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The Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC) and the University of Massachusetts Amherst iCons Program, under the umbrella of the iCons Industry Consortium, are joining forces to provide UMass iCons students with internship and career opportunities in western Massachusetts.
The iCons Program aims to engage students in addressing real-world challenges alongside industry partners and faculty members from a range of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and business disciplines. With the support of the EDC, UMass iCons students majoring in science, technology, engineering, math, health sciences, and business will have access to internship opportunities with local businesses.
The Western Mass EDC is identifying internship placements among its member organizations.
Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Mass EDC, said, “We’re excited to partner with UMass Amherst to showcase the advantages of living and working in western Mass. By bringing together exceptional students and local businesses, this collaboration creates a win-win situation, fostering mutual growth and development.”
The iCons Program has already placed students in internships at three member organizations of the Western Mass EDC: US Tsubaki Chicopee, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and the Markens Group.
“The iCons Industry Consortium is thrilled to welcome the Western Mass EDC as an important partner,” said Scott Auerbach, Mahoney Family sponsored executive director of the iCons Program. “The EDC’s knowledge of the local business community and its commitment to economic development are invaluable in helping our students find meaningful internships and jobs in Western Massachusetts.”
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For the second year in a row, Cedar Chest, the anchor store in Thornes Marketplace on Main Street in downtown Northampton, will partner with food justice organization Grow Food Northampton to ensure that community members grappling with food insecurity and hunger are able to access healthy local farm foods all year long at Grow Food Northampton’s farmers markets, Tuesday Market and Winter Market.
The Grow Food Northampton SNAP Match program allows community members who use SNAP (formerly called “food stamps”) to more than double their purchase of nutritious local produce and other farm products at the weekly Tuesday Market farmers market behind Thorne’s Marketplace, and in the winter, at the Winter Market at the Northampton Senior Center.
The “Give $10, Get $10″ promotion, that began on June 12, allows Cedar Chest Customers to donate $10 to Grow Food Northampton’s SNAP Match program, and in turn, receive a $10 gift card to spend at Cedar Chest.
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Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), a nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate economic and social impact through inclusive entrepreneurship, announces the renaming of its EforAll/EparaTodos Holyoke programs to EforAll/EparaTodos Pioneer Valley, as it expands its English and Spanish language program access in the region. Since its launch in 2018, the organization has served 129 Pioneer Valley ventures that generated over $2.5M in revenue, and provided 114 local jobs in 2022.
Formerly known as EforAll/EparaTodos Holyoke, the site typically serves 30 aspiring entrepreneurs, annually, across its English- and Spanish-language business accelerator program. In 2023, it plans to increase the number of participants served to 45, providing critical early-stage business education and support to more Pioneer Valley entrepreneurs in need.
“This expansion is a natural evolution for the organization,” says Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, executive director of EforAll/EparaTodos Pioneer Valley. “We’ve already seen amazing success stories with EforAll/EparaTodos graduates like CRAVE Restaurant & Food Truck (Holyoke), Rozki Rides (Springfield), and LifeBooch Kombucha (Easthampton). I am excited to support more entrepreneurs across the entire Pioneer Valley area and make an even bigger impact.”
PeoplesBank, a donor and champion of EforAll/EparaTodos Pioneer Valley, supports this expansion plan. “As a community bank, there is nothing more important to us than a growing, vibrant economy, and there is nothing more important to a local economy than a steady stream of new businesses,” says Matthew Bannister, head of marketing and corporate responsibility at PeoplesBank. “EforAll has strong roots in Holyoke, as do we, but their impact is felt just as much throughout the entire region. We supported them in Holyoke, and we will continue to support their efforts throughout the Valley.”
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The Holyoke Economic Development and Industrial Corp. announces the launch of the MakerLoan Program and the Equipment Loan Program. The HEDIC has reestablished its lending program, which served Holyoke manufacturers for over 20 years.
The MakerLoan Program is a small business loan program for qualifying businesses who produce or “make” a good for market sale. HEDIC serves to promote Holyoke industry and has historically focused on larger manufacturing expansions. While this remains a focus, this new program is intended to help the establishment and nurture the growth of new manufacturing or “maker” businesses. The HEDIC along with the Office of Planning and Economic Development has been designing this program to make it accessible and equitable to those businesses that need it most. This loan program has zero percent interest and will finance up to $25,000. This loan can be used for startup costs — incurred within the first 3 years of operations — before businesses typically can qualify for traditional financing. This program is designed for entrepreneurs, sole proprietorships, and micro-businesses which employ five or less people getting established. The goal is to support business growth and to support development of the maker ecosystem in Holyoke.
The Equipment Loan Program is designed for established manufacturers needing gap financing in conjunction with traditional financing. This enables purchase of equipment for businesses that lead to operational efficiencies and / or growth of the business. The HEDIC will fill in the gap for qualifying businesses with up to 30% up to $100,000 of the entire loan. The low interest rate is 50% of the prime lending rate. These loans may be used to purchase equipment and are best for capital-intensive manufacturers that are not yet fully bankable but have a strong business plan for growth.
The program’s goals are to promote local entrepreneurship, grow the tax base, and create new jobs through investing in Holyoke businesses.
For additional information, contact HEDIC at (413) 322-5655 or OPED@Holyoke.org.
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Glenmeadow Retirement breaks ground for New Wellness Center and Phase Two Renovations on Friday, June 30, at 3 p.m. at 24 Tabor Crossing in Longmeadow.
Glenmeadow Retirement will mark the official groundbreaking of its new wellness center and phase two renovations, a project cost of $10 million.
The new wellness center will include a handicap-accessible pool, exercise equipment and more room for fitness classes. Among the many improvements envisioned for the renovation portion of the project is an upgraded restaurant, bar/lounge, wellness spa and library.
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