2025 Annual Report
Bittersweet, humbling–and full of successes 2025 marks the end of an era of growth and the beginning of new, key advances for the region
A MESSAGE FROM OUR OUTGOING PRESIDENT AND CEO
Recent months have been both bittersweet and humbling for me.
We have known since October that the end of 2025 would signal the end of my leadership of the Western Mass Economic Development Council. Preparing to step away from people who mean so much to me personally and professionally has been sentimental and nostalgic, and more recently, also unsettling, as I became a focus for their genuine praise.
Our team, our members, and many stakeholders around the region have been offering me congratulations and recognition for the strength of the EDC and its recent noteworthy accomplishments. But it’s not in my DNA to accept this credit. I prefer to give it—to spread the accolades around. We did this important work together. Our successes are shared, and they are plentiful.
A key highlight from 2025, for instance, was the advancement of our new sector work around food science and quantum computing and manufacturing. The EDC has been focused on these initiatives for several years, and last year saw a surge in possibility as the state offered official backing of both sectors in the form of TechHub designations. (Learn more, page 12-14.)
Our Developers Conference in 2025 was also noteworthy— the best-attended event yet, and from a financial viewpoint, the most successful. The level of engagement and excitement coming out of the half-day event was impressive and accentuates the fact that there’s a lot to look forward to and a lot on the plate. (See photos and an overview, page 22-25.)
I am proud to be leaving the organization in a better position than when I walked in the door. Certainly, financially, the organization is stronger. I was also charged with molding the EDC into an organization that the governor, lieutenant governor, and cabinet secretaries and policy makers would come to for input and opinions on behalf of the Western Mass business community. We’ve done that.
Case and point: In December 2025, Gov. Maura Healey gave the EDC a seat on her Advisory Council on Competitiveness. Only about a dozen organizations statewide received such an appointment, which signals our strength as well as integrity.
Our board member Charlie D’Amour will say our biggest strength is our ability to convene individuals, policy makers, and stakeholders when there’s an issue of importance, and we’ve shown that time and time again. We’ve also close to doubled our membership base of the organization over the past decade, and its power is the companies and the women and men who sit around the table.
As my tenure comes to a close, I’m mindful of the words of football coach Bill Parcells, who said nobody should coach the same team for more than 10 years. There’s truth in that. It’s healthy for organizations to chart a new course, discover a new voice.
Now, it’s time for Aaron Vega’s voice.
Aaron and I have worked together on a transition plan, and my support will continue if and when it is needed. I stand ready to answer questions or provide background because I want to see Aaron and the organization succeed. I know firsthand that the team that will support him is phenomenal.
It has been rewarding to watch EDC’s Vice President and Chief of Staff Xiomara Albán DeLobato grow into an exceptional regional leader. And Anne DeWolf, our director of operations who will depart soon after me, is like the EDC’s version of a Swiss Army knife—with tools from accounting and HR to IT. Anne will be missed more than me.
Strength and promise emanate from the entire EDC team. We wouldn’t have had any successes without everybody playing their roles. I know that as well as I know that the best days of the EDC—and the most promise for economic development opportunities—are in front of us.
Rick Sullivan PRESIDENT & CEO
Farewell to an EDC Legend
“He has been a great partner in our work to support local businesses, create jobs, and grow Massachusetts’ leadership in cutting-edge industries. We wish him the absolute best in his well-deserved retirement.”
– Governor Maura Healey
“His ability to collaborate, to convene business leaders and state leaders and municipal leaders has really proven out to be very effective and to really benefit the region. We’re going to miss Rick.”
– Charles L. D’Amour, executive chairman of the Board of Directors of Big Y Foods, Inc. and a member of the
“Rick has always been a strong voice in advocating for Western Massachusetts. Whether as mayor, a senior state government official, or the head of the EDC, he has always been a champion for a vibrant and prosperous region.”
– Dominick Ianno, head of State Government Relations at MassMutual
EDC board
Tapping into experience to champion the work of the EDC and provide strength and stability in a time of transition
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR
My work with MGM, as its vice president and legal counsel, brought me to this region in 2021, and, at the same time, I began to engage with the EDC, taking over the seat on the board held by my predecessor. I was honored, only several years later, to be invited to sit as second vice chair in line for the top board seat. I’m told my professionalism, commitment to the community at large, and quiet leadership skills were among the important attributes leaders sought.
