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February 2017
  
In the Home Stretch ~ Springfield Innovation Center

Collaboration with Old Window Workshop

Several month ago, we formed a partnership with Old Window Workshop (OWW), a start-up, women/worker-owned cooperative based in Springfield's South End. OWW provides employment and business ownership opportunities for women struggling with poverty, criminal justice issues and other challenges. The program contributes to economic empowerment while reducing recidivism, fostering family stability and helping to create a safer community.
 
The workers have done an excellent job of restoring historic windows and doors at the Springfield Innovation Center. This project provided a great platform for collaboration and on-the-job training for living wage jobs in the preservation trades. Plus, by restoring rather than replacing the existing windows and doors, we are also maintaining the historic integrity of the buildings while reducing waste and the environmental impact associated with new window and door production.

GSDC Supports  Springfield Innovation Center Project

We've made some new friends!  Our recent application to the Granite State Development Corp. for a grant through their Economic Development Grant Fund was met with success. And we are very grateful for their generous contribution.
 
A grant has been provided to help support the completion of the Springfield Innovation Center Project on Bridge Street. Tracey Gaylord, Vice President at GSDC stopped by our offices recently to deliver their award.


The Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts Looks Forward to Moving In

The Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts will soon be moving into their new space at the Innovation Center. Even with construction going on in the background, they braved the dust to host a recent press event to announce funding by the MassMutual Foundation together with the launch of their new multi-sector initiative: the "Partnership for Young Women's Progress."  We are excited for this great organization to move into their new space and make their new home in Springfield!

6th Celebrate Springfield Annual Dinner Event

Our 6th Celebrate Springfield Annual Dinner Event will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at the MassMutual Center. 

We are planning a terrific evening to celebrate progress in the City toward revitalization and the many projects underway that shine a light on the bright future ahead.

The event will feature a reception beginning at 5:30pm including music by the Eric Bascom Trio, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Dinner at 6:30pm will include a brief program; a fun, new panel conversation;  and awards presentation to our "Partners In Progress" honorees.  This year's recipients are: Gumersindo Gomez , Executive Director of the Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center; Sarah Page , Senior Vice President, Community Building and Engagement for HAPHousing; Timothy J. Plante , Chief Administrative and Financial Officer for the City of Springfield; and Gordon Pulsifer , President and CEO of First Resource Development Co.
 
Huge thanks to our Platinum Sponsor ~ MassMutual Financial Group.
 
We are also grateful to our Gold Sponsors ~ Liberty Mutual Insurance, PeoplesBank, and The Republican/El Pueblo Latino; and our Silver Sponsors ~ American International College, Bulkley Richardson & Gelinas, LLP, BusinessWest, CRRC USA Rail Corp., Health New England, MassMutual Center, MGM Springfield, NUVO, a division of Merchants Bank, Raymond James, Springfield College, TD Bank, and Tishman Construction an AECOM Company; and our Bronze Sponsors ~ Berkshire Bank, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, Fontaine Bros., Freedom Credit Union, M & S Development, NAI Plotkin, Springfield Housing Authority, Studio One, United Personnel, Westfield Bank, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, and XFINITY; and our Community Sponsors ~ Associated Building Wreckers, Bacon Wilson, P.C., Davenport Advisors, LLC, Elms College, Farmington Bank, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc., HAPHousing, Inc., Insurance Center of New England, Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, Mercy Medical Center, N.L. Construction, Noonan Energy, Pinck & Co.,  Pride Stores, R.H. White Companies, Inc., and United Bank.
 
These sponsors have committed to their participation in this important annual fundraising event supporting the ongoing work of DevelopSpringfield.  There is still time for your company or organization to get involved, but time is running short.  Click here for a link to a full listing of our current list of generous sponsors.
 
Click here for a link to our website listing the various sponsorship opportunities and to purchase seating online.  Advance registration is required so please plan early.
Properties Available

90 Carew Street

DevelopSpringfield has assembled a vacant former church property at Dwight and Carew Streets together with several adjacent parcels into a large redevelopment site in close proximity to the growing Mercy and Baystate hospital campuses. Highly visible corner with excellent access to public transit. Ideal for medical office, social service or retail. Available for purchase or lease/ rehab or build-to-suit. This 1.3 acre site is zoned Business A and the current building is 11,680 square feet.  

Click here for additional details on this exciting opportunity to lease or purchase this property.

69 Maple Street

C onverted Carriage House available at the new Lower Maple Business Park. 

Ideal for business office, contractors or live/work space. Walking distance to downtown, courts and MGM. Comes with garage, work/storage space and ample parking.

Space includes 1,500 square feet of second floor office space, cathedral ceilings and full kitchen.

An additional 1,570 square feet in the ground floor provides flexible options for workshop or storage and includes the use of 670 square foot 2 bay garage.

Click here for additional details!

Please forward this newsletter to others in the Springfield community to help spread the news!
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Our mission is to help create conditions that encourage private development, with a bricks-and-mortar focus and always with an eye toward understanding and meeting Springfield's unique and diverse redevelopment needs.