Business Monday from The Republican, June 13, 2011

In this week's Business Monday: New plans for Ludlow mills, suspicious handwritten letters sent to homeowners impacted by tornadoes and more.

View full sizeStaff photo by Michael S. GordonAn exterior at the Ludlow Mills, including the signature clock tower.

This week's Business Monday from The Republican:

Westmass Area Development Corp. to buy Ludlow mills, has long-term goal of revitalizing, creating 2,500 jobs

Westmass Area Development Corp. plans to embark on a 15-20 year revitalization project at the old Ludlow mills. If the project goes through, it would be the largest mill redevelopment project in New England and could host 2,000 to 2,500 jobs at completion. Read more »

Springfield area tornado victims question timing of letters offering to buy their properties

Handwritten letters offering to buy houses in tornado-ravaged East Forest Park arrived in several mailboxes last week, prompting some residents to wonder whether it's a scam. The Republican got in touch with the man sending the letters, who says he sent them before the storms hit, a fact some residents dispute. Read more »

Noble and Cooley Center for Historic Preservation in Granville seeks historic preservation grant

The Noble & Cooley Center for Historic Preservation is hoping to get enough votes to win a $25,000 grant from the National Trust For Historic Preservation.

The Granville-based museum, which grew from the Noble & Cooley Co., is hoping to use the money to improve handicap accessibility and fund some programs for artists. Read more »

Commentary: Sen. Joe Lieberman says Republicans and Democrats must put partisan politics aside to fix Medicare now

This issue includes a column by Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut, outlining his proposal to improve Medicare.

"We can and must work together to fix Medicare now," Lieberman writes. "Doing so would send a powerful and necessary signal to financial markets that we are addressing our long-term fiscal challenges. It would prove to our constituents that we can still come together to fix a program that they want and need." Read more »

The Republican file photoAn Ocean State Job Lot eighteen wheeler tractor trailer truck delivered a donation of 20,000 lbs of food to the Western Massachusetts Food Bank.

The Republican file photoKate Albrecht, Quintin Vigo and Cheo Ramos of the Western Massachusetts Food Bank accept major food donation from Ocean State Job Lot.

More Business Monday:

• Voices of the Valley: Voices of the Valley: Raphael Elison, Portabella Fine Foods & Catering, Amherst

• There's some interest in proposed Massachusetts-owned bank but required $2.5 billion investment could cause early withdrawal

• State gives OK to design of 'moderately priced' housing for Village Hill Northampton

• Connecticut Center of Advanced Technology looks to build manufacturing ties in region

• Massachusetts eying sales tax on Internet purchases to make up for millions in lost revenue from declining retail sales

• Small Business Innovation Research program given 4 month reprieve by Congress

• Hamilton Sundstrand finalizes contract with Chinese firm AVIC Electromechanical Systems to build air management system

• Oxford Performance Materials acquires PEKK medical business

• Job market for new law school graduates is worst in 15 years

• Massachusetts health care providers tap into federal stimulus money to upgrade electronic medical recordkeeping

Notebooks:

• Business calendar for June 15 - June 29

• Business Bits: Borders to close more stores, Reebook founder Paul Fireman has a new favorite shoe, Williams College tuition tops in Massachusetts, and more

• Business etc: Berkshire Bank employees volunteer, Jo-Ann Fabrics signs Centro lease, Minority Corporate Counsel Association awards MassMutual, and more