Holyoke businessman receives national recognition

Date: 10/6/2008

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



HOLYOKE When Brendan Ciecko looks at Holyoke, he doesn't see the city in the same way as others he sees potential.

Ciecko, a native of the Paper City, is featured in the cover of Inc. Magazine this month as one of a group of entrepreneurs who are "cool, determined and under 30." He was the guest speaker at this month's meeting of the Mayor's Industrial Development Advisory Committee (MIDAC) last week.

Ciecko's company, 10 Minute Media, build Web sites for a variety of clients in the music industry including Mick Jagger, Katy Perry and the New Kids on the Block. He is also working with MassMutual and Clear Channel as well.

After the MIDAC meeting, Ciecko commented on appearing on the cover of the magazine. Saying he was "surprised," he added, "I'm not sure if anyone from Massachusetts has been on the cover [before]. I'm not sure I'm deserving."

Ciecko started his career at age 13 after he won a contest building a Web site for the punk band Slick Shoes. According to the article, Ciecko's company is "on track to do $450,000 this year."

A young person who is making a considerable mark in his field could work anywhere, and Ciecko has chosen not only to work in his hometown, but also to invest in it. He has bought the second floor of 295 High St. and intends to fill it with offices and studios of other young artists and he has purchased the former Triangle Shoe Store further down High Street.

"I'm a cheerleader for Holyoke, although I'm not wearing any pom poms," he said with a smile.

Talk with Ciecko for a few minutes about Holyoke, and one can see his deep love and interest in the city. He refers to the buildings downtown by their original names and knows which architect designed them.

He said that members of the artistic and the creative economy "can see past the socially undesirable elements of the city." What Holyoke has to offer is affordable space in interesting buildings, he said. People who are being priced out of New York City or Boston could see Holyoke as an alternative, he noted.

Holyoke has a growing art economy with a variety of artists choosing to rent studio space in Open Square or in the area near Race and Dwight Streets. The city has undertaken an effort to bring these artists together in order to encourage greater growth.

The perception of the city as being a dying mill town can be changed, he said, by pointing out the city's building stock and history. And although government can play a role, he said the revitalization of urban areas come through grassroots means.

"The best revitalization comes through organic efforts," he said.

Kathy Anderson, the director of industrial and economic development for the city, said the city is trying to seek a change to the current state regulation concerning urban center housing tax incentives. She said the state requires a program to include 20 percent affordable housing. Holyoke's downtown already has a high number of affordable apartments and Anderson hopes the state can make an exception to encourage the redevelopment of the city.

"It will take people with open minds to make progress here," he added.