includes work in new construction, building rehabilitations and involves new technology in residential and commercial space.

The leadership team of Big Y Foods, from left, Richard D. Bossie, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Theresa A. Jasmin, chief financial officer, Charles L. D’Amour, chairman of the board, and Michael P. D’Amour, president and chief executive officer. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Big Y CONTINUES FROM PAGE M3

of the city’s most prominent office buildings.

Charles D’Amour says the company feels its way forward when it comes to the innovative concept in Tower Square.

“We’re learning,” he said of Big Y’s strategy at Tower Square. “We’ve reset it a couple of times and we reset it seasonally. It’s not really doing what we hoped it would be doing at this point.”

It may take time for the store to find its customers among both those living nearby and those working in the adjacent office towers.

“Some of it is we’re waiting. We’re waiting for more residential downtown. We’re waiting for 31 Elm to completely open, for example,” he said, referring to a refurbished former hotel on Court Square.

“And we’re continuing to work on getting the word out.

Especially for folks that live downtown. There’s nothing open downtown. We’re confident it will get there.”

Interestingly, the roughly 10,000-square-foot Tower Square Big Y Express Fresh Market is about the same size as those first supermarkets Paul and Gerald opened. And while that’s a fifth the size of many Big Y stores today, the footprints are shrinking again.

“I think there’s several reasons,” said Michael D’Amour.

“Some of it is just that some towns (and) areas can’t support a large store,” he said.

“So we think a smaller location will do the job. Especially mixed with the needs of what customers are looking for these days.”

What they are looking for is an enhanced experience in the perimeter of the store — where traditionally the fresh vegetables, dairy, meat, deli and seafood departments are located. In the center of the store — canned goods, greeting cards, cleaning supplies Big Y has pared down and consolidated and might offer enhanced e-commerce solutions.

E-commerce won’t replace what people look for in food shopping, said Michael D’Amour.

“We feel that the need to go in and experience the smell of the bread, look into the rows and pick out your own fresh piece of seafood or meat or talk to the experienced butchers or the seafood folks that we have, will make a huge difference. We don’t think that part of the shopping in the grocery stores will ever go away. It might continue to evolve as it has, but we don’t think it’ll just go away.”

Charles D’Amour says a 65,000-square-foot store isn’t always needed.

“There’s a lot of wasted space. We can be a little bit more efficient with our fixtures,” he said. “We can focus in a little bit more on the food piece— and offering those kinds of things to our customers instead of selling TVs and furniture.”

Charles D’Amour remembers the trend when Big Y’s — like the newly renovated store in West Springfield — featured dry cleaners and bank branches or developed film. Those services are long gone.

Today, they’ve even cut down the greeting card aisle from 60 feet to 40 feet, but added more food, including a large selection of Latino foods.

The company is always looking for opportunities to

“We’re also looking at making investments back into the business.

The family’s goal in the senior leadership team school is that the company will grow and continue to thrive into the future.

Theresa A. Jasmin, CFO, BIg Y

expand, within its current Massachusetts and Connecticut territory or in adjacent areas if the right deal comes up. That includes adding more convenience stores.

Big Y opened its first Big Y Express gas and convenience store in 2013 in Lee. Some are by themselves. Some are near Big Y supermarkets and some are even in the company’s own supermarket parking lots.

Bossie talked about the synergies between the convenience stores and Big Y’s expertise in food.

“It’s a weekly habit, right, to fill your gas tank and to shop for food. You know, with our loyalty program we’re able to kind of marry those two together. So shopping with us gives customers the opportunity to save on fuel. And that’s meaningful for a lot of people.

Michael said: “Yeah, it’s been a home run. I mean, they just have our brand out there representing what the brand means.”

Planned expansion Jasmin, the first non-family member to be CFO, feels the company’s fundamentals are strong and sound, in part because it takes “a planned approach to growth.”

“We have, generally speaking, grown one to two stores, per year, organically, and then we’re always looking for opportunities to grow,” she said. “But we’re also looking at making investments back into the business. The family’s goal in the senior leadership team school is that the company will grow and continue to thrive into the future.

“So whether it’s the Fresh and Local Distribution center, whether it’s supermarket remodels, whether it’s our people and training, we’re making investments back into the business every day that’s fueling that continued growth,” Jasmin said.

As the company’s new president and CEO, Michael D’Amour says he appreciated hearing how news of his new role moved through the staff.

