Generous Gardener's Spring Pansy Planting Underway on the Boulevard This Morning | |
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2024 CACF Grant Cycle
April 1 - April 30, 2024
The Cape Ann Community Foundation (CACF) invites 2024 proposals for grants. Applications will be available on Monday, April 1, 2024 and must be submitted by Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Grants are awarded from the proceeds made from the Cape Ann License Plate and direct donations from the community. Our grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 for projects that support the Foundation’s mission in the following areas: Regional Promotion, Economic Development, and Training and Education. Learn More
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Businesswomen's Committee Spring Mixer at Fleur Cuisine Harborside
Thursday, April 25 | 5 - 7 PM
The Greater Cape Ann Chamber's Businesswomen’s Committee invites all to meet and mingle with other Greater Cape Ann business professionals at Fleur Cuisine Harborside in lovely and historic downtown Rockport. Join us for a fun evening of networking with a cash bar and complimentary appetizers. There will be a brief facilitated networking game as well as a Business Card Swap and Door Prize drawing! As with all Businesswomen's Mixers, men are always welcome to join us.
Register Now! Free for Members - $15 for Non-members
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Join the Fun and Register for
the Second Annual Swing into Spring: A Learn to Play Golf Event for Women
Driving Range and Short Game Golf Instruction (1 hour) plus 3 Holes of Playing Instruction (1 hour)
Two Sessions Available:
Monday, May 6 or Wednesday, May 8
9:30 - 11:30 AM
Sun ' N Air Golf Center
$65 Members | $80 Non-Members
Limited to 12 Golfers per Session
Registration Deadline is Monday, April 22
Download Flyer
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2024 Spring Tourism Mixer
Tuesday, May 14 | 5 - 7 PM
Hammond Castle Museum
Attention All Hospitality & Tourism Related Businesses of Greater Cape Ann
Join us for our annual Greater Cape Ann Spring Tourism Mixer, as we gather at the spectacular Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester to celebrate the 2024 season. It's time to mingle with your tourism community colleagues and share updates on plans for the coming year.
We will review the 2024 calendar and cross-promotional opportunities, discuss “soft season” plans, and cover other topics important to the future of tourism in greater Cape Ann. Be sure to bring promotional materials to share.
Please note our new format for Tourism updates: Register in advance and tell us what's new in your business or community by filling out the appropriate section of the registration form. We will compile and print all the updates for distribution at the event. There will also be a 'lightning round' verbal summary given for each community during the program.
Registration Now Open
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Motif No. 1 Day
Saturday, May 18 | 9 AM - 5 PM
Downtown Rockport
Motif No. 1 Day, a beloved community event long cherished by residents and visitors as a celebration of Rockport's iconic fishing shack, returns for 2024! We invite you to join us on Saturday, May 18 (rain date May 19) for this all-day, family-friendly event in the beautiful coastal community of Rockport.
Sponsor and vendor opportunities are available. Please contact Colleen for more information about participating.
Download Flyer
Download Sponsorship Form
Download Gallery Participation Form (Rockport Galleries Only - Free for Members)
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Member Spotlight & Solopreneur | |
We are waiting for the return of several questionnaires to be featured in the Member and Solopreneur Spotlights! If you have requested to be featured but have not sent in a completed form, please send it to Colleen at colleen@capeannchamber.com. Profiles are published on a first-come, first-served basis. | |
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Do You Want Your Business Featured in a Chamber Member Spotlight?
If you would like to be considered, please let us know by filling in the Member Spotlight Request Form. These spotlight opportunities are open to all members, on a first-come, first-served basis. Once we receive your request form and confirm that you are a member in good standing, we will send you a profile questionnaire.
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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
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Save the Date: Upcoming Town Meetings
Manchester-by-the-Sea
Annual Town Meeting, Wednesday, April 24, 2024: Memorial School
(Childcare will be available at Town Meeting. Registration link will be posted in April.)
Essex
Annual Town Meeting, May 6, 2024: Essex Elementary School
View Warrant
Ipswich
Annual Town Meeting, Tuesday, May 14: Ipswich Middle/High School
View Updated Draft Warrant
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Backyard Growers to Open Gloucester’s New Weekly Farmer’s Market
Backyard Growers, a food equity nonprofit organization, announced that Gloucester’s new farmer’s market will open for the season on Wednesday, June 19. Brought to the community by Backyard Growers, the Backyard Growcery is a weekly market at Burnham’s Field. The Growcery will operate every Wednesday from 2:30 to 6:30pm, from June through October.
