Left to right: Aimee Kohn, Business Development Officer at Monson Savings Bank; Dan Moriarty, President & CEO of Monson Savings Bank; Greg Schmidt, Co-founder of Magic for Maddie; Nora Schmidt, Co-founder of Magic for Maddie; Michael Rouette, Monson Savings Bank’s Executive Vice President & COO; and Paul Sheparson, Assistant Vice President Digital Systems Officer at Monson Savings Bank.Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank is proud to support Magic for Maddie with a $3,000 donation as part of its 2026 Community Springfield, Mass. – Live entertainment takes center stage at 52 Sumner as Springfield Performing Arts Ventures, Inc. announces an exciting lineup of concerts, festivals, theatrical productions, and immersive experiences scheduled throughout the summer and fall. From nationally acclaimed musicians and regional music festivals to family-friendly theater and tribute performances, audiences can enjoy a diverse calendar of events designed to bring people together through the arts.Upcoming performances Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank is proud to announce the promotions of Aimee E. Kohn, Dorian Guidi, and Kylie E. LaPlante, recognizing their dedication, leadership, and commitment to delivering exceptional service to customers and communities throughout the region.Aimee E. Kohn Promoted to Business Development OfficerMonson Savings Bank has promoted Aimee E. Kohn of Belchertown to Business Development Officer.In her role, Kohn works directly with business and municipal customers, supporting all aspects of SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Amie Miarecki, president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM), has been named a finalist for the prestigious Karl Flemke Pioneer Achievement Award for 2026. This distinguished national honor recognizes first-time Junior Achievement presidents who demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation and impact within their local organizations and the broader JA network.
The award will be presented at the Junior Achievement USA® NEXT National Leadership Conference, taking Springfield, MA – Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start (HCS Head Start) is investing in the future of early childhood education through Tomorrow's Teachers, a paid internship program designed to introduce individuals to careers in early childhood education while helping address the growing need for qualified educators across the region.Managed by HCS Head Start's Sara Korte-Popp, Tomorrow's Teachers provides participants with hands-on experience in early childhood classrooms while offering mentorship,
Pioneer Valley Financial Charitable Fund Donates $10,000 to Support TJO Animal Shelter's Response to Parvovirus and Panleukopenia
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Foundation for TJO Animals is pleased to announce a generous $10,000 donation from Pioneer Valley Financial Charitable Fund to support the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center (TJO) as it responds to recent cases of parvovirus and panleukopenia that temporarily disrupted shelter operations.
The gift will provide critical funding to Please join us in welcoming Joe Varnauskas to the Allied Flooring, Paint & Design and Budget Cabinets team!Joe joins us as our new Sales Manager - Outside Sales, where he'll lead our Outside Sales Road Teams, including the Property Management divisions for both Allied Flooring and Budget Cabinets.With more than 25 years of flooring sales management experience, Joe brings a wealth of industry knowledge and leadership to our organization. Throughout his career, he's worked with both residential and commercial Country Bank Honors Dale Mazanec with 2026 President's Platinum Award
Country Bank’s highest employee honor recognizes exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to its core values.July 8, 2026 – Mary McGovern, President and CEO of Country Bank is pleased to announce that Dale Mazanec, First Vice President, Asset Mitigation, has received the 2026 President's Platinum Award, the Bank's highest employee recognition, presented through its Above and Beyond Recognition
We are thrilled to share that the Springfield JCC has been awarded a $100,000 grant from The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation to strengthen early literacy in our Early Learning Center.
This generous investment will support a new Early Literacy Development Initiative serving children from birth to age five, including the addition of an Early Literacy Specialist who will work directly with children, coach teachers, and engage families in literacy-rich learning experiences. The initiative will
Left to right: Dina Merwin, Monson Savings Bank’s Senior Vice President & Chief Risk and Senior Compliance Officer; Dan Moriarty, President and CEO of Monson Savings Bank; Lien Baker, Springfield Ballers; James Gee, Springfield Ballers; Michael Rouette, Monson Savings Bank’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; and Carla Carnevale, Community Relations Manager at Monson Savings Bank.
Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank is proud to support Springfield Ballers with a $2,500 donation as part June 25, 2026 – Country Bank announced the recent promotions of employees across its commercial banking, retail banking, lending, and marketing divisions, recognizing their leadership, commitment to customers, and contributions to the Bank’s continued growth and positive community impact.