The EDC is the pre-eminent business organization in Western Massachusetts, and while my intelligence, experience, and common sense were up to the task, I felt initial apprehension when I took over as chair of the board in June 2025. I’ve leaned into past chairs Charlie D’Amour, Tricia Canavan, and Christina Royal, using their prior experience and expertise to guide me in my role. My plan going forward is to continue to tap everyone on the shoulder and listen.
The launch of my tenure has been busy with a top agenda item being to find Rick Sullivan’s replacement. Not an easy task. Rick is an institution with a rich history of leadership and government. He’s been instrumental in establishing Western Mass as a force to be reckoned with.
It was critical that we not lose the momentum and the successes that Rick has brought to Springfield and Western Mass in general, and critical that we find a worthy successor. We went through a complex, national search led by Lindauer. Charlie D’Amour headed up our eight-member search panel, and over 100 applicants responded from Washington to Maine, all of New England, New York, and in the Midwest.
Turns out the best candidate was in our backyard. The fact that Aaron Vega also knows the area and the players, that’s a bonus. I look forward to meeting regularly with Aaron and aligning his vision with that of the board. Replacing a legend like Rick is never easy, but I have every confidence that Aaron will stay the course, do a wonderful job, and take us to the next level.
In 2025, the most important initiative the EDC tackled was ensuring Western Mass would be designated by the state as a food science and technology hub—a designation that came with financial incentives. The EDC was instrumental in securing those designations, which have the power for future growth, higher-paying jobs, and an improved standard of living here in Western Mass. This is long-term work, and we’ve taken the first huge steps.
Moving forward, the top objectives in 2026 are providing strength in a transitional period and reinforcing the position of EDC as a powerful engine for business in Western Mass. The number two goal is lending whatever support we can to help get the food science and tech hubs off the ground. That’s going to be a really key goal for us going forward, as is continuing Rick’s tremendous job of raising awareness about Western Mass on Beacon Hill. We must continue to ask ourselves, “What more can we do?”
As I move more fully into my role, I can’t thank the EDC staff and membership enough for their patience and understanding in this transition. I’m grateful for Xiomara Albán DeLobato as vice president and chief of staff and the entire team for the incredible dedication and hard work in ensuring the EDC continues to champion—even in a time of uncertainty.
I fully expect that 2026 will be a banner year for us.
Gus Kim EDC BOARD CHAIR
Gus Kim
Listening, learning, imagining— and getting results for Western Massachusetts
A MESSAGE FROM OUR INCOMING PRESIDENT AND CEO
I’ve been in go mode since mid-October 2025 as I transitioned away from my role as director of Planning & Economic Development for the city of Holyoke to live into the work of leading the Western Mass Economic Development Council.
I plan to do a great deal of listening—to stakeholders, affiliates, mayors, economic development directors, area legislators, and leaders in Boston. I want to work on operations and focus, too, on strengthening and growing our membership.
People want to see results.
People want to see businesses grow. People want to see more housing. We want to see the movement of the needle in a forward direction.
At the same time, I want to work with our municipal partners on providing skills and assistance to get area sites ready for development and buildings ready for companies to move in. How can we get more sites ready for construction, for generating taxes, and creating jobs? It slows everything down, costs so much, and deters businesses from moving here when the areas are not ready for development.
Our ability to advocate at the state level is strong, and we can continue to be that voice for the businesses and job creators here in Western Mass. We’re in a good position to take the lead on these initiatives, advocate for Western Mass, and work with the state delegation to get things done. People want to see results. People want to see businesses grow. People want to see more housing. We want to see the movement of the needle in a forward direction.
I’m grateful to Rick and the EDC staff team for welcoming me and supporting me in this transition. And I’m also thankful to my colleagues in Holyoke who taught me so much over the past five years and prepared me for this job. Ultimately, I thank my former colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 5th Hampden District, for helping me be a better advocate, convener, and collaborator.
All of these relationships have put me on the right track for this job.
Because we’ve done the groundwork to build out the quantum and food science sectors, we will be mapping out these initiatives, creating work groups, and determining who else needs to be at the table. We will be looking at all sectors and assessing how they contribute to economic impact and growth.
We were thrilled that Western Massachusetts was designated as both a Quantum Technology TechHub and a Food Science TechHub in 2025 through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
These major milestones, representing years of hard work, vision, and advocacy, underscore the strength of our innovation ecosystem and our assets in quantum and food science.
Change Agents for Western Mass
We improve the economic environment for all who live and work in Western Massachusetts. We are skilled, driven, and determined to build relationships and partnerships with all of our stakeholders, members, business leaders, and elected officials across the region and the state. Our work takes insight, input, and intelligence, and we are fueled by our vision of a diverse and powerful region.
