Dear Members and Friends:
On this Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Blackstone Valley Ed Hub condemns systemic racism and supports demands for racial equality and justice. The spotlight put on racial injustice in recent weeks is long overdue and should extend to a full examination of disparities in all its forms.
?
We agree, and are committed to joining with our partners in business and education to renew and reenergize our focus on improvements in opportunities and outcomes for black, brown and immigrant learners and workers. Realizing a just and equitable society and economy depends on our collective success and will lead to meaningful change with a lasting impact.
|
|
Administration Announces $41M to Address Urgent Food Insecurity |
|
The Administration announced new funding to implement the recommendations of the Food Security Task Force. The Task Force was convened by the Massachusetts COVID-19 Command Center in response to increased demands for food assistance.
?
The Administration opened applications for the new $36 million Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program to ensure that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have access to fresh, local food. The Request for Responses for project proposals is available here with details on eligible businesses and entities.
The Administration also released a Notice of Opportunity to onboard new agricultural vendors for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which will allow the Administration to leverage federal SNAP funding and $5 million in new state funding for the program. See the Notice for eligibility requirements for local produce vendors and CSA programs to process HIP.
|
|
Application Information Online for Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program; Applications Open June 22nd |
|
The quick-launch/quick-build grant program will provide grants as small as $5,000 and as large as $300,000 for municipalities to quickly launch or expand improvements to sidewalks, curbs, streets, on-street parking spaces and off-street parking lots in support of public health, safe mobility and renewed commerce in their communities. These improvements can be intentionally temporary, in the style of tactical urbanism, or can be pilots of potentially permanent changes to streets and sidewalks.
|
|
First Ever Virtual Business Clean Energy Day Provides MA Chamber Executives and Clean Energy Businesses Access to Policymakers |
|
Join us on June 30 for Virtual Business Clean Energy Day, bringing together clean energy business leaders with legislators and policymakers to discuss the most pressing energy and climate policy issues facing Massachusetts. This year the Alliance for Business Leadership, Chambers for Innovation & Clean Energy, the Climate Action Business Association, and NECEC have partnered to amplify our voices and demonstrate the broad support in the business community for clean energy policy solutions. |
|
WCC is proud to offer Camp Whitin 2.0! |
|
Register Online Now for Summer Camp at www.WhitinCommunityCenter.com by clicking on orange the "Register" button in the top right corner of the homepage.
Camps being offered from July 6th-August 21st for children ages 7-13
WCC’s Camp Whitin distinguishes itself from other area camps in the quality of programming, the experience and enthusiasm of the counselors, and the wide variety of choices we offer. We are super excited to be able to offer Camp Whitin 2.0! Each week will be focused on a different theme, and each day will have a rotation of sports, games, arts and crafts, pool fun, Llama Unicorn Sprinkler in Whitin Park, and some fun challenges based around the themes to make sure your child has the most FUN this Summer! While this year’s Camp Whitin structure may be a little different due to the COVID-19 epidemic, it will still be all about FUN, FITNESS, and FRIENDSHIPS!
|
|
|
|
Build a Better Business Webinar
Position Your Business for Greater Brand Awareness and Profitability in a Post-Pandemic World
June 23, 2020 01:00pm
Get the latest tips from a panel of leading experts in finance, marketing, operations, strategy, HR, and sales from the Greater Boston area.
What will you learn?
- Effective customer relationship approaches for increased sales
- Tools and strategies for increased productivity across your company
- Resources for greater efficiency and higher profit margin
- Methods for evaluating and developing skilled talent
|
|
|
|
|
|
Build a Better Business
June 23, 1:00 to 2:00 PM
A FREE, one hour webinar with breakout sessions by local industry experts. You’ll learn strategies to perfectly position your business for post-COVID recovery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join New England Chamber of Commerce Executives, Business Leaders, and Policymakers to Discuss the Local and Regional Economic Opportunities of Offshore Wind
June 23, 2020 01:00pm
Offshore wind has a unique opportunity at this moment in time to benefit the US economy and environment. The pipeline of offshore wind projects is estimated to deliver approximately $100 billion in economic investment, more than 80,000 jobs, and provide enough electricity to power millions of homes.
New England stands at the forefront of this new American energy industry with multiple large projects in development that will deliver thousands of megawatts of clean energy to the grid. One developer, Vineyard Wind, has secured projects in both Massachusetts and Connecticut, with its first project Vineyard Wind 1 planning to receive final permits by the end of 2020 and its Connecticut project, Park City Wind, entering the permitting process this year. These projects will not only deliver competitively priced energy to the Massachusetts and Connecticut ratepayers but will also bring thousands of high-paying jobs, considerable economic investment, and demand for a deep, regional supply chain.
Join your chamber colleagues, business executives, and policy makers to learn more about how this emerging industry will deliver economic benefits to the regional, state, and local economies and how businesses can benefit from the vast supply chain needed to support offshore wind developments. Attendees will also get an update on the regulatory status of projects as Vineyard Wind 1 plans to begin construction this year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resiliency Roundtables
June 24, 2020
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
June 26, 2020
1:00 - 2:30 PM
CEO Peer-Advisory Agenda:
90 minutes – Once/month facilitated by Bill Flynn, Catalyst Growth Coach
· Check-in – 15-20 minutes
· Growth Tool review – 10-15 minutes
· Business issues – Accountability partner pairing – 45-50 minutes
· Closing/Action – 5-10 minutes
Free until September – $299/month thereafter – one-year paid commitment
Up to 10 participants per roundtable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thirty on Thursday: Building a Resilient Growth Framework
Thursday, June 25, 202011:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Now, more than ever, great teams with well executed strategies, and proper cash planning are the exemplars of extraordinary leadership. Building and running a healthy and successful organization has never been more important. This not to miss webinar will provide practical insights and actions from high performing companies that build a culture of innovation, execution and productivity allowing them to survive and thrive even through the most difficult times.
|
|
|
|
Please take moment and check out our most recent new members. Support them if you are able by purchasing gift cards, ordering take-out, or scheduling an appointment for a later date. We thank you all! Welcome New BVCC Members! |
|
New York Life · Nicola Deary · 75 Quinapoxet Lane, Worcester MA: 01606 · 508-612-5354 nicoladeary@yahoo.com
|
|
Contact info:
Office Phone: (508) 234-9090
Jeannie Hebert, President & CEO
cell #: (508) 981 5782
Liz O’Neil, Programs and Events Coordinator
?
Julia Juskavitch, Marketing Coordinator
|
|
BV Chamber Hours
M-F 9:00–4:00
(Closed Fridays 6/15/2020-Labor Day)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
?
?
?