Straitsmouth Island, Rockport | Photo Credit: Abbott Cove Photography

CEO and President Update

Welcome to March! The winter holidays are behind us, and while it’s been cold and snowy, spring is on the way and with it a much anticipated slow thaw. We are still masking up and vaccines are on the rise, giving all of us great hope for a fantastic 2021!

In an article titled, "Susan Coviello: Getting It Done At The Chamber" the Manchester Cricket's editorial staff write an informative and compelling article on the Chamber's 2021 Board President and the work she looks forward to accomplishing with the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.

Join the Chamber's CEO Ken Riehl, 2021 Board President Susan Gould-Coviello, and Events Director Sara Bowen as they cover the planning done in February to prepare for the Chamber's upcoming calendar of Spring events.

At the Council’s most recent meeting on February 9, The council was updated on the Chamber's Economic initiatives, including ongoing participation on Gloucester and Rockport reopening advisory committees, respectively. Many other topics were up for discussion including policy areas the council should prioritize.

The Health & Wellness Committee met on Wednesday, February 3rd to discuss the many ways our representative business owner and organization members have been supporting their customers and clients during the pandemic. As always, the committee has continued to find ways to bring meaningful assistance to their community.

The Businesswomen’s Committee has extended the Carolyn M. O’Connor Scholarship application deadline to March 31. One scholarship of $1,500 will be awarded in early May to a woman who is returning to the workforce or is considering a career change, in an effort to better their life situation.

There are many savings “perks” included in your Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce membership. As a CACC member, you receive exclusive access to our various member savings programs like 15% off a Cape Ann YMCA membership, access to healthcare programs with expert local area representation and so much more!

Thursday, March 4 | 9 AM

We’re looking forward to embarking on our sold out Winter Birding Boat Trip on March 6, sponsored by Swarovski Optik and Essex Bird and Pet Supply. A special thank you to our sponsors for supporting this highly anticipated trip!

Thursday, March 18 | 5 PM

Only a few tickets remaining, call the Chamber today if you want to play! You can also get lucky in our 50/50 Raffle. Visit the event page of our website to learn more about your chance at a pot of gold and don’t forget to join us at 5 PM on March 18 for the LIVE drawing!

Have you heard? The Cape Ann Community Foundation will be hosting their coveted Low Number Cape Ann License Plate Auction on March 22-29. Don’t miss out on the fun! Already have a plate? You can still make a difference by making a donation on their website, lovecapeann.com. All donations of $25 or more will receive a limited edition “I Love Cape Ann” Koozie!

Business After Hours

Wednesday, March 24| 4:30 PM

We held our second virtual business after hours event on Wednesday, February 24. The featured business was Cape Ann Motor Inn and Innkeeper Loran Caputo gave a terrific overview of her business, background, and commitment to the Cape Ann community. Later, breakout rooms, cocktails, icebreakers, and plenty of networking took place.

4 Old County Rd. | Gloucester

This Week's Takeout Today Featured Members: The Village Restaurant and The Scrapbook

This week’s Takeout Today brings us to Essex! Serving the community since 1956 is one of the North Shore’s best acclaimed seafood restaurants: The Village Restaurant. While known for their clams, their menu includes an array of traditional New England recipes the whole family will salivate over. While you will need time to work off all that great food, we recommend you visit The Scrapbook, just a few short steps away and it will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. You’ll find a large collection of affordable fine quality maps and prints between the 16^th and 20^th centuries for purchase; it’s your chance to own a piece of history!

Sage Floral Studio is a full-service flower shop located on Main Street in Gloucester. They offer daily deliveries and specialize in weddings and events. For more than 20 years owners Beth Genovese and Gina Russo have worked closely with all the premiere North Shore venues. By using the freshest flowers the local market has to offer, they create beautiful and unique floral arrangements for every occasion!

Draw a lucky discount from 30% - 50% off

your Entire Purchase. Great Deals All Month Long!

Posting a Shop Our Member deal is a great way to gain exposure for your business by highlighting your special promotions. Take advantage of this FREE member benefit and list yours today by logging into your account! 

(contact Olivia, at Olivia@capeannchamber.com if you need help)

Want to be featured on visitma.com? Add your business, event, or deal by creating a free account to feature your business on the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism visitor website.

For over 30 years, this Gloucester Hermit lived in Ravenswood Park, connecting with nature after tragedy struck. Join Kory Curcuru as he explores the hermit's story in the latest Timeline: Cape Ann for 1623 Studios.

Deliveries will be made on Easter Sunday between 11 AM - 1 PM. Recipients MUST BE HOME to receive their meals. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Post will NOT BE ABLE TO serve free dinners at the Legion or Open Door on Easter Sunday. To learn how to volunteer or to place an older, click the link below.

