CDC Spotlight:

Klinger Engineering

Klinger Engineering in Whateley is owned and operated by Bob and Karen Klinger. The business started eight years ago. Both Bob and Karen bring their expertise and experience to the business: Bob has a master's degree in Composite Materials Engineering and Karen is Head Rowing Coach at Smith College. 

Klinger Engineering has two business divisions. The Composite Materials Design and Manufacturing division works with carbon fiber, kevlar, and fiberglass. The Rowing Shell Division is a full service repair shop specializing in repairing crew racing shell boars of all sizes.

The Composite Materials Design and Manufacturing Division does a wide variety of projects. They do prototyping for composite applications such as wind turbines, furniture and sculpture, race car parts, motorcycle accessories, and marine components. They repair sailboat masts and spars. They work for organizations such as the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, B&R Plastics, and National Nonwovens.

Klinger Engineering is an authorized factory warranty repair shop for two of the leading manufacturers of racing crew shell boats: Wintech of Greenwich CT and Empacher GmBH of Eberbach, Germany. These racing shells are up to 60 feet long but weigh less than 200 pounds. Their clients include over 300 colleges, universities, high schools, and crew clubs mostly east of the Mississippi River.

Klinger Engineering got involved with the CDC in 2010 when they met with Alan Singer, the Lending Director, to go over the business's financials. As a start-up business they had put their expenses on high interest credit cards. That was not sustainable for the long term so they worked with the CDC to consolidate the expenses and put them in a low-interest loan. They were able to save a significant amount of money by working with the CDC. Bob said, "Alan has been very helpful and responsive. I am very pleased to be working with the CDC."

Welcome Spooky Bikes!

We are happy to welcome new tenant Spooky Bikes to the CDC Venture Center. Founded, owned, and run by Mickey Denoncourt, Spooky Bikes builds aluminum racing bikes and custom design bikes. They are the only people in the U.S. who make and sell aluminum racing bikes. Spooky Bikes works with frame maker Frank the Welder, Mountain Bike Hall of Famer in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Spooky Bikes are U.S. made and ecologically sound.

Denoncourt says his market demographic is ex-punk-rocker white males now working in finance or non-profits. The CDC notes that anyone else is welcome to buy their bikes too! Spooky Bikes sells their products in the U.S. and internationally. These bikes have been successfully raced by professional racers on three continents.

Spooky Bikes has been in business for four years. They make awesome t-shirts with bold designs and will soon be releasing a signature cycling clothing line with a company out of Oakland, California.

FCCDC Board Member

FCCDC Board Members are active throughout the community. We were happy to learn that Greening Greenfield proclaimed Susan Worgafitk the February 2011 Green Hero of the Month.

Buzz on Biz: Managing Debt, April 1 

Start your day with other business owners for an invigorating discussion on timely topics and network with fellow professionals. Light refreshments and hot drinks provided. Afterward there will be time to network with other business professionals.

April 1, 8 - 9:30 am 

Managing Debt: Strategies that Work to Get Debt Free

Managing debt does not have to be a hardship but rather a management plan which is completely flexible to accommodate future changes. Learn how people have managed their debt, available resources and budgeting strategies that build good credit, long-term financial resiliency, and attain total financial fitness. Presented by Dr. Frances Rahaim of Powerdown Debt.

First Friday of Each Month, 8-9:30 am, FCCDC

Register online or contact info@fccdc.org or 413-774-7204 x100. RSVP recommended, walk-ins welcome. Free!

Plan for Success!

Business Planning Class

for New and Established

Entrepreneurs 

Last chance to join before Tuesday, March 22!

Explore Going Into Business and Business Resources

Start your business the right way! 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:

• Business resources available
• The importance of developing a business plan
• Tour of the Food Processing Center
• Is business ownership right for you?
• Information about starting a food business

Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday, April 6, 3:30-5 pm, FCCDC

Wednesday, May 4, 3:30-5 pm, FCCDC

Register online or contact info@fccdc.org or 413-774-7204 x100.

Local Food: Building a Delicious Future 

The Pioneer Valley Institute (PVI) is partnering with the Greening Greenfield Energy Committee to explore how we can recapture the abundance and excitement of what the rich soils of the Pioneer Valley and Yankee ingenuity can offer to our future well being.

