Good morning. It’s Friday the 13th.

Massachusetts businesses already pay some of the nation’s highest unemployment taxes

And that rate “could face a sizable increase” within the next few years, reports Chris Lisinski at State House News.

This troubling news is rooted in concerns that the state’s UI system is already paying out more than it takes in, even as joblessness remains low and total employment has surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

By the end of 2028, the UI account (now flush with $2.5 billion on hand) could be hovering barely in the black (an estimated $192 million on hand), according to the most recent state-produced forecast.

And that’s only in the unlikely event unemployment remains at, or close to, current lows. 

A “downturn or recession could amplify the strain even more,” Lisinski adds.

Bay State businesses are already paying a surcharge to cover benefits paid out during the pandemic, even though the pandemic, of course, was hardly employers’ doing.

Then there’s still the unresolved matter of whether the feds will ask the state to give back $2.5 billion it mistakenly took from Uncle Sam (also during the pandemic) and, if so, if businesses will be required to cover the mistake.

According to the just-released Massachusetts Competitive Index Report our average employer pays $524 per covered employee in UI taxes.

That’s the 7th most expensive in the nation and seven times higher than Florida ($66 dollars per employee) and 60 percent higher than in California, two of Massachusetts’ top competitors.

Laredo running for mayor in Newton

This week Newton City Council President Marc Laredo became the first candidate to announce plans to run for mayor in the fall of 2025.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller told Fig City News she will announce whether or not she will seek a third term the week after the presidential election.

New co-working space in Newton targets a growing niche

A new co-working space — with a unique twist — just opened at the old Finagle a Bagel Taste Kitchen in Auburndale.

Along with the usual amenities (café with endless coffee, flexible office spaces, comfy chairs, shared receptionist, wi-fi, etc.) Kismet Commerce provides warehouse space, shipping and receiving and other services targeted at meeting the needs of businesses selling products online.

They even have a photo studio so you can create product images for your website or Esty.

That’s a big deal for any e-commerce entrepreneur that’s been storing merchandise in their basement, or garage, while also trying to market a product line, raise capital and not annoy the neighbors with a steady stream of UPS trucks stopping by.

More established companies, including Siemens and the nonprofit Wonderfund, are also using Kismet to provide shipping, receiving and storage.

Kismet’s 50,000 square foot facility, on Rowe Street (so it’s close to Mass Pike and I-95), welcomed its first tenants this month. It’s already half leased.

Coming and going

• A new South Indian restaurant, Chennai Eats, has moved into the former Don's BBQ/Avenue Deli/Strip-T's space on School Street, in Watertown. (Boston Restaurant Talk)
  
  
• Nonantum Press Room, a sandwich shop specializing in paninis, will be soon opening on Adams Street in Newton.
  
  
• Papa Wheelies bike shop is closing its location at Wellesley’s Church Square. (Swellesley Report)
  
  
• The running shoe and apparel store, Run House, has opened on Great Plain Ave. in Needham.  Owner Tim Cimeno also has stores in Falmouth, Scituate and Walpole  (Needham Observer)

The envelope please ….

Our judges met this week and have selected the recipients for our first annual Wellesley Business Awards

We’ll be honoring Green’s Hardware, Demian Wendrow, Wellesley Friendly Aid and Village Table at Wellesley Night on Sept. 24 at the brand-new Dryft Restaurant in Linden Square.

In  addition to the awards, and signature tastes from Dryft’s costal-inspired menu, there will be plenty of time for networking and conversation.

Wellesley Night is presented by Needham Bank. Tickets.

Friday grab bag

• We’ve just announced two virtual election-related events: A webinar called “What the data tells us about the MCAS test,” Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. and a debate between the Needham state rep candidates (Democrat Josh Tarsky and unenrolled candidate Bill Dermody) Sept. 26 at 1 p.m.
  
  
• The Watertown State of the City address has been rescheduled to next Thursday (Sept. 19) at 6 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library and on line. It had been postponed because City Manager George Proakis had tested positive for COVID.
  
  
• The Needham Planning Board expects to continue its review of the town’s MBTA Communities Law compliance plan on Tuesday (Sept. 17). Town Meeting is slated to vote on the plan on Oct. 21. (Needham Observer)
  
  
• What skills do nonprofit leaders need to effectively and strategically advance their organizations’ missions, today and into the future? Join Bob Kelly, executive director at NewTV and CEO of Another Age Productions, for a five-part interactive workshop series designed to position leaders for positive impact within their organizations and communities. Details.
  
  
• Newton’s Zoning Board of Appeals signaled it would vote against a controversial 16 unit housing development planned for Washington Street near the Brighton line. (BC Heights)
  
  
• Applications are due Oct. 16 for the Needham Council for Arts and Culture grant applications for local arts and cultural events and activities. Details.
  
  
• The annual Charles River Center 5K Run/1 Mile Walk is Sept. 29. Details.
  
  
• Good Shepherd Community Care will award the 'Heart of the Community' to Baramor owner Arpit Patel (a member of our chamber’s board of directors) at the Annual Institute Dinner on Oct 17.  

Imagine being able to say: ‘I helped get your place built.’

Finally today, if I told you you could help create a place in Newton for nearly 300 individuals and their families to live, would you help?

Since late 2023, Boylston Properties has been going through the permitting process under the state's 40B affordable housing law to build 295 units of housing, including 59 deeply affordable apartments, at 78 Crafts Street in Newton.

And since Newton has (at least for now) reached its 40B threshold status this project may be the last of its size and scope.

Given our housing shortage that makes this important.

Yet, would it surprise you if I told you the project has faced lots of neighborhood angst even though this is what the site looks like today?

Your voice is needed at Wednesday’s (Sept 18),  7 p.m. public hearing (in person, via Zoom, or in an email before then) to demonstrate to the Zoning Board of Appeals that the business community needs affordable housing.

Send your email to  Chair Michael Rossi. Let him know you support the 78 Crafts Street project moving forward without delay because it will create much-needed new homes for our local workers, young families and seniors, while also benefiting our local economy.

Then one day when you meet — maybe even hire — someone who lives there, you’ll be able to say: “I helped get your place built.”

And that’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know why you might need a $1,000 trash can.

Enjoy the weekend.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

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