Remembering
Dick Haas | |
 The Dick Haas Memorial Fund was created in his memory. For more information, click here.
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| Upcoming Workshops | |
Free Information Sessions: Explore Going Into Business
First Weds. of each month, 3:30-5 pm, FCCDC
Buzz on Biz
Jun 3, 8-9:30 am, FCCDC
Register online or call 413-774-7204 x100
Plan for Success: 12 Week Business Planning Class
Tuesdays, 6-9 pm, FCCDC
Next class starts in Fall
Register online or call 413-774-7204 x100
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| FCCDC Staff |
John Waite
Executive Director
Amy Shapiro
Business Assistance
Director
Alan Singer Lending Director
Larry DiLuzio
Jill Fitzsimmons
Project Manager
Crystal McNeill
Commonwealth Corps
Megan Couture
Commonwealth Corps
Amelio Receptionist
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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
Entrepreneur
Darren Gale
Innovative Design Concepts
Gary Gruber
Attorney
Mark Lattanzi
WRSI
Roberta Wilmore
The Children's Equitation Center
Susan Worgaftik
UMass Amherst
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THIS THURSDAY, May 19!
Celebrating Entrepreneurship
in Franklin County:
Featuring the First Dick Haas Entrepreneur of the Year Award
 Join us as we announce the first Dick Haas Entrepreneur of the Year Award and honor the enduring spirit of local business owners as they share their stories of struggles and triumphs. This event is in honor of Dick Haas, former owner of Hillside Plastics, founder of Sugarhill containers, maple syrup jugs used across the country, and community supporter. Following the event, enjoy food and drink at the reception at Hallmark Gallery. To Purchase Tickets for this inaugural event, click here. If you would like to reserve tickets and pay at the door, please click here.  | Gary Bogoff, Berkshire Brewing Comapny
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Our keynote speaker is Gary Bogoff, partner and owner of Berkshire Brewing Company in South Deerfield. Gary will share his entrepreneurial journey starting out as a small home-brewing operation and now distributing to five states, brewing nine year-round flavors of ales as well as seven seasonal ales and lagers.  | Rob Fletcher
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Music will be provided by Rob Fletcher, whose original compositions blend jazz, r&b, blues, and pop into a wonderfully unique musical package. His lyrics range from heartfelt to whimsical, and his smooth vocal style wraps it all together! In addition to his musical talents, Rob is the owner of Quixote Consulting, where he devotes his time to creating passionate, committed teams and organizations united in a common vision. Thursday, May 19, 7-8:30 pm at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls |
 CDC Spotlight: House of Wax House of Wax is a family business owned by David Meausky at 31 New Athol Road in Orange. It has been in operation since 1985. They provide car wash and automotive detailing services.
In the beginning years of House of Wax, Meausky obtained business advice and training from the CDC's technical assistance program. When his business was ready to significantly expand in 2007, Meausky received gap financing from the CDC. With the CDC loan House of Wax was able to add a detail shop next to the car wash. The detail shop provides waxing, buffing, interior cleaning, and sanitizing services. In addition to providing more business services, House of Wax was able to double its staff and now has six employees.
In addition to providing jobs and beautifying the roads, House of Wax gives back to the community with charity car washes, fund drives, and a special "free car wash day" for U.S. Veterans.
Meausky recommends that business owners drive clean cars because a clean car helps to improve one's mood and mindset. Meausky maintains that a clean, tidy space allows for more creativity, freedom of thought, and a calm, clear mind. He said that a clean car is "one little area of your personal environment that you can keep orderly and tidy."
So drive on over to Orange and visit House of Wax to get the pollen and dingy salt residue cleaned off your car's exterior, the coffee spills cleaned off the dashboard and upholstery, the headlights cleaned off for safety, and the sand and gravel vacuumed off the floor. Drive away with a spiffy, shiny, clean car ready to be conquer the world!
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 Venture Center Welcomes Our Family Farms!
The CDC is pleased to welcome our new Venture Center tenant, Our Family Farms. Our Family Farms is a marketing co-op of local dairy farmers working together to offer fresh, local, hormone-free milk. The farms involved are Sunbrite Farm in Bernardston, Bree-Z-Knoll Farm in Leyden, Hemenway Hill Farm in Williamsburg, Chase Hill Farm in Warwick, Mapledge Farm in Shelburne,Just-A-Dream Farm in Gill, Gould Maple Farm in Shelburne, and The Farm School in Athol. You can find their delicious milk in stores, schools, and restaurants in the Pioneer Valley and North Quabbin Region.
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FPC Seeks Seasonal Production Assistant
The Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center is gearing up to process a high volume of locally grown vegetables this summer and fall and is looking for seasonal staff to help make this a success. Click here for a detailed job description.
