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February 20 2024

Chamber News & Updates

Upcoming Division Meetings


Ipswich Division Meeting: Friday, March 1 | 8 - 9 AM @ Ipswich Town Hall Meeting Room A

Manchester Division Meeting: Thursday, March 14 | 8:30 - 9:30 AM @ Manchester Legion

Rockport Division Meeting: Monday, March 25 | 5:30 - 6:30 PM @ Rockport Townhall Basement Conference Room

Seminar Video Recording Now Available

Love Your Work and They Will Too: Five Ways to Energize Your Team

Courtney Joly-Lowdermilk, Bridge Educational Engineering | February 8, 2024


Team-building Coach, Courtney Joly-Lowdermilk, explored 5 ways to energize and strengthen your workplace Team. This seminar was packed with fresh ideas for rejuvenating yourself and your employees, resulting in a more productive and prosperous year. A great resource for business owners and employees from companies of all sizes.

(Courtney is also featured in this week's Solopreneur Member Profile.)

Love Your Work and They Will Too

Join Us Tomorrow Night at Boo-Bird in Manchester-by-the-Sea for our February Business After Hours

Come on down to Boo-Bird for a fun evening of networking. Light appetizers will be provided and a cash bar will be available. Remember to bring your business card to be entered into the door prize drawing. Register Now

Attention New Members

Please join us at the New Member Reception on Thursday, February 29 from 5 - 7 PM at the Chamber office for an informal networking and information session regarding your Chamber membership, what it offers, and how to maximize your benefits. The session is also open to any member who would like a "refresher" on member benefits. Please Register Here

Annual Economic Outlook Breakfast

Thursday, March 7 | 7:30 - 9 AM

Cake Ann, Gloucester

Please join the Greater Cape Ann Chamber on Thursday, March 7 at Cake Ann for our annual Economic Outlook Breakfast featuring guest speaker, Secretary Lauren E. Jones, from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Secretary Jones will discuss the State Workforce Plan, programs, and initiatives to help develop, attract, and retain talent, (i.e. registered apprenticeship, WCTF grants), and look ahead into FY’25.

Limited Seating Available - Register Today to Reserve Your Spot

Download Flyer

Presenting Sponsor: National Grid

Gold Sponsors: Applied Materials, Beauport Financial Services, Cape Ann Savings Bank

8th Annual Greater Cape Ann Regional Career and Educational Advancement Fair

Thursday, March 7 | 5:30 - 7 PM

Gloucester High School Field House

Open to All Area High School Students

Free Participation for Businesses


Are you a business looking to recruit and train young talent? If so, please consider taking part in this important event for our Greater Cape Ann high school students. Last year we had 80 colleges and over 40 businesses represented. Please contact Colleen at colleen@capeannchamber.com for participation information.

We currently have 16 non-profits requesting non-monetary donations as part of Leap of Kindness Day. Click here to learn more and see a list of member non-profits who have joined in.


We invite our Member Non-Profits to submit non-monetary donation requests (items/goods, volunteer needs, consultant needs, etc.) that we will post on our website and promote on social media.

Solopreneur Member Profile

Meet Courtney Joly-Lowdermilk, founder of Bridge Educational Engineering, our featured Solopreneur this week.


"I love my work strengthening schools and teams, and after 15 years of commuting into Boston from Cape Ann, it excited me to think about doing this work locally – really understand local strengths, challenges, and resources and support my local neighbors and communities."

Read More

Are you a solopreneur? Check out our Introduction to the Solopreneur blog article which provides a little background of just what a solopreneur is, as compared to a freelancer and an entrepreneur. Want to be featured? If you are running your business as a solopreneur (no partners, no employees), please fill out this form to submit your request.

Member & Community News

Do you have a news story or helpful resource to share? If so, send it to us by Monday of each week and we will try to include it in our Tuesday Business Soundings!

Please email news stories and press releases to cindy@capeannchamber.com

Wellspring to host FREE Open House featuring History Lives Here Exhibit in honor of Black History Month

Saturday, February 24 | 10 AM - 12 PM


Learn local history with the remarkable story of the Freemans, a prominent West Gloucester family who for more than 100 years owned and lived in the historic home where Wellspring is today. In honor of Black History Month, Wellspring House invites you to come visit the historic Davis-Freeman House in West Gloucester to experience Wellspring's HISTORY LIVES HERE exhibit. Docent-led tours of the exhibit and activities for all ages will engage and inform you on an important piece of Gloucester's history. Read Full Press Release

​Cape Ann Animal Aid's planned “Wing of Hope'' addition will expand lifesaving efforts


Cape Ann Animal Aid’s (CAAA) Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter in Gloucester, MA announces a capital campaign to raise funds for a new “Wing of Hope '' expansion to enhance the lifesaving work of CAAA. Ms. Yvonne Wood, a longtime Rockport resident, artist and supporter of local charities has donated $1,250,000 toward its effort in honor of her late husband Walter. Estimated costs for the project total $1.7M. Their current total* stands at $1.5M.  Read More

Local Coffee Shops Featured in Off Course Article


Congratulations to Chamber Members Googans Galley and Cake Ann who were recently featured as "great places to hang while you enjoy your caffeine fix" by Off Course, a website exploring Boston's North Shore.


