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Support the FCCDC so we can continue to help our local economy grow.
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| Upcoming Workshops | |
Free Information Sessions: Explore Going Into Business
First Weds. of each month, 3:30-5 pm, FCCDC
BizBuzz
Jan 7, Feb 4, Mar 4, 8-9:30 am, FCCDC
Register online or call 413-774-7204 x300
Record Retention
Jan 12, 9-11:30 am, FCCDC
Register online or call 413-774-7204 x300
Independent Contractors: An Endangered Species in Massachusetts?
Jan 20, 6-9 pm, FCCDC
Register online or call 413-774-7204 x300
Plan for Success: 12 Week Business Planning Class
starts Spring 2011
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| FCCDC Staff |
John Waite
Executive Director
Amy Shapiro
Business Assistance
Director
Alan Singer Lending Director
Larry DiLuzio
Crystal McNeill Commonwealth Corps
Megan Couture
Commonwealth Corps
Jill Fitzsimmons
Amelio
Receptionist |
FCCDC Board of Directors
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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
Roberta Wilmore
The Children's Equitation Center
Susan Worgaftik
UMass Amherst |
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DECEMBER 2010
In Memory of
Richard Haas (3/29/1938-12/13/2010)
FCCDC Board Director Emeritus
Dick was a great friend and supporter of the FCCDC for about 25 years. He started as a client when he was growing his business, Hillside Plastics. With his wonderful wife Janet, Dick started small, worked hard, included his family in the business, cared about his employees and customers and gave back to the community. He grew the business to employ more than 100 people and successfully handed the company over to his three children. People use the following words to describe Dick - generous, model business person, inspirational, a jewel in the community, perceptive, great sense of humor, gentle, humble, caring, dedicated, and more.
Dick was on the Board of the FCCDC from 1998-2006, and then the CDC made him our first Director Emeritus, which he served until his death. He was instrumental in helping the CDC start the Food Processing Center in 2001 and save the First National Bank Building in 2002. Dick will be missed by many in this community, but we are privileged to have had him in our lives.
The FCCDC has started a Dick Haas Memorial Fund which will be used to keep his memory alive well into the future. |
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FCCDC has a New Facebook Page
Social networking sites are a great way to market one's business and they are free. Become a fan of the CDC by clicking "Like" on http://www.facebook.com/FCCDC. We regularly update it with news and events such as classes and workshops on business development. |
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Broccoli!
 This just in from Glenn Brunneti, Director of Dining Services for Holyoke Public Schools, about the local broccoli that was packaged and frozen in our Food Processing Center:
"We served your broccoli as the vegetable of the day and so far I have received nothing but positive feedback! Kids liked it more then any other cooked broccoli we have served before. I also did a demo for the cooks last week for an upcoming broccoli ham and cheese calzone we'll be serving for lunch. Everyone really like the finished product, in large part because of the freshness/flavor of the broccoli... using your local product has been a great success."
Watch out, Bird's Eye! |
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CDC Client Highlight: The Red Rose Motel
 FCCDC member Laura Pizzi is the owner and manager of The Red Rose Motel, located in Charlemont on the scenic Mohawk Trail (route 2) overlooking the Deerfield River. Laura took over the motel after her husband Giovanni passed away in 2008. The motel has been going through extensive improvements to provide enjoyable accommodations for its guests. Laura Pizzi says that through the CDC Lending Program she was able to do much needed improvements - new carpeting, fresh paint, a new garage door, and new roofs for the buildings - that have brought increased business to her motel. Laura says, "The CDC has been very helpful, accommodating, pleasant to deal with, and very understanding." The Red Rose Motel is getting a new sign by the road and all new furniture. High speed internet will be available in each room. The motel has twelve comfortable rooms, newly weatherized to keep them warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. There is a pool and picnic area with a fireplace and outdoor recreation areas for volleyball and horseshoes.
