What Drives Us

Our Mission

Our purpose is to stimulate a more vital rural economy, to maximize community control over our future economic destiny, and to expand opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents.

Abdalaziz Nassir at Al Nassir International Market

Who We Are

Located in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and serving western and central Massachusetts, the Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC) is an economic development nonprofit providing business development education, access to capital, and commercial office and manufacturing space.

The FCCDC was formed in 1979 to maximize community control over our 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, but our programs and activities are still geared toward stimulating a robust economy in every sector that includes every resident.

We are home to the Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center and administer the PVGrows Investment Fund, the Massachusetts Food Trust Program for the western part of the state, and the Massachusetts Agriculture Innovation Center.

Dreamhouse co-owners Jill Fishman and Adrixn Catao

What We Do

The FCCDC helps small-business owners and entrepreneurs with business planning, lending, and commercial space. Our goal is to help entrepreneurs who live or work in western Massachusetts and the North Quabbin to minimize their risks by connecting them to resources and information to maximize their success.

The Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center helps guide specialty food entrepreneurs from throughout the New England region along the path to launch and manufacture food products. We help farmers and food entrepreneurs add value to their crops through the Massachusetts Agriculture Innovation Center. We give community members an opportunity to invest in our food system (and give farmers and food businesses access to financing) through the PVGrows Investment Fund. And we provide grants and flexible loans to food retail entrepreneurs who bring local healthy food to low-income and low-grocery areas through the Massachusetts Food Trust Program.

Our commercial properties provide a space for new entrepreneurs. Since 1989, the Venture Center has been incubating and growing businesses by offering commercial space. Today eight businesses rent here, with one anchor tenant.

The team here consists of experienced staff, industry expert consultants, and dedicated volunteers. The FCCDC is funded by program fees (rental income, loan payments, and tuition), state and federal grants, and private contributors (donate here).

The FCCDC Can:

*Assist with business planning for pre-venture and existing business owners;

*Connect business owners with information and referrals;

*Provide financial support for working capital, new equipment, and general business needs;

*Provide commercial space for office or light manufacturing businesses;

*Arrange for commercial kitchen space for value-added food production.

The FCCDC's Core Values:

Community Empowerment – Supporting residents and businesses to shape their economic future.
Racial, Social, and Economic Justice – Prioritizing equity, accessibility, and representation in all we do, ensuring access to tools, resources, and opportunities for underserved populations.
Entrepreneurial Spirit – Encouraging creativity and innovation to drive economic possibilities.
Collaboration – Working together with local and regional partners to strengthen our impact on business success.
Integrity –Aligning our words and actions with our values to build and maintain trust and credibility.

The FCCDC's Core Focus Areas:

1. Small Business Development

Strive to be leaders in the field of entrepreneurship and small business technical assistance and build strong relationships with clients.
Provide client-centered and accessible training, mentorship, and technical assistance to diverse entrepreneurs.
Support businesses navigating startup, growth, recovery, and transition.
Offer specialized support to help businesses in rural areas navigate challenges and access opportunities.
Be a catalyst for job and wealth creation in our community.
Vet resources and outside expertise to enhance collaboration and client experience.
Advocate for policies that support local businesses.

2. Inclusive Access to Resources and Capital

Build pathways and reduce barriers for low- and moderate-income residents and underrepresented groups to participate fully in the local economy.
Increase access to financial tools, including microloans, grants, and alternative funding sources.
Increase access to professional networks and affordable workspace and capital.
Partner with outside institutions to develop entrepreneurship training programs.
Prioritize outreach to underserved communities to ensure resources reach those who need them most.
Increase bilingual and culturally relevant services to reflect the diversity of the region.

3. Community-Centered Economic Development

Rooted in Franklin County and serving western Massachusetts: We recognize that we are a leader in the region working on economic development. Rural and urban areas face unique challenges, best addressed by people within these communities.
Be an engaged partner in Franklin-County-specific offerings, committees, and boards, as well as state and regional organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies to amplify collective impact.
Advocate for policies that prioritize local economies and rural-focused policies that enhance economic opportunities.
Facilitate dialogue among businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, and residents to align goals.
Provide organizational capacity building for technical assistance programing in the region. Serve as a model outside of Franklin County.
Create opportunities for community members to be involved in supporting small businesses, as investors, consumers, and donors.
Prioritize resources by supporting local business, a.k.a., “buy local.”
Support cultural and educational events that foster understanding and collaboration.

4. Local and Regional Food Systems

Provide training and business technical assistance to farm and food businesses as they start and grow.
Provide accessible food processing services to regional food and farm businesses.
Support strong connections between regional farms, food producers, and local markets.
Promote equitable access to locally grown and produced food.

5. Organizational Culture & Capacity

Support diverse staff, board of directors, and committees, with the information, skills, and resources needed to empower them to bring their best thinking and decision making.
Invest in staff and board development to meet the growing needs of entrepreneurs and communities.
Provide a recovery-friendly workplace that affirms individual identities and needs.
Deliver fair compensation by acknowledging systemic racial and gendered wage gaps.
Ensure sound operational stewardship of resources and people.
Diversify funding streams to maintain financial sustainability.
Utilize data-driven approaches to evaluate program effectiveness and inform strategic decisions.
Create a culture that serves as a model for businesses we work with by acknowledging privilege and working to disrupt it internally through education, shared and personal work on our own development, and an openness to discussion.