Western Mass Economic Development Council

Dear EDC members,

Save the date! On Wednesday, August 12th, we will be hosting our 2026 Membership Engagement Event. It will be an evening to connect with fellow members in a relaxed setting, with no formal agenda.

We're also pleased to share a special addition to this year's event: our partner and founding member, The Republican/MassLive Media, will be offering an exclusive tour of their packaging and printing operation here in Springfield.

Following the tour, we invite you to join us at Pridelands on Main Street for the White Lion beer garden, where you can enjoy a drink and continue the conversation with fellow members.

Tour times: 4:30pm or 5:30pm (approximately 45 minutes)
Space is limited to 18 guests per time slot, so we encourage you to reserve early. If both slots fill before you can book, we'll look to offer the tour again in the near future.

Reserve your tour spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/edc-summer-social-tour-tickets-1994952827610?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you're unable to join us this time, we look forward to seeing you at our September membership meeting!

It's farmers market season across Western Mass!

And Springfield is just one stop! From Hampden County up through Hampshire and out to Franklin County, our region is packed with amazing markets bringing local farms, makers, and food artisans right to our neighborhoods every week. Check out your local farmers' market locations here: https://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/markets

What's your go-to farmers market in Franklin, Hampden, or Hampshire County, and what's the one thing you always pick up?

We are proud to recognize Hazen Paper Company, one of WMEDC's newest members, for earning four awards at this year's FSEA Gold Leaf Awards!

🥇 Hazen is the proud winner of four awards at the 33rd annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards this year! Seen here is the “Dave Matthew’s Band Tour Poster” which features Hazen’s stunning, fiery custom holography and is the gold winner for “Best Use of Embellished Poster.”
Once again, thank you to the Foil and Specialty Effects Association for a wonderful event!

This was a two day Boston week and worth every minute on the Pike.

Tuesday the Governor’s Competitiveness Council sub committed presented to the full group. I was cochair of the “ease of doing business” committee with a focus on professional licensure. The Executive Office of Economic Development will be taking the recommendations and drafting a report for all members to review this fall. All aspects of doing business, workforce, taxes and investments are being evaluated.

Day two in Boston was for for MassINC’s gateway cities leadership conference where we heard from a number of administrations secretaries on housing and economic development, as well as state wide developers, and regional leaders.

Making sure Western Mass is represented in Boston is just one of the WMEDC’s key values for our members and the region.

Yesterday I joined Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, CISA, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Senator Jo Comerford and others on a visit to just a few of the amazing farms in our region.
The food economy is one of Western Massachusetts strongest sectors and we are all working to strengthen and support the local food economy.
It was an honor to meet the families and individuals at Warner Farm, a 10 generation farm and Reed Farm a local poultry processing facility.

Tour of LaunchSpace today. This amazing asset for entrepreneurs, workforce development programs, education, community building and more is in the heart of the north Quabbin area.
Places like this are what make Western Mass so special.

Full house for Associated Industries of Massachusetts Manufacturing Day at the State House.
Great to hear from State Rep Jeff Roy and Senator Paul Feeney, the co-chairs of the Manufacturing Caucus on initiatives to support manufacturing in the Commonwealth and aspects of the Economic Bill being discussed in the House today.
Made a number of contacts that will support our efforts to advance the manufacturing sector in Western MA.
Congrats to AIM director Brooke Thompson.

We hosted our 3rd roundtable discussion around the food economy and how Western MA can be a leader in this sector.
More information and opportunities to provide input coming soon

Great meeting today with Mayor Salem Derby on how Easthampton the WMEDC can work together.