We're just days away from the expiration of a series of jobless benefits some observers believe will bring thousands of Massachusetts residents back into the workforce.

 

Benefits will stop for gig workers, contract workers, the long-term unemployed and others typically ineligible for state benefits on Sept. 3. A $300 weekly benefit boost for those receiving benefits will also end.

 

A new national survey found that about 22% of unemployed workers are not even looking for a job.

 

The biggest reason? About one third said they're afraid of contracting Covid-19, writes Andy Medici for the BBJ.

 

Twenty-three percent cited lack of child care, while 22 percent said they were earning more or the same on unemployment.

 

In addition, one in three baby boomers laid off during the pandemic are choosing retirement over job-hunting.

 

And here’s where I have to restrain myself so I don’t sound like a grumpy old man: Reluctance to update resumes was the most common reason for not returning to work among Gen Xers.

 

 

 

The Newton City Council’s Land Use committee voted 7-0 Tuesday to approve changes to Mark Development’s Riverside Station project that will replace a planned hotel and office space with two life sciences buildings in partnership with Alexandria Real Estate Equities.

 

There's now one final step: Approval by the full council on Sept. 9.

 

This move could jump start Newton's delayed entry into the the life sciences (there's a few companies now scattered in different locations), bringing quality jobs here and making substantive contributions to Newton’s commercial tax base (the changes represent a net gain of $800K annually) with the added bonus of a projected decrease in vehicle traffic.

 

Riverside Station also includes 1.2 acres of public open space; financing for a new exit ramp off I-95 northbound; plus nearly $10 million to the city in mitigation funds, including $3 million to upgrade the Riverside Charles River trail network.

 

Mark Development has also agreed to an increase in the number of affordable housing units at the site from 102 to 111 units.

 

Meanwhile, Watertown 'Forges' ahead

 

Boylston Properties has officially introduced 500 Forge, a life science building on Arsenal St. adjacent to amenity-rich Arsenal Yards. (Boston Real Estate Times).

 

With 120,000 SF of life sciences space under construction, 500 Forge the latest of Boylston Properties’ developments in Watertown, including LINX, 200 Arsenal Yards Blvd., and the future 100 Forge.

 

“Arsenal Yards is a life sciences recruiters’ dream with tons of retail, fitness and entertainment amenities for talent recruitment and retention," said Bill McQuillan, founding principal at Boylston Properties.

 

500 Forge will be ready for life science companies to move in by August 2022.

 

 

Riverside, Forge 500, and dozens of other projects are all part of a boom that’s expected to add at least another 20 million square feet of lab space in Massachusetts by 2024, according to new report from MassBio.

 

That in turn will create demand for 40,000 new jobs — representing growth of nearly 50% from current levels. Already, more than 4,000 jobs were added between 2019 and 2020, a growth rate of 5.5%, writes Rowan Walrath at the BBJ.

 

MassBio expects that attracting workers will be less in the hands of business leaders than in the hands of public policymakers, who set rules around housing development and transportation, and create other incentives for employees to stay put, Walrath adds.

 

"We know, of course, that [housing, transportation and child care] are imperative to the sustainability of the life sciences industry, but more broadly, it's critical for all the citizens of the Commonwealth to have these infrastructure issues addressed," said MassBio President and COO Kendalle Burlin O'Connell.

 

 

 

We're bringing the Needham Harvest Fair back to Needham Town Common on Sunday Oct. 3, in conjunction with the Needham Farmers Market.

 

But, the fair will look different this year.

 

Due to COVID precautions and other space limitations, we will have fewer exhibit booths and activities.

 

First priority will be given to Needham-based retailers, restaurants and 501(c) nonprofit organizations. Any remaining booths will be allocated to Needham-based chamber members in other business categories.

 

Application is here.  Deadline to apply is one week from today (Sept. 2 at noon).

 

 

The Town of Wellesley is looking for business owners, employees, residents and other individuals in the community to serve on a 25-member DE&I task force. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions here. Interest form is here. The deadline to apply is Sept. 13. Questions to dei@wellesleyma.gov.

 

 

 

It’s rare these days to get all 24 Newton City Councilors to agree to anything but they’ve all agreed to ask Mayor Ruthanne Fuller to require all city and school employees to become vaccinated and to impose an indoor face mask mandate.

 

The Newton Teachers Association is “100 percent” behind requiring vaccinations for school employees, according to the Globe’s John Hilliard.

 

Amy Mah Sangiolo, Fuller’s main opponent for reelection this fall, has also called for an indoor mask mandate.

 

So far, Fuller is only requiring masks inside city buildings, even though the CDC moved up the level of community transmission in Middlesex County from “substantial” to “high” this week.

 

Meanwhile, Watertown’s indoor mask mandate began yesterday.  (Watertown businesses can download a 'mask required' sign here.) 

 

Many business owners I've talked to support municipal indoor mask mandates, saying the decision helps keep employees safe and removes the onus on them to create and enforce their own rules.

 

For example, in Watertown if customer refuses to wear a mask, a business may decline entry to the individual. It's not clear if our businesses in our other communities have the same authority.

 

Wellesley officials will consider implementing indoor mask rules in town buildings today at noon.

 

 

 

While many of us found new ways to work during the pandemic, others used the time to get a different kind of work done.

 

A recent study by The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reports that 70% of surveyed plastic surgeons experienced some sort of uptick in consultations and procedures during the lockdown.

 

Of those respondents, 83% attributed this increase to their clients wanting to look better on video calls. (The Science Times)

 

That’s today’s Need to Knows, unless you need to know how much shorter your life – and Joey Chestnut’s life – will be from eating hot dogs.

 

Be back tomorrow.

 

Greg Reibman (he, him, his)

President & CEO

617.244.1688

Note my new email address: greibman@charlesriverchamber.com

 

Your chamber is here when you need us.