Photo Courtesy of the Emerson Inn's Facebook Page

The Chamber extends our congratulations to Kimberly Voltero and the Emerson Inn staff as they embark on this new and exciting venture. To learn more, read the recent Gloucester Daily Times article and watch Good Morning Gloucester's GloucesterCast Podcast as they speak with Kimberly on the change in ownership, her exciting new plans, and more.

Join Maritime Gloucester's historian in a discussion on the evolution of the famous Gloucester Fishing Schooner.

The Alliance Policymakers Series hosts speakers that play a critical role in formulating and implementing policies that impact the region’s economic vitality and prospects for job creation and growth.

ECCF invites you to participate in a virtual nonprofit capitalization workshop hosted by Grantmakers in the Arts focused on focused

on proactively managing your arts & culture organization’s financial health.

Celebrated harpist Maeve Gilchrist performs a concert featuring several original works from her latest release Harpweaver, including the title track as well as “The Calm” and “The Storm.”

This tour starts in the Cape Ann Museum’s newly reinstalled Fitz Henry Lane Gallery, then continues with a walk down to the Lane House overlooking Gloucester’s working waterfront.

Join local historian and photographer Charlie Seavey as he takes us through a presentation of the maritime history of Gloucester and Cape Ann, based largely on photography from various sources, including some public domain.

In this workshop, you'll discover the benefits of starting your own seeds indoors, the tools you'll need to be successful, and how to nurture your seedlings from seed to garden (and eventually to plate!). Come with your questions for the interactive Q&A following a demonstration.

Join Katherine Dench, Mass Cultural Council’s granted apprentice to master shipwright Harold Burnham, as she chronicles her experience in taking part in the restoration process of the historic Sylvina W. Beal and wooden boat building from sketch to launch.

Brian O’Donovan will be the host and will be introducing the artists, chatting about their lives, reciting some of his favorite poetry, and inviting you to raise your voices in a few special and virtual sing-alongs.

Grab your favorite Irish beverage and join the Kay Ellis Scholarship Fund on Facebook Live for an evening of Folk music. The show is FREE!! Donations via Venmo will be accepted throughout the show. All funds raised go to benefit the Kay Ellis Memorial Scholarship

On Saturday, February 27 the U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for a third vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The EUA for the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine was issued to Janssen Biotech Inc., a Johnson & Johnson (J&J) company. According to the company’s statement, “[Johnson & Johnson] has begun shipping its COVID-19 vaccine and expects to deliver enough single-shot vaccines by the end of March to enable the full vaccination of more than 20 million people in the U.S.” To read the complete FDA announcement please click here. To read the J&J statement please click here

All residents in Phase 1 and all residents age 65 and over are now eligible for vaccination. View the latest Massachusetts vaccine update here. View the February 25 weekly vaccination report here

Effective March 22, all communities in Massachusetts will move into Step 1 of Phase IV of the state’s reopening plan. For full details on these and related announcements please click here. For the latest sector-specific reopening information and guidance please click here

On Wednesday, February 24 SBA established a 14-day exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees. This will give lenders and community partners more time to work with the smallest businesses to submit their applications, while also ensuring that larger PPP-eligible businesses will still have plenty of time to apply for and receive support before the program expires on March 31, 2021. For more details on these and other SBA economic relief initiatives please click here

The Equitable PPP Initiative offers multilingual technical assistance and lender matching for underbanked and historically underserved businesses, including businesses owned by women and people of color, seeking a PPP loan. To learn more about the Equitable PPP Initiative coalition please click here. To inquire about support, volunteer your time or skills, or simply learn more, email EquitablePPP@gmail.com

The Massachusetts COVID-19 Daily Dashboard is now available in interactive format. To view the most recent Massachusetts COVID-19 daily dashboard please click here. For the most recent weekly public health report (February 25) please click here

Information Resources

For comprehensive COVID-19 information please visit the Chamber’s special Coronavirus page.

To view the most recent (February 25) weekly COVID-19 Command Center Situation Report from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), please click here

For the latest legislative and COVID-19 update from the office of State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, please click here

For the latest COVID-19 news and information for Massachusetts, please visit www.mass.gov. To view the latest nationwide case information published daily by the CDC please click here

The Career & Education Advisor will work with Youth & Young Adults on Cape Ann, specifically at Gloucester High School.  Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in counseling, education, or related field or equivalent experience required.

GMGI is looking for a highly motivated individual for the role of part-time Assistant Laboratory Manager to support the daily operations and overall safety of GMGI’s research facility

This is a full time position, $19-$21 per hour. Contact Bill Scott to apply. bill@scottenergyco.com

Local Colors Artists' Cooperative is Looking For Artists

 

 

Visit the Website

Cape Ann Youth Friendly Jobs & Internships

Click here to view available opportunities 

If you are interested in promoting with the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this newsletter, please contact Ken Riehl at ken@capeannchamber.com