Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank is proud to be a community bank consistently providing support, tools, and resources to help aspiring homebuyers prepare for and reach their homeownership goals. The Bank’s latest initiative to support homeownership will take place on March 12th with a free workshop, Homebuying 101: Your Path to Homeownership, being hosted by the Bank at the Red Rose Pizzeria in Springfield, MA, 6:00PM – 9:00PM.
HOMEBUYING 101: YOUR PATH TO HOMEOWNERSHIP Thursday, March 12, 6:00PM –
SPRINGFIELD — Tickets are now on sale for the 18th annual Difference Makers awards gala, hosted by BusinessWest. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 7 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10-12 are available. They can be purchased at https://businesswest.com/eventcalendar/difference-makers-2026-tickets/.
The Difference Makers class of 2026 will be introduced in the February 16 issue of BusinessWest. This year’s honorees are:Ryan Alekman and
Monson, MA – The people have voted, and the results are in! In late 2025, Monson Savings Bank asked our local community members to cast votes for their local non-profit of choice. Monson Savings Bank is now announcing the 2026 Monson Savings Bank Community Giving Initiative recipients.
This was the sixteenth year Monson Savings Bank ran its Community Giving Initiative poll. The public’s excitement to cast their vote has grown throughout the years. This year, more than 5,200 votes were received – a The ERC5 Town Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce an upcoming collaborative event to demystify the college financing process for students, parents, and guidance counselors. This event will feature contributions from prominent community leaders, including Amie Miarecki, President of Junior Achievement of Western Mass, Dawn Creighton from Liberty Bank, and the dedicated team at American International College. The ERC5 is also a key partner in this initiative.
Navigating the financial aspects of Thursday, February 19 at 2:30pm
LONGMEADOW, Mass. – JGS Lifecare, a leading health care system serving seniors and their families and an affiliate of Legacy Lifecare, is excited to announce the Grand Reopening of Michael’s Café, the nonprofit organization’s popular dining venue.
Michael’s Café is named in honor of Michael Frankel, past board chair, cherished friend, dedicated leader, and longtime supporter of JGS Lifecare. Following his sudden passing in 2013, the café was designed as a Chicopee, MA – January 28, 2026 – Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) is proud to announce that it has been selected as one of the nonprofit partners in the Elan Charitable Giving Program’s 2026 celebration, marking five years of community support and impact.
As part of this year’s initiative, Elan Credit Card delivered $250,000 in donations to 25 nonprofit organizations across the United States, with each contribution made on behalf of a participating credit union or community bank partner. PNCU’s SPRINGFIELD, MA - American International College (AIC) has relaunched its online Doctor of Education (EdD) program, expanding opportunities for personalization through leadership-focused specializations and flexible project options. Designed for experienced professionals, AIC's online EdD empowers educators, administrators, and organizational leaders to advance their careers while addressing complex challenges across education and organizational settings.The fully online EdD program reflects AIC's
SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest, the business journal of Western Massachusetts, is accepting nominations for its 20th annual 40 Under Forty awards.
Nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2026 are due by Tuesday, February 24, 2026. They can be submitted at https://businesswest.com/40-under-forty-nomination-form/.
Candidates must be under 40 years of age as of April 1, 2026.
The 40 Under Forty program was launched in 2007 by BusinessWest to honor young professionals in Western Massachusetts, not Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank President & CEO (right), and Michael Rouette, Monson Savings Bank EVP & COO and YMCA of Greater Springfield Board Chair & Chief Volunteer Officer (left), presented a $100,000 donation to Dexter Johnson, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield.
Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank has announced a $100,000 pledge to support the Scantic Valley YMCA’s Capital Campaign, helping fund major facility renovations and enhancements. Monson Savings Bank President & CEO Dan Worcester, MA — January 27, 2026 — The WooSox Foundation recognized Jodie Gerulaitis, First Vice President of Community Relations at Country Bank, during its Fourth Annual WooSox Foundation Honors Gala. Jodie was honored for her outstanding contributions to the community, particularly in advancing education across Central and Western Massachusetts.
Although Gerulaitis was traveling internationally at the time of the event, her devoted parents proudly accepted the award on her behalf, while she joined the Building Blocks for Future Careers supports economic mobility and family stability
Springfield, MA – Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start (HCS Head Start) proudly celebrated the graduation of its sixth Building Blocks for Future Careers (BBFC): Career Readiness Program cohort. The program reflects HCS Head Start’s continued commitment to strengthening families through career development, economic mobility, and holistic support.
