The state might give your employees a bonus
The state might give your employees a bonus
Many of the frontline workers who showed up to take care of us and wait on us during the COVID-19 state of emergency might soon be eligible for a bonus.
State legislative leaders have reportedly agreed to allocate $500 million for a program that could pay out up to $2,000 per person for workers who earned less than 30% of the federal poverty line.
Both private- and public-sector “essential” in-person workers would qualify, writes Greg Ryan at the BBJ.
The bonus proposal is one of two initiatives that reportedly has support by both legislative bodies using ARPA and excess tax revenues.
The other is a plan to allocate $500 million to trim that whopping $7 billion in unemployment insurance debt that will otherwise be covered by business.
That's only half of the $1 billion Gov. Charlie Baker had proposed shaving off, which was still less than the $2 billion minimum many business groups had been looking for.
In other words, Beacon Hill wants to snip a little off around the ears of a problem businesses did not create. But we really need them to spring for a decent haircut.
Newton gets serious about life sciences
Efforts to bring more biotech companies to Newton just took a giant leap forward.
Last week, MassBio upgraded the city to a Platinum BioReady Community, the highest designation.
The designation signifies that a municipality has biotech and life sciences friendly zoning, a streamlined permitting process and a robust infrastructure.
“Newton’s rating as a Platinum-level BioReady Community means the city has done the work necessary to attract and host life sciences,” said Ben Bradford, MassBio’s VP of economic development and membership.
One key factor in achieving the designation was last month’s approval of the Riverside Station project, which includes 370,000 square feet of lab space and office, 550 residential units and 22,000 square feet of retail.
In a statement Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller acknowledged the existing “great life sciences and biotechnology activity in Newton," including Lab Shares Newton, UMass’ Mount Ida Innovation and Collaboration Space, STC Biologics, Allena Pharmaceuticals, Acer Therapeutics, Karyopharm and others.
“We are looking forward to welcoming more life science companies to Newton, at Riverside, in Nonantum, within the Wells Avenue Office Park, and beyond,” Fuller said.
Newton joins 33 other platinum communities in the state.
Watertown and Needham are among the 22 communities with a gold MassBio designation. Wellesley does not appear on MassBio's designation list.
Of course this is perfect timing for this morning's (Tues.) 11 a.m. chamber event with Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, MassBio's president and COO “Leading the future of life sciences in our region.”
Report: State vastly underestimating natural gas leaks
Massachusetts is vastly underestimating the amount of local pollution from methane, the primary component of natural gas and among the most potent of the greenhouse gases that causes climate change, according to Globe story citing a new National Academy of Sciences study.
The study found six times more methane leaking into the air around the Boston area than the most recent estimate issued three years ago.
"With about 1,800 miles of pipes replaced in recent years in Massachusetts, the authors of the paper say their findings show that far greater amounts of methane are likely coming from stoves, furnaces, boilers, and other household appliances than was previously believed," writes David Abel.
Still time for this
The virtual Authors & Innovators Business Ideas Festival got off to an engaging start yesterday.
It continues daily through Friday with interviews with business book authors, innovators and top business minds, from noon to 1 p.m. It’s curated by attorney (and chamber member) Larry Gennari, of Gennari Aronson LLP in partnership with Babson College. Schedule and register.
Also on the book front
In-person author readings are back on the calendar at Wellesley Books. (The Swellesley Report)
Meet the candidates (Newton edition)
Newton's municipal election is one week from today (Nov. 2). NewTV’s candidate messages and forums can be found here. The Newton Area Council debates are here. And Globe 's John Hilliard surveyed the candidates running here:
Meet the candidates (Watertown edition)
Watertown is also holding its election one week from today. WCTV has recordings of:
A remedy for supply chain stress?
Supply chain issues are driving all sorts of prices upward.
But the price of pot is going down, according to Shira Schoenberg at Commonwealth.
The Cannabis Control Commission reports that when the legal industry first launched in 2018, the monthly average cost for an ounce of adult-use cannabis was around $390 – a figure that topped $400 in early 2019.
Since then, the price of legal cannabis is steadily declining, hitting a monthly average price of $362 an ounce in September 2021.
“There are more dispensaries and more growers, so the supply starts to get to the level of demand,” Kamani Jefferson, an adviser and board member of the Massachusetts Recreational Consumer Council tells Schoenberg.
Compliance and security rules in Massachusetts have also driven prices up, as have delays in approving.
So has the fact that we’re surrounded by states that don't allow legal sales. But that’s likely to change once Vermont, Maine, and New York start allowing dispensaries.
Staples steps up to help our local merchants
If you’ve spent some time shopping in Needham and Wellesley recently, you may have seen our “Thanks for supporting local” signs in shop windows.
We're now looking for volunteers to help us distribute them to Newton and Watertown store windows too. Email me if you can help.
The signs are compliments of the team at Staples Connect who also donated our previous "Welcome Back" and "Yes We're Open" signs.
As part of this partnership, Staples is offering a few print and marketing promotions: 20% off signs, banners or posters when you spend $75 or more; 20% off when you upgrade from B&W to color; 20% off select menu printing and 20% of shredding. Email or (781) 449-5766 or for help.
And with the holidays around the corner, don’t forget to support our local businesses and nonprofits.
Use our Find It Local directory to guide your shopping, dining and giving.
That’s today’s need to knows unless you need to know why some Massachusetts convenience stores are called spas.
