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The Boston Region's Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) establishes a vision for the region’s transportation system and guides both capital investments and research studies to support that vision. The current LRTP, Destination 2040, was adopted in 2019. The next LRTP, Destination 2050, will be adopted in 2023.
As our region's representative on the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), I strongly encourage you make your voice heard by completing the survey. It only takes a few minutes. Why? Because the survey will help shape the LRTP which will inform how federal highway funds are spent in Eastern Mass. All too often these surveys are skewed by special interest groups advocating for priorities which don't necessarily reflect the interests of the entire region. Instead, they focus more on inner city issues at the expense of the needs of the outer suburban communities, i.e. bike lanes, rapid transit, climate resiliency, etc. While all of those issues are important, we have greater needs in our Chamber region. First and last mile connections to employer locations, which will help employers attract the workforce they need; upgrades along the Route 1 corridor; continuation of the Foxboro/Patriot Place commuter rail pilot program; and most importantly, the reconstruction of the functionally obsolete and dangerous interchange of Routes 93 and 95 in Canton. Almost every day the communities of Canton, Dedham, Norwood, Walpole, and Westwood see increased commuter traffic spilling off Route 95 onto Route 1, Route 1A and ultimately onto side streets and through neighborhoods, seeking a quicker and more efficient way to their ultimate destinations: jobs in Boston or along the Route 128 corridor. This pass-through traffic chokes local roadways not designed for such use and leads to more care and maintenance than would normally be needed. Don't miss this opportunity to chime in on the future of transportation in our region. Tom O'Rourke, CCE President and CEO Chamber members make a difference in our communities in a variety of ways. First and foremost they provide products and services that people need and want for their own personal or business reasons. They create jobs that employ thousands of local people. They provide needed tax revenue to our communities. But most do much more than that through their community support of local organizations, non-profits, sports groups, cultural institutions and many others.
Each year, we get to recognize a few of those members whose success in business and support of the community stands out among others. We are currently accepting nominations for our Annual Awards which will be presented at the Annual Meeting on January 27, 2023. I encourage you to consider nominating a member business or individual whom you feel is worthy of such recognition. Simply download the nomination form and return to it to the Chamber office. There are four categories of awards:
Our guest speaker at the Annual Meeting is Jordan Maynard, a Commissioner to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The mission of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is to create a fair, transparent and participatory process for implementing the expanded gaming law which will include sports betting in 2023. Tom O'Rourke, CCE President and CEO We are sharing this article by Kaytlyn Mroz, Contributor to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in recognition of Chamber of Commerce Day which was October 19, 2022.
Here are five reasons why joining a chamber of commerce can be the best thing you do for your business. It helps you make business contacts When you decide to join a local chamber, you automatically open up yourself — and your business — to a network of potential partnerships. Business contacts from your local chamber could become the supportive community you turn to one day for assistance or vice versa. In addition, your new business contacts may be the people who serve as your sounding board for new ideas, come up with solutions to internal business problems, and even partner with you on a new endeavor. It increases your credibility Belonging to a chamber gives your business a leg up compared to those who are not members. A company with this level of credibility becomes desirable to consumers, increasing the likeliness they’ll seek out your goods or services in the future. Compare belonging to a chamber as you would having a college degree when applying for a job; it tells your future employer — or consumer — you know what you are doing. While your business's positive perception increases, so will your profits as you establish credibility and brand recognition within your industry. Your membership dues could potentially pay for themselves thanks to the influx in your consumer base. It expands your network As your local chamber continues to grow, so will your network. The chamber will hold networking opportunities — usually monthly — allowing you to get to know community members, fellow business owners, and other professionals in your industry. While the events can range from formal to fun, each will allow you to make new connections and foster additional exposure for your business. Your business's relationships and possible expansion through a local chamber network will often be unmatched. While your business's positive perception increases, so will your profits as you establish credibility and brand recognition within your industry. It provides key business resources Your local chamber can make a great marketing resource for your company via avenues like its newsletter, website, social media, and more. In addition to networking events, chambers often hold events, such as "lunch and learn," where members can pick up new skills or techniques. These types of events can offer resources for advancement for all your employees. Chambers also offer financial resources. Though you will pay membership fees, your chamber can provide financial aid when your business is suffering through times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This financial assistance could help you find the return on these membership fees. It supports your professional development Most chambers of commerce host events and training sessions geared toward professional development. By providing these opportunities for your and your business's growth, the chamber creates an avenue for you to improve skills and gain knowledge without breaking your company's budget. Taking advantage of the chamber’s professional development opportunities will help your business make necessary changes, share its expertise with others, and grow. Tom O'Rourke, CCE President and CEO As we begin to head into the holiday season, we're reminded of those who may be in need. We know that many Chamber members have certain causes that they support. It may be a clothing drive, food pantry collections, volunteer days, etc.
