We just received a grant to extend one of my fav chamber programs
We just received a grant to extend one of my fav chamber programs
I wish we could say our restaurants were on their way to full recovery and that there’s no one in our communities going hungry.
But neither is true.
That’s why we’re proud to announce today that a chamber-run program that provides financial support to independent restaurants in Newton and Wellesley -- and healthy meals to those facing food insecurity -- has been funded for a second cycle.
Our Nourishing Newton and Nourishing Wellesley programs delivered more than 7,500 meals from more than 50 restaurants during some of the pandemic's darkest days.
Now thanks to Sen. Cindy Creem, we’re receiving another $115,000 from the state to continue helping our restaurants and neighbors. (A similar program has also been funded in Brookline through the Brookline Chamber).
Once again we will partner with Rotary Club of Newton, the Wellesley Youth Comission and volunteers in both communities to arrange meal deliveries between restaurants, local food pantries, senior programs and individual households starting in January.
We haven’t forgotten Needham and Watertown
While our new (and the prior) state grant were earmarked for Newton and Wellesley, we received a $15,000 private donation earlier this year to run a similar program in Needham.
We’re now actively looking for private donors to fund a second round of Nourishing Needham and perhaps start up one in Watertown too.
Contact me if you think you can help.
Circumstances worsening for our restaurants (again)
As noted above, things are getting bad – again -- for restaurant operators.
Hiring and supply chain shortages -- everything from plasticware to craft beer -- continue to pose big challenges.
In a National Restaurant Association survey, 58% of restaurant operators said business conditions are worse now than they were three months ago. Only 9% said conditions improved during that time, according to the Hill.
- 44% said it would be more than a year before business conditions return to normal for their restaurant, while 19 percent said business conditions would never return to normal
- 78 percent of operators said their restaurants experienced a decline in customer demand for indoor dining amid the Delta variant
Restaurant groups have been trying for months to convince Congress to replenish the $29 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which ran out of money earlier this year before tens of thousands of restaurants, including many in our communities, could receive aid.
According to an Independent Restaurant Coalition survey, 82% of restaurant and bar owners think they will have to close if the RRF grant is not refilled.
Restauranteurs are now hoping assistance will be included in the federal Build Back Better Act that’s currently stalled on Capitol Hill. But so far, those efforts have failed.
Watertown looks to form housing trust
Watertown has taken a major step toward creating more affordable housing by starting the effort to create an affordable housing trust and looking into charging linkage fees to new developments that would go toward affordable housing, reports the Watertown News.
No new Pike tolls for Allston project
The Baker administration is moving ahead with a $1.7 billion plan to straighten the Mass Turnpike in Allston; rework Soldiers Field Road; add a new train station; and make room for cyclists, pedestrians and a new neighborhood being built by Harvard University.
But the project will not be financed on the backs of Mass Pike toll payers, thanks to a commitment from the state to Senate President Karen Spilka of Ashland, writes Bruce Mohl at CommonWealth.
The project may use some existing toll revenue, along with money from Harvard University, the city of Boston and -- fingers crossed -- that massive infrastructure bill that’s stalled before Congress.
“I’m thrilled that there’s the recognition within the administration on this issue of fairness and that tolls will not be increased to pay for this project,” Spilka said this week.
Spilka believes residents and businesses west of Boston (that's us!) are unfairly singled out for the repair and upkeep of the Turnpike, while motorists in other parts of the state use highways toll free, adds Mohl.
And we agree.
Other need to knows
- AIM has created this useful FAQs for employers looking to navigate the state’s extended COVID-19 Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave Program.
- The BBJ has found out how much is sitting in the state's Paid Family & Medical Leave bank account. Spoiler: A lot.
- Ed Carr, the first-ever and only executive director of MetroWest Regional Transit Authority’s retire in 2022, reports Framingham News. MWRTA serves 14 communities, including the on-demand Catch Connect shuttles in Wellesley.
- How has the pandemic changed commuting and work-from-home trends? And what does that mean for future transit, housing, and economic investments? MAPC will discuss these and other questions the Future of Work during a webinar today (Weds) at 3:30 p.m. Register.
Can’t believe I got that wrong!
You’d think I’d remember the correct date for the debate I’m moderating between – incumbent Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and challenger Amy Mah Sangiolo.
But I got it wrong in yesterday’s newsletter: It’s happening virtually on Thursday, Oct. 14, from 9 to 10 a.m.
Also, the League of Women Voters Newton will hold its virtual forum between Fuller and Sangiolo next Tues., Oct. 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Register.
Newton’s four area councils will hold their virtual Fuller/Sangiolo debate on Oct. 17, along with city council and school candidates debates that same weekend. Patch has that schedule.
What else happened when Russo’s closed
The fresh produce bin in my refrigerator -- and perhaps yours too -- has been a little sad since Russo’s closed last month.
We're not the only ones feeling the loss: The Watertown business’ closure has been challenging for many of our restaurants that depended on Russo’s century old wholesale business.
Russo’s also has a contracts with nearly 100 school districts throughout the state, leaving school lunch programs scrambling for fruits and vegetables, reports Janelle Nanos at the Globe.
“It’s another unexpected consequence of the really sudden closure” said Brandon Rabbitt, director of school nutrition for Watertown.
Welcoming September’s new members!
Chamber membership supports our programing, advocacy and, yes, this newsletter.
Your ability to grow your business and our voice increases with each new member. Find out about membership for your company here.
Please join me in welcoming these 17 new members to the Charles River Regional Chamber.
?Looking for a way to support the chamber’s advocacy and programming but you don’t work locally or perhaps you’re retired? Learn about becoming a citizen member here.
That’s today’s need to knows unless you need to see this a few more times (I know I do!) This one is so good, so good, too.
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President & CEO
617.244.1688
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