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Had enough of winter? It's time to think spring and we've got two of our signature events right around the corner, so mark your calendars!
State of the Towns Join us to learn what's going on in your community and within the region. Local Town Administrators will share updates on economic development activities in their respective communities followed by Q & A. You'll enjoy a delicious breakfast in the atrium meeting space at 150 Royall Street, Canton home of Gray, Gray & Gray. Joining us will be Charlie Doody from Canton, Catherine Feerick from Foxboro, Tony Mazzucco from Norwood, Fred Turkington from Sharon, Jim Johnson from Walpole and Connor Read from Westwood. Don't miss this opportunity to get the latest on new economic activity in the region and let our municipal leaders know what's important to you. Thursday, March 12 8:00 - 9:30 AM Learn More and Register TASTE of the Region Our gastronomic extravaganza promises to captivate the taste buds of our community and celebrate the rich culinary tapestry of our region. Join us and enjoy the finest offerings from local restaurants, caterers, breweries, wineries, and distillers. In addition to the delicious food and drink, there will be music, raffles, and a cash bar. Limited tickets are available, so grab your coworkers, colleagues, and friends to join in on the fun. Don't miss out on what will be the tastiest event of 2026! Vendors include One Bistro, Trillium Brewing, Ice Cream Emergency, Burke Distributing, Bar 'Cino, Not Your Average Joe's and more... Wednesday, April 8 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Learn More and Register Best, Tom O'Rourke, President and CEO
We’re collecting input from local businesses on two things: (1) what entry-level skills and hiring challenges you’re seeing, and (2) whether you’d be open to simple school partnerships like career panels, job shadows, internships, or student help with project-based tasks. The survey takes about 2–3 minutes. Even if you’re not interested in partnering right now, your response is still valuable (you can submit quickly). Take the survey now
To that end, the Chamber has been compiling information about the event, and we have created a dedicated World Cup Soccer resource page on our website. Check it out here. You can find information on game schedules, transportation options, marketing opportunities and much more! We will continue to update information and opportunities as we receive them, so check back often. Best, Tom O'Rourke, President and CEO Another year is in the book's.
We hope that it was a successful one for you and your business. As we anticipate what's in store for 2026, let's take a quick look back at the Chamber year in review.
In all, Chamber members had 25 opportunities to get out and make personal connections with other area businesses in a variety of settings and formats. Looking ahead to 2026, you can count on an equally robust calendar of opportunities as we continue to bring you meaningful learning and networking programs. Mark your calendars now for a few of our signature events:
Best, Tom O'Rourke, President and CEO 2026 is going to be a year packed with high profile events and celebrations throughout the Commonwealth.
Chief among those is the FIFA World Cup coming to Boston, although more specifically, Foxborough. The Chamber is delighted to announce that the guest speakers at our Annual Meeting are Neil Doherty, Director of Government Relations and Greta Teller, Director of Community Celebration, FIFA World Cup™ Boston 2026. They will speak on the regional economic impact of this historic event! Massachusetts will be hosting seven FIFA World Cup matches in June and July, 2026. The Neponset River Region sits between Boston and Foxborough and will be welcoming teams and fans from across the globe. The Chamber will be working with FIFA and other regional entities to provide local businesses with information on how they can market to visitors or prepare for traffic and travel impacts. For example, if you are a business that would like to offer providing services for the Boston 2026 host committee click here for more information. If you are interested in hosting or learning more about watch parties, regional fan zones, and other opportunities for the tourism industry you can reach out to MOTT’s Deputy Director Charlie Ticotsky. In addition to the World Cup, 2026 will also see events commemorating the country's 250th Anniversary, the return of the Tall Ships and huge 4th of July celebrations. To get a sneak preview of all that's happening, be sure to mark your calendar for our Annual Meeting on Friday, January 23 at 7:30 am at the Four Points Sheraton. Best, Tom O'Rourke, President and CEO Local business belong to the Chamber for a variety of reasons. Most commonly it's to grow their business through networking. For others it's about being part of the local business community. Some belong to support the overall mission of the Chamber as a business advocate.