Everything we do impacts people in businesses and board rooms, homes, and schools. We work together, so that all might prosper.
We are skilled, driven, and determined to build relationships and partnerships with all of our stakeholders, members, business leaders, and elected officials across the region and the state.
Kristen Joyce DIRECTOR, CLIFF EFFECT PILOT PROGRAM & SPRINGFIELD WORKS / WORKING CITIES CHALLENGE
Steve Wolf MANAGER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, OPERATIONS TEAM
Anne Kandilis INITIATIVE DIRECTOR, SPRINGFIELD WORKS/ WORKING CITIES CHALLENGE
Rick Sullivan PRESIDENT & CEO
Kayla Soto DEPUTY DIRECTOR, SPRINGFIELD WORKS/ WORKING CITIES CHALLENGE
Xiomara Albán DeLobato VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF OF STAFF
Karen Tetreault INTERIM SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Anne DeWolf DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Aurora Pierangelo ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST, OPERATIONS TEAM
Membership
The EDC is governed by a Board of Directors that includes elected representatives of the EDC’s membership. The membership includes the region’s mayors, CEOs of major corporations, and the chancellors and presidents of area colleges and universities. These local leaders embrace our vision for the future, and they share ownership of our accomplishments. Meet our leadership team and members.
EDC Executive Committee
Gus Kim BOARD CHAIR VICE PRESIDENT AND LEGAL COUNSEL, MGM SPRINGFIELD
Eric Weinstein FIRST VICE CHAIR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR LEAD GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ADVISOR, MASSMUTUAL
Tricia Canavan PAST CHAIR CEO, TECH FOUNDRY
Javier Reyes SECOND VICE CHAIR CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AT AMHERST
George Arwady
MEMBER AT LARGE PUBLISHER AND CEO, THE REPUBLICAN NEWSPAPER
Daniel Keenan TREASURER REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT ADVOCACY & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, MERCY MEDICAL CENTER / TRINITY HEALTH
Charlie D’Amour MEMBER AT LARGE EXECUTIVE CHAIR AND FORMER PRESIDENT AND CEO, BIG Y
Board of Directors and Membership
NEW MEMBERS: REPRESENTED WITH AN • , BOARD MEMBERS: REPRESENTED IN BLUE ITALICS
AECOM/Tishman, Tom Tilas, Vice President
AL Griggs Industries, Inc., Al Griggs, President
All States Materials Group, Craig Reed, CFO
American International College, Nicole Cestero, President
Amherst Business Improvement District - Affiliate, Barry Roberts, Chair
Associated Builders Inc., John Ciolek, Vice President of Sales, Finance & Administration
Balise Motor Sales, Tim Ingerson, CFO
bankESB, Gary Turku, Senior Vice President
Bay Path University, Sandra Doran, President
Baystate Health, Inc., Dean Sanpei, Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer
Cesar Ruiz CLERK OWNER AND CEO, WYCKOFF COUNTRY CLUB
Dean Sanpei MEMBER AT LARGE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, BAYSTATE HEALTH
Berkshire Bank & Trust (Berkshire Bank Division), James Hickson, Senior Vice President, Commercial Regional President
Berkshire Gas / Avangrid, Charlotte Ancel, President & COO
Big Y Foods, Inc., Charlie D’Amour, Executive Board Chair and Former President & CEO
Bradley International Airport, Alex Peterson, Senior Advisor & Director of Government Affairs
Bulkley, Richardson, LLP, Daniel Finnegan, Esq., Partner
BusinessWest, Kate Campiti, Associate Publisher
Charter Communications, Nancy Clark, Director, Government Affairs for Massachusetts •
City of Agawam, Christopher Johnson, Mayor
City of Chicopee, John Vieau, Mayor
City of Easthampton, Salem Derby, Mayor
City of Greenfield, Viriginia (Ginny) Desorgher, Mayor
City of Holyoke, Joshua Garcia, Mayor
City of Northampton, Gina-Louise Sciarra, Mayor
City of Springfield, Domenic Sarno, Mayor
City of West Springfield, William Reichelt, Mayor
City of Westfield, Michael McCabe, Mayor
Comcast, Daniel M. Glanville, Vice President Government Affairs, CT-West Region
Common Capital Inc., Raymond Lanza-Weil, President
Community Foundation of Western Mass, Megan Burke, President and CEO
Country Bank, Ben Leonard, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Executive
CRRC MA, Wang Zhaofu, President
CSX, Maurice O’Connell, Senior Director State Relations
Davis Foundation, Kiley O’Meara, Executive Director
Dean Technical High School, Joel McAulliffe, Career & Technical Education Director