Last summer, this website also featured a two-part overview of 7 Seafood Restaurants in Essex, including members Woodman's, J. T. Farnhams, Essex Seafood, The Blue Marlin, Shea's, CK Pearl, and The Boat House.

Backpack Donation Partnership Between Rotary and ME Regional High School


(From The Cricket) The Manchester-Essex Rotary Club is partnering with Manchester-Essex Regional High School’s Comfort Cases club to collect gently used or new adult-size backpacks for The Grace Center now through March 15. Parents and students may drop off gently used or new backpacks in a bin outside of the Middle and High School office. Community members without students in the school system may donate through the Rotary Club. Info at info@manchesteressexrotary.org

Gloucester company, Cometeer, helps actor debut coffees


(From Gloucester Daily Times) Houseplant has partnered with Gloucester-based Cometeer Inc., the maker of the world’s first and only frozen coffee capsule, to introduce the two roasts — “Bean There, Done That” and “Get Roasted.” Houseplant Coffee is the brainchild of actor Seth Rogen, filmmaker and comedian Evan Goldberg and Houseplant CEO and co-founder Michael Mohr. Houseplant is a California home goods and lifestyle company that was born out of the cannabis culture. Read More

BONS 2024 is Now Open through May 1.


Businesses may also self-nominate themselves to be eligible for voting in the categories of Dine, Drink, Live, Play, Renew, and Shop.

Rockport Music's March calendar has something for everyone

News Update February 20


Variety is what patrons of Rockport Music can look forward to this March, with a dozen concerts and several other offerings making the Shalin Liu Performance Center the place to be for just about anyone. Acts performing at the hall this month are particularly versatile, with many set to showcase multiple styles at the highest level. March’s concerts also vary in magnitude, with the acts and ambiance ranging from internationally renowned musicians to local favorites and talented and ambitious youth. Rockport Music is also excited to host a spectacular batch of non-concert events this month.  Read Full Press Release

Project Elm 2024


In 2021, Project Elm was launched out of a desire to repopulate Cape Ann’s streets and byways with disease-resistant American Elm cultivars that, when planted street, road and laneside, would not only beautify our landscape but have a positive, local impact to help our world when climate change threatens so much. Project Elm is preparing for their 2024 planting season. Young elm trees will be purchased this winter and delivered in early April for immediate planting. If you are interested in making a donation for a tree or just to the cause, please join us in our effort to restore our Cape Ann landscape with beautiful elm trees!  Learn More & Reserve A Tree (First Come First Served)

Cape Ann Animal Aid Pet of the Week


Meet Toby! This adorable guy is hoping to find his forever home. His favorite activities are looking out the window, lounging by his humans, and getting brushed. At 12 years old, he’s still got a playful side — he enjoys cat nip and string toys. Toby is considered a special needs adoption because he has diabetes and needs insulin/prescription diet. As a super senior, his adoption fee is $50. If you are interested, submit an application online, and stop by and visit Toby! Visit www.capeannanimalaid.org for more information about Toby and all the other animals waiting for homes 

Shop Our Members

Better than Valentine's for everyday in your relationship. Your relationship deserves focused attention to make it the best it can possibly be! Learn More

 15% off Romantic Kayak Tours to Lighthouses and Islands off the coast of Rockport from North Shore Adventures. Picture yourself at the top of a lighthouse next to the one you love, drink in hand, listening to the waves crash. 

Learn More

Get FREE Vending Machines For Your Business, School, or Health Facility.

Learn More

$100 Limited Time Introductory Offer for Individual Artists, Musicians & Creatives. Learn More

Business Resources

Reuse and Recycling Business Development Grants


MassDEP just released its new application for Reuse and Recycling Business Development Grants. This program provides grants to Massachusetts businesses and non-profit organizations to expand recycling, reuse, and composting infrastructure in Massachusetts.


Target materials include container glass, reusable materials (furniture, building materials, other bulky items, reusable food service ware), construction & demolition materials (wood, gypsum wallboard or asphalt shingles), textiles (clothing, footwear, bedding, towels, curtains, and fabric), food materials, mattresses. Applications are due March 29, 2024. Apply Here


Resource Guide for Businesses: Connecting Your Businesses to the Services You Need


This guide serves as an overview of resources such as organizations and programs, which offer benefits and services to address the workforce development and expansion needs of businesses and employers in Massachusetts.


The guide is organized into five main categories:

1. Recruiting and hiring

2. Training, consultation, and workplace safety

3. Layoff aversion and management

4. Business development and partnerships

5. Business compliance


Download PDF Copy of Guide

Job Listings

Pathways for Children is seeking a School Age Care Assistant Team Lead

SeniorCare has a wide variety of openings.

Protective Service Intensive Case Manager, Housing Coordinator, Protective Service Case Manager, Part Time Meals on Wheels Driver (Beverly Site), Full Time Care Manager, Part Time Care Manager, Nutrition Director, Clinical Assessment and Eligibility RN


Soundings Sponsors

We extend a big thank you to our supporting sponsors.


If you are interested in promoting with the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this newsletter, please contact Steve Buckley at steve@capeannchamber.com

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