Communities

Agawam, MA

OMG is located in Agawam, just a few short miles from Springfield, Mass. Western Massachusetts is a beautiful area with a rural atmosphere that blends suburban living with affordable homes, highly respected schools and safe community neighborhoods. There’s tons to see and do in the Pioneer Valley, and it’s a wonderful place to live and work, with easy access to mountains, beaches as well as the cities of Hartford, Conn., and Boston, Mass.

Fun Facts
  • Springfield is the Fourth largest city in New England, and home to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
  • Agawam is home to the Six Flags New England, the largest amusement park in NE featuring more than 60 rides, 12 roller coasters including “Superman The Ride,” one of the top-rated steel coasters on the planet which rises over 200-feet in the air.
  • Springfield is also home to MGM Springfield, a 125,000 square foot casino and entertainment venue featuring slot machines, gaming tables, 96,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, a hotel and convention space. 
  • The Hartford-Springfield corridor has the 2nd highest concentration of higher-learning institutions in the United States.
  • In 1777, George Washington and Henry Knox founded the United States’ National Armory in Springfield, which produced the first American musket in 1794, and later the famous Springfield rifle.
  • Famous children’s author, Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka “Dr. Seuss”) was born in Springfield, which inspired much of his work.
  • Springfield is also known for its many innovations:
    • The first American gasoline-powered car, (1893, Duryea Brothers) 
    • The first successful motorcycle company, (1901, “Indian Motorcycle Company”)
    • The first and most widely read American-English dictionary, Merriam Webster, was created in Springfield (1806)
    • The world’s second-most-popular sport, basketball, was created in Springfield (1891, Dr. James Naismith.)

Corporate Facts

  • Springfield is home to Massachusetts’ largest Fortune 100 company, Mass Mutual Financial Group.
  • Springfield serves as the headquarters of the professional American Hockey League, the NHL’s minor league.
  • Springfield is home to Massachusetts’ 3rd largest employer, Baystate Health, with over 10,000 employees.
  • Goodyear Tires – Founded in Springfield in 1844
  • Rolls-Royce of America Inc. was formed in 1919 in Springfield.
  • Sheraton Hotels and Resorts was founded in Springfield in 1937.
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Photo Credit: Tom Walsh
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Addison, IL

Located about 18 miles west of Chicago, Addison is considered part of the Chicago Metropolitan area. Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the U.S. and occupies about 237 square miles of land.

Fun Facts
  • The name Chicago comes from the Algonquin word “Chicagou” or “Shikaakwa,” which translates to “onion field” or “wild garlic.”
  • Chicago is home to 552 park, 18 mile lakefront bicycle paths and bathing beaches.
  • Historic Route 66 begins in Chicago.
  • Chicago River is the only river in the world that flows backward. In the 19th century, the river was reversed to empty into the Mississippi River instead of Lake Michigan.
  • Chicago is home to Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the world’s last free zoos.
  • The Art Institute of Chicago holds the largest collection of Impressionist paintings outside the Louvre in Paris.
  • Chicago’s Western Avenue is the world’s longest continuous street, at 23.5 miles.
  • Chicago is home to the world’s largest free outdoor food festival, the Taste of Chicago.
  • In the 1850s, the entire city was hydraulically raised several feet to fix a drainage problem.
  • Stuff Invented in Chicago:
    • The zipper in 1851.
    • The vacuum cleaner in 1868.
    • The Ferris Wheel in 1893.
    • The Twinkie in 1930.
    • Spray paint in 1949.
    • Deep-dish pizza – who cares when!
    • Chicago inventor Martin Cooper invented the first cell phone.
  • Chicago is home to 11 Fortune 500 companies, including McDonald’s.
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Charlotte, NC

Charlotte enjoys a high quality of life with temperate weather, a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities, excellent schools, numerous opportunities for continuing education, diverse culinary offerings, arts and cultural events, as well as professional sports.

