Making News in Business, March 16

Published: 03-15-2023 4:01 PM

Conference for workforce professionals at HCC on Friday

HOLYOKE — Workforce professionals from all over the Northeast will be on the Holyoke Community College campus on Friday for the 12th New England Workforce Network Conference.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Reimagining the Workforce,” which reflects the turbulent times of adjusting to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. both in-person at the HCC Kittredge Center for Business and Workfore Development and virtually over Zoom.

The conference keynote speaker is Jack Warner, senior advisor for the Education Strategy Group. Conference introductions will be offered by Dianne Palter Gill, dean of Corporate & Professional Education at North Shore Community College; HCC president Christina Royal; and Jeffrey Hayden, HCC vice president of Business & Community Services.

The conference cost is $109. For more details and to register, go to: hcc.edu/newn

bankESB donates $56,700 to United Way

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB and its employees recently made donations of more than $56,700 to the United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region.

Employees pledged more than $31,000 of their own funds in support of the bank’s United Way workplace campaign. Combined with the bank’s direct contribution, the campaign total of $56,714 will be donated to the United Way. The campaign provides employees with the opportunity to donate and direct funds, advocating for causes that are most important to them.

As a longtime contributor to the United Way, the bank and its employees have donated over $640,000 to United Way organizations in western Massachusetts in the last 10 years alone. The United Way is a volunteer-driven organization that serves residents through its own programs and services as well as those of its partner agencies. The organization focuses on education, financial stability, health and basic needs.

Pattacini joins Bacon Wilson law firm

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Alexander Pattacini has joined the law firm of Bacon Wilson, P.C., as a member of the Estate Planning and Elder Law Department.

Pattacini earned his J.D. from Western New England University School of Law with a concentration in transactional law, where he served as a clinician in the Small Business Clinic. He previously earned his B.A. from the University of Connecticut.

Prior to joining Bacon Wilson, he interned with the Connecticut Department of Education Division of Legal Affairs, and served as Legal Counsel for the CT House Majority Leader’s Office. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association as well as the Education Law Association. Pattacini is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and will work in all Bacon Wilson office locations but will primarily be in Springfield.

Founded in 1895, Bacon Wilson has locations in Springfield, Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, and Westfield.

Hampshire Mall welcomes Latino’s Cuisine

HADLEY — Hampshire Mall recently welcomed Latino’s Cuisine, a breakfast, lunch and dinner spot in Café Square.

Latino’s Cuisine, which opened on Jan. 22, serves authentic Latin favorites from the Caribbean, South America and Africa.

“I fell in love with my mother’s cooking at a young age,” said Eduardo Castillo, the owner of Latino’s Cuisine. “This is my 28th year in the restaurant business offering good service and delicious, home cooked food at affordable prices. Everything on the menu is prepared 100% fresh.”

Breakfast options include traditional sandwiches as well as Dominican favorite, Mangu con Los Tres Golpe, a dish with plantains, egg, cheese and salami. Appetizers feature empanadas, meat skewers, and alcapurrias (Puerto Rican fritters).

The lunch and dinner menu includes selections such as roast pork, fried pork, octopus, oxtail, beef tripe, chicken stew, mofongo, fried sweet plantains, and more.

Latino’s Cuisine also has a location in the Holyoke Mall.

Microenterprise grants available for Holyoke businesses

HOLYOKE — Microenterprises in Holyoke have a new funding opportunity through the city of Holyoke Microenterprise Grant Program.

A microenterprise is a small business with five or fewer employees one of whom is the business owner. The city is soliciting applications for microenterprise grants from $1,000 to $10,000. The grant program opened in January and will take applications on a rolling basis as funds are available.

The Microenterprise Grant Program is funded by Community Development Block Grant funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Eligible business owners must be from low- or moderate-income households.

Grant funds can be used for small equipment purchases; PPE supplies and cleaning costs; rent and utilities costs; staff payroll; and other operating expenses. Grants are reviewed and awarded on a revolving basis. The application will remain available to local businesses until all funds have been awarded.

The application form is available at www.holyoke.org and on Facebook @HolyokeOCD. Paper copies can be obtained at the Office for Community Development. All questions can be directed to the Office for Community Development at 413-322-5610.

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