GBA Newsletter - June 2025

Thursday, June 19th, Noon @ the Greenfield Common

The GBA is proud to have been invited to speak at the Raising of the Juneteenth Flag. Please join our local leaders, legislators, and stakeholders in celebrating this day of Freedom for Black Americans, as we honor freedom season from June through July 4th!

Tuesday, June 24th, 5:30 PM @ 170 Main Street, Greenfield

Our June Roundtable focuses on unpacking the conversation around Affordable Housing in Massachusetts, sharing information and inviting questions about the impact of housing developments underway in Greenfield. Our Roundtable discussions bring together business owners and stakeholders to discuss the needs and values of Greenfield, and this Roundtable in particular is aimed at affirming and debunking the truths and myths around Affordable Housing.

We will be joined at this Roundtable by architect Erica Gees, housing advocate Susan Worgaftik, and Alyssa Larose from Rural Development Inc. These experts in the field will share factual information, and dig into some of the dated ideas and concerns that are held about these developments and who lives there.

The Greenfield Business Association is a strong ally and advocate for economic development across our small city, and our work is strengthened by the knowledge and communication provided directly by the business community, including developers and property owners. We need to grow, and we need to be smart and informed around that growth.

*We also welcome resident groups and neighborhood stakeholders interested in talking about the businesses in the area, and providing constructive thoughts and feedback for the district.

Saturday, August 2nd, 10 AM - 6 PM @ Murphy Park, Greenfield [REGISTRATION REQUIRED]

The Greenfield Business Association, Greenfield Community College and the Mary Vasquez league is sponsoring a double elimination softball tournament! Registration is requested by July 11th so we can order beverages, secure equipment and spread the word.

Thursday, June 26th, 5:30 PM @ Hawks & Reed

GBA Executive Director, Hannah Rechtschaffen, is excited to sit on the Panel for the FINAL round of the 2025 Take the Floor Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition! Joined by Jessye Deane from the Franklin County Chamber, Ian Vukovich from Greenfield Savings Bank - and facilitated by Max Fripp and the Franklin County CDC, these judges have the TOUGH role of choosing three Pitch winners from the ten finalists.

From family therapy to construction, salons to composting, these entrepreneurs have ideas that are truly ready to be taken to the next level. But WHICH three ideas will win $3,000 each to make their next step a reality?! Show up, hear the pitches, and VOTE for your favorite ideas. You might just make someone's business dreams a reality...

Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall Meeting Room [and remotely via Zoom]

The Greenfield Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is seeking public input ahead of the fourth Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding round, to determine community priorities for funding in the coming year. The committee allocates funding to projects that enhance affordable housing, historic preservation and outdoor recreation/open space.

Members of the public can view the committee’s current Community Preservation Plan at https://greenfield-ma.gov/cpc. Feedback gathered at the public hearing will be incorporated into the plan as part of the committee’s annual update. Written comments may also be sent to the Department of Community and Economic Development by Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 12 p.m., mailed to attn: Christian LaPlante, 14 Court Square, Greenfield, MA 01301 or sent via email at cpc@greenfield-ma.gov.

Applications open for proposed CPA projects in August. Pre-applications must be submitted by Wednesday, September 17, 2025; final applications are due by Monday, November 17, 2025. The CPC will review proposals before making recommendations to the Greenfield City Council, which will then vote on which projects receive funding.

Friday, June 20th, 10:30 AM - 12 PM @ John Olver Transit Center

People working in the community know that without empathic, effective communication, clients won’t feel heard—and their needs may go unmet. Yet working compassionately and effectively with people living with dementia requires a skill set that isn’t always intuitive. LifePath’s Age & Dementia Friendly Initiative and the Alzheimer’s Association present “Understanding Dementia: Practical Tools for Professionals” a free program designed for human service professionals and volunteers who may encounter people living with dementia and their caregivers in their work but have not received adequate training in dementia awareness and communication strategies. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Daytime parking —The (newly cleaned!) Olive Street Parking Garage across the street from FRCOG uses the Passport Parking app on your smartphone - zone number is 4751. First hour is free, and 40 cents per hour thereafter. Free parking on top floor Spring-Fall.

Daytime meeting attendees may not use the short-term parking in the Transit Center lot.

Questions: Contact Jason Molony: jmolony@lifepathma.org - 413 829 9198

Thinking about selling your small business? There is local advice to be found!

Selling your business is a pivotal moment in your life. It marks the culmination of your hard work, dedication and vision. Whether you're selling to retire, pursue a new venture. or capitalize on your businesses value, the process demands strategic thinking, preparation, and a clear understanding of the steps involved. This guide from Sasha Wilde, co-owner of Sexton Roofing, will walk you through the essentials to consider ahead of sale.

Read the full article in Business West

Interested in talking more with Sasha? Email the GBA to be put in touch!

Thanks to the advocacy of Greenfield business owners and stakeholders who attended our 2nd Annual Business Community Listening Session with Mayor Desorgher in April, the Olive Street Parking Garage will now be deep cleaned twice a year, and receive improvements to the payment system and lighting. The first deep clean was conducted by Greenfield Central Maintenance Department, in collaboration with the Greenfield Fire Department and Department of Public Works. The Departments will be returning to conduct additional cleaning, as well as executing a second full clean in October of this year.

THIS is the Business Community in action, showing up and advocating for the needs of the community as a whole. Much thanks to everyone who came to the Listening Session, and who attend our Roundtables and other opportunities for direct feedback and thought-partnership.

Workplace volunteering programs and teams that volunteer together have been shown to have positive impacts on the lives of employees, business managers and owners, and the community. encouraging employees and other stakeholders to give back to the community in the name of the company. Greenfield needs such efforts more than ever, both for the health of our local businesses and to assist our volunteer-reliant organizations as they scale up services to meet growing needs. Volunteering was once a critical part of our culture, and we're looking to make it easier to volunteer again.

Resilient Greenfield helps connect volunteer opportunities with volunteers, and vice versa! Taking a cue from social media, they use the GivePulse platform to offer these opportunities easily and in a way that professional teams can access together. They'd love to hear from you about how YOUR business interacts with volunteering, whether you are seeking to provide volunteer opportunities or find ways for your team(s) to get out and help out.

Thank you for your feedback!

Want us to include something in the July Newsletter?!

Send it to gba.4greenfield@gmail.com

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