United Way director taking job with Orleans EDA, leading small business development

Photo by Tom Rivers: Matt Holland starts on Monday as manager of small business development of the Orleans Economic Development Agency. He is shown is downtown Albion on Thursday evening.

ALBION – The director of the United Way is leaving the organization to manage small business development for the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

Matt Holland starts the new job on Monday. He will be succeeding Diane Blanchard, who is retiring but not until September. Holland will do some of the administrative tasks for the EDA and will eventually head up the Microenterprise Assistance Program which has been managed by Blanchard. She will help train Holland to take over the program.

“I see the opportunity that the position presents to work with many of the businesses and organizations,” Holland said.

He has been director of the United Way the past five months, and previously was the grantwriter for the United Way.

In that role, he worked with many local organizations in applying for grants, and offered guidance on pursuing funding through the state and federal governments, as well as foundations.

Holland worked as the grant writer for about two years, and teamed with United Way co-worker Nyla Gaylord to help local organizations secure about $1 million in funding for initiatives with healthcare, nutrition, respite care for caregivers of senior citizens, and recreation.

The grantwriting position was a chance to meet with local officials “and get to the heart of issues,” Holland said.

He is pleased the United Way was able to help agencies secure funding. He said a key to those efforts was the collaborations among the agencies, including Cornell Cooperative Extension, Community Action of  Orleans & Genesee, and the Orleans County YMCA.

“With the addition of Matt Holland, as manager of small business development, the Orleans EDA is looking forward to introducing more programs and services to help local entrepreneurs achieve their business goals,” said Michael Dobell, CEO of the EDA. “I’m confident that Matt’s programming and development expertise will be a valuable resource to business owners across Orleans County.”

Holland, 41, is a native of Oregon. He was a graduate student at the University of Buffalo when he met with wife, Catherine, who was also an anthropology student. “Cat” Holland got a job with Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Buffalo, selling Steampunk Cider at the Barrel Factory. Matt Holland worked as the program and volunteer coordinator at the Buffalo History Museum for two years.

When Leonard Oakes closed its Buffalo operation due to the Covid pandemic, they offered Cat a job at the winery in Medina as the wine-tasting and retail manager.

The Hollands bought a house in Medina, and Matt took the grant writing job with the United Way.

The couple is happy in Orleans County. Matt is a member of the board of directors with the Cobblestone Museum and Medina Sandstone Society. He also is a member of the Albion Rotary Club and Medina Lions Club.

Cat has recently taken a new job with Orleans County in the Personnel Department.

Matt said he is looking forward to meeting local entrepreneurs and being a resource for them.

“I believe a lot of my success comes from the fact that I listen,” Holland.