The Building Blocks for Future Careers program began as a community
BOSTON, Jan. 22, 2026 – Berkshire Bank is pleased to announce its 2026 Volunteer of the Year, an employee whose extraordinary dedication to our communities includes donating more than 200 hours last year to volunteering in Vermont.
Killington resident Christina Campo, manager at Berkshire’s Rutland branch, was selected based on the number of hours she volunteered, the variety of organizations she works with, and because she actively participates in both company-sponsored events as well as personal Springfield, Mass. –The Applied Mortgage Team of HMA Mortgage is proud to announce that Jessica LaMothe, Loan Partner and valued member of the Applied Mortgage team, will be honored with the Rising Star Award by the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Association at their Award Breakfast this month. This prestigious recognition celebrates emerging leaders in the mortgage industry who demonstrate exceptional performance, dedication, and promise for continued success.
WHAT: Jessica LaMothe, Loan Partner of BELCHERTOWN, MA — Community members are invited to take part in a Belchertown Community Food Drive on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Belchertown Town Hall. The drive will support the Light and Love Community Food Drive, benefitting the Amherst Survival Center, which serves Belchertown and thirteen additional communities across the region.
The food drive aims to help address food insecurity during the winter months by collecting non-perishable food items and household essentials Chicopee, MA – Riley Home Realty proudly recognizes the ongoing commitment to community involvement demonstrated by Kate Riley, Vice President, and the company throughout 2025. Giving back is a core value that continually guides how the team shows up for the communities they serve.
Kate Riley has long believed that strong communities are built through active participation, meaningful relationships, and consistent service. In 2025, she continued to donate her time and leadership to a wide range of local When Smart Isn’t Enough — Why Risk Still Rules
Even the sharpest founders can lose their footing when uncertainty strikes. Markets pivot. Regulations tighten. A key employee vanishes just before launch. Risk management isn’t about paranoia—it’s about precision. It’s the discipline of knowing what could go wrong and ensuring it doesn’t derail what’s going right.Snapshot
If you only read this part, remember this: smart founders manage risk through structure, not instinct. The most resilient businesses do
In the relentless pace of today’s business world, the ability to refine and enhance workflows is not just beneficial—it’s essential. Businesses that prioritize strategic workflow improvements can achieve remarkable gains in productivity and growth. By integrating advanced tools and methodologies, companies can streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and empower their teams to focus on high-impact tasks. Below, this article delves into innovative strategies that can transform your business processes,
Join the ERC5 Chamber of Commerce today and be part of a thriving business community dedicated to fostering economic growth in East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, and Wilbraham.
When your business hits a rough patch, it can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. The pressure to stay afloat, maintain morale, and find a way forward can be overwhelming. However, tough times are often the catalyst for innovation and resilience. By taking deliberate and strategic steps, you can
Creating an effective sales pitch and marketing strategy is crucial in today's competitive landscape. By employing strategic techniques, you can enhance engagement and improve your chances of success with potential customers. Mastering these essential aspects of your business will set you apart and drive your initiatives forward. Here's a helpful guide on how to excel in these critical areas.Establishing Trust with Customer Endorsements
Building trust is essential, and leveraging customer testimonials
Monson Savings Bank Supports Aspiring Homeowners with Free “Homebuying 101” Event at Red Rose Pizzeria
Tickets on Sale for the 2026 Difference Makers Awards
Monson Savings Bank Announces $25,000 in Donations as 2026 Community Giving Initiative Votes are Tallied
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COLLABORATIVE EVENT TO EMPOWER STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ON COLLEGE FINANCING.
Grand Reopening of Michael’s Café on the JGS Lifecare Campus
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Elan Charitable Giving Celebrates 5 Years with $250,000 in Donations
American International College Expands Online EdD to Offer Greater Personalization with Academic Journey
Feb. 24 Deadline Set for 40 Under Forty Nominations
Monson Savings Bank Donates $100,000 to Scantic Valley YMCA’s Capital Campaign
WooSox Foundation Honors Country Bank’s Jodie Gerulaitis for Leadership in Education and Community I
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Six Parents Graduate from HCS Head Start Career Readiness Program
Berkshire Bank 2026 Volunteer of the Year spent 200+ hours supporting communities
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Applied Mortgage’s Jessica LaMothe to be Honored with Rising Star Award by the Massachusetts Mortgag
Belchertown Community Food Drive to Support Amherst Survival Center and Light and Love Community Food Drive
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Riley Home Realty Highlights Commitment to Community Giveback Through Leadership and Service in 2025
Resilient by Design: Practical Risk Management for Small Business Owners
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