Kicking off its first season, the Backyard Growcery is a community and food-centric market. The Growcery will feature multiple local farms and food purveyors. In addition to increasing access to locally-grown produce and food products, the Growcery will host a full calendar of workshops centered on gardening, art, and food systems. Read Full Press Release
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GMGI Sequences the Genome of the Long-Lived Red Sea Urchin
The red sea urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) is one of the earth’s longest-living animals, reported to live more than 100 years without showing signs of aging. To further understand the genetic underpinnings of longevity and negligible aging, researchers at GMGI have successfully sequenced its genome, providing a solid foundation for continued research that ultimately may translate to strategies for healthy aging in humans.
With their close genetic relationship to humans, sea urchins have long been used as a model for developmental biology, the study of early development. However, it was Dr. Bodnar and the team at GMGI who first utilized the red sea urchin as a model for anti-cancer and anti-aging research. Read Full Press Release
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Community Development Block Grant Awardees Ribbon Cutting
Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga will help celebrate the opening of co-retail space at 206 Main Street featuring Community Development Block Grant winners The Willow Witch, Masshole Biscuit Company and That’s The Tea Boutique on Thursday, April 25 at 1 p.m. EST, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The co-storefront opens to the public on Saturday, April 20.
Funding for the small businesses program is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Local nonprofit Action Inc. and North Shore CDC are providing the storefront on Main St., and UpNext helps entrepreneurs launch successful pop-up businesses throughout the state.
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The Art of Conscious Conversations: Transforming How We Talk, Listen, and Interact
Thursday, April 18 | 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library
The Manchester-by-the-Sea Cultural Council in partnership with the MBTS Public Library has launched the Distinguished Speaker Series, featuring individuals with new knowledge and inspiration to share with the community. The 4th session will feature Chuck Wisner a leadership coach, consultant and the author of The Art of Conscious Conversations: Transforming How We Talk, Listen, and Interact. Learn More and Register
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SeniorCare 50th Annual Meals on Wheels Breakfast Fundraiser at The Gloucester House
“A Wicked Good Breakfast for a Wicked Good Cause”
Sponsors are needed for SeniorCare’s 50th anniversary Meals on Wheels Breakfast Fundraiser at The Gloucester House on Friday, May 17, 2024, from 7:00 am to 9:30 am. Information about sponsoring this important community event or purchasing tickets can be found online at www.seniorcareinc.org or call SeniorCare Development Officer Jeanette Nolan at 978-281-1750 x-589. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit SeniorCare’s Meals on Wheels program—providing lunch to more than 600 elders on the North Shore each day.
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Machinist Training Program: Train for a well-paying career as a Machinist for FREE at NSCC.
For the third summer, Gloucester is proud to announce the return of a technical career advancement initiative aimed at empowering its residents with manufacturing skills. With Foundational preparation provided by North Shore Community College, Gloucester High School will then host the adult vocational classes in their machine shop. This comprehensive 300-hour vocational training program in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and manual machining, is poised to equip individuals with essential skills needed in the manufacturing industry, including a NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills) CNC Milling Certification. The next free class starts on May 22. Download Press Release | Learn More & Sign Up Today
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Cape Ann Animal Aid Pet of the Week
Kyota, a 2-year-old husky-retriever mix, is part of the extended Stay Club, and his adoption fee has been reduced to $225 to help him find a home. He is in a foster home and his foster mom says he is super lovable guy, and adores playing fetch and going for walks and car rides. While Kyota enjoys having doggie play dates, he's looking to be the one and only pup in his new home. If you think you'd make good adventure buddies, fill out an online application today so a date to meet can be set up! You can find the application at https://capeannanimalaid.org/adopt.html. Visit www.capeannanimalaid.org for more information about Kyota and all the other animals waiting for homes.
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Get FREE Vending Machines For Your Business, School, or Health Facility.
Learn More
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Youth Education and Empowerment, Next Generation Storytellers and Community Engagement Local Impact Grants Available
In 2024, NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants will award $2.5 million to nonprofit organizations in 11 NBC and Telemundo owned television station markets. The grant program will provide unrestricted funds to eligible nonprofits with total expenses between $100,000 and $1,000,000.
The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, NBC and Telemundo owned television stations will fund organizations that are doing work in three specific areas: Youth Education and Empowerment, Next Generation Storytellers and Community Engagement. These grants are general operating grants, and your application will be reviewed based on your overall work and impact in your local community. Applications due by April 19, 2024.
Apply Now | See List of 2023 Recipients
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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
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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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