From the Executive Director...
We focus on the most important economy. YOURS.
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Greetings!
This past Monday, we held our Annual Golf Tournament, and I want to thank all our sponsors, members, volunteers, my staff, raffle donors, and guests who helped to make it a great success. While the weather was not ideal, we persevered and a good time was had by all. We hope to see all of you again next year!
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Congratulations to two of our three CSF Dollars for Scholars recipients. On May 31st, I will be presenting our last award to a student from Gateway Regional High School.
On Tuesday, May 15th I had the privilege of presenting the Westfield CSF Dollars for Scholars award to Nicole Porter. She is graduating from Westfield High School and will be attending Fairfield University in the fall and will major in Marketing. Congratulations Nicole!
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Chamber Director Kim Betts had the privilege of presenting the Southwick CSF Dollars for Scholars to Brandon Smith. He is a senior at UMASS Amherst studying Business Management, and Brandon’s career goal is to become an Actuary. In 2014, Brandon was the STRHS valedictorian. Congratulations Brandon!
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Lastly, I have two requests: 1) please attend our Chamber’s June Breakfast on June 9th at Westfield State University to hear our keynote speaker, Secretary Jay Ash, Secretary of Housing & Economic Development. We will also be Saluting Mina’s Wine & Spirits 35th Anniversary! 2) Please consider having a free vendor table at the High School Career Fair on June 16th for 600 sophomores and juniors to learn about your company and to educate the students on specific job skills and educational requirements.
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Stay connected,
Kate Phelon
Executive Director
568.1618
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SBA Workshop
Government Contracting Can
Grow Your Business!
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Scibelli Enterprise Center
One Federal Street Bldg., 101R-3rd Floor
Springfield, MA
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This FREE workshop will help you gain a better understanding of Government Contracting processes and resources available to assist you. General information will be provided on the following areas and much more:
What is Government Contracting?
- Who, What, When & Where?
- Steps to Success
- Certifications: Women Owned, Small Disadvantaged (8a), HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran Businesses Registration
- Webinars, Workshops, One-on-One Assistance
Learn About SBA Resources/Partners
- Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Co-Presenter
- Small Business Development Center Network
- SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business
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The Mason Agency
Main Chamber Contact: Eric Mason
504 College Highway
Southwick, MA 01077
413.569.2307
With Farm Family, you get a dedicated agent ready to help you make well-informed decisions about protecting your lifestyle. I’m here with the know-how and products to help you manage your family’s risks, no matter what stage of life you are in. An open appointment book, along with coverage for everything from home, auto and life to farms, businesses and collector cars, means you can feel good that I’m more your ally than your agent.
There are few purchases more important than buying insurance to protect your hard-earned assets and provide a foundation for your financial security. Just as important is having a trusted agent to help you navigate the myriad options. As a local Farm Family agent, I’m trained to do just that. My focus is finding the right combination of coverage to protect what you care about most; putting time back on your schedule and money back in your pocket. Plus, if you do experience a covered loss, you can feel confident that I’ll be there to help get you back on your feet.
As an agent with Farm Family, I am proud to represent a company that puts its focus on customer service, fair claims and fiscal responsibility. Insurance can be complex, but every day Farm Family works to offer clients solutions in an understandable, convenient and enjoyable manner. Simply put, our culture is designed so that agents like me are able to take a personal interest in the success of clients like you.
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Berkshire Hills Bankcorp to Locate Corporate Headquarters in Boston: First Regional Bank with Boston HQ in Decades
Commerce Bank Acquisition Further Solidifies Boston Presence
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, parent of Berkshire Bank, announced today that it plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to Boston later this year; an exciting move to support the Bank’s continued strategic growth throughout the Northeast. The Company also announced a definitive agreement to acquire Commerce Bancshares Corp. and its subsidiary, Commerce Bank, in Worcester, MA, adding sixteen new branches in eastern Massachusetts and a well-established commercial team to capitalize on growth opportunities and further solidify its regional presence. The combined institution will be the largest regional bank in Massachusetts and first regional bank headquartered in Boston in decades. (Read more...)
