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Choose WesternMass Massachusetts Industry and Economy Springfield Attractions Education Industry Springfield Works Amherst – Northampton Attractions Education Industry Western Mass Cities Knowledge Corridor® Real Estate Brokers Opportunity Zones Priority Sites Pre-Permitted Sites Industries Aerospace Creative Economy Entrepreneur Resources Financial Services Healthcare Information Technology Life Sciences Manufacturing Firearms Manufacturing Paper Precision Machining Medical Devices Plastics Renewable Energy Tourism Talent The Easy Life Workin’ Hard Playin’ Harder Professional Sports Recreational Activities Arts & Culture Wicked Smart Family Sized Welcome Home Hampden County Hampshire County Franklin County Berkshire County Connect with your Community Media Resources Getting Around We Win at Wellness Databank Incentives Workforce Workforce Resources Incentives and Grants Higher Education University of Massachusetts Four Year Colleges and Universities Community Colleges Healthcare Utilities and Infrastructure Logistics Bradley International Airport Attractions News About Us Our Team Board of Directors EDC Members Partners Network of Affiliated Partners Regional Partners State-Wide Partners Services Home Field Advantage Mission Membership Contact Us Join the EDC Mailing List Disclaimer COVID-19 Resources Choose Western Mass Easy access to major markets Everything is closer than you think National hub for higher education Regional competitiveness Data Updates Developer renews plans for Dunkin’ donut shop in Springfield’s Hungry Hill May 26, 2020 A developer is again proposing to build a Dunkin’ doughnut shop on Liberty Street in the Hungry Hill area. The City Council first approved the plans in January of 2018, but the special permit expired as a result of construction not occurring within the mandated two-year period. A new council hearing took place May 18,… In a coronavirus world, how will malls be able to operate? Massachusetts retailers look to reopen May 25 with curbside delivery May 24, 2020 As the coronavirus pandemic ramped up earlier this year, Springfield’s Eastfield Mall was left with empty halls, an “ugly” decrease in revenue and a “skeleton crew” of workers, according to property manager David Thompson. When management found out in March that brick-and-mortar retailers and other businesses deemed non-essential would be forced to close due to… As some Western Massachusetts colleges plan to reopen campus, others hold off May 22, 2020 College students sometimes list their majors as “undeclared.” That applies to colleges and universities that are eyeing the fall semester with mixtures of hope and caution – and weighing the practicality and risk of reopening campus. Virtually every institution has expressed hope of reopening campus in the fall, but some speak with more confidence that… Industries We Support Tourism Tourism The travel, tourism and hospitality industry plays a tremendous role in Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley (a brand used for tourism purposes to describe Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.) The visitor industry ranks #1 worldwide, #2 in the United States and stands #3 in the Commonwealth, making it critical to our economy. Tourism related employment in… Renewable Energy Renewable Energy A recent census reported that the Massachusetts renewable energy cluster supports 14,400 jobs within 556 entities. Soon, Green energy will replace textiles as the state’s tenth largest industry at a projected growth rate of 20% per year, three times that of any other industry. Massachusetts is currently ranked within the top 10 states… Plastics Plastics Massachusetts has the seventh largest concentration of plastics companies in the country, and Western Massachusetts is well represented with highly skilled and specialized businesses. Beginning with the production of raw material, the industry in Western Massachusetts extends through plastic converters, radio frequency sealing, and processes such as injection molding, blow molding, and thermoforming. This… Medical Devices Medical Devices Western Massachusetts is home to more than 300 medical device companies who are positioned to thrive through support from world-class universities, research-driven hospitals and a flux of high-precision manufacturing facilities. A 2004 Milkin Institute study of America’s health care economy reported that New England has the nation’s highest concentration of medical device and… Manufacturing Manufacturing Western Massachusetts has long been known for a large and diverse manufacturing industry employing nearly 40,000 workers. In Hampden County alone, manufacturing represents 12.1% of the region’s total employment and almost 10% in Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire Counties. This industry is focused in developing parts and products within the Fabricated Metal, Paper, Computer, Electronics… Life Sciences Life Sciences Massachusetts is the home of the world-renowned “Super Cluster” in the Biotechnology industry, focused in Cambridge. It is spreading west beyond the Greater Boston-Cambridge area as it expands. In Western Massachusetts, proximity and connections to the Super Cluster are regional strengths. The twin giants of the industry in this region are research institutions… Information Technology Information Technology Western Massachusetts’ large and diverse IT industry leverages the region’s cutting-edge infrastructure, highly-educated workforce and geographic advantages to serve clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to celebrities such as Mick Jagger. Nearly the best data-carrying infrastructure in the nation belongs to Western Massachusetts. As the crossroads of all national and international fiber optic… Healthcare Healthcare More than 50,000 workers, nine hospitals, and 100 clinics or related facilities make healthcare the largest private industry in Western Massachusetts and a leading economic driver for the region. Area hospitals are research-driven centers for cutting-edge medical technology, advanced education, and renowned care. Baystate Health, the parent organization of Baystate Medical Center, is the… Financial Services Financial Services The Financial Services industry of Western Massachusetts and the Knowledge Corridor is a powerful force in both national and international markets. Multi-national banks, the Springfield-based operations of the MassMutual Financial Group and Liberty Mutual, as well as the Knowledge Corridor’s dense concentration of insurance giants, all contribute to the region’s strong financial services… Entrepreneur Resources Entrepreneur Resources Below is the breakdown of the different levels of resources available. Regional-Level Resources Mentorship Valley Venture Mentors provides key support to the entrepreneurial ecosystem by uniting carefully selected start-ups with high quality business mentors at a structured monthly pitch and planning session. The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network’s Western Regional Office provides… Creative Economy Creative Economy The Commonwealth has launched a Creative Economy Initiative and appointed a Creative Economy Industry Director in the Massachusetts Office of Business Development to work one-on-one with businesses and artists. What are the Creative Industries? In Massachusetts, the creative industries include the many interlocking industry sectors that provide creative services or create and promote… Aerospace Aerospace Many of Western Massachusetts’s precision manufacturing companies are contracted suppliers of precision mechanical components and sub-assemblies to major commercial manufacturers, aircraft engine builders, and military equipment contractors across the United States and internationally. These companies, led by the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (WMNTMA) perform highly critical, close tolerance work… Our Partners Affiliated Regional Statewide Affiliated Regional Statewide Join the EDC Mailing List | Di...