Making News in Business, July 25

Morgan Bennett

Morgan Bennett

William Reyes-Cubides

William Reyes-Cubides

Published: 07-24-2024 12:45 PM

Downtown Northampton EV charging stations

NORTHAMPTON — The electric vehicle charging stations behind Whalen Insurance, located in the lower parking lot at 71 King St., Northampton, are available for public use once again.

There are six Level 2 stations under the solar parking canopy. The cost of operation is $1.50 per hour, including all fees. QR codes are on each station, but it is recommended that the “AmpUp” phone app be downloaded in advance of arriving to save time.

Adam Quenneville adds new member

SOUTH HADLEY — Adam Quenneville Roofing and Siding, a residential and commercial roofing and siding company, has hired Morgan Bennett as business development director. In this role she will support the company in continuing to grow and develop their customer base and geographic reach.

Prior to joining Adam Quenneville, Bennett spent 10 years at Holyoke Medical Center, and at WWLP 22 News, a Springfield television station. She hopes to develop a strong understanding of the needs of both the residential and commercial customer base and deliver effective solutions.

The business development director position incorporates a variety of responsibilities, among them, Bennett will represent the company at local events, discuss options and guide customers through the decision-making process, work with industry partners to strengthen customer knowledge about the industry and assist individuals in learning so they can make the right roofing or siding decision to support their needs, and work with organizations to continue to pay forward community giving.

Bennett is a lifelong resident of Chicopee.

Keiter donates $25K to Chamber for fourth Keiter Card promotion

FLORENCE — Keiter recently donated $25,000 to the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce for its annual Keiter Card promotion. The initiative, now in its fourth consecutive year, seeks to inject over $50,000 into the local economy.

Through this promotion, Keiter’s contribution enables consumers to receive $50 in spending power with the purchase of a $25 Northampton Gift Card.

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As the longtime Florence contracting and construction management company expands to West Springfield, CEO Scott Keiter remains committed to the Northampton area.

The 2024 Keiter Card promotion will begin Monday, Aug. 5, and Keiter Cards will be available while supplies last. Cards can be purchased only at the Chamber offices at 99 Pleasant St., Northampton, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Those interested must request a Keiter Card upon purchase.

The promotion is applicable only to $25 Northampton Gift Card purchases with a limit of one card per customer, per transaction. The Northampton Gift Card is accepted at over 115 local businesses, spanning restaurants, shops, services and spas.

For further information, please visit Keiter.com or contact the Chamber at 413-584-1900.

HCC names assistant VP to oversee student success programs

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College recently named William Reyes-Cubides as assistant vice president of academic affairs and student success.

In this new position, Reyes-Cubides will serve as a bridge between both sides of the Academic and Student Affairs division to ensure that students receive the support they need to achieve academic success.

Reyes-Cubides recently moved to South Hadley from San Jose, California, where he was dean of humanities, social science and arts at San Jose City College.

At San Jose, Reyes-Cubides’ experience included curriculum development, resource allocation, personnel supervision, community relations and outreach, and student success initiatives.

At HCC, he will oversee HCC student support programs, including El Centro (for Latinx students), ALANA (for men of color), TRIO (for first-generation, low-income students), the Office for Students with Disabilities and Deaf Services, the Center for Academic Program Supports (tutoring centers), academic English as a Second Language, and SAMP, HCC’s Student Ambassador Mentorship Program.

The son of a teacher, Reyes-Cubides was born and raised in Colombia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education, Spanish and English studies from the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá, and a master’s degree in Romance languages and Hispanic studies from Boston College. He is pursuing his doctorate in education in leadership for equity in higher education from the University of Colorado-Denver.

Easthampton Chamber taking applications for entrepreneurial program

EASTHAMPTON — The Chamber of Greater Easthampton is accepting applications for its fall 2024 Co.Starters at WorkHub on Union entrepreneurial training program, made possible by a $50,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant.

Co.Starters is a 10-week program that equips entrepreneurs of all kinds with the insights, relationships and tools needed to turn business ideas into action. The program will also provide a pathway for entrepreneurs to grow their business at the WorkHub on Union co-working space set to open this summer.

Participants are encouraged to build and test small models first, receive real-time customer feedback, update their models to meet customer needs and avoid creating businesses based on incorrect assumptions, fueling a greater likelihood of success.

Once again facilitated by local business owner Cynthia West of Sonnet & Sparrow and The Flying Squirrel, entrepreneurs will be led through a comprehensive curriculum covering business fundamentals within the context of the local community and marketplace.

Upon completion, WorkHub on Union will provide these entrepreneurs with an affordable, flexible, low risk professional workspace, as well as direct access to the Chamber and all the expertise it provides such as relationship-building, professional development, leadership education and entrepreneurial support, education and technical assistance.

Applications for Co.Starters will be accepted on a rolling basis through Aug. 27, with the program running Tuesday evenings from 5:30-8:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 10. The cost of the 10-week program is $3,500, but, thanks to the ARPA grant, participants will only pay $150. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit the Chamber website at easthamptonchamber.org for more information and to apply.