Lynn Bowmaster and Michael Docter: Get EconoLodge project back on track

Published: 4/30/2023 11:33:50 AM

Modified: 4/30/2023 11:33:24 AM

On March 21, we attended a Hadley Zoning Board of Appeals meeting to show support for the Valley Community Development Corporation’s (CDC) project to renovate the EconoLodge on Route 9 into affordable housing. The room was packed, yet the Zoning Board of Appeals would not let the public speak. This was frustrating to many who’d taken their time to be there.

The EconoLodge project will make excellent use of a vacant hotel and provide affordable apartments for tenants who have limited means. The location will give tenants easy access to bus service on Route 9, the bike path and shopping malls. The land is already built on and so it won’t cost us a single acre of Hadley’s precious farm land.

Shel Horowitz: EconoLodge project lost opportunity for town

Published: 4/25/2023 3:21:10 PM

Modified: 4/25/2023 3:19:07 PM

It’s taken me a while to recover from my shock that on March 20, the Hadley Zoning Board of Appeals blocked the use of the empty EconoLodge for affordable housing. Their justification was that “three people shouldn’t decide this for the town.” But those same three people did decide for the town — to kill the project.

Submit comments on the proposal of affordable homes on Ball Lane in Amherst

by: Ashley Shook

Posted: Apr 17, 2023 / 02:29 PM EDT
Updated: Apr 17, 2023 / 02:29 PM EDT

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – MassHousing is looking for the public’s help by submitting comments about the planned construction of affordable homes on Ball Lane in Amherst.

The non-profit organization, Valley Community Development Corporation in Northampton has applied to MassHousing for funding assistance. During the application’s project eligibility phase, MassHousing’s review involves an evaluation of the site, the design concept, the financial feasibility of the proposal, and the appropriateness of the proposal in relation to local housing needs and strategies.

Comment sought on Valley Community Development’s affordable home project in North Amherst

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 4/13/2023 10:31:46 AM

AMHERST — Before Valley Community Development moves forward with bringing 30 affordable homes to a North Amherst site, town officials are soliciting input from residents about the suitability of the site and the community need for such a project.

The comments, being solicited through noon on May 1, are required by MassHousing, the state’s quasi-public agency that provides funding for affordable housing projects. Those comments will also help Town Manager Paul Bockelman to submit a comment letter next month.

Hadley planners consider designating denser housing districts

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 4/6/2023 3:32:38 PM

HADLEY — In the wake of the recent rejection by the Zoning Board of Appeals for a Route 9 hotel’s conversion into affordable apartments, municipal planners are exploring the possibility of adjusting zoning to allow denser housing in certain areas of town.

Free Tax Resources

It’s tax season! Learn more about how to receive free help with your taxes.

Northampton Nursing Home Update!

We are clearing out the asbestos at the old Northampton Nursing home thanks to grant funding. This will help prepare the site for a major rehab. Valley is waiting to hear about funding to gut the interior and make 60 family-sized affordable apartments. If funded, work will start in early 2024. Stay tuned for more information or reach out to us – info@valleycdc.org!

Affordable housing complex opens its doors in Sunderland

By CHRIS LARABEEE

Staff Writer

Published: 1/26/2023 6:13:11 PM

SUNDERLAND — The first tenants are moving into Sanderson Place as Franklin County’s first new affordable housing complex in years opened its doors on Thursday.

Located at 120 North Main St. and featuring 33 wheelchair-accessible apartments, Sanderson Place is an affordable senior housing complex that was six years in the making. Tenants were approved through a lottery over the summer and have been waiting the last seven months for the OK to begin moving in.

Free training program available to small businesses in Westfield

by: Ashley Shook
Posted: Jan 23, 2023 / 12:46 PM EST

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Small businesses in Westfield that have been operating for three years or less may be eligible to receive free training.

The City of Westfield announced its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is funding the “Business Blueprint Program”, through Valley Community Development and Cities Gateway consultants. The non-profit organization called Valley Community Development in Northampton has provided technical assistance to over 2,000 entrepreneurs.

State revamps home accessibility program to make it easier for residents to apply for loans of up to $50K

By EMILY THURLOW

Staff Writer

Published: 1/23/2023 5:29:55 PM

NORTHAMPTON — Valley residents looking to secure no-interest loans from the state to make accessibility improvements to their homes now have an easier way to do so after the state reconfigured its coverage area for western Massachusetts.

