December 2015 - Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce

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December 2015
Your
usiness
Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Annual Dinner Focus on Change,
Revitalization & Growth of Region
O
ur Quaboag Hills Chamber Annual Dinner 2015,
with 120 members and guests in attendance at the
Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield. Sponsored by
Monson Savings Bank, the evening was alive with
energy, new ideas and programs, and plenty of
opportunity for great networking.
Following a lively business card exchange during our social
hour, attendees were presented an amazing series of reports
from throughout the region, where businesses, agencies and
individuals are working to revitalize our business communities
in the 15 towns your Chamber serves.
Keynote: Skill Building Vital for Business Growth
Our guest speaker, Richard K. Sullivan, Jr. President and
CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western
Massachusetts reported that the #1 issue facing business
growth here is a lack of skilled workers trained in specific
manufacturing and technology fields. Sullivan urged members
to work and to lobby for more and better education both for
young people entering the work force and for those currently
underemployed. Right now, he pointed out, 3000 potential
jobs in the region are not filled because there are no trained
workers to do those jobs.
Sullivan concluded his talk on a very positive note, quoted
in the Palmer Journal Register by reporter Wyatt Aloisio, he
said, “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen as much excitement in the
local economy as I’ve seen happening right here and now.”
Richard K. Sullivan, Jr. President and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts
Continued next page
QHCC Welcomes Our New Members
ACCOUNTING AND TAX SERVICE
Lauri A.Lewinski Accounting Services
P.O. Box 836
Warren MA 01083
Email: laurbill81@comcast.net
Contact: Lauri Lewinski
(413) 436-7233
ARTS ORGANIZATION
Afri(K)que
4 Palmer Road
Monson MA 01057
Website http://www.afrikque.com
Email: afrikque@gmail.com
Contact: Karina Dise
(413) 386-7563
ATTORNEY
Lyon & Fitzpatrick, LLP
14 Bobala Road 4th Floor
Holyoke MA 01040
Website: http://www.lyonfitzpatrick.com
Email: tkoss@lyonfitzpatrick.com
Contact: Tricia Koss
(413) 536-4000
BANK
Farm Credit East
240 South Road
Enfield CT 06082
Website: http://farmcrediteast.com
Email: SandyP.1971@yahoo.com
Contact: Sandra Pearson
(800) 562-2235
BEAUTY SALON
Cutting Corner
1372 Main Street
Palmer MA 01069
Website: http://www.hairimage.com
Email: carol@hairimage.com
Contact: Carol Henriques
(413) 283-7156
BUILDING MATERIALS
Dave’s Overhead Doors
37 Juniper Drive
Wilbraham MA 01095
Website: http://www.davesoverheaddoors.com
Email:dave@DavesOverheadDoors.com
Contact: David Skelton
(413) 386-7805
CONSULTANT
Much 2 Much 2 Do
113 Bogan Road
Monson MA 01057
Website: http://much2much2do.com
Email: organize@much2much2do.com
Contact: Paul Sullivan
(413) 530-7514
CONTRACTORS
Associated Contractors
135 Fisherdick Road
Ware MA 01082
Email: AssociatedContractors1@
comcast.net
Contact: Charles Eskett
(413) 967-5635
Advantage Coatings
52 Ayers Road
Monson MA 01057
Web: http://www.advantagecoatings.net
Email: justinpel@comcast.net
Contact: Justin Pelissier
(413) 427-8869
ENERGY SERVICES
Northeast Solar
136 Elm Street
Hatfield MA 01038
Website: http://northeast-solar.com
Email: info@northeast-solar.com
Contact: Benjamin Chase
(413) 247-6045
ORGANIZATION
Ware Business & Civic Association
P.O. Box 602
Ware MA 01082
Website: http://warebca.com
Email: warebca@gmail.com
Contact: Tracy Opalinski
(413) 348-8312
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Mass Mutual
330 Whitney Avenue
Holyoke MA 01040
Email: nmanolakis@financialguide.com
Contact: Nicholas Manolakis
(413) 539-2343
RECREATION
River Hollow Family Golf Center
15 Hospital Road
Monson MA 01057
Website: http://www.riverhollowfamilygolfcenter.com
Email: golf243@aol.com
Contact: Michael Bechard
(413) 283-4388
GOVERNMENT
USPS
Ware Post Office
165 West St
Ware MA 01082
Website: http://USPS.com
Email: Albina.A.Roy@usps.gov
Contact: Albina Roy - Postmaster
(413) 967-9918
LANDSCAPING
Willow Farm Landscaping
25 Hardwick Pond Road
Ware MA 01082
Website:
http://www.willowfarmware.com
Email: info@willowfarmware.com
Contact: Martha Klassanos
(413) 967-0939
RESTAURANT
Pinocchio’s Ristorante & Catering
2054 Bridge Street
Three Rivers MA 01080
Website: http://www.pinocchiosristorante.com
Email: omar@pinocchiosonline.com
Contact: Omar Cruz
(413) 284-0202
TREE REMOVAL
Lyrom Services LLC
P.O. Box 888
Ware MA 01082
Website: http://www.lyromservices.com
Email: lyromservices@hotmail.com
Contact: Bill Moryl
(413) 967-5888
S ERVING : B ELCHERTOWN • B RIMFIELD • B ROOKFIELD • EAST BROOKFIELD • HARDWICK • HOLLAND • MONSON
NEW BRAINTREE • NORTH BROOKFIELD • PALMER • SPENCER • WALES • WARE • WARREN • WEST BROOKFIELD
www.QHMA.com • 413-283-2418
Your Business • December 2015 • Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
Annual Dinner Sparked with Reports on a Growing Economy
continued from page 1
Belchertown State School
Master Plan
In Belchertown, after close to 20
years of planning, surmounting difficulties and
working hard,
Claire
O’Neill of
MassDevelopment reported on
progress in
following a
Master Plan
for the property. She was enthusiastic about business opportunities available, ongoing
efforts to remove older buildings
from the property, as well as current
plans which include an assisted living facility.