But your Chamber membership offers so much more than that. The Chamber belongs to several employer organizations that collectively advocate and promote policies and initiatives to improve the business climate throughout the Commonwealth. See how your membership investment is amplified by our involvement with the following organizations. The Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education works to promote and support continuous improvement in our schools and innovation that is needed to ensure that every student receives a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college, career, and citizenship. Read more about our efforts to support new uniform assessments for high school graduation. The Massachusetts Coalition for Sustainable Energy supports a responsible transition to a renewable energy future that ensures reliability and affordability, strengthens our economy, and enhances Massachusetts’ position as a leader on climate change. Even as we’ve led the nation with ambitious policy, our energy supply remains limited and increasingly expensive. It’s time to confront our new energy reality—and ensure our policies reflect both our ambitions and our responsibilities to families, workers, and businesses. Working with the Massachusetts Opportunity Alliance we believe a strong business climate means a better quality of life for all. Our mission is to defend and strengthen the Massachusetts business climate, ensure long-term economic success and prosperity, promote social mobility, and enhance economic opportunities for all in the Commonwealth. The Employer Coalition on Health is a group of concerned employers who are working to address the unsustainable growth in healthcare costs and make healthcare more affordable in Massachusetts through collaboration. ECOH will amplify the voice of employers in health policy discussions by making the cost of care a key consideration. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization. Its members range from the small businesses and chambers of commerce across the country that support their communities, to the leading industry associations and global corporations that innovate and solve for the world’s challenges, to the emerging and fast-growing industries that are shaping the future. The Chamber participates in weekly federal policy updates with the U.S. Chamber. Best, Tom O'Rourke, President and CEO A couple of months ago in this space, I asked Chamber members to join in reactivating our Education and Business Committee.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the EBC partnered with local high schools to develop impactful programs focused on career exploration and essential soft skills training—equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing workforce. I am thrilled to report that many local business leaders have stepped up! The EBC serves as a bridge between educators and business leaders, fostering collaboration to align educational initiatives with real-world workforce needs. As our schools expand offerings such as internships, work-based learning, innovation pathways, and career technical education, it's critical that the business community works alongside them. The Committee held its first meeting this week and is already making plans for a number of initiatives geared toward connecting our members with our schools. You will be hearing much more about how you can get involved in the coming months. In the meantime Dedham High School has 3 immediate opportunities available: Industry perspective and guidance for Innovation Career Pathways advisory board Internship placements for Innovation Pathways students and senior internship students Opportunities for mentorship, guest speakers and field trips to relevant community businesses and organizations You can learn more about these here. If you are interested in contributing your expertise and making a lasting impact, please contact me at [email protected] to learn more or to get involved. Best, Tom O'Rourke, President and CEO As you know, Chamber membership offers a wide variety of meaningful benefits to your business and your employees. But did you know it's also an effective business strategy?
The public’s positive perceptions about the impact that chambers of commerce have on the prosperity of their communities is immense, yet not often quantified at scale. The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), in partnership with The Harris Poll, recently explored U.S. adults’ perceptions of their local chamber of commerce, the role chambers play in their communities and the value of chamber membership to businesses. View the results Here are some findings:
This fall we are asking for your help to make more businesses aware of these benefits by inviting those in your network to join the Chamber. There are several ways to do this:
You can help us grow by your referrals. They will thank you for it!  We’ve officially entered the so-called “dog days” of August… but who says that’s a bad thing? Sure, it’s hot—but so is the fun! August is actually one of the best parts of summer. There’s still plenty of sunshine to soak up, and the season is far from over. So let’s make the most of it—right here in our own backyard. You can see what I did on the left.
Explore the Local Scene Skip the long drives and plane tickets—adventure is waiting right in our region! From fresh food to fresh air, there’s no shortage of things to do: Support Your Local Growers Hit up a local farmer’s market! You’ll find everything from crisp veggies to homemade goodies. It’s a delicious way to eat healthier, support local farmers, and maybe even strike up a friendly convo or two with neighbors. Hit the Trails Get your steps in while soaking up nature. Our area is full of beautiful parks and walking trails. Want to mix it up? Try one in a nearby town for a change of scenery and a mini adventure. Tunes Under the Stars Nothing says summer like a community concert. Grab a lawn chair, pack your favorite snacks and drinks, and unwind to live music under the night sky. Canton concerts; Norwood concerts; Dedham concerts; Walpole concerts; Sharon concerts; Foxborough concerts Paddle Power Get out on the water! Whether it's the Neponset, the Charles, or a nearby pond, kayaking or canoeing is a fun way to get active and enjoy the great outdoors. Retail Therapy + Summer Vibes Legacy Place and Patriot Place aren’t just for shopping—they’re buzzing with summer events and activities. Add a little fun to your errands or make a day of it! Dine & Unwind After all that exploring, you’ve earned a great meal. Treat yourself at a Chamber member restaurant—many offer fantastic outdoor dining, so you can enjoy your meal and the summer breeze. So let’s flip the script on the “dog days.” August isn’t the end of summer—it’s the peak of it. Get out, get moving, and make it count! Best, Tom O'Rourke, President and CEO Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people and shaping the workforce of tomorrow?
This fall, the Neponset River Regional Chamber is reactivating its Education & Business Committee (EBC) and is seeking dedicated members who are invested in the success of our students and the strength of our local economy. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the EBC partnered with local high schools to develop impactful programs focused on career exploration and essential soft skills training—equipping students with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing workforce. The EBC serves as a bridge between educators and business leaders, fostering collaboration to align educational initiatives with real-world workforce needs. As our schools expand offerings such as internships, work-based learning, innovation pathways, and career technical education, your voice as a business professional is more important than ever. Monthly meetings will be held both in-person and virtually, providing flexibility for participation. If you are interested in contributing your expertise and making a lasting impact, please contact me at [email protected] to learn more or to get involved. Let’s work together to inspire, inform, and prepare the next generation. Best, Tom O'Rourke, President and CEO A recent report from the UMass Donahue Institute highlights the continued challenges facing small, consumer-serving businesses across Massachusetts.
The findings paint a sobering picture: five years after COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions, many Main Streets remain dotted with dark storefronts and struggling businesses. Despite the visible toll, there has been limited policy response from Beacon Hill to address the crisis. Sales have remained stagnant while operational costs—many driven by public policy—have surged. As a result, the viability of small businesses is increasingly uncertain. Key Survey Findings:
Study Recommendations:
Call to Action: Join fellow business owners and Chamber members at the upcoming Massachusetts Small Business Summit. While advocacy groups continue to push for increased business costs, this is your opportunity to raise your voice for policies that support affordability and competitiveness for small businesses in the Commonwealth. Save the date, June 18th at 10:00 am at the State House, and help shape a more sustainable future for small businesses in Massachusetts. Tom O'Rourke, President and CEO |