Delta Dental Massachusetts, Francis Orlando, Vice President of Public Affairs
Eastern States Exposition, Gene Cassidy, President
Eastman Chemical / Solutia, Dennis Van Nevel, Plant Manager
Elms College, Harry Dumay, President
East of the River Chamber (ERC5) - Affiliate, Dylan Pilon, ERC5 Chair
Eversource, Mike Vedovelli, Manager Community Relations & Economic Development
FirstLight Power, Inc., Andy Brydges, Director of Community Relations
Fitzgerald Law, Seth Stratton, Managing Shareholder
Florence Bank, Matt Garrity, President & CEO
Focus Springfield, Steve Cary, President
Freedom Credit Union, David Chase Sr., Vice President Member Business Services
Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB)Affiliate, Gene Cassidy, GSCVB Chair
Greenfield Community College, Michelle Schutt, President
Greenfield / Northampton Co-Operative Bank, Anthony Worden, President & CEO
Health New England, Michael Treash, President
Holyoke Community College, George Timmons, President
Holyoke Gas & Electric, James N. Lavelle, General Manager
Hope Foundation for Youth and Families, Robert Bolduc, President
Individual Contributor, Dianne Fuller Doherty
Infinite Unlearning, LLC, Christina Royal, President & CEO, Ex-Officio Board Member
Kinsley Power Group, David Kinsley, President
Liberty Bank, Glenn Davis, First Vice President, Community Development /CRA Officer
LLumin, Edward Garibian, President
M & T Bank, Maureen Picknally, Senior Vice President, Team Leader
Markens Group, Inc., Emily Leonczyk, President & CEO
Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co., Tom Barry, CEO
MassLive, Timothy Kennedy, President
MassMutual, Eric Weinstein, Lead Government Relations Advisor
Maybury Material Handling, John Maybury, President
MGM Springfield, Gus Kim, Vice President & Legal Counsel
Monarch Enterprises, Paul Picknelly, President
Monson Savings, Daniel Moriarty, President
Mount Holyoke College, Danielle Holley, President
National Grid, Kevin O’Shea, Director of Government Affairs
New Valley Bank and Trust, Jeffery Sullivan, President & CEO
OMG, Inc., Hubert McGovern, President & CEO
Peerless Precision, Inc., Kristin Carlson, President
Peoples Bank, Frank Crinella, Executive Vice President & Chief Lending and Credit Officer
Peter Pan Bus Lines, Inc., Peter A. Picknelly, Jr., President
Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, Sam Hallemeier, Director, State Affairs
Polish National Credit Union, James Kelly, President
Savage Arms, Al Kasper, President & CEO
Six Flags New England, Peter Carmichael, Park President
Smith College, Sarah Willie-LeBreton, President
Springfield Business Improvement DistrictAffiliate, James Hickson, Chair
Springfield College, Mary Beth Cooper, President
Springfield Regional Chamber - Affiliate, Daniel Keenan, Chair
Springfield Technical Community College, John Cook, President
Sulco Warehousing & Logistics, Todd Goodrich, CEO
TD Bank, Nathaniel L. Tassinari, Regional Vice President, Western Mass
Tech Foundry, Tricia Canavan, CEO
The Republican, George Arwady, Publisher & CEO
The Vann Group, Kevin Vann, Chairman
Town of Amherst, Paul Bockelman, Town Manager
Trinity Health/Mercy Medical Center, Deborah Bitsoli, President, Medical Group & Provider Services
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Javier Reyes, Chancellor
Verizon, Ellen Cummings, Regional Director of External Affairs
Wayfinders, Keith Fairey, President & CEO
Western Mass News-Gray Television, Patience Hetrick, News Director
Western New England University, Michael Alexander, Interim President
Westfield Bank, Philip Goncalves, Senior Vice President
Westfield Gas & Electric, Tom Flaherty, General Manager
Westfield State University, Linda Thompson, President
Westover Airport - Affiliate, John Libera, Chair
WWLP-22 News, Robert Simone, Vice President and General Manager
Wyckoff Country Club, Cesar Ruiz, Owner and CEO
YWCA of Western Massachusetts, Elizabeth Dineen, CEO
Aligning with Partners for Growth
We strengthen the work of nine area organizations with whom we collaborate as partners and affiliates.
Day to day, they operate under the umbrella of the EDC and are provided with business services that range from pension and 401K plans to HR and IT support. We also get behind their initiatives, helping them build relationships with key people outside their operations and connecting them to resources they might not otherwise be able to access.