“People were just thankful that they know that their careers are safe, that they can still be here and provide for their families, knowing that the family is still here and still involved with the values that we have,” Michael D’Amour said.

He’s already planning, down the road, for the next generational hand-off.

“Part of it is setting up the fourth generation. You want competence,” he said. “We don’t have so much hubris that we think just because you’re a family member, you can just run a supermarket business, right? And this business has become way more complicated than it was 10 years ago, never mind 40 years ago.”

Bay Path University student Lila Hartwell meets with professor Sandra Burns who teaches residential and commercial interior design. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

UMass

Fashion

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For information, visit maskoffday.online.

Fashion Week back Fashion and design enthusiasts can expect Springfield Fashion Week to make its sophomore return in the autumn of 2024.

This year’s attendees will see new designers, fashions, brands, venues, curated events and the love for community that the event established in just a short time, said Jeron Stimage-Norwood, Springfield Fashion Week’s program director.

Since its 2023 launch, the network of fashion designers, models, creators and industry professionals has expanded, said Stimage-Norwood.

Springfield Fashion Week got off the ground after Stimage-Norwood received a grant from the Springfield Creative City Collective. Last August, a series of events showcased almost two dozen local label and fashion brand designers and models, who sashayed in two large runway events.

Shows at iconic city landmarks spotlighted last year’s trends in fashion and design, along with presentations, sewing workshops and photo shoots. Trends featured cutouts, vibrant colors, bold prints, athletic, swim and evening wear, Sesame Street-inspired blazers and luxurious duffel bags.

Fashion Week started as a way to showcase both the region’s emerging and established designers, models, make-up artists, photographers, brands, creators, beauticians and musicians. The goal: providing a platform for creativity, innovation and artistic expression.

That dream job In Longmeadow, student Lila Hartwell has already begun working in the design industry and is confident the path ahead will lead to her dream job in interior design.

Hartwell aspires to own an interior design business where she could design art museums and galleries, among other things.

So far, in the interior design program at Bay Path University, Hartwell has gained real-life experience working on pitching the design of a food truck and has been hired after an internship at Danko on Route 5 in Hatfield.

Hartwell graduates in May. Sandra Burns, a professor of residential and commercial interior design, said designers are needed more now than prior to the pandemic.

“The interior design industry is market-driven,” Burns said.

The market in 2024 includes demand from retirees,

India Anderson of Level Up Design chats with Jeron Stimage-Norwood, founder of Springfield Fashion Week, at White Lion Brewing in Tower Square. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

people downsizing, young couples, couples with growing children, trade show and event organizers and empty nesters, Burns said.

Students need to be ready for all options in the industry, because it hits all demographics, Burns said.

The future of interior design includes work in new construction, building rehabilitations and involves new technology in residential and commercial spaces, she said.

10 Forward, 10 Fisk Avenue Basement in Greenfield. This event will feature LGBTQ+ fashion designers.

• On April 17, attendees are invited to step into the world of fashion, scandal and shameless self-promotion of John Singer Sargent, through interviews with curators, fashionistas and style influencers in a film showing at the Amherst Cinema. The on-screen film exhibit will discuss the connection between Sargent’s portrait art Fashion, design events and its influence on modern Here are some of the art, culture and fashion. events coming on the fashion • On May 9, from 7–10 and design calendar in the p.m., attendees can expect region. an exhilarating fusion of art, • On Feb. 24, beginning creativity, and style at the at 7 p.m. a Fashion Show Middlesex Fashion Week in and Gala will be hosted at Middletown, Connecticut.

tation in the fashion industry and so I wanted to find a way to combine traditional textiles and patterns that I grew up with as a child with modern streetwear elements and silhouettes,” Ameli said.

Ameli created two captivating looks for the UMass Fashion Club’s 2023 runway show, “Through the Aura,” and is co-president of the Clothing Creation Club at UMass Amherst.

Louis and futuristic streetwear For Louis, After Awakening’s goal is to inspire and encourage the pursuit of individual passions, uplifting young creatives to reach their full potential.

“Our community encourages individuals to break free from societal norms and tap into their true purpose. This requires expanding beyond limited perspectives and mindsets in order to reach the next level of personal enlightenment,” she said.

By bringing awareness to this mission, Louis said people can take charge of their lives and reach unimaginable heights. “It is not necessary to fully understand this purpose, but simply to believe in oneself and trust the journey,” she said.