Berkshire Hills to Acquire Commerce Bancshares
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB) and Commerce Bancshares Corp. (Private; “Commerce”) announced today that they have signed a definitive merger agreement under which Berkshire will acquire Commerce and its subsidiary, Commerce Bank and Trust (“Commerce Bank”), in an all-stock transaction valued at $209 million. (Read more...)
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Gaudreau and Lawler Earn Commercial Lines Coverage
Specialist (CLCS) Designation
Jules Gaudreau, III and Brian Lawler of The Gaudreau Group recently achieved the Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) designation from The Hartford School of Insurance. The extensive technical insurance knowledge Gaudreau and Lawler gained in the 13-month program helps them apply a consultative approach to structuring customized commercial insurance and risk management programs for their clients. (
Read more
...)
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Annual Brightside Golf Classic Set for July 24
Over 200 golfers are expected to participate in the 37th Annual Brightside Golf Classic on Monday, July 24, at Springfield Country Club in West Springfield. "This event raises funds to continue Brightside’s mission to support our community’s most vulnerable children and their families," said Allison Gearing-Kalill, Vice President of Fund Development for Mercy Medical Center and its affiliated services. (Read more...)
Caritas Gala Raises Over $358,000 to Support Opioid Treatment Services
Mercy Medical Center's firstannual Caritas Gala has raised $358,316 to expand and enhance Mercy Behavioral Health Care's Opioid Treatment and Addiction Recovery programs, including a new inpatient step-down treatment program for post-detox services, giving individuals a better chance at long-term recovery. (Read more...)
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MBK Recognized As New England Regional Leader In Accounting Today
Accounting Today
is the premier publication of the certified public accounting industry. They named 19 firms as regional leaders throughout New England in their 2017 Top 100 publication. According to Accounting Today, the intention of their annual Regional Leaders list is to highlight strong firms whose names may not be nationally known but that are thriving in different regions of the country. (Read more...)
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NetLogix Named to ChannelE2E Top 100
NetLogix has been named to After Nines Inc.’s ChannelE2E Top 100 Vertical Market MSPs list and research. The list and research identify and honor the top 100 managed services providers (MSPs) in healthcare, government, financial services, manufacturing and additional vertical markets. (Read more...)
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Gordon Avery Joins Park Square Realty
Ted Cassell, President of Park Square Realty, is pleased to announce that Gordon Avery has joined Park Square Realty's Westfield Office as a Sales Associate. Gordon specializes in residential listings and sales. Gordon brings with him exceptional customer service skills he has gained working in the Sales, Service and Installation within the construction field over the past 15 years. The experience Gordon has obtained in construction, and his passion to help homeowners have a smooth and enjoyable transition, either into their first home or downsizing into a home that will help them to continue their independent lifestyle, is one of the few reasons we are happy to have him aboard. Gordon obtained his real estate license in 2012 and has been an active agent with another company in the area. (Read more...)
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Tighe & Bone Promotes Two Manager to Vice President
Tighe & Bond, a Northeast leader in engineering and environmental consulting announced the recent promotion of two of its managers to vice presidents: Ian Catlow, P.E., and Daniel Rukakoski, PWS, CWS, PSS. The promotions were announced at the firm’s annual stockholder’s meeting in April. (Read more...)
Duncan Mellor, PE Honored With ALF's 2017 Distinguished Lighthouse Community Service Award
The American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF) honored Duncan Mellor, PE with its 2017 “Distinguished Lighthouse Community Service Award” at its annual gala at the Nonatum Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine on May 7. Every year the organization honors one person who has contributed significantly to the ALF’s mission. (Read more...)
Tighe & Bond Climbs 15 Spots in ENR Top 500 Design Firms Ranking
Tighe & Bond, one of the leading full service engineering and environmental consulting firms in the northeastern United States climbed 15 spots to No. 260 on Engineering News Record’s (ENR) 2017 Top 500 Design Firms ranking. ENR ranks its list of top 500 design firms based on design-specific revenue from the previous year. (Read more...)
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Westfield State Announces Largest Gift in University’s History
Westfield State University today announced its largest philanthropic gift to date in the university’s 178-year history. An anonymous donor has gifted $1.1 million to purchase 20 Steinway & Sons pianos, setting the course for Westfield State to earn an All-Steinway School distinction by fall 2017. (Read more...)