For example, Chamber Board Chair, Julie Molloy's company, Compass Realty, is conducting a coat drive. In order to support our member's efforts in these worthy causes, the Chamber board is asking members to let us know if there is a particular cause you are supporting and we will list them on our website. This way we can encourage other members to assist where they can. To submit your cause, simply email the information to Karen Collins at Karen@nrrchamber.com. Tom O'Rourke, CCE President and CEO Our Fall 2022 Membership Drive Is Here!
Chamber members, we need your help. September means "Back to School" but for us it means "Back to Business"! Now is the time to bring new businesses into the Chamber so they can enjoy the benefits just as you do. We have a robust calendar of events in September and October. We are asking you to reach out to businesspeople that you know and/or do business with and invite them to an event. If you do, you can both attend at no cost. Anyone that joins the NRR Chamber from now until our Chamber Talks event on October 20th will receive 50% more membership time! All new members who join during this time frame will receive 18 months of membership, that's 50% more for their annual membership dues. In addition, all new members will be entered into a raffle to be drawn at our Chamber Talks event. You can join in on the fun as well: Refer a brand new NRR Chamber member and be entered into a raffle prize drawing as well. Raffle prizes include - Legacy Place Gift Cards, Complimentary Business Portrait Session with Kenneth Berman Photography, Movie Night Themed Gift Basket from Compass Real Estate and more! For more information regarding membership, please contact: Julie Molloy, Chair of the Board Ken Berman, Membership Committee Member Tom O'Rourke, President Thank you for your support! Julie Molloy, Chair of the Board Compass Real Estate The Neponset River Regional Chamber is pleased to announce a second round of businesses have been chosen for a Small Business Digital Assistance Grant.
The eight businesses selected are local to the chamber: Irish Brewing Boston (Norwood), Little Bird Events (Norwood), In Touch Well-Being, LLC., Friends of Norwood Center (Norwood), Norwood Farmers’ Market (Norwood), Clean Sustainable Water Solutions (Sharon), Goodman & Goodman, LLC. (Canton), and My Pediatric OT Services (Walpole). Having received a Digital Grant through Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) in 2021, we saw the positive impact of helping small businesses create a new web presence with updated websites and digital marketing strategies. We are fortunate to be offering a similar grant program for 2022-2023. Senators Mike Rush and Paul Feeney and Representative John Rogers were instrumental in securing the funding for the program. As part of this new grant, businesses will work with Kerry Agluglub, KMA Web Design, and Tricia White, T. White Creations, on a new website, marketing strategy and digital training. Best, Tom O'Rourke, President and CEO Many years ago when rifling through some photos in the Chamber archives I found one of the Fourth of July parade in Norwood probably in the late 50's (when we were the Norwood Chamber of Commerce). It showed a young woman riding in a convertible Cadillac with a sash across her front that said "Chamber of Commerce". There were many men walking along the vehicle, presumably Chamber members (the photo above is from a different year and is better quality). It reminds me of the connection that the Chamber has historically had with the community. For better or worse, the tradition of the Chamber marching in the parade has gone away, perhaps because as a regional entity we couldn't cover all the parades in our area.
Nevertheless, Independence Day does have a lot to do with local business. All the fireworks displays and parades that we will enjoy over the next few days cost money to organize. While citizens contribute to this, by and large it is local business that pays the bulk of the costs through their donations. They also supply volunteer help and trucks to support the floats that are so important to the parades. Of course it is fitting that businesses step up for these events on the Fourth. After all Independence Day is also a celebration of the Free Enterprise system which allows our businesses to exist and thrive in the first place. We often take for granted the freedom we have to take an idea and turn it to something real that provides a needed product or service, puts people to work and pays taxes. It's this system that has allowed our country to be a world leader in innovation in so many areas, particularly right in here in Greater Boston. While there are certainly many who would argue that even more freedom from government regulation is needed for us to continue to lead the way, we are still far better off than in other parts of the world. So while I hope you have a chance to "ooh and aah" at some fireworks, salute the troops marching in a parade, or just sit back with a cold drink and a hot dog surrounded by family and friends, remember that our Independence is what makes our business community strong and our business community is what makes these great events possible. Have a great Fourth of July! Best, Tom O'Rourke, President and CEO Looking for a new way to get involved with the Chamber? We have plenty of volunteer opportunities available. Depending on your particular skills or interests there may be something of interest to you that would allow you meet other Chamber members while helping out the organization.