Stay dry friends!
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
Find a chamber member Join the chamber
State legislative leaders have reportedly agreed to allocate $500 million for a program that could pay out up to $2,000 per person for workers who earned less than 30% of the federal poverty line.
Both private- and public-sector “essential” in-person workers would qualify, writes Greg Ryan at the BBJ.
The bonus proposal is one of two initiatives that reportedly has support by both legislative bodies using ARPA and excess tax revenues.
The other is a plan to allocate $500 million to trim that whopping $7 billion in unemployment insurance debt that will otherwise be covered by business.
That's only half of the $1 billion Gov. Charlie Baker had proposed shaving off, which was still less than the $2 billion minimum many business groups had been looking for.
In other words, Beacon Hill wants to snip a little off around the ears of a problem businesses did not create. But we really need them to spring for a decent haircut.
Newton gets serious about life sciences
Efforts to bring more biotech companies to Newton just took a giant leap forward.
Last week, MassBio upgraded the city to a Platinum BioReady Community, the highest designation.
The designation signifies that a municipality has biotech and life sciences friendly zoning, a streamlined permitting process and a robust infrastructure.
“Newton’s rating as a Platinum-level BioReady Community means the city has done the work necessary to attract and host life sciences,” said Ben Bradford, MassBio’s VP of economic development and membership.
One key factor in achieving the designation was last month’s approval of the Riverside Station project, which includes 370,000 square feet of lab space and office, 550 residential units and 22,000 square feet of retail.
In a statement Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller acknowledged the existing “great life sciences and biotechnology activity in Newton," including Lab Shares Newton, UMass’ Mount Ida Innovation and Collaboration Space, STC Biologics, Allena Pharmaceuticals, Acer Therapeutics, Karyopharm and others.
“We are looking forward to welcoming more life science companies to Newton, at Riverside, in Nonantum, within the Wells Avenue Office Park, and beyond,” Fuller said.
Newton joins 33 other platinum communities in the state.
Watertown and Needham are among the 22 communities with a gold MassBio designation. Wellesley does not appear on MassBio's designation list.
Of course this is perfect timing for this morning's (Tues.) 11 a.m. chamber event with Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, MassBio's president and COO “Leading the future of life sciences in our region.”
Report: State vastly underestimating natural gas leaks
Massachusetts is vastly underestimating the amount of local pollution from methane, the primary component of natural gas and among the most potent of the greenhouse gases that causes climate change, according to Globe story citing a new National Academy of Sciences study.
The study found six times more methane leaking into the air around the Boston area than the most recent estimate issued three years ago.
"With about 1,800 miles of pipes replaced in recent years in Massachusetts, the authors of the paper say their findings show that far greater amounts of methane are likely coming from stoves, furnaces, boilers, and other household appliances than was previously believed," writes David Abel.
Still time for this
The virtual Authors & Innovators Business Ideas Festival got off to an engaging start yesterday.
It continues daily through Friday with interviews with business book authors, innovators and top business minds, from noon to 1 p.m. It’s curated by attorney (and chamber member) Larry Gennari, of Gennari Aronson LLP in partnership with Babson College. Schedule and register.
Also on the book front
In-person author readings are back on the calendar at Wellesley Books. (The Swellesley Report)
Meet the candidates (Newton edition)
Newton's municipal election is one week from today (Nov. 2). NewTV’s candidate messages and forums can be found here. The Newton Area Council debates are here. And Globe 's John Hilliard surveyed the candidates running here:
Meet the candidates (Watertown edition)
Watertown is also holding its election one week from today. WCTV has recordings of:
A remedy for supply chain stress?
Supply chain issues are driving all sorts of prices upward.
But the price of pot is going down, according to Shira Schoenberg at Commonwealth.
The Cannabis Control Commission reports that when the legal industry first launched in 2018, the monthly average cost for an ounce of adult-use cannabis was around $390 – a figure that topped $400 in early 2019.
Since then, the price of legal cannabis is steadily declining, hitting a monthly average price of $362 an ounce in September 2021.
“There are more dispensaries and more growers, so the supply starts to get to the level of demand,” Kamani Jefferson, an adviser and board member of the Massachusetts Recreational Consumer Council tells Schoenberg.
Compliance and security rules in Massachusetts have also driven prices up, as have delays in approving.
So has the fact that we’re surrounded by states that don't allow legal sales. But that’s likely to change once Vermont, Maine, and New York start allowing dispensaries.
Staples steps up to help our local merchants
If you’ve spent some time shopping in Needham and Wellesley recently, you may have seen our “Thanks for supporting local” signs in shop windows.
We're now looking for volunteers to help us distribute them to Newton and Watertown store windows too. Email me if you can help.
The signs are compliments of the team at Staples Connect who also donated our previous "Welcome Back" and "Yes We're Open" signs.
As part of this partnership, Staples is offering a few print and marketing promotions: 20% off signs, banners or posters when you spend $75 or more; 20% off when you upgrade from B&W to color; 20% off select menu printing and 20% of shredding. Email or (781) 449-5766 or for help.
And with the holidays around the corner, don’t forget to support our local businesses and nonprofits.
Use our Find It Local directory to guide your shopping, dining and giving.
That’s today’s need to knows unless you need to know why some Massachusetts convenience stores are called spas.
Stay dry friends!
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
Find a chamber member Join the chamber
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