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OUTLOOK 2024

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024 | M19

Eager visitors get instructions on making a piece of foldable art in the art room at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst. At left, Chloe Zhang, 8, of Hadley is dwarfed by giant canvases at the museum. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

making powerful work out there.”

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Pavilion. Each season this “While most people’s fears space will offer new special have eased, that isn’t true features including instalfor everyone,” said Holden.

CONTINUES FROM PAGE M1 lations, demonstrations, a “We still have the occasional McCloskey sharing his new separate craft cocktail bar, guest share that this is their book “Caterpillars: What and creative activity stafirst time attending a conWill I Be When I Get to Be tions for the whole family to cert in several years. With Me?” and the chance to meet enjoy.” that in mind, we do our best and take pictures with the to make everyone as comDriving demand Very Hungry Caterpillar. fortable as we can.”

Although it’s taken a couWelcoming all members of Diverse lineup ple of years to bounce back the community is important The museum also plans to from the COVID-19 shutto Holden and Bombyx. Enoffer a diverse and accessidowns, many area venues suring a sense of community ble lineup this year, includsaw record attendance last and positive experiences at ing partnering with Kulture- year and expect more of the their shows and events is City to make the museum a same or even better for this crucial.

Sensory Inclusive Certified year.

“Cultivating patience for Site more welcoming to neuThose producing events folks who might think or rodiverse individuals. believe many people are act or look differently is the “This summer, we will prioritizing experiences over muscle we need to strengthhost an exhibition of Roger material items, driving the en right now,” said Holden.

Mello’s picture book art. demand for live entertain“Pre-pandemic audiences Mello, a Brazilian artist, has ment. were more open to new illustrated over 100 titles — “We weren’t sure if our experiences. My hope is that 22 of which he also wrote,” very loyal attendees and coming to familiar shows said Schantz. “Diversity, exhibitors would be willing and having positive expeequity, inclusion and access and able to come back from riences will instill a sense continue to be key priorities this,” Swanson said. “[But] of ease and create space for the museum. We contin- attendance and exhibifor taking risks on new ue the work of making our tor sales have only been performers. There’s a wide collections, programs and growing. We think the main world of brilliant artists exhibitions reflective of the diverse population in our nation.”

JENNIFER SCHANTZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM The Eric Carle Museum isn’t the only venue expanding its offerings to represent reason is that Paradise City a wider scope of the arts and has always been a place entertainment industry. Just that provides a sense of two years into its existence, normalcy, community, and Northampton’s Bombyx beauty.”

Center for Arts and Equity The same holds true finds itself trying out new for larger venues like the ideas and new presentaMassMutual Center, which tions. is seeing record attendance Director Cassandra Hold- and profits — from family en says 2024 is “a year of events like Paw Patrol Live experiments for us.” to stars such as Tina Fey, “We’re expanding our Amy Poehler and Bruno offerings to include dance, Mars. theater, and film,” she said.

“This past year was the The center will host a tradi- most successful in regard tional Irish feast in conjunc- to the economic impact for tion with a performance by Western Massachusetts.”

Karan Casay. “The dinner said Joe Flanagan, the and a show combination center’s assistant general is terrific because it gets manager. He expects simstrangers talking with one ilar success this year with another.” entertainment like Disney The Paradise City Arts on Ice and the Harlem GloFestival is also working on betrotters. promoting a diverse group However, there are still of artists and vendors repchallenges for the smaller resenting both the local and venues. national scenes.

“In some ways, it was a “We have always highgreat year for us as well, lighted local chefs and but, especially in the regional musicians under smaller clubs and theaters, the festival dining tent, and it is still a struggle to make almost four dozen of our ex- it work financially for all hibiting artists reside in the parties when costs have Pioneer Valley,” said Mariah skyrocketed since the panSwanson, director of sales demic,” said Sanders. and marketing. “We are Those rising costs, which very locally rooted, yet the hit both producers and show provides a broad view audience members, have of what’s happening on the made people more increative scene throughout tentional about how they America.” spend their money and Celebrating its 30th time. They expect value anniversary this October, and positive experiences. the festival will bring many “Since COVID, we have noteworthy artists to its found that our visitors are May show in Northampton. more purposeful about Two of the most notable what activities they choose are Aisling Colleary from to do together. They missed Horizon Line Ceramics, our innovative onsite whose rustic forms have a exhibitions, programs, and Hidden away waterfalls that whisper with folklore and mountain biking trails natural color palette that activities,” said Schantz. fits many spaces and Emily “We find that families visit that scream with excitement. The call of nature’s greatest playground is clear Gwynn from Hands to Work again and again to make art – are you ready to answer? ... #FindYourCatskills Textiles in Shelburne Falls, a in our sunny Art Studio, to hand weaver who specializ- meet their favorite picture es in items like high-quality book artists and authors in table runners and woven our Reading Library and to baskets that create a cozy stroll through our galleries vibe. filled with picture book “We’re always evolving,” art.” said Swanson. “We will Holden is noticing similar introduce over 40 brandtrends at Bombyx, but also GreatNorthernCatskills.com new artists, among the 220 says some people are taking exhibitors from 18 states, anxious steps back into and launch the Paradise large public gatherings.

