Incorporated: 1979

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STRATEGIES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC) strives to stimulate a strong and resilient regional economy in Franklin County, maintain the area's rural character, and expand economic opportunities for low-income residents.

Business Lending and Technical Assistance
FCCDC provides one-on-one technical assistance to some 50 businesses, and loans to expanding businesses and start-ups, which cannot obtain financing through traditional sources. Its technical assistance services include consulting on business planning, finance, marketing, graphic design, business planning, and computer applications. Since its inception, FCCDC has made 250 loans totaling some $7 million to area businesses; creating or retaining some 1,400 jobs.

Entrepreneurial Training
FCCDC offers intensive courses to help participants develop business plans. Courses cover organizational issues, marketing, finance, and the legal aspects of business development and growth. Each year about 30 budding entrepreneurs complete the full 10-week course, and an additional 30 participate in FCCDC's workshops focusing on specific business development topics.

Business Incubator and Food Processing Center
FCCDC owns and operates the Venture Center, a 35,000 square foot building small business incubator, providing manufacturing and office space. The Venture Center, started in 1989, offers an on-site receptionist and shared office equipment, shared forklift, conference room, and kitchen facilities. FCCDC's staff provides free consultation to tenants on business management issues. Currently, 10 businesses employing some 55 people are headquartered at the Venture Center.

The Venture Center also is home to the Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center (FPC), opened in the fall of 2001. It provides a combination of technical and business assistance to small food businesses. For example, farmers who want to add value to their crop by preparing food for the retail and wholesale markets rent and use the FPC space and equipment. The FPC is equipped to for the produce many different types of food. It includes cold and dry storage facilities, a commercial kitchen, and a packaging area. The FPC helps to support local agriculture and adds jobs and revenue to the area.

Community Organizing
Plant closures, decaying buildings, and a feeling of hopelessness plagued the town of Millers Falls. FCCDC worked with local residents to turn the community around by helping organize area businesses, and encouraging them to speak up for and act on their interests. As a result, the Millers Falls Village Community Connection emerged, organizing village-wide meetings, clean-up days, block parties, and establishing a community bulletin board and good working relationships with town officials. Now, much-needed street improvements have been completed, and three new businesses have opened downtown.