This location is a great getaway for people coming to the West County to raft, kayak, hike, fish, ski, and hunt. It is also a great resting point for business people driving from Boston to Albany. Customers come primarily from the New England states but also from around the world including England and Germany. In February, the motel houses many guests from the Navy and their families who come to enjoy the local ski resorts. In the summer the workers from Crab Apple Whitewater stay at the motel. People coming to reunions and graduations for the area schools and colleges also stay at the motel. The annual Green River Festival also brings in a lot of business for her. Laura says, "It's not fancy but it's clean." She wants to keep the rooms simple so families with children can afford to go on vacation. Room rates are from $55 to $85.
Laura Pizzi is originally from Indonesia. She met her husband, who came from Italy, when she was 18 and they fell in love. They got married in the Netherlands and settled down in Massachusetts in 1966. They purchased The Red Rose Motel in 1978. Their son Aldo Pizzi is helping to take care of the hotel. For more information call The Red Rose Motel at 413-665-2666 or look at their website at www.redrosemotel.com. |
Plan for Success Class Graduates and Presents Business Plans after 12 Weeks
Twelve participants began on September 21 to develop business plans for their dreams. Some hit a few bumps along the way, others shifted ideas once they did the research, and others completed a plan for a business they will open soon. Here are some of their comments about the class:
"Group feedback and support - one stop shopping for lots of info that I feel was from trustworthy people"
"I'm not alone"
"Constant CDC availability and the sharing of expertise helped me so much in asking questions I didn't think about"
"Enthusiasm and experts who addressed the class"
"Meeting local professionals that will help me create my business - really it was all good"
"Bringing in guest speakers to supplement Amy's knowledge and presentations"
"Powerpoint project, very helpful"
"How to research"
"The need to be prepared to present your business to a bank or other business, professionals and really know how to talk about what you do, solidly"
The next Plan for Success class begins on Tuesdays 6-9 pm, March 8-May 31, with a break the week of April 19. For more information attend a free monthly information session the first Wednesday of the month from 3:30-5 pm. |
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Raising the Standard for Small Business Technical Assistance
Amy Shapiro and Alan Singer completed the Mel King Institute's "Raising the Standard for Small Business Technical Assistance" training seminar. The seminar was hosted by Babson College and led by a wonderful team of instructors, including Elizabeth Thornton and Donna Stoddard from Babson College and Jason Friedman from Friedman Associates. Other participants were from other CDCs around the state.
Amy Shapiro said, "Everything about this seminar was enriching to us personally and the communities we work in. Our trainers provided useful resources, examples and really understood the opportunities and challenges in our work. We were able to share best practices which we applied directly to our work sometimes that very night in teaching a class. In particular we learned how other practitioners around the country delivered services, tracked data, and updated our tools to share with small business owners."
At the final seminar they were joined by Babson College President Len Schlesinger and the state's Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki who came to congratulate the participants on completing the seminar. Secretary Bialecki highlighted the governor's commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation and said that the work of the CDCs fits squarely in that agenda. He announced that the Growth Capital Corporation has allocated $600,000 to provide FY2011 grants to small business technical assistance programs and that the corporation intends to build on this to do more in the future. President Schlesinger gave an inspiring talk about entrepreneurship being the single greatest force for social and economic wealth generation in the world and pledged to continue working with us to advance the field throughout the state.
Len Schlesinger and Babson College define entrepreneurship as "a way of thinking and acting that is opportunity obsessed, holistic in approach, and leadership balanced." This describes what the FCCDC strives for in working with each small business owner. |
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Tax Tip for Business Owners
"Do you want to deduct mileage in either 2010 or 2011? This is a fantastic deduction and I recommend everyone who is eligible try to take it, but you'll need to have decent records. Take a moment to write down your odometer reading at 12/31 so you have the ending / beginning reading for last / this year. Also, this might be a good time to work on your 2010 mileage log. It doesn't matter too much which method you use to track your business miles as long as you can show your math. It's a great deduction but is heavily audited, so please do make an attempt to get defendable numbers! Here's to a Happy New Year with great tax write-offs!"
-- Wendy Marsden, CPA, Tea and Taxes |
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Upcoming Workshops and Classes
BizBuzz
Start your day with other business owners and professionals for an invigorating presentation on timely topics. Hot drinks and light refreshments provided. RSVP recommended, walk-ins welcome.