The Home Modification Loan Program, overseen by the Community Economic Development Assistance Corp., is a state-funded initiative that provides financing to older adults, people with disabilities and small landlords who want to make necessary home modifications such as ramps and lifts, widening of doorways, fencing, renovating flooring, adding handrails, bathroom and kitchen counter adaptations and more.

Interest-free loans for home accessibility improvements available to Massachusetts residents

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – A state-funded program that offers interest-free loans is available to homeowners in need of accessibility improvements to their homes.

The Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) can provide no-interest loans to make needed adaptations or modifications to those in need of accessibility improvements to their homes.

Valley Community Development, a non-profit organization has partnered with the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) to run the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP).

Valley CDC nears purchase of EconoLodge on Route 9 in Hadley

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

HADLEY — Valley Community Development is nearing acquisition of the EconoLodge hotel on Route 9, meaning a comprehensive permit application for its conversion into affordable apartments could be filed with the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals early in the new year.

Laura Baker, real estate development director for Valley CDC, told the Select Board at its Dec. 21 meeting that the nonprofit agency anticipates acquiring the title for the 329 Russell St. property from Hampshire Hospitality Group in the first week of January.

Still need gifts? Shop local!

Still need gifts? Shop local by going to your chamber of commerce’s website to get a list of the small businesses in your area.

Valley CDC’s $27M affordable housing plan at former nursing home in Northampton gets boost

By Chad Cain

NORTHAMPTON — Plans to redevelop a former nursing home on Bridge Road into 60 affordable apartments cleared two significant milestones in recent weeks, when Valley Community Development won approval from the city’s Planning Board to move ahead with the $27 million project and the state agreed to send $830,000 to remove asbestos from the old building.

Clearing these hurdles will enable the Northampton nonprofit to hire a company to begin removing a “very significant amount of material with asbestos” from the former Northampton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at 737 Bridge Road, while at the same time seeking other financing from the state for the multimillion dollar project, said Laura Baker, real estate development director at Valley CDC.

Viewpoint: Funding needed to convert hotels to housing

At the height of Covid-19, the need for social distancing threatened the congregate model of shelter housing, requiring an emergency solution to house those most impacted by the health crisis. Hotel and motel properties have long been the fallback for crowded shelters, but during the pandemic, the idea of adaptive reuse projects to convert vacant and underused motel properties into dignified housing solutions was born.

These motel conversions — from the urban core in Brockton to rural Hampshire and Berkshire Counties — now are becoming an important long-term solution for people facing homelessness who need supportive services where they live. That’s a welcome development by all those who work collaboratively to provide safe housing for at-risk populations across Massachusetts.

TCB Creates Mixed-Income Development on Former Hospital Site

The Community Builders (TCB) recently completed the 53-unit North Commons at Village Hill, marking the final phase of the redevelopment of the former Northampton State Hospital site in Northampton, Massachusetts.

North Commons at Village Hill was conceived in partnership with the city of Northampton and Valley Community Development to bring more affordable housing opportunities to the Village Hill campus. The development includes deeding 20 acres of conservation land to the city, open space preservation, a state-of -the-art playground, multiuse path connections, and sustainable landscape design practices.

New Employee Spotlight: Eyad Salha

Eyad Salha, Small Business Advisor, completed his B.S. in Finance at the American University of Science & Technology. After graduation, Eyad worked as an accountant for a couple of years in Beirut, Lebanon before relocating to Saudi Arabia to work in business development.

JoiaBeauty | Small Business Spotlight

Throughout the COVID pandemic, JoiaBeauty worked with various consultants at Valley to understand the various resources available to weather the storm all while also working on improving their social and digital marketing.

JoiaBeauty offers a selection of natural products for skin and body care along with facials and body treatments. Dr. Hauschka, Annemarie Borlind, Weleda, Phyto, and butterLONDON are just a few of the many lines they carry.

JoiaBeauty received an MGCC Empowered Digital Grant in April to help increase their digital capacity. Through this opportunity, JoiaBeauty worked to be consistent and targeted with their social media posts and updated their website to attract new customers and improve the customer experience.

“The level of expertise of our Valley CDC consultants impressed us as did their ability to listen and identify our needs. We have become more consistent and targeted with our social media posts and were helped by a digital grant to upgrade our website which we saw an immediate positive response to and have felt the support of business colleagues during a time when small businesses could become isolated. We appreciate Valley and would seek an opportunity to work with the organization again!” Luahn Page, partner JoiaBeauty

For a look inside the store visit joiabeauty.com or stop by 6 Craft Avenue, Northampton, MA just steps from City Hall.