“These promotions recognize a talented group of leaders who consistently deliver exceptional service, drive meaningful results, and embody Country Bank’s corporate values of integrity, service, teamwork, Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank President & CEO and member of the Monson Free Library Finance Committee met with Hope Bodwell, Monson Free Library Director, to present her with a $2,000 donation on behalf of the Bank. Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank is proud to support the Monson Free Library with a $2,000 donation as part of its 2026 Community Giving Initiative, a program driven by community participation and dedicated to supporting local nonprofit organizations.
Dan Moriarty, President and CEO of BusinessWest Accepting Nominations for the 2026 Healthcare Heroes Awards
SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest and HealthcareNews.com are now accepting nominations for the 10th annual Healthcare Heroes awards. Nominations for the Healthcare Heroes class of 2026 are due by Thursday, July 23, 2026, and may be submitted online at https://businesswest.com/healthcareheroes/nominations/.
The Healthcare Heroes program was created in 2017 to honor the individuals and organizations working across the region’s vast, diverse, Same-day WiFi available to Xfinity homes and apartmentsInstant mobile connectivity with millions of WiFi hotspots and 5G accessStream thousands of shows and movies on day one, no equipment required
Moving is one of life’s biggest transitions with equal parts excitement and complexity. Connectivity shouldn’t be another source of stress during a move. Xfinity has some new features focused on getting customers connected quickly so they can get back to what matters most, with their devices and entertainment Xfinity Mobile Launches Mobile Plus and Mobile Select,Redefining Premium Wireless with Lifetime Device Protection Included Premium Mobile Plus Plan Includes Lifetime Device Protection for Any Phone, Tablet, and Smartwatch, Device Upgrades Anytime and Global Travel Pass – In One Simple Industry-Leading Plan Customers Cut Their Mobile Bill in Half When They Switch from the Big Three All Plans Deliver Speeds Up to 1 Gig When Connected to Xfinity WiFi with WiFi PowerBoost and Run on America’s Most Reliable 5G
Most small businesses in the East of the River Five Town communities don't have a large agency retainer to call on. Industry research shows that 71% of businesses with annual revenue under $500,000 spend under $500 monthly on branding — confirming that a meaningful refresh has to fit the reality of lean operations. The good news: the highest-impact moves often cost nothing.The Myth of the Big Marketing Budget
If you've been putting off a brand refresh because it seems expensive, that assumption is 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
Monson Savings Bank Donates $3,000 to Magic for Maddie Through Community Giving Initiative
From Ska to Blues to Broadway Favorites: 52 Sumner Unveils Packed Late Summer and Fall Lineup
Monson Savings Bank Announces the Promotions of Aimee E. Kohn, Dorian Guidi, & Kylie E. LaPlante
President of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts named finalist for the prestigious Karl Flemke Pioneer Achievement Award
HCS Head Start Launches Tomorrow's Teachers Program to Build the Next Generation of Early Childhood Educators
Pioneer Valley Financial Charitable Fund Donates $10,000 to Support TJO Animal Shelter's Response to Parvovirus and Panleukopenia
Allied Flooring, Paint & Design and Budget Cabinets Welcomes Joe Varnauskas to the Team!
Country Bank Honors Dale Mazanec with 2026 President's Platinum Award
Springfield Jewish Community Center Receives $100,000 Grant to Boost Early Literacy Programs
Monson Savings Bank Donates $2,500 to the Springfield Ballers
Country Bank Celebrates Employee Promotions
Monson Savings Bank is proud to support the Monson Free Library
BusinessWest Accepting Nominations for the 2026 Healthcare Heroes Awards
Moving Season Made Easier: How Xfinity Helps You Stay Seamlessly Connected
Xfinity Mobile Launches Mobile Plus and Mobile Select, Redefining Premium Wireless with Lifetime Device Protection Included
Brand Refresh on a Budget: What Actually Works for Small Businesses in Western Massachusetts
Resilient by Design: Practical Risk Management for Small Business Owners
Drive Growth with These Intelligent Workflow Adjustments
Bouncing Back: Proven Strategies for Businesses to Survive and Thrive in Adversity
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