First Fridays, January 7, February 4, March 4, 8-9:30 am, FCCDC
Register online or contact info@fccdc.org or 413-774-7204 x300.
Info Session: Explore Going Into Business & Business Resources
This free 1 1/2 hour session is offered on the first Wednesday of the month for people interested in going into business, or taking a hobby to the next level. If you are also interested in using the Food Processing Center, this is your first step! Topics include:
- Is business ownership right for you?
- Business resources available
- The importance of developing a business plan
- Tour of the Food Processing Center
- Information about starting a food business
Wednesday January 5, 3:30-5 pm, FCCDC
Wednesday February 2, 3:30-5 pm, FCCDC
Start your business the right way! Register online or contact us at 413-774-7204 x300.
Record Retention: What to keep, what to shred
Too often employers lose valuable space by retaining documents longer than they need to. In this presenation, Attorney Benjamin A. Bristol discusses laws that affect employers' document retention practices and highlight when various documents can be discarded.
Wednesday, January 12, 9-11:30 am, FCCDC
$10 payable by check or cash at the door. Register online or call 413-774-7204 x300.
Independent Contractors: An Endangered Species in Massachusetts?
With the amendment to the Massachusetts Independent Contractor statute in 2004, it became difficult if not impossible for employers to hire independent contractors. According to the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, misclassification deprives individuals of the many benefits, both public and private, that are enjoyed by employees. The Attorney General's office has made enforcement of the Independent Contractor law a top priority, and misclassification has also caught the attention of the Department of Labor, which has a new initiative designed to ensure that workers are properly classified. This presentation will cover the amendment to the Independent Contractor law, how that amendment applies to individuals in your workforce, and what steps you need to take to be sure that you are in compliance. If time permits, you will also have the opportunity to ask other questions about compliance with wage and hour law.
Thursday January 20, 6-9 pm
(Snow date January 27, 6-9 pm)
$10 payable by check or cash at the door. Register online or call 413-774-7204 x300.
Training sessions and workshops are constantly being added! Keep up-to-date with the latest events by bookmarking our CALENDAR.
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Upcoming Events
Workshops for Farmers and Forest Product Businesses
These workshops are sponsored by the MA Woodlands Institute, Berkshire-Pioneer Resource Conservation and Development Area, Patriot RC&D, Pilgrim RC&D, and the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program. Learn about financial incentives available for energy efficiency, renewable energy and technical assistance.
Jan 11 Leominister
Jan 19 Lanesboro
Jan 25 Carver
To register for a workshop, please contact Emily Boss, Massachusetts Woodlands Institute, at 413-397-8800 or emily@masswoodlands.coop. For more information about the workshops or MFEP services, please contact Ann Gibson at agibson@berkshirepioneerrcd.org or 413-256-1607. Additional MFEP information can be found at http://www.berkshirepioneerrcd.org/mfep/
Agricultural Business Training Program MDAR
Courses for 2011 will begin in January-March in three formats for different stages of farm development:
- Exploring your small farm dream
- Planning for Startup
- Tilling the Soil
For information contact Rick Chandler at rick.chandler@state.ma.us.
Additional information can be found at http://www.mass.gov/agr/programs/abtp/index.htm.
Young Entrepreneurs in Franklin County and North Quabbin
Business idea and business plan contest for youth, ages 13-22, December 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011. For more information check out http://www.yesbizcenter.org/.
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Other Local Business Classes
Valley CDC offers classes for business owners, artists, and first-time homebuyers.
Hilltown CDC has computer classes and classes for business owners.
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Tenants Wanted!
Venture Center a Great Place to Start a Business
The Venture Center is a small business incubator at FCCDC's 36,000 square ft. industrial building at 324 Wells Street in Greenfield. It provides light industrial and office space for start-up and growing businesses. In addition, tenants can share t  he conference room, kitchen facilities, copier and fax, and receive technical assistance from the FCCDC staff. This is an ideal way for businesses to keep their capital costs lower during their early years of operation. Space now available! |
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