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Social Media Strategies for Business
at Buzz on Biz in May
Jessica Waters, professional organizer and owner of In Perfect Order, led the May 6 Buzz on Biz workshop on Social Media Strategies for Business. There were ten people in attendance, representing many different types of business from an ebay vendor to a natural recreation site to a feng shui consultant to a fiber artist. The websites discussed were Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. Each has a different function and different style but the main goal of being on these sites is for a business to engage and interact with people. Overall Waters said that people like knowing there is a real person behind the business. She gave the example of "entrepreneurial guru" Ali Brown. The biggest response Brown received when she was starting out with her newsletters was when she posted a photo of her cat asleep on her computer keyboard. People want to know about real life things like trips and pets. Waters also said to keep this information "personal light" -- too much personal information isn't appropriate in online business networking. Waters highly recommended Mark Firehammer's online video on business marketing on Facebook: http://techeffective.net/facebook-pages-webinar/
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Upcoming Workshops and Classes
at the FCCDC |
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 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, June 1, 3:30-5 pm, FCCDC
Wednesday, July 6, 3:30-5 pm, FCCDC
Register online or info@fccdc.org or 413-774-7204 x100.
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Buzz on Biz: Friday, June 3
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.
This month's Buzz on Biz will be presented by Veronica Phaneuf, president of About-Face Computer Solutions in Turners Falls. Veronica will speak on computer maintenance and troubleshooting for small business owners.
July 1, Rob Fletcher of Quixote Consulting will be speaking on customer service.
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!
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 Plan for Success!
Business Planning Class
for New and Established
Entrepreneurs
This 12 week class is for people serious about their business to complete a business plan for starting and sustaining a business. Participants say this experience provided an opportunity to evaluate a business idea in a supportive way. Individual assistance is provided. Guest speakers complement the material.Topics include:
- Exploring your business idea
- Developing a mission statement
- Understanding legal structures
- Finding market research tools & resources
- Creating income & expense projections
- financing alternatives and supporting documents. Individual assistance is provided.
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Upcoming Locally Sponsored Events
 Real Pickles Solar Party!
Real Pickles celebrates 10 years in business by GOING SOLAR!!! Help them celebrate on Thursday, May 26, 4:30-6:30 pm at 311 Wells Street, Greenfield, MA. Sip a People's Pint ginger brew and snack on a pickle, learn about solar power from our installer, PV2, and dance to the Valley's best honky-tonk -- GiRL HOWDY! Monte from WRSI flips the switch @ 5:15 pm!
Celebrate Mediation
Hosted by The Mediation & Training Collaborative, this event will bring together members of the mediation, legal, and social work communities to raise awareness about mediation, to honor mediators in our region, to present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Judge Perlman upon her retirement, and to raise money for TMTC and its ongoing work. Coffee, tea and light refreshments served, cash bar. Suggested donation $25. Thursday, June 2, 7-9 pm, Smith College Conference Center, 7 College Lane, Northampton. For more information call 413-774-7469.
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.
Wednesdays, June 8, 15, 22, and 29, 6-8:30 pm. Easthampton Municipal Building, 50 Payson Avenue, Top Floor, Easthampton. To register contact Fern Selesnick at fs@valleycdc.com or 413-586-5855 x16.
Young Entrepreneurs Society BizVenture Awards
The Young Entrepreneurs Society business idea and business plan contest for youth, ages 13-22, has extended its deadline for May 31. The results will be displayed and contest winners given awards ($4,000 in cash prizes!) at the BizAwards Ceremony and Celebration on Thursday, June 9, 5:30-7:30 pm, at the French King Entertainment Center on route 2 in Erving. Free for youth, BizTeam members, volunteers & judges. Adult guests of youth: $5. General public: $10. For more information call 978-544-1869. To register to participate, sign up here.
 Mutton and Mead
All ye good gentles, hear ye, hear ye! Travel back through time and space to the world of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest. The first annual Mutton and Mead Medieval Festival is coming to Turners Falls at the Millers Falls Rod and Gun Club on Saturday, June 18, from 10 am to 6 pm. Grub! Mead! Sword fighting! Jousting! Dancing! Pixies! Minstrels! Skulduggery! Singing! and much more. Bring your wee ones! Many local businesses, artisans, and performers will be participating. This event is also a fundraiser for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Montague Grange. Tickets are $15 at the gate for adults, $10 for children and seniors, $10.50 for adults purchased in advance online. Keep up with faire developments on facebook.
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For Small Business Owners Seeking Space
in Stimulating Business Environment!
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. Tenants can share t  he conference room, kitchen, fax, copier, receive technical assistance from the CDC staff, and visit with Amelio, our feline receptionist!
This is an ideal way for businesses to keep their capital costs lower during their early years of operation. Space now available! |
Job Openings
at Co-op Power
Co-op Power is a network of local communities working for justice and sustainability. Co-op Power provides energy efficiency and renewable energy products and services along with a toolkit of resources for communities across Massachusetts and southern VT. Co-op Power is looking for upbeat, organized, team players with good people skills to become Energy Coaches. Energy Coaches are community entrepreneurs who volunteer to build a strong base in their community and receive a share of the revenues they bring into Co-op Power. As an Energy Coach, you would work 20 to 40 hour a week:
-coordinating community outreach & education
-helping people get energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy systems for their homes and businesses
-supporting community-scale energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Co-op Power is now accepting applicants for the position of Energy Efficiency Senior Crew Leader. The insulation crew leader will oversee a crew of 3-4 people to insulate homes and small businesses across western Massachusetts, based out of the Hatfield shop. For more information, see www.cooppower.coop. To apply, send cover letter and resume to diane@cooppower.coop. |
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. And don't miss the Hilltown Spring Festival May 14th at the Cummington Fairgrounds!
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