|
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 Norwood General Manager Tony Mazzucco, in partnership with the Town of Norwood and with strong support from state and federal legislators, has officially launched the Finish Norwood Hospital campaign—an urgent initiative to bring a full-service acute care hospital back to the community.
Prior to its closure in 2020 due to flooding, Norwood Hospital was a vital regional resource. In its final full year of operation (2019), the hospital provided care to 126,000 patients, recorded 42,705 emergency room visits, and maintained an average inpatient stay of 5.3 days. Financially strong, it generated $11.2 million in profit in 2018 and $25 million in 2019. At the direction of Governor Maura Healey, General Manager Mazzucco is leading a task force to assess the health care needs of Norwood and surrounding communities once served by the hospital. This multidisciplinary task force includes regional health care providers, public health experts, labor representatives, emergency service professionals, business leaders, and local and state officials. As part of the campaign, the Town of Norwood has launched FinishtheJobNorwood.com—a central hub where the public can learn more about the initiative. The site features background information on Norwood Hospital, a detailed timeline of its closure, updates on the working group, and opportunities for community advocacy. Community members and local businesses are encouraged to take action by contacting the Governor’s Office and the Department of Health and Human Services to express appreciation for their support and to advocate for the continued progress of this critical effort. Sample letters are available on the campaign website. Massachusetts’ unemployment insurance system was already headed for disaster.
Our businesses big and small pay some of the highest rates in the country. And yet, the benefits that are paid out consistently outpace employer contributions. To make matters worse, the state now owes the federal government $2.1 billion as a result of misallocated state unemployment benefits that were paid out during the COVID pandemic. Without a fix to the system, Massachusetts employers will see a tax hike on top of the already high rates they pay. 71 percent of Massachusetts voters agree. It’s not fair for businesses big and small to pay for the state’s mistake. Fixing the current crisis would prevent further disruptions and improve the state’s attractiveness for business investment. High UI debt may signal a less resilient system for supporting unemployed workers during economic downturns. Businesses should not bear the financial burden of repaying a debt they didn’t cause. If the state government broke it, the government should be the ones to fix our state’s UI system. Learn more... Tom O'Rourke, CCE President and CEO Join us on Thursday, March 13 at 8:00 am 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, home of Gray, Gray & Gray. Joining us will be Charlie Doody from Canton, Paige Duncan from Foxboro, Tony Mazzucco from Norwood, Fred Turkington from Sharon and Jim Johnson from Walpole. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insight into the myriad challenges and opportunities our communities are facing and to share your perspective with them. Topics include: · Norwood Hospital · MBTA Communities/Housing production · MCI-Walpole · Sharon Gallery · World Cup 2026 The Neponset River Regional Chamber, in partnership with the Town of Canton, has launched a new program to assist small businesses in the Town of Canton that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with critical upgrades to their online presence and visibility. Funding for this program is provided by Norfolk County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding granted to the Town of Canton. The program is being managed by the Neponset River Regional Chamber.
Grants will vary based on individual needs and available funds and will assist a small business with website and social media design and consultation. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and awards will be first-come first-served until funds are depleted. Services purchased prior to enrollment in this program are not eligible for reimbursement. The Chamber offered a similar program to small businesses throughout the region in 2022 and 2023. During that time 15 local businesses received web design and social media services which helped them modernize their business and remain competitive during the pandemic. The Town of Norwood has opened the engagement phase of its Comprehensive Plan. Those who live and/or work in Norwood are highly encouraged to submit their thoughts about its future. Click on the button below to learn more about how to submit feedback. The Norwood Comprehensive Plan will be a 10-year vision and roadmap for the Town's future. This Plan will be the foundational policy document for the Town - guiding local decisions about future growth, preservation, and change. It’s very important that the town hears from local businesses about the future of the community. Please take a moment to add your voice to the future of Norwood. Tom O'Rourke, CCE President and CEO Happy New Year!
Is this the year to lose a few pounds? Go to the gym? Try dry January? If so, here's to your success. We thought we would offer a few other suggestions to resolve for 2025. They may be easier to attain as well.