Westfield State Student Joseph Seal Chosen As 29 Who Shine Recipient
Westfield State University student Joseph Seal ’17 of Indian Orchard, Mass. has been named the Westfield State recipient of the 29 Who Shine award by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. These awards were presented to 29 graduates throughout the state who excel in community service and academic excellence. Each recipient is from a community college, state university, or University of Massachusetts campus and is nominated by faculty or a staff member. (Read more...)
Westfield State University Celebrates Opening of Dr. Nettie Maria Stevens
Science and Innovation Center
Westfield State University today celebrated the ribbon cutting and naming ceremony of the Dr. Nettie Maria Stevens Science and Innovation Center. The state-of-the-art building is named after one of the university’s most distinguished alumni - Dr. Nettie Maria Stevens – an early American geneticist behind the discovery of sex determination by chromosomes. (Read more...)
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Savings for Westfield!
Whip City Fiber, powered by Westfield Gas + Electric, has been bringing high-speed internet to Westfield for over a year and a half now. Our customers are realizing the benefits of 1 gigabit speeds (up to 1,000 Mbps upload and download) and the dedication of the local Whip City Fiber team. From the beginning, as we’ve always done with our electric and natural gas customers, we’ve been committed to providing a reliable product at competitive pricing along with great service to our residential and commercial customers. To further assist our customers, we’re providing additional technical help for those who want to learn how to save money by “cutting the cord” from cable or satellite providers. (Read more...)
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Upcoming Chamber Events...
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June Breakfast
Friday, June 9, 2017
7 - 9 am
@Westfield State University
Scanlon Hall
577 Western Avenue
Westfield, MA
Hear from Keynote Speaker Jay Ash who serves as Secretary of Housing and Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Tickets: $25 Members/$30 General Admission (paid in advance)
Thank you to our sponsors: Platinum: Westfield State University; Gold: Westfield Gas & Electric; Silver: Tighe & Bond; Bronze: The Home Depot
50/50 Raffle to support 3 scholarship funds.
For more information, to donate a door prize, reserve a sponsorship or register, please call Pam at the Chamber office at 413.568.1618.
After 5 Connection
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
5 - 7 pm
@ Westfield Bank
462 College Highway
Southwick, MA
Join us for our monthly networking event. FREE to Chamber Members! $10 for general admission cash or credit at the door. Bring your business cards and make connections! refreshments served! 50/50 raffle to benefit 3 Citizen's Scholarships! This is one of our largest After 5 Connection and it features a backyard style cookout! Kick off the summer with the Chamber!
For a full listing of upcoming Chamber events, please click here: EVENT CALENDAR
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Non-Compete Agreements presented by Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas, LLP
Thursday, June 1, 2017
8:30 - 10 am
@ Holiday Inn Express
39 Southampton Road
Westfield, MA
Attorneys Mary Jo Kennedy and Ryan Barry from Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas, LLP will present on the subject of non-compete agreements. Topics will include:
- The circumstances in which non-compete agreements arise;
- Non-solicitation and non-disclosure agreements;
- How to structure non-compete agreements;
- Limitations on the enforceability of non-compete agreements;
- Recent cases discussing non-compete agreements;
- Proposed legislation regarding non-compete agreements; and
- Alternatives to non-compete agreements.
A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.
Free to Members/$30 for General Admission
Light refreshments served
REGISTER HERE!
Additional workshops are listed on our website and can be accessed here: EVENT CALENDAR
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Members do you have an event you'd like on our website? Click the link to the right to submit it!!
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Photos from this month...
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Please enjoy some photographs from this past month's events...
After 5 Connection at Armbrook Village:
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56th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament:
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To see all the photos from our golf tournament, visit the gallery:
GOLF GALLERY
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Congratulations to our members who are celebrating a Chamber anniversary. Thank you for your continued support!
One Year
B & E Tool
Springfield Symphony Orchestra
The Gaudreau Group
Westfield Funeral Home and Cremation
Ten Years
Westfield Electroplating Company
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Please enjoy a photograph from our May Mayor's Coffee Hour at Amelia Park Ice Arena! Our next Mayor's Coffee Hour is June 5, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. at Stanley Park of Westfield, 400 Western Avenue, Westfield
. See you there!
