Market Show and Sec. of Housing & Economic Development bring good news (sort of)

Date: 5/18/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD There was good news and sort of good news at this year's Business Market Show.

The definite good news is that more businesses had more booths this year at the annual event that showcases businesses from Western Massachusetts and their goods and services.

Russell Denver, president of the Affiliated Chamber of Commerce of Greater Springfield, one of the organizers of the event, attributed the increase to area companies seeing the need to re-engage, "to be out front and more visible."

The sort of good news came from Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Gregory Bialecki.

Speaking at the breakfast prior to the opening of the one-day event on Wednesday, Bialecki said, "If there is any good news, all of the signs show we are suffering from the classic effects of a cyclical recession."

He explained that unlike the recession suffered by the Bay State in 1989 and 2001, the state's economic drivers "are in good places to be . coping with the recession as best they can."

He also noted that Massachusetts is unlike other states such as Ohio and Michigan, where "their key industries face a graver and uncertain future."

With the state's budget woes making headlines and imminently affecting local budgets, Bialecki said, "There are no easy answers."

He said the Patrick Administration's budget was trying to address both short-term demands with long-term investments in the fields of transportation, education and health care reform.

"It's very, very important not to lose sight of the long-term," he stated.

He said any discussion about raising revenue is now one of how to maintain essential services. He added there isn't any "appetite" to raise revenues without reform.

Acknowledging that the cost of doing business in the state is high, he said Gov. Deval Patrick has been working on ways to control the cost of health care, trying to reduce energy costs through conservation and developing new renewable sources and discussing how to reduce the cost of unemployment insurance for businesses.

"We know that every dollar counts," he said.

Bialecki believes a budget will be developed by the June 30 deadline and the state will not be forced to go on a month-by-month budget as it has in the past when a budget could not be reached.

While Bialecki may not have delivered a message of great hope, there appeared to be substantial optimism on the floor of the Business Market Show at the MassMutual Center. Bialecki did note that the Pioneer Valley's wide range of businesses and lower costs make it an attractive place to do business.

There was a great diversity of companies represented at the show from communications companies such as Reminder Publications, bus lines, banks and high tech firms to a beauty salon and school to even a fudge company.

Dan Burack and his son David Ference were at a booth for Tekoa Country Club in Westfield, the business the two men bought in April. Burack believed this was a good time to make the purchase of the club and said he had long been interested in owning a golf club.

He credited the previous owners for making considerable improvements to the golf course and the country club and will undertake some "curb appeal" renovations to the building.

Gary Fishlock, the president of the Springfield Teachers Credit Union, said that attending the show was "important to tell our story."

That story is one of stability and growth and Fishlock said the credit union's conservative approach in investments has resulted in it being able to offer its members mortgages.

"We haven't had one foreclosure," he added.

He noted that unlike large national or regional financial institutions, all of the investments the credit unions make are local.

Holding an Australian Bearded Dragon lizard, Teralyn Rizzuto, the education assistant for the Zoo at Forest Park, said that having exhibit space at the show has allowed the zoo to directly market to parents.

She said the zoo has seen an increase of private corporate events.