Their work is our work, and we lift them up to ensure visibility. We also intentionally share our business objectives and goals to align our impact.
AMHERST BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
35 South Pleasant St., Amherst amherstdowntown.com
ERC5 EAST OF THE RIVER FIVE TOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
280 North Main St., Suite 2, East Longmeadow erc5.com
FOCUS SPRINGFIELD
1200 Main St., Springfield focusspringfield.com
GREATER SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 1441 Main St., Springfield explorewesternmass.com
MAKE-IT SPRINGFIELD
286 Bridge St., Springfield makeitspringfield.org
SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
1243 Main St., Springfield springfielddowntown.com
SPRINGFIELD CULTURAL PARTNERSHIPS
127 State St., fourth floor, Springfield springfieldculture.org
SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1441 Main St., Springfield springfieldregionalchamber.com
WESTOVER METRO AIRPORT 255 Padgette St., Chicopee westoverairport.com
Two Major Milestones 2025’s Top Industry Catalysts
We were thrilled that Western Massachusetts reached two pivotal milestones that signal the region’s readiness to compete in advanced and emerging industries. Through partnership with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), the region was designated as both a Quantum Technology TechHub and a Food Science TechHub. This recognition reflects years of coordinated planning, advocacy, and investment across higher education, industry, municipalities, and state leadership.
Together, these designations affirm the strength of the Western Massachusetts innovation ecosystem and establish a clear path toward long-term economic growth grounded in research, commercialization, workforce development, and advanced manufacturing. They also position the region to pursue significant future capital investment, with $70 million in approved but unappropriated bond funding tied to these sectors —$40 million for quantum and $30 million for food science.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley announced the new designations and accompanying awards in November 2025, marking a major moment for the region’s innovation economy and signaling statewide confidence in Western Massachusetts and its capacity to lead.
Quantum Technology TechHub and the Quantum Supply Chain Accelerator Western Massachusetts is the only region in the Commonwealth to secure designation as a Quantum
Technology TechHub, a distinction achieved through close collaboration with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and a broad coalition of regional partners. The designation affirms that the region possesses the infrastructure, talent, and industrial capacity necessary to support quantum research, manufacturing, and commercialization.
“It was a huge win. The Quantum Technology TechHub designation gives us credibility and says we are ready as a region for quantum innovation.”
- XIOMARA ALBÁN DELOBATO EDC’S VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OF STAFF
Quantum Pipeline
The Pioneer Valley has a well-developed higher education pipeline with a breadth of local institutions and relevant degree production.
Local educational institutions produce 75,400 total and 7,900 STEM-specific degree completions each year.
Of these completions, 5,500 are in highly relevant degree programs for quantum technologies
WHY WE ARE COMPETITIVE
AND
SCIENCES
SERVICES
1,896 1,792 980 632 210 TOTAL: 5,510
As a direct result of the designation, Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) received $1 million to fund a feasibility and design study for the Quantum Supply Chain Accelerator (QSCA), to be located at Springfield Technology Park. The QSCA is envisioned as a first-of-its-kind facility designed to drive commercialization, support startups, and strengthen advanced manufacturing supply chains connected to the quantum sector.
STCC, the Commonwealth’s only technical community college, brings a long-standing legacy of preparing graduates in precision manufacturing, engineering, photonics, and information technologies—fields essential to the growth of the quantum industry. In 2026, the feasibility study will examine development costs, operational models, and long-term viability for this major capital project.
While the study is underway, EDC and its partners— including STCC, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, the cities of Springfield and Holyoke, and members of the Pioneer Valley Quantum Innovation Hub—will continue building regional understanding of quantum technologies and aligning business development and workforce strategies to support sector growth.
The region has strong and relevant existing human capital; clear economic need across diverse demographics, and:
• Strong pipeline of human capital to support future scaling with population growth 2.7x greater than national average and 7,900 annual STEM graduates
• Significant occupational strength in both manufacturing and STEM roles
• 16,200 related manufacturing occupations
• 16,600 computer science, engineering, and science occupations
• High diversity, requiring a clear need for investment to mitigate, which could. result in an additional 1,500 well-paying jobs within 5 years
Degree Completions in Springfield by 2-Digit CIP Code, 2020-2021. Sorted by total completions.
