Valley CDC launches small business loan program
Valley Community Development has launched a new Small Business Loan Program, offering microloans ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to eligible small businesses operating in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
The loans are designed to address a growing gap in access to capital that can be a barrier for local entrepreneurs, especially for people from underrepresented communities. The Small Business Loan Program provides flexible financing to help business owners sustain and grow their businesses.
Funds can be used for a variety of needs, including inventory, payroll, rent, operating expenses, leasehold improvements and the establishment or building of credit.
Valley welcomes applications from all eligible small business owners and especially encourages entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities to apply.
Business owners interested in learning more about eligibility and the application process can visit valleycdc.org.
Freedom CU appoints new VP of human resources
Freedom Credit Union has named Jennifer McPherson as its new vice president of human resources. She brings more than 20 years of human resources leadership experience in the financial services and healthcare industries to the organization.
In her role, McPherson oversees recruitment, compensation, benefits, compliance and human resources operations. She partners with leadership to attract, develop and retain top talent while fostering a workplace culture that supports exceptional service for Freedom’s members.
Before joining Freedom Credit Union, McPherson served as HR operations manager and HR business partner at Farm Credit Financial Partners, Inc., where she managed compensation, benefits, payroll and employee relations. She also served as total rewards manager at Health New England and spent nearly a decade as an HR generalist at Pioneer Valley Federal Credit Union.
A lifelong western Massachusetts resident, McPherson is active in community service initiatives focused on financial literacy, education and workforce development and is pursuing a degree in human resource management at Bay Path University.
UMassFive welcomes new community engagement pro
HADLEY — UMassFive College Credit Union has hired Kelley Jewell as its community engagement coordinator. This newly created position reflects UMassFive’s continued investment in community engagement and expands the credit union’s ability to deliver financial wellness programs, strengthen community partnerships and support volunteer efforts throughout the Pioneer Valley.
Jewell will help coordinate financial education programs, community outreach initiatives, events and partnerships that connect people with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed financial decisions.
A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Jewell brings nearly a decade of experience connecting organizations, coordinating community initiatives and engaging people across both the nonprofit and business sectors. Drawing on her experience in fundraising at Amherst Survival Center, together with her development background with local business Provisions, she brings a unique cross-sector perspective and the ability to engage nonprofits, businesses, volunteers and community members in building impactful partnerships and dynamic community events.
Treehouse names director of institutional giving
EASTHAMPTON — Maura Geary has been named director of institutional giving for the Treehouse Foundation.
An Easthampton resident, Geary has more than 17 years of experience in workforce development and public policy, including identifying and securing federal, state and private funding. At Treehouse, she is responsible for identifying and securing funding from foundation and public sources to support the Treehouse mission.
Prior to her position at Treehouse, Geary was co-executive director of MassHire Franklin Hampshire, executive director of MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center and Franklin Hampshire Employment and Training Consortium, and director of workforce services for the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board. MassHire is a statewide organization that works with business, labor and education to connect people looking for jobs with employment needs.
Geary also worked the United Way of Pioneer Valley and, prior to that, earned a bachelor of arts in English from the University of Washington in Seattle. She is completing graduate studies in public policy and administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Maura says she is excited about working at Treehouse because its mission connects her personal interests and professional skills. As the mother of five adopted children, she knows that parents of foster and adopted children, who may have suffered trauma in their lives, need an increased level of support.
Treehouse Foundation is an intentional, intergenerational community designed to support children who have experienced foster care through affordable housing and access to services. Its primary goal is to move children into permanent, loving families while surrounding them with a supportive multi-generational network of neighbors.
Herrell’s Ice Cream introduces new flavor
NORTHAMPTON — Herrell’s Ice Cream has introduced a new flavor called Raspberry Rose Lemon. The ice cream was created by former Ice Cream Production Manager Gavin Houle and current Ice Cream Production Manager Rose Ritter.
“The flavor is multi-sensory. It contains something for every part of your tongue. Your tongue can taste sweet, sour, salt and bitter flavors and this flavor has it all, plus it smells great too,” explains owner Judy Herrell.
Ritter found a started formulation made by Houle and had extra, fresh raspberry swirl that was looking for an ice cream home. They put the test flavor out for customers to try, and the Raspberry Rose Lemon was gone in no time flat.
The flavor is available in both Herrell’s Amherst Mill District location (69 Cowls Road) and Herrell’s Northampton (Thornes Marketplace).