Western Mass Economic Development Council

Please join us in welcoming Greenfield Savings Bank to the Western Mass Economic Development Council

Founded in Greenfield in 1869, GSB has spent generations investing in the people, businesses and communities of Western Massachusetts.

Their impact goes far beyond banking, from providing capital that helps local businesses grow, to supporting hundreds of community organizations, to significant investments in places like downtown Greenfield and Easthampton.

That is why we wanted our first New Member Spotlight to do more than simply announce their membership.

We wanted to tell the story of what Greenfield Savings Bank contributes to the Western Massachusetts economy and why having organizations like GSB connected at the regional table matters.

Welcome to the Western Mass EDC!

Read the full story in comments.

One Western Massachusetts.
Connect. Convene. Advocate.

One event. $39.3 million in regional impact.

The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade and Road Race are beloved Western Massachusetts traditions. A new Cambridge Econometrics study also shows just how significant their economic impact is.

The celebrations generate an estimated $39.3 million in economic output across Hampden and Hampshire Counties, supporting 275 jobs, $10.6 million in local wages and more than $23.2 million in visitor spending.

But what stands out to us is how far that impact travels.

People may come for an event in Holyoke, but they stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, shop at local businesses and experience communities throughout Western Massachusetts.

When one part of our region succeeds, there is an opportunity for the entire region to benefit.

We took a closer look at what the study tells us about our connected regional economy.

Read more →
https://www.westernmassedc.com/one-event-39-3-million-in-regional-impact-what-holyokes-st-patricks-celebrations-tell-us-about-the-western-massachusetts-economy/

Congratulations to the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade Committee of and the hundreds of volunteers, businesses, sponsors and community partners who make these celebrations possible.



Holyoke City Hall
Mayor Joshua A. Garcia

One Event. $39.3 Million in Regional Impact. What Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s Celebrations Tell Us About the Western Massachusetts Economy - EDC Economic activity does not stop at a city or town line. A visitor coming to Holyoke for the St. Patrick’s Parade may stay at a hotel elsewhere in the region, eat at a restaurant in another community, shop locally, visit another attraction and discover another reason to return to Western Massachuse...

This is what it looks like when the pieces of a regional economy start connecting.

UMass Amherst is making a $120 million investment in the Future of Food, building on more than a century of leadership in food science while creating new opportunities around research, talent, innovation and industry.

But what stands out to me is that this isn’t happening in isolation.

Western Massachusetts already has the farms, food producers, researchers, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, retailers and institutions that can make this much bigger than any one investment.

The The Boston Globe also highlighted research from the Western Mass EDC identifying food science as an area where our region is well positioned to compete, with an emerging food-tech cluster already taking shape.

That is the opportunity in front of us: connect the assets, convene the people doing the work, and build a regional story strong enough to attract more talent, investment and companies.

Could Western Mass become for the future of food what Greater Boston has become for biotech?

It’s an ambitious question. But increasingly, we have the ingredients to answer it.

Exciting momentum for UMass Amherst and for Western Massachusetts.

Could Western Mass. be to food’s future what Boston is to biotech? UMass is betting on it with $120 million. - The Boston Globe UMass Amherst is leading the charge to bring together everyone from farmers to food scientists to solve problems facing our global food system.

We’re proud to congratulate Western Mass EDC President & CEO Aaron Vega on being named to the We Are ALX ALX100 Class of 2026.

The ALX100 recognizes Latino leaders and changemakers from across Massachusetts whose leadership, impact and contributions are helping shape the future of the Commonwealth.

Aaron’s recognition reflects the kind of leadership we are proud to have representing Western Massachusetts: bringing people together, building stronger connections across communities and sectors, and working to create more opportunity throughout our region.

Congratulations, Aaron, and to the entire ALX100 Class of 2026.
We’re excited to see Western Massachusetts represented in this statewide community of leaders and changemakers.

Western Massachusetts is already building the next economy. Now we need to connect it.

Across our region, businesses are growing, manufacturers are innovating, colleges and universities are developing talent and research, entrepreneurs are building companies, and communities are investing in what comes next.

The pieces are here.

The opportunity is to connect them.

At the Western Mass Economic Development Council, we believe our role is to bring people together, strengthen those connections, elevate what is already happening, and help turn individual successes into regional momentum.

Because the biggest opportunity in front of Western Massachusetts is not starting from scratch.

It is recognizing the strength we already have and building what comes next, together.

Read our latest piece:

Western Mass Is Building the Next Economy. Now We Need to Connect It.

🔗 https://www.westernmassedc.com/western-mass-is-building-the-next-economy-now-we-need-to-connect-it/

What is one connection Western Massachusetts needs to make now?

www.westernmassedc.com

Who are the top innovators in Western Massachusetts right now?

The Western Mass EDC wants to hear from you.

We’re looking for the people and organizations shaping what comes next for our region.

The entrepreneurs building something new.
The manufacturers solving hard problems.
The researchers advancing breakthrough work.
The employers creating jobs and investment.
The educators developing talent.
The healthcare, civic and community leaders creating meaningful change.
And the organizations doing work that more of Western Mass should know about.

From Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden Counties, who is making a real impact right now?

Comment below and tag the individuals or organizations you think belong in the conversation. And tell us why.

We want to make sure the people and organizations moving Western Massachusetts forward are seen, connected and recognized.

Who should we know?

Western Massachusetts needs a seat at the table when decisions are being made about the future of our Commonwealth’s economy.

We’re proud to see former Western Mass EDC Vice President and Chief of Staff Xiomara Albán DeLobato, MBA bringing that regional perspective to her role on the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.

Cannabis has become an important part of the Western Massachusetts economy, supporting businesses, entrepreneurs, jobs and investment across the region. As the industry evolves, it’s important that regulation continues to protect public safety while also creating an environment where responsible businesses can succeed.

“I understand how important this industry is to our region. We need regulations that protect public safety without creating unnecessary burdens that make it harder for responsible businesses to operate, grow and create jobs.”

Aaron Vega, President & CEO, Western Mass EDC

Xiomara’s appointment is also another reminder of why Western Massachusetts representation matters. Our region has distinct industries, assets and opportunities, and those perspectives need to be represented in statewide conversations.

BusinessWest takes a deeper look at the challenges and opportunities ahead for the Cannabis Control Commission and the industry across Massachusetts.

Cannabis Control Commission Grapples with New Challenges - BusinessWest   Local Perspective When Xiomara Albán DeLobato was offered a chance to serve on the state’s reconstituted Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), she saw it as the natural next step in […]