We all know that happier employees create a healthier, more productive workplace.

That’s why many medical insurance plans offer incentives for joining a gym or engaging in other physically healthy habits.

But what about a wellness program that encourages creative thinking or lifts one's spirits?

The Mass Cultural Council is developing a program that aims to encourage employers to engage worker participation in the arts as part of their overall wellness programs.

The state agency is even working with insurance companies on the concept of allowing doctors to write prescriptions so workers can get reimbursed for attending emotionally uplifting, or spiritually healing, arts programs.

Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael Bobbitt is interested in hearing from HR directors who would like to provide input.

Healey's climate tech push could be just what our burbs need

When Gov. Maura Healey travels to Rome this week to speak at Pope Francis’ Vatican Climate Summit, she's scheduled to discuss “governing in the age of climate change,” while simultaneously touting the state’s climate tech industry to international business investors.
 
In the process, Healey could be answering the prayers of many property owners in our west suburban communities who are struggling to lease, or develop, certain properties.
 
Just as Gov. Deval Patrick’s 2008 life science initiative jump-started Massachusetts' leadership in biotech, Healey is betting her $1.3 billion, 10-year climate tech initiative will create 7,000 jobs and spark new demand for commercial space, including a mix of office, research and light manufacturing.
 
Two-story office buildings with large floor plates, high ceilings and high energy capacity are particularly suitable for R&D uses, particularly in clean energy, notes Steve Adams at Banker & Tradesman. And we have quite a few properties that fit that bill in our suburban office parks and commercial districts
 
“The clean energy sector’s growth could generate new demand in the suburbs, where office landlords continue to struggle to attract significant leases,” writes Adams.
 
Just two weeks ago, Healey visited one such clean tech company in Watertown. Via Separations moved into a 50,000 SF space at Berkley Investment’s recently renovated former mill building at 64 Pleasant Street, which was initially intended to attract lab tenants
 
Massachusetts already has the nation’s second-largest climate tech cluster.

Major parcel changes hands along Route 9

The Town of Brookline is engaged in a visioning session for rezoning of the section of Route 9 in Chestnut Hill just east of Newton, with an eye towards encouraging commercial growth.

And a highly visible parcel in the area under review has just changed hands.

City Realty Group is paying $41 million for the 60-year-old Chestnut Hill office park, a 5.3-acre, four-building parcel at 1280-1330 Boylston St. that had been owned by a family trust, reports Greg Ryan at the BBJ.

Three of the four buildings on the site are vacant. The new owners are open to considering a mix that could include a hotel, lab space, medical office, multi-family housing, and other options, according to Ryan.

Lawmakers urged to renew key tax credit 

Community development organizations were on Beacon Hill yesterday urging lawmakers to renew a tax credit that supports local businesses and low- and moderate-income housing.

Since the launch of the community investment tax credit in 2014, it has attracted more than $100 million in private funds for community revitalization. Funds were used to create or preserve 4,200 homes and 15,000 jobs, reports Sam Drysdale at State House News.

It’s scheduled to expire at the end of 2025 but Gov. Maura Healey's housing bond bill would make the credit permanent.

Today’s grab bag 

• Frustrated by the many road construction projects in Newton? Barry Wanger at the Newton Beacon has updates on Hammond Pond, Newton Needham Street, Newton Corner and Newton-Weston Bridge Replacement.
• Yes, that was Thistle & Leek’s Black Forest cake they were talking about in the New York Times
• Join Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll  and CHAPA on May 23 at noon, to learn about an effort to engage business and civic leaders to help address the housing crisis. Register.
• Chef Jason Santos who already operates, among others, Buttermilk & Bourbon at Arsenal Yards (also in Boston’s Back Bay) will open Butterbird at Arsenal Yards, a delicious breakfast and lunch shop, this summer.
•  The Mass Cultural Council is now accepting applications for Festivals & Projects (deadline: May 23) and Operating Grants for Organizations (deadline: June 13).
• Business owners are encouraged to join the Retailers Association of Mass., National Federation of Independent Businesses and Mass. Restaurant Association at the annual “Small Business Day on Beacon Hill,” tomorrow (May 15) at the State House. RSVP

Credit card class action claims due May 31 

A class-action lawsuit against the credit card duopoly was recently settled. Merchants who accepted Visa and/or Mastercard any time between Jan. 1, 2004, and Jan. 25, 2019, are likely entitled to a share of the settlement of up to $6.24 billion.

Claims can be submitted here by May 31. For free assistance call 1-800-625-6440 or email here. (Mass Restaurants)

Keeping shopping local as Mount Auburn Street construction begins

After months of anticipation (and amidst worries that disruptions will impact businesses and others) reconstruction work along Mount Auburn Street in Watertown and Cambridge was scheduled to begin last night.

The Mount Auburn Street Project aims to provide safe and accessible options for all modes, including increased efficiency on the MBTA Bus Route 71, improved traffic operations and pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, improved accessibility, and improved aesthetics.

The project will begin at the Cambridge city line moving west, segment by segment, towards Watertown Square until the project boundary just west of Patten Street.

But up first is a six-week process to remove the overhead wires that once powered the MBTA buses along the corridor. Work will be conducted overnight from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly.

Sign up for project email updates.

And please continue supporting the restaurants and shops along the corridor throughout this lengthy construction process.  

In our inbox: Members respond to tobacco ban

Last week, I asked for your input on a proposal before the Newton City Council to ban the sale of tobacco or e-cigarette products to anyone born after Jan.1, 2004.

Brookline and several other communities (but so far no others bordering Newton) have passed similar bans. If enacted, 36 Newton retailers will inevitably lose sales to neighboring communities and, likely, not just tobacco but groceries and other sales.

Here’s a sample of the responses:

• “I fully support the proposed tobacco ban in Newton.  At some point you can’t put financial gain ahead of human health,” wrote one member.  “Likely, other neighboring towns will follow suit.  Someone has to start to do the right thing.    I think the Chamber should stay out of this very important health issue.”
• “I think the ban is troubling in terms of the precedent it sets in terms of nanny-state policies,” said another member. “What if next we decide that research showing the cardiovascular risks of cannabis for seniors justifies preventing Boomers from patronizing the Green Lady?  Or diabetics being excluded from JP Licks? Etc.”
• “We shouldn’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good, but at least in the short term, this is going to punish convenience store owners … with limited evidence (as far as I’m aware) that it will prevent young people from starting to smoke,” wrote another. “For what it’s worth, I sincerely hope it works."

How about you? We're regularly asked to weigh in on various consumer product bans in our communities. Do you support, or oppose, this latest proposed ordinance? Email me.


That’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know about the musical act that’s undoubtedly played more birthday parties than any other in history which is finally, mercifully, disbanding.

Be back on Friday.   

Greg Reibman (he, him)
President & CEO
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
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