Food TechHub Offers Opportunities from Farming to Manufacturing
The Food Science TechHub designation recognizes Western Massachusetts as a national leader in food innovation, anchored by UMass, Amherst’s, worldrenowned Food Science program and a regional economy deeply connected to agriculture, manufacturing, and supply chain infrastructure. Secured in partnership with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, the designation underscores food science as a durable, long-term growth strategy for the region.
With the designation, EDC received a $100,000 planning grant to launch a research-driven development phase. In 2026, EDC will partner with UMass, Amherst, MassINC Policy Center, and Cambridge Econometrics to conduct a comprehensive sector analysis and research plan. This deep dive will identify market opportunities, workforce needs, infrastructure gaps, and investment priorities across the food science value chain.
The findings of this work will produce a clear, actionable roadmap to advance the food economy across Western Massachusetts. The $30 million allocation in the 2024 Economic Development Bond Bill to establish the Food Innovation Hub at UMass, Amherst, represents a major investment in the region’s academic research capacity. As the research and innovation anchor, UMass, Amherst, will play a central role in advancing food science discovery and commercialization. At the same time, the EDC’s designation
as the regional Food Science TechHub positions the organization to coordinate and manage the broader food economy cluster, working with partners across agriculture, manufacturing, supply chains, and local communities. This roadmap will help align these regional assets so Western Massachusetts can leverage the Food Innovation Hub to retain and grow businesses, attract new investment, and strengthen the region’s long-term competitiveness in food innovation.
“In some ways, food science is the most exciting opportunity in front of us. This is not a sector that is a hot commodity today and could be gone. This is a long-term investment strategy.”
- - RICK SULLIVAN
EDC'S PRESIDENT AND CEO
Industry Insights: What We’re Watching
EDC’s Industry Insights highlight the forces shaping economic growth across Western Massachusetts and beyond.
Entrepreneurship.
How regional support systems and access to capital are shaping the next generation of business growth.
READ ON LINKEDIN
Workforce Development.
What changing labor dynamics mean for employers, workers, and regional competitiveness.
READ ON LINKEDIN
Housing.
As companies consider Western Mass as a place to scale their businesses, the growth comes with a crucial question: Where will the workforce live?
READ ON LINKEDIN
Utilities.
The utility industry in Western Mass is also powering economic growth and innovation.
READ ON LINKEDIN
Manufacturing.
Manufacturing—the “invisible backbone” of the region that promises to take a quantum leap.
READ ON LINKEDIN
Agriculture.
A sector providing sustenance as well as innovation, economic growth, and opportunity.
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Higher Education.
The area’s esteemed colleges and universities nurture the existing and incoming workforce, retain talent, conduct cutting-edge research, and foster a culture of creativity.
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Tourism.
What visitors love about Western Mass and how they impact the bottom line.
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Healthcare.
Spotlight on Baystate Health, its broad influence in the region, and the ways in which it enriches lives.
READ ON LINKEDIN
Financial Services.
Spotlight on MassMutual’s financial achievements, community support, and other notable accolades.
READ ON LINKEDIN
Piloting a Program to Support Economic Mobility
Through Education, Employment, and Financial Boosts
“Bridge payments helped one family stabilize their housing and another purchase food when their SNAP benefits ended. Another participant was able to start training to become a nurse after years of only dreaming of it. We’re proud to be able to support families on their economic mobility journeys.
- KRISTEN JOYCE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE BRIDGE TO PROSPERITY PROGRAM
Our community initiative team at Springfield WORKS celebrated a big win in June when they publicly announced the Bridge to Prosperity Cliff Effect Pilot Program, which puts a well-imagined theory to work to improve lives and increase economic mobility.
The innovative pilot, crafted in collaboration with many partners and funders, is designed to tackle what’s called “the cliff effect,” which occurs when an employee receives a pay raise or promotion that then makes them ineligible for benefits and often leaves the worker more vulnerable, financially.
Participants in the pilot receive personalized coaching to help navigate finances, employment, and career growth, and they are connected to additional supports in the community as needed. Each participant also receives a monthly payment between $300-$700 to bridge the gap in lost benefits, with an additional $10,000 asset-building payment at the end of the program.
Managed by Program Director Kristen Joyce, the pilot launched in February with 18 participants—seven in Springfield—and by June, it was already making a difference. One family was able to stabilize their housing; another, to purchase food when their SNAP benefits ended.
Visit springfieldworks.net to learn more about their programs and initiatives that help support the region.
What is the Cliff Effect?
The cliff effect happens when an increase in a person's income leads to a sudden loss of public benefits, such as housing assistance, childcare support, or food assistance. This can result in a net loss of overall financial stability, even though the person is earning more money.