Best wishes for a great 2025! Tom O'Rourke, CCE President and CEO Chamber members don't just operate businesses; they are the heartbeat of our communities, making a profound impact in a host of ways. Beyond providing essential products and services, they are job creators, employing thousands of local residents and contributing vital tax revenue to our communities. However, their influence goes far beyond the economic realm. These businesses are the unsung heroes, offering unwavering support to local organizations, non-profits, sports groups, cultural institutions, and more.
Every year, we have the privilege of singling out a select few members whose exceptional business success and outstanding community support set them apart. Winners will be recognized at our Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast on January 30, 2025. We invite you to be a part of this recognition process by nominating a member business or individual whose impact deserves acknowledgement. It's your chance to shine a light on those who go above and beyond. Don't miss out--download the nomination form now. There are four categories of awards:
Tom O'Rourke, CCE President and CEO We've all seen the stories about the high cost of housing in Massachusetts and the outmigration of young talent currently occurring. What does this mean for our communities and businesses? What can be done about it? We've gathered a group of experts to help us understand what's driving these changes and what we can do in our region to remain competitive going forward.
Following the program, we will gather for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and an opportunity to meet the speakers, ask questions and network with others. Panelists: Doug Howgate, President, Mass. Taxpayers Foundation Rachel Heller, CEO Community Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) Jill Rossetti, Superintendent of Blue Hills Regional Technical School Greg Bunn, Executive Director of the Metro South/West Workforce Investment Board Paige Duncan, Foxborough Town Manager Speaking topics include:
Tom O'Rourke President and CEO The Board of Director's of the Neponset River Regional Chamber recently voted to oppose two questions that will appear on the ballot in November.
Question 2 will eliminate MCAS as a requirement for high school graduation. This misguided ballot initiative that will make Massachusetts' school systems unfair and increase inequality by eliminating our only statewide education standard According to "Protect Our Kids' Future: No on Question 2", "a statewide graduation requirement ensures that students meet minimum standards before graduating. Abandoning students who need extra help by giving them diplomas and sending them on their way would negatively impact kids for the rest of their lives. Instead of dropping standards, as proponents advocate, we should do the hard work to lift students to ensure that every child receives the excellent education they are entitled to before graduating." Question 5 will change the way tipped servers are compensated. Currently every worker in Massachusetts is already guaranteed to earn at least the current minimum wage of $15 including tipped employees. If, after wages and tips, an employee does not earn $15 per hour, the employer must pay the difference. The proposed changes will increase the cost of doing business for restaurants significantly. According to a survey by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association this is not what servers want:
Best, Tom O'Rourke President and CEO As one of the most expensive states in the nation, high housing costs and lack of supply are impacting every corner of the Commonwealth. As the third most expensive state to rent a home and fifth to purchase a home, affordable housing remains out of reach for Massachusetts residents at all income and education levels.
The high cost of housing has people packing up and leaving our great state altogether. Between 2020 and 2022, over 110,000 residents left Massachusetts for more affordable homes and a better quality of life—the highest outmigration in thirty years. If we fail to act, we will continue to lose the glue that holds our communities together and helps our economy thrive—people. It will be impossible for Massachusetts to maintain its competitive edge with our talent fleeing to more affordable states. Those who stay will face higher financial burdens and increased barriers to economic mobility, perpetuating racial and economic divisions. Massachusetts projects a need for 200,000 more homes by 2030 in order to stabilize home prices and rents. To tackle this challenge, we’ll need a diverse mix of homes in all 351 cities and towns across the state. To that end, the Neponset River Regional Chamber recently joined "Our Massachusetts: Homes for a Thriving Commonwealth" a state-wide coalition of business, civic, non-profit, education, faith-based, and community leaders with a common goal: build 200,000 homes throughout the Commonwealth for people across income levels by 2030. The future of housing and the future of the Massachusetts economy are undeniably linked. The business case for investing in more housing in Massachusetts is clear: employers can’t hire and retain the employees they need. As rents and home prices get increasingly out of reach, people are moving farther away and looking to other states for affordability and a better quality of life. Business leaders consistently flag talent retention as central to their decision to locate or stay in Massachusetts. And, local businesses struggle to fill shifts. We applaud the legislature for approving Governor Healey's Affordable Homes Act this week to begin the task of reaching these ambitious goals. As for the Economic Development bill... Tom O'Rourke President and CEO |