Amherst affordable condo project scores $1.25M in financing from statewide partnership

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Published: 8/31/2022 2:26:21 PM

Modified: 8/31/2022 2:22:42 PM

AMHERST — A Valley Community Development project in North Amherst to build 30 condominiums, two-thirds of which will be affordable, is receiving an acquisition loan and predevelopment loan totaling $1.25 million.

The Community Economic Development Assistance Corp. on Wednesday announced its support for the project, on the former site of a repair garage and trucking terminal on Ball Lane.

Hadley board backs affordable housing plans

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Published: 8/4/2022 8:56:55 PM

Modified: 8/4/2022 8:53:48 PM

HADLEY — A letter supporting Valley Community Development’s interest in converting the EconoLodge hotel on Route 9 into a 51-unit affordable housing complex will be issued by the Select Board.

Following extensive discussion with Laura Baker, real estate development director for Valley CDC, the board Wednesday voted 3-1, with member Amy Parsons voting against and member Joyce Chunglo abstaining, to have a support letter go to the state’s Department of Housing & Community Development’s Division of Housing Development and Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program.

Valley CDC eyes North Amherst parcel for affordable condo development

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 7/28/2022 3:28:13 PM

AMHERST — A North Amherst site long used as an auto repair garage and trucking terminal could be redeveloped for 30 affordable condominiums to be sold to first-time homebuyers, including many who may be racial minorities.

Ribbon cutting to mark opening of 53-unit North Commons at Village Hill in Northampton

By Jim Russell | Special to The Republican

NORTHAMPTON – A ribbon cutting to celebrate completed construction of North Commons at Village Hill, a 53-unit apartment building on 140 Olander Drive is set for Thursday at 11 a.m.

The Ekus Group | Small Business Spotlight

The Ekus Group is a boutique culinary agency in Hatfield that recently celebrated its 40^th year in business. What began as a culinary public relations company has grown into a successful agency whose services encompass literary and talent representation, media training, consultations, and workshops.

Office building, affordable housing plans at Hadley hotel sites advance

By SCOTT MERZBACH
Staff Writer

HADLEY — Projects to bring a new office building and 51 affordable apartments to the Route 9 corridor, which would cause two existing hotels to close, continue to move toward development.

Sticks & Bricks | Small Business Spotlight

Sticks & Bricks, a vintage furniture store and showroom, opened 13+ years ago and has been located at 9 Market Street, Northampton. They offer original made pieces and vintage furniture as well as a selection of other artists’ work. As the business has grown and times have changed, owner Liz Karney is moving the business to 90 King Street, Northampton at the end of the month.

Wonderland | Small Business Spotlight

Wonderland opened in Easthampton in May 2019 and will celebrate its third year in business this month, Wonderland is a vintage and home décor shop owned by Beth McElhiney.

A welcome space: At the Fields Center in Northampton, neurodiverse individuals have a home

One of Valley’s Small Business clients, the Fields Center, was recently profiled in the Gazette.

By EMILY THURLOW

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON — When Greg and Amy Richane learned from their pediatrician that their 3-year-old son was autistic, they felt that while the diagnosis itself made sense, it lacked nuance.

The Easthampton family described the experience surrounding the initial diagnosis as pretty negative with much of the overview highlighting universal challenges.

Masa Mexicano | Small Business Spotlight

Roberto Saravia has been in the restaurant business since he was 14 years old. When he decided to open Masa Mexicano in 2020, he was able to bring his invaluable food industry knowledge to his own restaurant.

Valley CDC Helps Small Businesses Succeed

By Elena Sharnoff
Originally published May 2022 in Northampton Living

Along with almost all businesses, COVID took a toll on mine. I launched my website strategy and design shop in 2019, and have spent more time working during COVID conditions than normal ones. So, I jumped at the chance to enroll in the Valley Community Development (Valley CDC)’s Small Business Fundamentals workshop listed in the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce’s newsletter.

I received an email from Sarah Sargent, Valley CDC’s Small Business Program Manager. She felt that the workshop wasn’t a good fit and proposed a one-on-one meeting to assess my three-year-old business situation and needs. How could I refuse this free opportunity to evaluate and troubleshoot what my business needed most?

Applications open for Sanderson Place: new affordable senior housing in Sunderland

By CHRIS LARABEE

Staff Writer

SUNDERLAND — More than 40 people at the South County Senior Center were treated to a presentation from the Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority Friday morning as it kicked off the application process for Sanderson Place, the new affordable senior housing complex in Sunderland.