ABOUT US
Our Mission
We are a Business Community Development Organization
We are a non-profit organization that helps business communities become stronger and more self-sustaining. We achieve this by educating consumers, supporting local businesses, empowering town/city leaders, and making it easy for media companies to help promote all of the above.
At Living Local 413, we are committed to building strong, sustainable business communities that enhance the quality of life for everyone. We believe that by investing in our local economies, we can create a brighter future for our communities and our world.
Consumer Programs |Â Business Programs |Â Town/City Programs |Â Media Company Programs
Our History
We Have Deep Roots In Western Mass
Living Local was founded in 2013 as a grassroots movement in Western Mass. Our founders recognized the importance of small businesses in our communities and the need to support them in order to create thriving local economies. Through social media and special events planning, we engaged local businesses and consumers to promote the idea of “Eat. Shop. Live” locally.
Over the years, Living Local has evolved into a non-profit organization with a mission to empower local businesses and consumers alike. We continue to provide networking opportunities, educational resources, and access to financing resources to help businesses succeed. We also work closely with town/city leaders and media companies to promote the benefits of shopping locally and supporting small businesses.
Through our efforts, we have seen firsthand the positive impact that local businesses can have on our communities. By shopping locally and supporting small businesses, we can create stronger, more sustainable economies that benefit everyone. At Living Local, we are proud to be a part of this movement, and we look forward to continuing to support our local communities for years to come.
Some Of Our Founding Members!
LocalPro
Business Resources Directory
Not all towns and cities have resources for small businesses. So it makes sense for us to partner with and provide links to the regional resources that are available on each of the city pages.
Our “How To” Partners
Living Local 413 is a non-profit organization that is focused on educating our communities about “Why” we need to eat, shop and hire locally. But it does not make sense to do that unless there is a “How” to eat, shop and hire locally.
Providing modern solutions for that is a big lift so it makes sense for us to partner with and help other local businesses and organizations to come up with really good solutions.
If your company or organization would like to partner with us to develop solutions for Eating, Shopping, or hiring locally, we would love to hear from you.
OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Robert E. Barkett is a highly esteemed figure within the local business community of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and the wider Western MA region. Born and raised in Longmeadow, Barkett has made significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the area, leaving a lasting impact on both the economic and social fronts.
With a keen entrepreneurial spirit and a deep understanding of business dynamics, Robert Barkett has played a pivotal role in fostering the development of the local business community. Through his innovative ideas and strategic leadership, he has founded and successfully led multiple companies, creating employment opportunities and driving economic growth in Western MA. Barkett’s visionary mindset and ability to identify emerging trends have positioned him as a sought-after advisor and mentor for aspiring entrepreneurs in the region.
Beyond his accomplishments in the business realm, Barkett is a passionate advocate for community development and collaborative initiatives. He has actively engaged with local organizations and served on various boards, lending his expertise to projects that enhance the overall well-being of Western MA residents. By fostering partnerships and encouraging cooperation, he has contributed to the creation of a vibrant and inclusive community that thrives on shared success.
Robert Barkett’s commitment to the local business community goes hand in hand with his dedication to supporting the region’s economic ecosystem. He understands the importance of fostering a supportive environment for businesses of all sizes and industries. Barkett has championed initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship, attract investment, and promote sustainable growth, thereby strengthening Western MA’s position as a hub of innovation and opportunity.
While achieving remarkable success in his professional endeavors, Barkett remains deeply rooted in his family and community. He recognizes the significance of strong relationships and actively cultivates a nurturing environment for his loved ones. His commitment to work-life balance serves as a testament to his belief that personal well-being is just as vital as professional achievements.
Robert E. Barkett’s entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, and commitment to the local business community have made him a highly respected figure in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and the wider Western MA region. His contributions to economic growth, community development, and collaborative initiatives have left an indelible mark, inspiring others to strive for excellence and work towards a prosperous future for all.
Board Of Directors
Our Dedicated Living Local 413 Leaders
Our awesome board of directors is comprised of local business people who live right here in Western Massachusets. They are dedicated to keeping the organization focused on our goals and are here to ensure that we are truly doing great things to help our business community.