The cliff effect creates a financial trap for many families. As shown in studies, families can experience: stagnation of net resources despite increased earnings; loss of critical benefits like SNAP, housing assistance, healthcare, and childcare support; and significant periods where higher wages actually result in less total resources.
How It Works:
INCREASED INCOME:
A person gets a raise or a better-paying job.
LOSS OF BENEFITS:
The raise pushes their income above the eligibility threshold for public benefits.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The loss of benefits is greater than the increase in income, leaving the person worse off financially.
Legislative Advocacy Leads to Relationships, Trust, Action— and a Seat at the Table
Building relationships requires time and energy, and the deep trust that results is a key component of advocacy. The EDC has built deep trust with our members, our community, and our legislative partners. The connections allow us to understand their needs and lend support, and, in turn, we are understood and supported. Our focus on relationships allowed us to be successful in securing the bond bills for quantum and food science in 2024, and it’s why those initiatives moved forward in 2025. That’s also why the Bridge to Prosperity Program launched in 2025 and is being piloted statewide.
Our collaborations and frequent visits with legislators and business leaders in Boston are also the reason the EDC was invited to fill one of 12 seats on Governor Maura Healey’s Massachusetts Economic Competitiveness Council, which convened for the first time in December 2025 and is charged with putting the state in the best position to win jobs, talent, companies, and private-sector investments.
The council was curated to bring leaders and organizations together to help the governor, lieutenant governor, and the Commonwealth with strategy. The Competitiveness Council is expected to deliberate throughout 2026. Its research and recommendations could lead to legislation, regulations, business incentives, or other actions; Governor Healey is open to all outcomes.
“We are championing our region of Western Massachusetts in Boston and contributing to decisions and conversations that can deeply impact our local economy.”
- XIOMARA ALBÁN DELOBATO EDC’S VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OF STAFF
Raising Our Voices to Break Barriers
We testified in 2025 in hearty support of two pending pieces of legislation, the Clean Slate Act and School-Centered Neighborhood Development. If passed, each will have the power to dramatically improve lives in Western Mass.
Clean Slate Act
In June, our Vice President and Chief of Staff Xiomara Albán DeLobato testified in favor of the Clean Slate Act—pending legislation that, if approved, would allow justice-involved individuals a second chance by automating the sealing of records for people who meet the requirements. It would allow people with minor misdemeanors to have a more successful sealing process and allow them to work. Her testimony was critical.
One in three Americans—and one in five Massachusetts residents— have a criminal record.
In Massachusetts alone, 672,000 people are eligible to seal their records, yet only 10 percent have done so because the process is confusing, costly, and retraumatizing.
While many companies claim to be open to hiring people with criminal records, only 5 percent of managers say their company actually does. Yet, according to the Society for Human Resource Management, 82 percent of managers report that second-chance hires perform as well as—or better than—those without records.
The Clean Slate Act doesn’t change who is eligible to seal a record. It simply removes unnecessary barriers for those who already qualify. It replaces a system that forces people to relive past trauma with one that enables healing, stability, and contribution.
“The Clean Slate Act doesn’t change who is eligible to seal a record. It simply removes unnecessary barriers for those who already qualify. It replaces a system that forces people to relive past trauma with one that enables healing, stability, and contribution.”
- XIOMARA ALBÁN DELOBATO EDC’S VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OF STAFF
School-Centered Neighborhood Development
DeLobato also testified in October 2025 in support of pending legislation referred to as School-Centered Neighborhood Development (SCND), and MassINC writer Benjamin Forman credited her with being particularly impactful in offering a concise overview on building ecosystems of opportunity.
The effort began with a 2022 report, “Choosing Integration,” which looked at the growing segregation of students in the state and highlighted gaps in achievement. A white paper offering a high-level overview of the strategy involved came next. If passed, the legislation would allow investments in schools intentionally located in neighborhoods with both a business and residential focus. Springfield was one city ripe for this type of development, and a new school in Mason Square in particular was identified as an ideal location for a School-Centered Neighborhood Development. Hence, the EDC’s high interest.
The theory behind the designations is that investing in schools and children and creating a collaboration between school and district causes natural ripple effects that support businesses and residents.
Initial efforts in Mason Square were funded by a Mass Development Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Fellowship, comprised of local leaders representing organizations with vested interest in supporting the continued development of the neighborhood. Over the last three years, the TDI Fellow and the Mason Square Leadership Council identified areas of growth that directly address the revitalization of the Mason Square neighborhood, SCND being one of those priority areas. The EDC has partnered with American International College and the Martin Luther King Community Center as anchor institutions committed to the initiative, and the city of Springfield and MassINC will also be involved.