“Diversity, equity, inclusion and access continue to be key priorities for the museum.”

Adventure.

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Verified users on the app (anyone with a blue check) can sell anything: clothing, makeup, phone accessories, and even food for a cheap price — between $4-$25 — and get a 2% commission on every sale.

This year, the app will be increasing that commission to 8%.

AI IS IN: Investors are all for buying in on artificial intelligence in 2024. iShares, a stock advisor, predicts that over 70% of executives will be increasing their use of AI in the coming year. Voice-activated digital assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google are expected to be replaced by co-bots, a generative AIbased personal assistant bots that are “likely to have an immediate impact on (human resources),” an Investopedia article said.

BUNDLES, BUNDLES, AND MORE BUNDLES: Top streaming platforms will continue to partner with other companies to entice users to purchase more for less deals, says CNBC. In 2023, Disney+ already offers a three-way bundle with Hulu and ESPN+, and is gearing up to offer a new, combined Disney+ and Hulu platform later this spring.

In December, Paramount+ and Apple TV+ were reportedly considering making a bundle. Also considering a bundle was Verizon, the phone and home internet provider, which said it would be offering a bundle of the “ad-supported tiers” of Max and Netflix to Verizon customers for $10 per month, which would be $7 less than users subscribing separately. Experts are saying these TV bundles could be a plus for the industry.

PODCASTING, AI AND ADS: The Hollywood Reporter is predicting that AI will also take over podcasting — helping to edit, produce, market, and translate podcasts, among other tools. Podcasting will also grow globally, as production companies attempt to reach international audiences. CEO of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group, Conal Byrne said, “It’s not just meaningful for the creators to be able to access audiences in the language they want, but also to actually build businesses in those territories.”

Podcasters will start working with more and more brands in order to reach a “growing, engaged audience,” said Amazon-owned Wondery CEO Jen Sargent. In 2022, U.S. podcast ad revenues grew to reach $1.8 billion, a 26 percent jump from the previous year, according to the IAB U.S. Podcast Advertising Revenue study.

Revenues are projected to more than double between 2022-2025 to about $4 billion, according to the study.

Diversity

Building community That sense of community is something that Sanders also sees at the Green River Festival and wants to make sure remains.

“Green River is such a unique festival that has a long history and is really defined by the people who have supported it over the years,” said Sanders.

“We want to deliver a great experience for all those folks, which means not changing too much so that the laid back atmosphere and sense of community is always at the heart of the festival.”

The artists and performers seem to be reflecting that sense of community and collaboration in their own work as they express their feelings on a wider range of issues than they perhaps did in the past.

“Artists are singing about what’s important to them, and that means they’re writing songs about everything,” said Holden. “When touring ground to a halt for two years, artists had wide open space to create and experiment.

Creative relationships forged

during the pandemic have endured and flourished and we will continue to see the fruits of that for years to come.”

There is an undeniable buzz and excitement surrounding the arts and entertainment venues across Western Massachusetts — whether they be for adults or children, music or art.

“There have been a lot of changes over the last few years in the concert scene in Western Mass. and with that change comes new venues, new ideas and new energy,” said Sanders. “It’s a very exciting time and we are thrilled to be a part of a network of folks who continue to make the Valley a great place to experience live music.”

“The pause was also an opportunity to examine the industry as a whole and create saner ways of doing things — making touring less grueling, opening space for under-represented groups in production roles, integrating new technologies,” said Holden, of Bombyx. “The ecosystem is changing and I believe this means we’ll be experiencing more shows that feel different because everyone working on them is healthier.”

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