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Upcoming Workshops

Free Information Sessions 
First Wed. of the Month 3:30-5 pm  
Feb 3  FCCDC
Mar 3  FCCDC
 
To reserve a spot  or call 413-774-7204 x 100  
 
Securing Business Financing  
To reserve a spot or call 413-774-7204 x 100

For a complete listing, see our Business Training page 

The CDC has a satelite office to serve the North Quabbin.  Office hours by appointment only.  Call Alan Singer 413-774-7204 x 105.
FCCDC Staff
 Amy Shapiro, Business Assistance Director
 
Alan Singer, Lending  Director 
 
John Waite, Executive Director
johnw@fccdc.org 
 
Larry DiLuzio, Food Center Manager larryd@fccdc.org

Vinny Natale, Financial Director
vinnyn@fccdc.org

Judy Scherer, Bookkeeper/ Programs Coordinator  judys@fccdc.org 

Jill Fitzsimmons, Intern
 
Amanda Abramson, Commonwealth Corps Member
 
Amelio, Receptionist
Amelio 
FCCDC Board of Directors
Jessica Atwood
 Franklin Regional Council of Governments

Chuck Bellinger Architectural Components Inc.
 
Denise Coyne
Greenfield Savings Bank
 
David Farrick
Baystate Franklin Medical Center 

Margaret Fitzpatrick
 Ollie's Down Under
Bar & Grill
 
Darren Gale Innovative Design Concepts

 Gary Gruber 
Attorney
 
Mark Lattanzi
WRSI 

Clara Lopez
Entrepreneur

Eric Marsh Greenfield Cooperative Bank
 
 Susan Worgaftik
UMass Amherst

 Dick Haas  Director Emeritus Hillside Plastics, Inc.

January 2010 

Happy New Year!

Quabbin Inc - a North Quabbin Success Story! 
 QuabbinIncQuabbin Inc. is a diversified manufacturing and machine shop located in Orange, MA.  The company is owned by two brothers, Mark and Thomas LeBoeuf - local, young, and very motivated entrepreneurs.  In late 2008 the Franklin County CDC began our working relationship with Quabbin, Inc. by providing the gap financing to help expand their business into a larger space.  Quabbin, Inc. has already created four new jobs and plan on creating two more in the upcoming year.  With assistance from the CDC and others, a positive ripple effect was created in the North Quabbin area.  
 
Quabbin incRecently Mark and Thomas LeBoeuf undertook a large renewable energy project with the installation of approximately 1,050, 220 kWh Photovoltaic panels on the roof of their 30,000 square foot machine shop.  The project was partially subsidized through incentives for renewable energy, and has become the second largest commercial photovoltaic installation in the state.  The installation will save Quabbin, Inc. a considerable amount of money on their electricity expenses.  They expect to save up to 40% which is equivalent to nearly $4,000 every month, impressively, enough to fund someone's salary.
  
Quabbin, Inc. is different then most machine shops in that they create some of their own products.  The business constructs Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) police equipment which is used by the Massachusetts State bomb squad to move things like pipe bombs and other explosives.  Another feature that makes this company unique is the reseating of valves.  These reseated units can be found on every U.S. Navel ship.  Their impact can be seen globally as our navel ships travel the world as well as locally in their promotion of green energy and creating local jobs.  The LeBoeuf brothers make it a point to donate to several local causes like the veterans memorial in Orange as well as donating to help the local high school purchase rings for all of the Mahar football players after they won the championship.  
Venture Center space still available 
We have some new tenants moving in and businesses moving around but there is still some Light Industrial and Office space available for rent at the Venture Center, 324 Wells Street, Greenfield MA.  Our Business Incubator provides needed infrastructure and technical assistance to new or growing businesses.  Please contact John Waite at 413-774-7204 ext. 102
New Mass Privacy Laws 
 
On March 1, 2010 New Standards for the Protection of Personal Information of Residents of the Commonwealth goes into effect and all businesses must comply - regardless of the size or location of your business.   MSDBC is offering several seminars to introduce the new rules and give businesses the information they need to be in compliance.  The seminars will be held on Jan 22, Feb 10 and March 10, 2010 from 9-11 am at the Scibelli Enterprise Center in Springfield and will include:
    ·Burdens of the law
    ·Ways around the law [wishful thinking for most businesses]
    ·How to assess your exposures
    ·Required "Written Information Security Program"
    ·Computer system security
    ·Mandatory notification requirements
    ·Employee training
    ·Periodic review of your security program
The cost is $10.  Contact Western Regional Office SBDC at 413-737-6712
For more information about compliace, see our website.
Bank Row News
Congratulations to Jordi Herold and Ed Wierzbowski for moving their buildings closer to occupancy!  The center of downtown Greenfield is changing which we hope will increase economic activity for everyone.  This is exactly what the CDC envisioned when we took ownership of the First National Bank Building several years ago.  It takes a combination of public, private and non-profit entities to make positive economic development happen.  Obtaining more funding for the Bank Building renovations is in full gear.
 
BankBldgOn January 15th we submitted another application for State Historic Tax Credits and at the end of the month CDC representatives, along with Mayor Martin and Senator Rosenberg will meet with State Officials to urge them to release funding in the Bond Bill set aside for the Bank Building renovations.
Commonwealth Corps PositionCommonwealth Corps
We still have one part-time position available.  For more info, contact John Waite  413-774-7204 ext 102 
Montague Webworks Class 
On Thursday, January 28th from 6 to 8 pm, Mik Muller and Patrick Davis of Montague Webworks will hold their bimonthly Webworks University class for Webworks customers in the FCCDC Conference room, Greenfield.  This class is free to all FCCDC members.
They will review the following:
* Basic review of the WebWorks Lite website software features
* How you should be using Monthly Newsletters for your business
* Easy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques
* One site review -- we take a look at the website of one of the attendees
* Questions, Answers, and Feature Requests
Refreshments will be available.
RSVP to Webworks requested
Winter Events for Farmers
CISA, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, is offering a six week "An Introduction to Financial management" on Jan 28 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm in Northampton. Registration and more info
 
Northeast Organic Farmers AssociationNOFA(NOFA) is offering some exciting courses and events this winter

23rd Annual Winter Conference - "Food From Farms For Families" - Jan 16, 2010  Worcester Technical High School, Worcester
contact Conference Coordinator,
Jassy Bratko 978-928-5646
Nutrient Density Field Course
During the 2010 growing season, NOFA/Mass is running a six-part course on growing nutrient-dense crops at Lindentree Farm in Lincoln, MA.
Other local events
 
Winter Fare!
Enjoy the harvest all through the winter.  Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010  10 am to 2 pm at Greenfield High School
 
The Mediation & Training Collaborative (TMTC) is offering Mediation Training in Northampton, March 6, 11, 18, 25 & April 1 and 3, 2010
Contact Susan Hackney 413-475-1505
 
Valley CDC offers business counseling for business owners in Northampton and Easthampton.  They also offer classes for first time homebuyers.
 
Hilltown CDC has Winter computer and business classes, and first time homebuyer classes.
 
For first time home buyer classes in Franklin County, contact the Rural Development Inc
 
A free Health and Food Safety Forum will be held on May 24,2010.  This forum is designed to educate food handlers from farm to table, boards of health and consumers. Location and time to be announced.  For information call 413-772-3167 ext 100
 
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The Franklin County Community Development Corporation is an equal opportunity provider, lender and employer.