Vision:
In 20 years, Massachusetts residents will see all urban neighborhoods and public schools as great places for families.
BY 2025
• State education, housing, and community development leaders will come together to build support systems to help launch and sustain local School-Centered Neighborhood Development (SCND) efforts.
• Three or more urban neighborhoods will pilot SCND, with long-term backing from their city government, school district, and civic/funding institutions.
Goals for the evolution and impact of School-Centered Neighborhood Development in Massachusetts
BY 2030
• Eight or more Massachusetts cities will pursue SCND.
• SCND pilots will demonstrate marked improvements in student, school, and neighborhood outcomes.
• SCND work in MA cities will involve multi-decade plans, formal and long-term citywide support, strong governance, and sustainable budgeting frameworks.
BY 2035
• At least 10 cities in Massachusetts will have made SCND a core practice for all their school and neighborhood planning as well as housing and community development.
• Comprehensive evaluation will demonstrate conclusively that Massachusetts' SCND practices drive substantial improvement in student, school, and neighborhood outcomes.
2025 Developers Conference
Offers Engagement, Excitement, Connection
With incredible support from sponsors, the 2025 Developers Conference hosted at MGM Springfield by the EDC and the Economic Development Partners drew roughly 450 participants who got caught up in the excitement around new initiatives coming to Western Mass.
We create an environment in which municipal leaders, developers, investors, industry experts, and changemakers have access to one another.
Highlights of the day included a CEO panel and breakout sessions on Maximizing Municipal Incentives, Quantum and Food Science Advancement, Workforce Development Strategies, Municipal Lightning Pitches featuring investable sites, and a lunch program, at which Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll delivered the keynote address, and Secretary Ed Augustus was a guest speaker. We look forward to hosting our biennial conference again in 2027.
We are grateful to our sponsors, whose leadership and investment make this conference possible.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR BREAKFAST SPONSOR
A special thank you to MassMutual for being one of the original sponsors of this important conference and their continued Platinum Sponsorship for the past 11 years.
LUNCH SPONSOR
HOST SPONSOR SILVER SPONSORS
SUPPORTER SPONSORS
BUSINESS SPONSORS
2025 Strategic Plan Milestones
MASSACHUSETTS TECH HUB DESIGNATIONS
EDC helped secure Massachusetts Tech Hub designations in Quantum Technologies and Food Science, positioning Western Massachusetts as a leader in emerging and advanced industries. These designations establish a platform for long-term investment, workforce alignment, and regional competitiveness.
DIRECT INVESTMENT IN MWBES AND CLEAN ENERGY WORKFORCE
EDC deployed $100,500 in direct investments to support 16 Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises and graduated 14 contractors through the E-Contractor Academy, strengthening participation in the clean energy and decarbonization economy statewide.
STATEWIDE POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP
The EDC supported advocacy for four key legislative proposals, including the Clean Slate Act (S.1114 / H.1811) and School-Centered Neighborhood Development (H.298), while advancing priorities related to the cliff effect, clean tech, and quantum and food science investment, including engagement around a $70 million pending allocation in the Economic Development Bond Bill. EDC was also selected to fill one of twelve seats on Governor Maura Healey’s Massachusetts Economic Competitiveness Council, which convened in December 2025.
REGIONAL CONVENING AND CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS
EDC strengthened its role as the region’s convener by advancing 15-plus active partnerships and hosting 11 major convenings across Western Massachusetts and Boston, bringing together leaders across financial services, healthcare, clean energy, quantum, academia, and workforce.
ORGANIZATIONAL STEWARDSHIP DURING LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
During a year of executive transition, EDC maintained operational continuity, fiscal discipline, and performance accountability, preserving momentum and positioning the organization for accelerated impact in 2026.
Our Fiscal Year 2025 Year-End Financial Review
STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS
CONTRACT SERVICES AND EVENT REVENUE
MEMBERSHIP
CONTRIBUTION
Contributions from our members are the number one funding source for the work of the EDC.
While we will always be reliant on these dues to support us, we are proud to recognize the importance of the diversified income streams we’ve developed to grow us into the future.
We are more aggressive in seeking state grants and foundation support. We offer services such as back-office talent, accounting, and IT for a fee to other organizations, affiliates, and municipalities. We also run events, like this year’s Developers Conference, that drive income, generate sponsorships, and build relationships and momentum.
We hold a steady financial position and go confidently into 2026.