Good morning friends,

Welcome to another edition of the Charles River Chamber’s Need to Knows newsletter.  We’re publishing once-weekly through the end of August before returning to our twice-weekly schedule next month.

A reminder that our always-special Summer Celebration for business, nonprofit and civic leaders from across our communities is happening one week from tonight (Aug. 15)   Reserve your spot now.

This celebration took place in Newton for a good reason

There’s a good reason why, when Gov. Maura Healey’s team was looking for a location to sign the “most ambitious housing legislation in Massachusetts history'“ on Tuesday, they picked the Golda Meir House in Newton.

The 267-unit property, located just steps from the Woodland T station, is operated by 2Life Communities, a nonprofit that builds and manages supportive and dignified  apartments for older adults at a variety of income levels.

And 2Life has been an exemplary example of one of the kinds of partners Massachusetts needs to address our economy-and-soul-crushing housing crisis.

Just last year, the nonprofit celebrated adding 68 new apartments at Golda Meir. Fifty of the new units are restricted for residents making up to 60% of the area median income. Nine apartments are designated for chronically homeless residents and are accompanied by support services, with the rest market rate.

Also: Earlier this spring, 2Life held a ribbon-cutting at a new 142-unit complex and health center in Brighton. Later this year they’re opening 68 new units in Waltham, with another150-unit project on tap in Lynn, the Globe’s Jon Chesto reported recently.

You may also have noticed the 174 units geared for middle-income residents called Opus, under construction, adjacent to the Jewish Community Center in Newton.

“These aren’t meant to be just homes, but full-fledged communities, in which 2Life staffers oversee activities and help seniors pursue goals they have for themselves, like becoming artists or learning new languages,” Chesto wrote.

Nearly 1,900 people live in 2Life properties across its six campuses, many of which were built with a mix of local, state, and federal funding sources, including grants and tax credits.

On the other hand, 2Life’s wait list is reportedly 9,000 individuals and couples long.

Which is why choosing Golda Meir as the site for Tuesday’s Affordable Homes Act

signing ceremony was a smart move by Healey’s team.

It symbolized both what’s possible and the staggering enormity of the problem.

And after all the pols spoke on Tuesday…

Speaking at the very end of Tuesday’s bill signing event — following nearly an hour of the obligatory congratulatory speeches from a few too many elected officials (don’t believe me? Here’s the video) — were two individuals who spoke from personal experience about housing insecurity.

That included a formerly unhoused woman named Mercedes, who now calls Golda Meir House her home, 2Life noted in a press release..

Mercedes spoke of how safe, affordable housing changed her life, enabling her to maintain a full-time job, earn her driver’s license and save up to buy a car.

“I wish for everyone to know the peace I feel in having a place to call home,” she said.

A few final notes about the Housing Bill and what’s next

The $5.16 billion Affordable Homes Act and related initiatives aims to support the production, preservation and rehabilitation of more than 65,000 homes statewide over the next five years, Healey noted. 

Here’s WBUR’s short summary of what’s in and what’s not in the bill. The Globe’s recap is here and a story about an earmark one lawmaker snuck into the bill from the BBJ.

And here’s the statement from our friends at CHAPA.

While the bill triples the state’s previous five-year housing spending, it’s worth noting no one expects the full bonding capacity to be used.

Nor is anyone suggesting this bill alone solves the enormity of the housing problem, or side steps how stuck interest rates and other market forces are handcuffing true progress.

It also doesn’t negate the need for all of us to stand up in our own communities and fight for meaningful zoning changes as well as specific multi-family projects.

Needham just received two thumbs up on its MBTA Communities Law approach from the state, the Needham Observer reports this morning. And Watertown is in the process of writing its zoning code to accompany the Watertown Square placemaking plan for a fall vote.

Want to stay updated? Join the Our Massachusetts Coalition and sign up for Amy Dain’s and Boston Indicators Upzone Update newsletter.

Antitrust case may be good news for Tripadvisor

Could this week’s ruling that Google has an illegal monopoly on search be good news for Tripadivisor?

The BBJ’s technology reporter Lucia Maffei believes it could.

The Needham-based company complained for years that Google’s search algorithms siphon traffic from Tripadvisor's listings.

A U.S. District judge ruled this week that Google is a "monopolist" but has yet to decide the consequences that Google will face.   That means the impact on Tripadvisor is not certain and the ruling could be tied up on appeals for years.

Friday’s grab bag (on a Thursday)

• Watertown has been awarded a grant from Mass DOT to help underwrite operations costs for Bluebikes and allow the city’s public bikeshare system to continue for years to come. The grant will also complement a system expansion.
  
  
• All Wellesley businesses are invited to sign up to participate in a college student discount program organized by our pals at Wonderful Wellesley. Your offers will be promoted to Babson College, MassBay Community College, Olin College of Engineering and Wellesley College students.
  
  
• Maureen Callahan is the new director of development & public relations at the Needham Community Council. She had been Rep. Denise Garlick’s district director
  
  
• Thanks, Fig City News and Newton Beacon for covering our business-focused debate last week between Alex Jablon and Amy Sangiolo seeking the Democratic nomination for 11th Middlesex District State Rep. seat. Full video.
  
  
• The Watertown Boys and Girls Club still has openings for a few golfers for its tournament on Monday (Aug 18) at The Oakley Country Club.  This fundraiser helps make dozens of club programs, services and operations possible.
  
  
• Wellesley is hiring its first Transportation and Mobility Manager.
  
  
• Interested in the latest trends in retail and retail leasing? Loopnet explores five trends in a video that’s both packed with data and refreshingly brief.
  
  
• Looking to fund your project that supports arts, culture, public art, service, or beautification in Newton? The New Community Pride (NCP) has opened applications for its fall 2024 round of community microgrants. Since its founding, NCP has given away over $30,000.
  
  
• Last year, Volante Farms received a grant from Commonwealth Corporation through the Workforce Training Fund Program to provide on-the-job English and Spanish training to their employees. This resource has bridged the language barrier gap and increased staff confidence, which has led to smoother operations, improved customer service, and higher employee morale. Video here.

Do you have college or high school interns?

On Tuesday (Aug. 13) at 8:30 a.m. we’re hosting a free networking event in Needham for interns and intern supervisors at any company, or nonprofit, within our region.

Close out the summer by making connections with interns from neighbor organizations, share stories and practice networking skills before heading back to school.  Details

Another chamber golf tournament is in the books

The foursome from Dunn-Gaherin’s Food and Spirits took first place at the Charles River Chamber’s 33rd Annual Golf Tournament presented by The Village Bank  this Monday at Woodland Golf Club

Congrats Seana Gaherin, Laura Hasenfus, Rob Kapinos and Steve Dadigan.

The competition was close among the 100+ golfers who participated, with foursomes from Marsh McLennan Agency and The Village Bank rounding out the podium.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit One Can Help, Inc., a Newton-based nonprofit assisting individuals and families in the juvenile court and child welfare systems.

Thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, players and the folks at Woodland.

One more reason to do the right thing this weekend

Finally today,  a reminder that Massachusetts annual tax-free weekend is this Saturday and Sunday giving, us all yet another reason to support local.  

Local retailers contribute to the distinctive character and vibrancy of our neighborhoods and reinvest in our communities by supporting local nonprofits, schools and events.  Here’s our retail directory.

That’s what you need to  know for today — National Pickleball Day —unless you need to know where you can find the area’s best dive bars.

Let’s hear it for joy!  See you next week.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688