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City of Westfield Info...
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PRESS RELEASE
SAVE THE DATE: FIREWORKS FOR FREEDOM – JULY 1, 2017
The City of Westfield will be sponsoring a fireworks event on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at the South Middle School fields (30 West Silver Street). Festivities will begin at 6:30 pm with fireworks presented by Atlas Pyrovision of Jaffrey, NH at dusk. Rain date is Sunday, July 2.
Due to the success of last year’s event, the location will remain the same. South Middle School provided a convenient and easily accessible location.
Donations to the Fireworks for Freedom Campaign are accepted. Checks may be made payable to: City of Westfield Fireworks Fund, 59 Court Street, Westfield, MA 01085.
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News from Gaming Commission & Casino...
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2017 Community Mitigation Fund Applications
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission hereby requests public comment on grant applications from the 2017 Community Mitigation Fund. Learn more here...
Request for Public Comment
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is seeking public comment on the proposed table game rules. Learn more here...
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As construction continues on the MGM Springfield project, our next Vendor Outreach Session will be held on March 1, 2017 at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield from 9:00-3:00 p.m. Below, please find information on the project related supplies and scopes that will be covered in this outreach session. If you are a vendor/contractor that specializes in any of the below project related supplies or scopes, please register to attend today! Women, Minority, and Veteran owned companies encouraged to attend!
REGISTER HERE!
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For Small Business Members...
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Training Seminars & Events
Business Basics Workshop An overview of all the basic information you need to start a business.
Register Online
- Monday, May 1st from 1:00 - 3:30 pm at PeoplesBank, 330 Whitney Ave, Holyoke
For a complete list of our Training Seminars and Events, visit: MSBDC
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For Manufacturing Members...
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MassMEP Manufacturing Partnership
For upcoming MassMEP events and workshops, please visit and May Newsletter, visit:
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We've Moved!
Please update our contact details as follows:
Massachusetts Export Center
2 Center Plaza, Suite 200
Boston, MA 02108
Tel: 617-973-8664
Web:
www.mass.gov/export
Please note that we are experiencing difficulties with our phone service. Please call
508-439-5798
to reach us in the interim.
We look forward to expanding our partnership with the
Mass Tech Collaborative to enhance the export competitiveness of technology companies throughout the Commonwealth!
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GWCC Meetings & Committees
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Here is a list of our committees and we welcome current and new members to get involved. Please feel free to contact the chairpersons below if you would like to participate on a committee.
Board of Directors
The GWCC Board of Directors meets quarterly; the next meeting is Wednesday, July 19, 2017. Your Board of Directors is listed here:
http://www.westfieldbiz.org/directors-officers.html.
Business & Community Affairs Committee (BCAC)
Meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month at 8:00 am at the Chamber office, 16 N Elm Street in Westfield. Chair: Rebecca Sherer. If you would like to join the BCAC, please contact
Rebecca Sherer.
Events Committee
The Events Committee meets the first Wednesday of every month at 9:00 am at Air Compressor Engineering. Please contact Kate Phelon @ 413.568.1618 if you would like to be a part of this committee. Chair: Dawn Thomas. If you would like to join the Events Committee, please contact
Dawn Thomas.
Marketing Committee
The Marketing Committee meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at 12:00 noon for lunch at a location that changes monthly. Chair: Crystal Childs. If you would like to join the Marketing Committee, please contact
Crystal Childs
.
Membership Committee/Ambassador Club
The Membership Committee meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at the Ranch Golf Club. Chair: Kim Betts. If you would like to join the Membership Committee, please contact
Kim Betts
. If you would like to join the Ambassador Club, please contact
Dino Gravanis
or
Anne Woodson
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All members are encouraged to submit their news to be published at no cost! The deadline for submission is the third Thursday, 5:00 pm of every month. Sponsorships and/or advertising is available to you in our newsletter. Please contact the Chamber office at 568.1618 for more information.
The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce serves the communities of Blandford, Chester, Granville, Huntington, Montgomery, Russell, Tolland, Southwick, and Westfield.
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