Fun Facts
  • Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina and the second largest city in the Southeastern U.S. behind Jacksonville, Fla.
  • Charlotte has a rich history that dates back to the mid-1700s. Once known as Charlottetowne, Charlotte, North Carolina was renamed in 1762
  • Nicknamed the Queen City, Charlotte was named in honor of the German Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, also known as Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg when she became queen consort of King George III.
  • Charlotte is located several miles east of the Catawba River and southeast of Lake Norman, the largest man-made lake in North Carolina.
  • Some of its famous citizens include Billy Graham, Charles Kuralt, Randolph Scott, and James Polk the 11th president of the United States.
  • Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, was born in the Waxhaws, just southeast of Charlotte on the N.C./S.C. border, on March 15, 1767. Both states wage a friendly feud over Jackson’s exact birthplace.
  • Charlotte’s first foray into auto racing took place on October 24, 1924, when the first Charlotte Speedway opened on the town’s south side. The wooden track hosted a 250-mile race on October 24, 1924, and drew nearly 50,000 spectators.
  • During the Revolutionary War, a British force led by General Cornwallis held Charlotte for two and a half weeks, deciding to leave after enduring annoying attacks by locals. Cornwallis called Charlotte a “veritable nest of hornets," and the description stuck. The county seal, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police insignia and various other things around town incorporate a hornets’ nest.
  • Charlotte has more than 17,600 acres of parkland. Nearby activities include:
    • NASCAR Hall of Fame
    • Carowinds Amusement Park featuring the Drop Tower and Carolina Cobra thrill rides as well as Boomerang Bay Water Park.
    • The U.S. National Whitewater Center boasts a 400-acre facility that features whitewater rafting, flat-water activities, treetop canopy tours, and a race series.
  • Charlotte is the second largest major banking center in the U.S. behind New York City. It is home to many of the country’s leading companies including:
    • Bank of America
    • Lowes
    • Family Dollar
    • Chiquita Brands International
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Photo Credit: Lake Norman Mike Real Estate

Rockford, MN

Straddling the Crow River, Rockford and Greenfield share the natural beauty of a rural community with the convenience of being a short drive away from the Minneapolis area. 

Fun Facts
  • Minnesota is home to 10,000 lakes—and tons of things to see and learn in terms of culture, history, and art.
  • With 5,000 acres of park, Minneapolis is ranked as having the best parks in the country.
  • Minneapolis’ name comes from the Sioux word mini and the Greek word polis, together meaning “city of waters”.
  • The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is the largest urban sculpture garden in the country, spanning 11 acres with 40 permanent art installations.
  • The Walker Art Center is one of the 5 most visited modern/contemporary art museums in the US.
  • There are over 20 lakes within Minneapolis’ city limits, leading to its well-deserved nickname “city of lakes.”
  • The nation’s first armored car was built in Minneapolis.
  • Famous poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow based his poem, “The Song of Hiawatha,” on Minnehaha Falls. Ironically, he had never actually seen the waterfall in person.
  • The Minneapolis Skyway, spanning 69 downtown blocks, is the longest continuous skyway system in the world.
  • Minneapolis is the nation’s third most literate city, only topped by Seattle and Washington.
  • Minneapolis is home to the 50-mile Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, one of the nation’s best urban scenic byways.
  • A culinary favorite of Minneapolis is the Juicy Lucy (or Jucy Lucy), essentially a cheese-stuffed burger.
  • Minneapolis and its suburbs are home to 12 Fortune 500 companies.
  • The first Better Business Bureau was founded in Minneapolis in 1912.
  • The Mars Inc. candy company was founded in Minneapolis as Mar-O-Bar co in 1920. They gave the US favorite treats like Milky Way and Snickers.
  • Minneapolis is one of the techiest cities in the country—they were among the first in the US to use wireless internet and Geek Squad was founded there.
  • Target is headquartered in Minneapolis.
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Photo Credit: Ry Fryy