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Headquartered in Greenfield, Massachusetts, the Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC) is an economic development non profit organization providing comprehensive business development education, access to capital, commercial office and manufacturing space plus home of the Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center.
The FCCDC was formed in 1979 to maximize community control over our future economic destiny. At that time, a number of manufacturing companies in the area were closing and moving elsewhere. The FCCDC has changed over the years as the needs of the community have changed. Yet our programs and activities are still geared toward stimulating a robust economy that closely fits our sense of place – our hills and valleys, and our towns and villages.
The Franklin County Community Development Corporation assists small business owners with business development in business planning, lending, and commercial space. Our goal is to help entrepreneurs who live or work in Franklin County and the North Quabbin to minimize their risks by connecting them to resources and information to maximize their success.
The Western MA Food Processing Center (Food Center) helps guide specialty food entrepreneurs from the New England region along the path to launch and manufacture food products.
The FCCDC’s commercial properties provide a space for new entrepreneurs in their early years. Since 1989 the Venture Center has been incubating and growing businesses by offering commercial space. Today there are 8 new businesses with one anchor tenant. The First National Bank Building in downtown Greenfield continues to be under construction as a future home for businesses.
In 2007 the FCCDC counseled more than 80 business owners, trained 44 in business planning, made 6 new loans and serviced 49 loans with an aggregate principle balance outstanding of approximately $1.8 million. The Food Center has more than 40 members making close to 100 different products and recently celebrated 2 members who graduated into their own facility.
The FCCDC team consists of 6 experienced staff, industry expert consultants and dedicated volunteers. The Franklin County CDC is funded by program fees (rental income, loan payments and tuition), state and federal grants and private contributors.
The FCCDC can:
The Franklin County CDC collaborates with:
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