Bill Cole
President
Sandra Magri
Treasurer
Nicole Preston-Cullen
Executive Assistant
Dylan Pilon
Director
William Collins
Director
Charlie Christianson
Director
Mark Ashe
Director
Paul McNamara
Director
Ramon Lorenzi
Director
Sina Holloman
Director
Jim White
Director
Open Position
Director
Segment Committees
You cant have businesses without consumers, you can’t have towns/cities without businesses and if you have all of those and don’t tell anyone about it via the media, it won’t matter much!
The following segment committees are focused on one of our four segments described above. They are all led by a chairperson who will organize meetings and help keep the committee focused and productive. The chairperson will also report to the board of directors once a month.
Consumers Segment
Why & How should consumers spend their money (Eat & Shop) locally? Create and improve our programs for consumers.
Open Position
Segment Chair
William Collins
Committee Member
Raymond Berry, Jr.
Committee Member
Barbara Clark
Committee Member
Maureen Sullivan
Committee Member
Open Position
Committee Member
Businesses Segment
What can we do to help our local business communities in Western Mass? (Hire local and B2B) Create and improve our programs for businesses.
Open Position
Segment Chair
Roberto Nieves
Committee Member
Nancy Mirkin
Committee Member
Mary Schoonmaker
Committee Member
Andrew Melendez
Committee Member
Amie Miarecki
Committee Member
Randy Demarest
Committee Member
Jack Clemente
Committee Member
Becca Coolong
Committee Member
Dawn Creighton
Committee Member
Open Position
Committee Member
Open Position
Committee Member
Towns/Cities Segment
How can towns/cities connect better with their business communities? What can we do to help make that happen? (LocalPro software platform) Create and improve our programs for towns/cities.
Open Position
Segment Chair
Charlie Christianson
Committee Member
Joseph Lawler
Committee Member
Dennis Lopata
Committee Member
Evan Plotkin
Committee Member
Open Position
Committee Member
Media Companies Segment
How can media companies connect better with our small and micro business communities and help those who need it? Create and improve our programs for media companies.
Mark French
Segment Chair
Barbara Perry
Committee Member
George O’Brien
Committee Member
Kathleen Plante
Committee Member
Dylan Pilon
Committee Member
Christine Romanko
Committee Member
Tammy Crochiere
Committee Member
Katie Laflame
Committee Member
Scott Greene
Committee Member
Open Position
Committee Member
Open Position
Committee Member
Open Position
Committee Member
Advisory Boards
A special thanks to our advisory board members. They help us decide how best to work together to support our local business community. As the leaders of our communities, they have all been extremely helpful and willing to give their time and resources to this very important grassroots movement.
State & Regional
How can we work with the state & regional organizations and how can the state and regional organizations work through us?
Tony Cignoli
State Chair
Eric Lesser
State Senator
Brian Ashe
State Representative
Open Position
State Representative
Open Position
State Representative
Open Position
State Representative
Rick Sullivan
Economic Development
Lori Tanner
Economic Data
Allison Ebner
Employment
Scott Foster
Legal/Corporate
Hope Ross Gibaldi
Business Mentoring
Open Position
Advisor
Big Business (coming soon!)
How can we work with big businesses and how can big businesses do good things through us?
Bryan Smithwick
GreatHorse
Open Position
MGM
Open Position
Baystate Health
Open Position
UMASS
Open Position
Big Y
Open Position
Eversource
Financial & Funding
How can we work with financial institutions and funding sources. How can Financial Institutions work through us?
Dan Moriarty
Advisor
Raymond Lanza-Weil
Advisor
Jim Kelly
Advisor
Ward Caswell
Advisor
Alison Sawyer
Advisor
Scott M. Graves
Advisor
Your Living Local 413 Journey
Join Us – Be A Part Of The Solution!
We are always looking for more people who care about their business community and would like to contribute to its well-being and success. Please fill out this form and let us know why and in what way you would like to join us.