 

Join Franklin County CDC's executive director John Waite on a journey into the world and business of food. He will engage you in a dialogue with local farmers, food processors, schools, and businesses to explore the richness of our soils and the vision and creativity of farmers and business people.

 

Wednesday, April 6, 7 pm, Second Congregational Church, Greenfield. FREE! For more information, see website, call 413-775-1671 or email PVI.  

Upcoming Locally Sponsored Events 

Creative Economy Summit 2: March 18 and 19: Are you a friend of Art?  

The Fostering Art and Culture Project, an organization made up of partners throughout Franklin County is hosting Creative Economy Summit 2, a conference for artists and their friends.

Two days, bursting at the seams, of valuable sessions; both dreamy and practical. Two important panels, one at the beginning of each day; the first with important supporters of the arts on the regional and statewide stage on the topic of finding money and on day two, a morning with our local hero experts who offer sage advice and resources, both in a panel format and also in intimate small group sessions designed to discover what makes your art click. After the panels there are 4 session choices before lunch and 4 afternoon sessions.

The cost is $25 for both days to accommodate all income levels. Walk-ins registering on site are welcome although some sessions may be full. Program details are available at www.fosteringartandculture.org or call 413-441-6164.

Friday, March 18, to Saturday, March 19

8 am to 6 pm in downtown Shelburne Falls

Upper Valley Music Festival

The Upper Valley Music Festival is a two-venue event with multiple musicians and bands playing, and even a contra dance, to benefit the American Cancer Society. The Electric Side music at the Arts Block and the Acoustic Side music at The Pushkin. Tickets are $10 for entire event. Saturday, March 26, from noon to 1 am in downtown Greenfield

The Coward's Guide to Conflict

Learn empowering ways of dealing with conflict in this coaching practice group open to anyone who runs for the hills -- or wants to -- at the first sign of conflict. Based on the book by Tim Ursing. Sponsored by The Mediation & Training Collaborative, a program of Community Action, in Greenfield. TMTC is a Massachusetts Bar Association-approved mediation training provider. Fee is $125. 

March 28, April 4, 11, 25, May 2, & 9, 6:30 pm

For more information call 413-475-1505 or email mediation@communityaction.us.

First Time Homebuyer Program

Sponsored by the Valley CDC. This is a certified class and participants are eligible to apply for special loan programs. Participants get access to grants for downpayments and closing costs. Participants hear presentations from attorneys, loan officers, realtors, home inspectors, insurance agents, credit experts, and more. Informed consumers are most likely to make smart choices!

Free pizza, beverages, and snacks included. $40 per household for a class that can save you thousands.

Mondays, April 4, 11, 25, and May 2, 6-8:30 pm. Florence Savings Bank, 85 Main Street, Florence.

To register contact Fern Selesnick at fs@valleycdc.com or 413-586-5855 x16.

Franklin County Home Show and Green Fair

Encouraging innovation today for a greener and more prosperous tomorrow. April 16 & 17, Franklin County Fairgrounds, Greenfield

Young  Entrepreneurs Society

Business idea and business plan contest for youth, ages 13-22, December 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011.

BizAwards Ceremony and Celebration on Saturday, May 14, 1-4 pm, at the French King Entertainment Center in Erving. Free for youth, BizTeam members, volunteers & judges. Adults invited by youth: $5. General public: $10.

Electronics & Appliances Recycling Day:  

Benefit for Yong Entrepreneurs Society 

Load up your tired, broken, obsolete electronics and appliances and bring them to be recycled! Any article with a plug will be accepted. A small fee will apply to each article, with 100% of the proceeds supporting youth programs at Young Entrepreneurs Society. We'll even unload your items for you. So free up space at your home and office for a good cause!

Saturday, May 7, 8 am to noon at Franklin County CDC parking lot, 324 Wells Street, Greenfield

For more information check out www.bizventure.org or call 978-544-1869 or see facebook. 

North Quabbin Executive Award of the Year

The North Quabbin Community Coaltion in partnership with the Town of Orange and Illinois Institute of Technology is pleased to announce the first North Quabbin Executive Award of the Year. Nominations are being accepted until May 2. The award ceremony will take place on October 14. For more information contact Rebecca Bialecki at 978-249-3703.