Executive Committee
Doug Turley, Chairperson
Turley Publications
Julie Quink, Chairperson Elect
Burkhart, Pizzaneli, PC
Tanya Bullock, Treasurer
Life’s Memories & More
Clare Ladue, Assistant Treasurer
Monson Savings Bank
Teresa Grove, Clerk
Baystate Mary Lane Hospital
Patricia Ostrout, Past Chairperson
North Brookfield Savings Bank
Board Members
Claire LaDue, Commercial
Loan Officer with Monson
Savings Bank, Platinum
Sponsor for our Annual
Dinner, welcomed members
and guests to the event, offering
a tribute to local business
support for our communities.
Three Rivers Revitalization
Dr. Mohammed Shafeeq Ahmed
Baystate Mary Lane Hospital
Susan Barbiasz • Chicopee Savings Bank
Cindy Fountain • SpencerBank
David Lamberto • Hertan’s Antique Shows
Bruce Marshall • Real Oldies 1250 WARE
Renee Niedziela • J. Stolar Insurance
Ann Nicholas • Sturbridge Host Hotel
Dr. Gerald Paist • Pathfinder Reg. V.T.H.S.
Jeff Roberts • Roberts & Sons Printing, Inc.
Dick Rondeau • Rondeau’s Dairy Bar
Karen Wallace • Keller Williams Realty
Chamber Administration
President, Leonard N. Weake
Director, Membership Services, Patty Clark
Newsletter
Writer, Editor & Designer, Maureen Solomon,
Compleat Communications, Monson, MA
Printed by Turley Publications, Palmer, MA
QUABOAG HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
3 CONVERSE STREET • SUITE 103
PALMER, MA 01069
413-283-2418 FAX: 413-289-1355
INFO@QHMA.COM
WWW.QHMA.COM
Sheila Cuddy, Executive Director
of the Quaboag Valley Community
Development Corporation
(QVCDC), reported on planning for
development in downtown Three
Rivers area, as well as the Palmer
Technology Center.
Businesses
and planners
are envisioning new uses
for Three
River’s Main
Street including new
restaurants
and arts/crafts
businesses
which they believe will enhance a
fledgling arts community inspired by
the presence and vitality of the
Palmer Historical and Cultural Center (PHCC). A river walk is planned
at the convergence of the Chicopee
River, Quaboag River and Swift
River. A partnership between the
PHCC, Palmer Redevelopment Authority, Three Rivers Chamber and
the QVCDC is currently developing
plans with assistance from a Massachusetts Cultural Council Adams
Art Grant.
Special thanks to
the Salem Cross
Inn for their beautiful setting, and
for the delicious
appetizers and dinner at our meeting.
Pictured here, our
members taking
full advantage of
networking
opportunities.
Photos by Art Torres,
Post Computer
Systems.
More on page 3.
At Monson Savings, We Know Small Business!
• We’re local, flexible and fast.
• You’ll never have to wait for a decision
from the “regional office”.
• Outstanding personal service.
• Deposit checks with your smart phone -anytime, anywhere!* Really!
Our Business Team (l to r) Rob Chateauneuf, Corinne Sawyer and Michael Rouette.
*Text message/internet charges per telephone carrier may apply.
Subject to eligibility. Deposit limits and other restrictions apply.
Monson Savings
Your Bank Forever
where people save, businesses prosper, communities benefit
Monson 267-4646 • Hampden 566-0101 • Ware 967-0912 • Wilbraham 596-2848 • Loan Center 267-4513 • TDD 267-9883 • www.monsonsavings.com
EQUAL HOUSING
LENDER
Member FDIC, Member DIF
|
Each depositor is insured by the FDIC to at least $250,000. All deposits above the FDIC insurance amount are insured by the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF).
Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce • www.QHMA.com ~ 2
Your Business • December 2015 • Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
Downtown Ware Seeking
Community College
Thank You to Our Annual Dinner SPONSORS!
According
to Tracy
Opalinski of
the Ware
Business and
Civic Association, efforts
underway to
revitalize
Ware’s downtown include
attracting a community college to
Ware, and cooperation between several community organizations to
grow the local economy.
100 Years
Koran's Farm, Monson
75 Years
Rondeau's Dairy Bar, Palmer
Better Business Bureau of Central New
England, Inc., Worcester
60 Years
Eastern States Associates, Inc., Palmer
55 Years
Spencer Furniture Inc., Spencer
45 Years
Sunsetview Farm Camping Area,
Monson
Sohre Turbomachinery, Inc., Monson
40 Years
Quabbin Wire & Cable Co., Inc.,Ware
Shelton Antique Shows, Brimfield
West Warren Complex
Tony Marcotte of the Warren Innovation Center described his firm’s
plans for a vocational training center
at the former Wrights
Mill Complex in West
Warren. The
plan envisions reuse
of the
600,000
square feet
of the
former mill (15 buildings) that could
potentially be reused as a manufacturing incubator or vocational training campus for a variety of trades.
According to Marcotte, “The size of
the space and low rents present a
tremendous value to potential users
with room to grow, share services
and minimize start-up costs.” Marcotte’s firm MDG Development is
working with the Central MASS Regional Planning Commission, and
the Warren Town Planner to facilitate the development plan.
Our Member
Anniversaries
35 Years
Korzec Insurance Agency, Inc.,
West Warren
J. Stolar Insurance Agency, Three
Rivers
Hartman's Herb Farm & B & B, Barre
Ware River Power Inc., Barre
30 Years
Lyrom Services LLC, Ware
M-PACT, Palmer
25 Years
Keep Homestead Museum, Monson
John Martin Electric, Inc., Monson
20 Years
Complete HealthCare Solutions, Inc.,
Palmer
Vibrance Technology Corporation,
Warren
15 Years
Kitchen Table Taxes, Palmer
10 Years
Simple Indulgence Day Spa, Sturbridge
Whiskey Hill Sports, West Warren
5 Years
Vantage Sports & Rehab LLC, Palmer
In Belchertown, after close to 20 years of planning, surmounting difficulties and working, Claire O’Neill of MassDevelopment reported on progress in following a Master Plan for the property. The plan offers area businesses location opportunities.
From Design To Print T0 Mailing . . .
We Are Your FULL SERVICE
Print Solution Provider
1415 Main Street • P.O. Box 956 • Palmer, MA 01069
Phone: 413-283-9356 • Fax: 413-283-4403
Email: sales@robertsprinting.com
Website: www.robertsprinting.com
Chamber Advertising
A Business to Business
Opportunity
Members! You can reach a powerful
audience of businesses in our region!
Consider this ~ your ADVERTISEMENT with
our Chamber will reach the business community AND will identify you as a business
that cares about our local economy!
Email: Patty@qhma.com
The BUSINESS CENTER at NBSB
Is Your Business Losing
Its Local Support?
With today’s ever-evolving banking industry, make sure you still partner with
a dependable local institution that understands your unique business needs.
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• Commercial Real Estate • Lines of Credit
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Contact our commercial lenders at
508-637-7500 or BusinessCenter@BankNBSB.com
NorthBrookfieldSavingsBank.com
Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce • www.QHMA.com ~ 3
B
Your
3 Converse Street • Palmer, MA 01069
413-283-2418
usiness
Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
Business Banking.
For growth.
Customers turn to you because you do things
they can’t. That’s the kind of expertise we
bring to your company’s banking needs.
Let us help your business thrive.
countrybank.com • 800.322.8233
MEMBER FDIC
MEMBER DIF
QHCC Quaboag Referral Group
Meetings ~ Tuesdays 7:00-8:30am
Palmer Cultural & Historical Center
2072 Main Street • Three Rivers
The last Tuesday of each month is an
open meeting to which any interested
business person is invited.
L
LARGE
A
ARGE enough to ser
serve
ve you,
small enough to care
P.O.
. Box 630 ƒ 246 West Street ƒ Ware, MA 01082
Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ƒ Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
www.stgermaininsurance.com
4
413.967.6341
13.967.6341 ƒ 800.499.9561
800.499.9561
AUTO [ HOME [ BUSINESS
Welcome to your Chamber Events planned
for the coming year! We encourage all our
member businesses to send your staff to our
events where networking is an invaluable
source of support and information. Good
contacts make great business!