Who We Are/What We Do
Who We Are
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.
What We Do
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 Western Massachusetts 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 throughout 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 current businesses with one anchor tenant. The First National Bank Building in downtown Greenfield continues to be under construction as a future site for community development.
IThe FCCDC team consists of 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:
- 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, general business needs.
- provide commercial space for office or light manufacturing businesses
- arrange for commercial kitchen space for value added food production
Affiliations
The Franklin County CDC collaborates with:
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Staff
FCCDC Staff
Main #: 413-774-7204
| John Waite, Executive Director | 413-774-7204, X102 |  |
| Amy Shapiro, Business Development Director | 413-774-7204, X107 |  |
| Alan Singer, Lending Program Director | 413-774-7204, X105 |  |
| Vinny Natale, Finance Director | 413-774-7204, X106 |  |
| Liz Buxton, Food Processing Center Operations Director | 413-774-7204, X110 |  |
| Joanna Benoit, Food Systems Program Manager | 413-774-7204, X104 |  |
| Rebecca Busansky, PV Grows Investment Fund Manager | 413-774-7204, X112 |  |
| Judy Scherer, Operations Director | 413-774-7204, X111 |  |
| Jackie Spooner, Business Development Assistant | 413-774-7204, X100 |  |
| Helen Perham, Marketing Specialist | TBA |  |
| Arthur Hasselkorn, Credit Analyst | 413-774-7204, X115 |  |
| Amelio, Feline Receptionist |  |
Board
FCCDC Board of Directors
The Franklin County CDC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected annually at our Annual Meeting. Board members represent the members of the CDC from throughout Franklin County. Board members appreciate hearing from CDC members. To speak with any Board member, please contact the CDC office and we will be glad to put you touch with the appropriate person. If you are interested in becoming a board member, please contact John Waite.
BACK ROW, left to right: Chuck Bellinger, Barbara Campbell, Tom Ewing, AJ Bresciano, Philip Silva, Claire Chang, Margaret Christie, Andrea Nathanson, Darren Gale, Cheryl Dukes FRONT ROW: Matt Allen, Michelle Barthelemy, Kristi Bodin NOT PICTURED Corrine Sysun, Rachel Stoler
Matt Allen
Greenfield
Community Action!
Michelle Barthelemy
Florence
Greenfield Community College
A.J. Bresciano
, Treasurer
Greenfield
Greenfield Savings Bank
Chuck Bellinger
Amherst
Architectural Components (former owner)
Kristi Bodin
Amherst
Attorney
Barbara Campbell
Northfield
Greenfield Cooperative Bank
Claire Chang
, Vice Chairperson
Gill
Solar Store of Greenfield
Margaret Christie, Clerk
Whately
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture
Cheryl Dukes
Buckland
UMASS College of Nursing
Tom Ewing
Leverett
Ewing Controls (former owner)
Darren Gale
Orange
Innovative Design Concepts
Andrea Nathanson
, Chairperson
Easthampton
Baystate Franklin Medical Center
Philip Silva
Sunderland
Green Wall Group
Rachel Stoler
Montague
Franklin Regional Council of Governments
Corrine Sysun
Turners Falls
TDBank
Annual Report
Contact/Directions
Contact the Franklin County Community Development Corporation
FCCDC
324 Wells St
Greenfield, MA 01301
Phone: 413-774-7204
or email John Waite for more information
Directions
FROM EAST — VIA ROUTE 2
— Route 2 West to Greenfield
— Exit at Route 5 & 10 (this is the exit before Rt. 91)
— Take a left at end of ramp onto Rt. 5 & 10 South
— Fourth right (at first lights) onto Silver Street
— Go about 1 mile, and just after going across a bridge take a left on Wells Steet. The FCCDC is located in the Venture Center about a ¼ mile down Wells St. on the right. Driveway entrance is just after Rays Cycle Shop.
FROM EAST — VIA THE MASS PIKE
— Mass Turnpike (Rt. 90) west from Boston to Springfield
— In Springfield take Rt. 91 North to Greenfield
— Take Exit 26 — Rt. 2A, Greenfield Center
— Take 2A East toward center about 1 mile
— Take left on Wells St. (Wells St. is the street after Conway St.). The FCCDC is located in the Venture Center about 1 mile up on Wells St. on the left. Driveway entrance is just before Rays Cycle Shop.
FROM WEST — VIA ROUTE 2
— Route 2 East to Greenfield
— At the rotary pass under Rt. 91 and take first right onto Rt. 2A to Greenfield Center
— Take 2A East toward center, about 1 mile
— Take left on Wells St. (Wells St. is the street after Conway St.). The FCCDC is located in the Venture Center about 1 mile up on Wells St. on the left. Driveway entrance is just before Rays Cycle Shop.
FROM WEST — VIA THE MASS PIKE
— Mass Turnpike (Rt. 90) east to Springfield
— In Springfield take Rt. 91 North to Greenfield
— Take Exit 26 — Rt. 2A, Greenfield Center
— Take 2A East toward center about 1 mile
— Take left on Wells St. (Wells St. is the street after Conway St.). The FCCDC is located in the Venture Center about 1 mile up on Wells St. on the left. Driveway entrance is just before Rays Cycle Shop.
FROM SOUTH — VIA Rt. 91
— Take Rt. 91 North to Greenfield
— Exit 26 – Rt. 2A, Greenfield Center
— Take 2A East toward center about 1 mile
— Take left on Wells St. (Wells St. is the street after Conway St.). The FCCDC is located in the Venture Center about 1 mile up on Wells St. on the left. Driveway entrance is just before Rays Cycle Shop.
FROM SOUTH — VIA Rt. 5 & 10
— Take Rt. 5 & 10 North to Greenfield Center
— After taking a right under the railroad bridge, go up Bank Row to the lights at Main St. in Greenfield Center
— Take a left at the lights, on to Main St. (also Rt. 2A)
— Go West about 4 blocks
— Take a right on Wells St. (Wells St. is the street after Chapman St.). The FCCDC is located in the Venture Center about 1 mile up on Wells St. on the left. Driveway entrance is just before Rays Cycle Shop.
FROM NORTH—VIA ROUTE 91
— Route 91 South to Exit 27 (on left)
— Merge onto MA-2 E/Mohawk Trail toward Boston
— Slight right onto US 5/MA-10 ramp
— Turn right onto MA-10
— Turn right at light onto Silver Street
— Go about 1 mile, just after going across a bridge take a left onto Silver Place and follow road as it curves and becomes Wells Street. FCCDC is on your right just after the Yamaha sign.