With a staff of just two people, we rely on member support to help us carry out our mission. Most opportunities require less than an hour a month of involvement and many are still virtual. Here are a few to consider: Golf Tournament - we need on site volunteers to help with registration, raffle sales, and on course activities. You get a day in the sun and a free meal too! ChamberTalks Committee - help us organize our 3rd Annual ChamberTalks event. We need ideas for great speakers. Ambassadors - The face of the Chamber. Welcome new members to the Chamber and help them to maximize their membership. Membership Committee - Help us recruit new members to the organization. More new members means more opportunities to connect and a stronger voice for local business. In addition, we have openings on the Communications Committee and the Education and Business Committee. There are also opportunities to help out with our Young Professionals, Women's Leadership Alliance, Elder Care Alliance and Human Resources Alliance. Your involvement in any of these can help shape our programs and events as we return to in-person activities. If you would like to get involved, learn more or have questions, email me at tom@nrrchamber.com or call 781-769-1126. Best, Tom O'Rourke, President and CEO Yesterday, Governor Charlie Baker declared May to be Small Business Month.
A Proclamation WHEREAS, small businesses are the backbone and life blood of local economies in communities throughout the Commonwealth, and serve as job creators and place-makers in our downtowns, WHEREAS, shopping locally allows Massachusetts residents to invest in their own neighborhoods and grow the vibrancy of their communities, making the Commonwealth a great place to live, work, and play, WHEREAS, small businesses demonstrated resilience, flexibility, and courage in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impacts, and were a driving force in the economic recovery of this Commonwealth, WHEREAS, small businesses employ 1.5 million individuals, constituting nearly half of Massachusetts employees (45.7%), WHEREAS, small businesses reach communities that have not always benefited from the Commonwealth’s overall robust economic vitality, and serve an important role in access to economic opportunity, WHEREAS, small businesses and small business support organizations like Chambers of Commerce; small business associations; and Main Street and other nonprofit service organizations are key collaborators in advancing our agenda for equitable economic growth, WHEREAS, the contributions of our small business sector should be recognized and celebrated by our Commonwealth, NOW, THEREFORE, I, Charles D. Baker, Governor of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim May 2022, to be, SMALL BUSINESS MONTH And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance. Given at the Executive Chamber, this first day of May, in the year two thousand and twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America, two hundred and forty-fifth. God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Chamber will be receiving a check from the IRS for roughly $8,000. How much could your business get?
After hearing many of my colleagues talk about the refunds they and their member businesses were getting, I tuned in to a webinar by our payroll provider, ConnectPay. The webinar was about the Employee Retention Tax Credit, a program included in the CARES Act in 2020. Employers, including tax-exempt organizations, are eligible for the credit if in 2020 and 2021 they experienced either: the full or partial suspension of the operation of their trade or business during any calendar quarter because of governmental orders limiting commerce, travel or group meetings due to COVID-19, or a significant decline in gross receipts as compared to 2019. After reviewing our eligibility with ConnectPay, we determined that we were eligible for a refund of $8,000. And that is for a business with just 2 employees and we only qualified for one fiscal quarter. If you haven't looked into this program, you really need to. We will host a webinar with ConnectPay on Tuesday, April 19th at noon at which they will go over the details and take questions from members. You can register here and there is no cost to attend. Additionally, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has announced the creation of a new employer grant program designed to facilitate hiring and training of new employees. The HireNow Program provides eligible employers flat rate awards in the amount of $4,000 for each eligible newly hired employee. To be eligible for the grant, new hires must be (1) brought on between March 23, 2022 and December 31, 2022, (2) retained for 60 days, (3) a Massachusetts resident working in Massachusetts, and (4) work at least 30 hours per week for a salary between minimum wage and $85,000 a year. These funds are being issued on a first come, first serve basis through December 31st or until funds are exhausted. To learn more please visit the Commonwealth Corporation’s HireNow webpage. Tom O'Rourke President and CEO |
