Category: General

Turners Falls RiverCulture receives $10,000 from Western Massachusetts Electric Company’s Community Investment grant program to stimulate economic development in Turners Falls.  WMECO is dedicated to the vitality of the communities it serves. They support communities by partnering with local organizations engaged in economic and community development, workforce development and education, and environmental leadership and stewardship

WMECO’s Ken Garber, who presented the grant, said  “based on RiverCulture achieving important goals and objectives linked to previous grants from Western Massachusetts Electric Company, WMECO is pleased to award a new grant to continue the organization's momentum and progress.  Through the efforts of RiverCulture’s force of energetic people, it is making a positive, valuable impact on Turners Falls' village economy through arts and culture-related activities.  Our grant will support the village's continued evolution to a strong, self-sustaining economy.”

Lisa Davol, the project’s Cultural Coordinator, said “we would not have been able to accomplish all that we have without the support of WMECO. They were a significant funder of the initial year of the project and have continued support each year to make our programming possible.”

Funding will support cultural programming, organizational sustainability, cultural/business collaborations, economic impact analyses, and refined marketing efforts through strategic partnerships in the region.

Turners Falls RiverCulture encourages the development of creative and cultural industries in the Turners Falls area by hosting and promoting cultural events, nurturing local artists and establishing an environment that attracts businesses, residents and visitors. We believe that inviting people to experience creativity and offering access to arts and culture significantly enhances their quality of life and is a vital component to a desirable destination. By highlighting our heritage and indigenous assets as we cultivate creative endeavors, we intend to engender a strong sense of community.

For more information about the WMECO grant, please call Lisa Davol, Cultural Coordinator of the Turners Falls RiverCulture Project.