1Berkshire Strategic Alliance Corp.
66 Allen St., Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 499-1600 / www.1berkshire.com
Contact: Johnathan Butler
Description: Economic-development collaboration among the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, and Berkshire Creative that works to stimulate business growth in Berkshire County, retain and attract jobs, and increase tourism.
Berkshire Innovation Center
66 Allen St., Pittsfield, MA 01201
(508) 366-4859 / www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com
Contact: Rod Jané
Description: Expands the innovation capacity and growth potential of private industry by providing advanced capabilities to manufacturers in the Berkshires region — primarily small and medium-sized companies (and startups) in life sciences, the life-sciences supply chain, advanced manufacturing, and technology; the goal is to enable and accelerate the growth of the manufacturing sector with the ultimate objective of spurring economic growth, job creation and retention, and investment in the region.
Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative
One Ashburton Place, Room 2101, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 788-3610 / www.masstech.org
Description: Comprised of leaders from industry, academia, and government to help inform, implement, and evaluate state policies to support the competitiveness of Massachusetts manufacturers.
Associated Industries of Massachusetts
One Beacon St., 16th Floor, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 262-1180; www.aimnet.org
Contact: Dawn Creighton
Description: Employer association of more than 4,500 companies; lobbies on behalf of employers on state and federal economic issues; provides human-resources and management education throughout Massachusetts.
Economic Development Council of Western Mass.
1441 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 755-1368 / www.westernmassedc.com
Contact: Rick Sullivan
Description: Business organization comprised of CEOs of the Pioneer Valley’s leading corporations, the region’s mayors, and college presidents; goals are to market the region to attract and create jobs and attract new investment.
Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast
67 Hunt St., Agawam MA 01001
(877) 662-6444, ext. 3009 / www.eane.org
Contact: Meredith Wise
Description: Helps member companies remain competitive by developing strong workforces; provides talent, training, and tools that result in effective management practices and an engaged, productive workforce; more than 900 members represent a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, education, finance, human service, retail, and government.
Holyoke Office of Planning & Economic Development
20 Korean Veterans Plaza, Room 406, Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 322-5575 / www.holyoke.org
Contact: Marcos Marrero
Description: Manages programs and provides services that fulfill the immediate needs and long-term vision of the development of the city; business-development programs include site planning, incentive programs, financing, permitting of subdivisions, site-plan review, special permits, zoning and land-use inquiries, comprehensive planning.
MA Small Business Development Center Network
Western Regional Office
One Federal St., Bldg. 101, Springfield, MA 01105
(413) 737-6712 / www.msbdc.org/wmass
Contact: Samalid Hogan
Description: Provides free, confidential, one-on-one business-advisory services to prospective and existing small-business owners; pre-venture feasibility; business-plan development; loan packaging; marketing and sales strategies; cash-flow preparation and analysis; organizational and personnel issues.
Mass. Export Center, Western and Central Office
Karl Weiss Center, 75 North Dr., Westborough, MA 01581
(508) 887-5412 / www.mass.gov/export
Contact: Julia Dvorko
Description: Helps Massachusetts companies achieve success in global markets through a statewide network of international trade professionals; targeted services for exporters: counseling, training, research, and technical assistance; an advising center of the Mass. Small Business Development Center Network.
Mass. Office of Business Development
1350 Main St., Suite 1110, Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 733-5357 / www.mass.gov/dbd
Contact: Debra Boronski
Description: Source of economic-development information regarding tax incentives and financial and development programs available to help businesses grow in the Commonwealth.
Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership
100 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605
(508) 965-8768 / www.massmep.org
Contact: Susan Janus
Description: Creates economic impact by transforming manufacturing enterprises and the manufacturing ecosystem; provides operational excellence, workforce-development strategies, and innovative growth initiatives, enhanced through leveraging strategic public/private partnerships.
MassDevelopment
1350 Main St., Suite 1110, Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 731-8848 / www.massdevelopment.com
Contact: Julie Cowan
Description: Offers financing and real-estate solutions to support companies and nonprofits, increase housing, eliminate blight, and drive economic growth across Massachusetts.
National Assoc. of Manufacturers
733 10th St. NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C., 20001
(202) 637-3000 / www.nam.org
Contact: Alyssa Shoostan
Description: Public-policy advocate for more than 12 million manufacturing workers nationwide.
MassHire Berkshire County
160 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 449-2220 / www.masshireberkshirecc.com
Contact: Stephanie Caporale
Description: Partnership between the Berkshire Training & Employment Program and the Massachusetts Division of Career Services, chartered by the MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board, which provides programs and services to employers, job seekers, and community partners; serves all 32 cities and towns in Berkshire County.
MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center
One Arch Place, Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 774-4361 / www.masshirefhcareers.org
Contact: Teri Anderson
Description: Provides employment and training services at no charge to businesses and job seekers in the Franklin, Hampshire, and North Quabbin area; assists employers with job posting, recruitment, labor market information, hiring incentives, and employee training; assists job seekers with job search, skill building, workshops, and job training; resource room available for computer use, phones, and copying.
MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board
One Arch Place, Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 773-1835 / www.masshirefhwb.org
Contact: Patricia Crosby
Description: Coordinates and oversees workforce training and placement programs in the Hampshire, Franklin, and North Quabbin region, including one-stop career services in three locations; clearinghouse for labor-market information and hiring/training incentives.
MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board
1441 Main St., Suite 111, Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 787-1547 / www.masshirehcwb.com
Contact: David Cruise
Description: Resource for information on programs and funding for training, job placement, and other workforce issues.
MassHire Holyoke Career Center
850 High St., Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 532-4900 / www.masshireholyoke.org
Contact: David Gadaire
Description: Career-readiness and workforce-development services; seeks to support economic growth of the region by proactively providing innovative opportunities for both businesses and job seekers.
MassHire Springfield Career Center
1 Federal St., 103-3, Springfield, MA 01105
(413) 858-2800 / www.masshirespringfield.org
Contact: Kevin Lynn
Description: FutureWorks advances customer careers and supports business customer needs; people looking for work can take advantage of a variety of job-search workshops, career trainings, and computer skills development; business customers take advantage of recruitment services and supportive work programs, such as on-the-job training.
National Tooling And Machining Assoc., Western Mass. Chapter
1207 North St. Ext., Feeding Hills, MA 01030
(413) 786-4028 / www.ntma.org
Contact: Angie Beavis
Description: Industry advocate with nonprofit foundation to support manufacturing education.
Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute
3601 Main St., Springfield, MA 01199
(413) 794-0653 / www.pvlsi.org
Contact: Dr. Joe Jerry
Description: Partnership of UMass Amherst resources and Baystate Medical Center’s clinical expertise; interactive teams of allied health professionals and life and physical scientists focus on clinical disorders with a goal of developing new approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
SCORE
One Federal St., Bldg. 101, Springfield, MA 01105
(413) 785-0314 / www.westernmassachusetts.score.org
Contact: Len Gendron, Jay Moore
Description: Provides free and confidential business consultation and mentoring to new and established businesses; free online and face-to-face counseling available on site or at SCORE locations throughout Western Mass.; educational seminars on starting a business, preparing a business plan, using social media, and sources of financing.
U.S. Small Business Administration
One Federal St., Bldg. 101, Springfield, MA 01105
(413) 785-0484 / www.sba.gov/ma
Contact: Oreste Varela
Description: Provides free, one-on-one business counseling, training, and mentoring through a network of Small Business Development Centers, SCORE chapters, and Women’s Business Centers located throughout the state; financial assistance to new and growing businesses through loan guarantees in cooperation with area lenders; government contracting and disaster-assistance programs.
