Throughout October, Freedom Credit Union is collecting cash donations at all its branches throughout western Massachusetts to benefit Unify Against Bullying. The Springfield-based non-profit organization seeks to bring an end to bullying through the celebration of diversity; it provides grants to those who are in the best position to make a difference: children, parents, teachers and administrators.
*****************************************************
BusinessWest is accepting nominations for its Difference Makers class of 2024.
This program, initiated in 2009, is a celebration of individuals, groups, organizations, and families that are positively impacting the Pioneer Valley and making a difference in this region.
Nominations for the class of 2024 are due Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. They can be submitted at businesswest.com/difference-makers-nomination-form.
For more information, call Melissa Hallock, marketing and events director, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email hallock@buisnesswest.com
**********************************************************
Liberty Bank, headquartered in Middletown, Conn., cut the ribbon to its new loan production office (LPO) on the 22nd floor of One Monarch Place in downtown Springfield on Sept. 27.
The Western Mass. banking team originally opened their first LPO at 94 Shaker Road in East Longmeadow in 2021. However, they wanted further penetration and exposure in the Western Mass market, which precipitated the move to downtown Springfield.
The Liberty Bank Foundation granted donations to three area nonprofits totaling $20,000 at the ribbon cutting: Boys & Girls Club of West Springfield, Junior Achievement of Western Mass and Food Bank of Western Mass.
Liberty will open a full-service banking branch at 94 Shaker Road in East Longmeadow later this fall.
************************************************************
American Farmland Trust has opened applications for the 2024 New England Farmer Microgrants Program. Since its founding, NEFMP has awarded $1,310,000 to 234 farmers across New England and is 100% donor funded.
In 2024, NEFMP will consist of two separate funding opportunities: the Western New England Regenerative Livestock Farming grants (RLF) and the Farmland Access, Succession, and Transfer Support grants (FAST). Both grant opportunities will now be open to prior NEFMP awardees. Applications for both funding opportunities close on Nov. 21. To apply or review the eligibility guidelines, visit our website: https://farmland.org/new-england-farmer-microgrants-program/
The Western New England Regenerative Livestock Farming funding opportunity provides grants up to $10,000 to livestock producers in select counties in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont for projects that improve soil health through the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices.
The Farmland Access, Succession, and Transfer Support opportunity provides grants of up to $5,000 to farmers who are looking to purchase or lease land or pass their farms on to other farmers. To be eligible for this year’s FAST grants, farmer applicants must be located in Maine, Rhode Island or any of the nine counties of Eastern Massachusetts.
For more information on the NEFMP offerings, contact Kristen Irvin, New England Program Coordinator, at kirvin@farmland.org. For information about sponsoring a round of grants or making a gift that goes directly to a farmer in need, email newengland@farmland.org.
************************************************************
Trinity Health Of New England held its second annual Making Miracles Happen on Sept. 23, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. With more than 700 Trinity Health Of New England colleagues, clinicians, supporters, local leaders and other guests in attendance, the evening honored and celebrated the health care heroes serving patients and communities throughout Connecticut and western Massachusetts.
All proceeds benefited Trinity Health Of New England Emergency Services and Mobile Healthcare, including its four Emergency Departments located at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Conn., Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Conn., Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford, Conn., and Mercy Medical Center in Springfield.
*****************************************************
Local LGBTQ-owned businesses are among 12 small businesses statewide receiving community impact grants from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Majestic Saloon and Bella Vegetarian Restaurant, both in Northampton, and Egg & Company LLC in Hadley received grants.
The NGLCC Community Impact Grant Program, supported by the Grubhub Community Fund, annually provides financial support to businesses with grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. The program specifically supports LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, bars serving food and other eating establishments.
The majority of the recipients are members of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber, which is an affiliate of the NGLCC.
******************************************************************
The Connecticut Airport Authority announces that Condé Nast Traveler released the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, with Bradley International Airport recognized as a top-10 airport for the seventh consecutive year.
Bradley International Airport ranked sixth this year.
The 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website at cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue.
****************************************************************
Monson Savings Bank recently made a $500 contribution to West Springfield’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty met with Sarah Calabrese and Carly Camossi, co-chairs of the 250th anniversary celebration committee, to present them with the donation.
To learn more about West Springfield’s anniversary and for a calendar of events, visit https://www.townofwestspringfield.org/Community-Resources/250th-Anniversary-Committee.
****************************************************************
TD Bank announced it will expand the opening hours of its Springfield store at Mason Square to five days per week.
The TD Bank location at 958 State St. will operate Monday through Friday beginning the first week of November. The Mason Square store is operated under the leadership of Retail Market President Monté W. Foster, Retail Market Manager Miguel Vasquez and Store Manager Tameca Wittenzellner.
In addition to traditional banking services, the Mason Square location features a 24/7 ATM, notary services by appointment and has a small business specialist who can offer tailored banking services to small business owners.
******************************************************************
