Tuesday, January 5, 2021: Happy New Year!
|
|
News
Share your announcement in an upcoming issue: Submit Here
|
|
Public Forum on January 6, 2021: Main Street, Florence Improvements |
|
Public Forum: Main Street, Florence Village Improvements
When: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 5,:30 PM
Call in to (646) 876-9923 (meeting ID: 912 5567 8239)
There have been several recent forums over the past two years focused on Florence Center streetscapes and regulations. The Mayor and City Council have allocated some funds to support streetscape improvements recommended by this process.
We heard a desire for:
- more street trees
- improved pedestrian warning at Main St./Keyes St. and Meadow St./Park St.
- street furnishings (e.g., benches, newspaper boxes)
- wayfinding signage
- improved street lighting
- improved accessibility for people with disabilities
We have nearly completed the first phase of the project, surveying Main Street to identify opportunities for improvements. Now, we need your input. Join a public forum and tell us your vision for the future of Florence. Facilitated by the City of Northampton's Department of Planning and Sustainability.
|
|
MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board Seeks Nominations for Workforce Development Leaders |
|
MassHire Frankin Hampshire Workforce Board (Mass Hire FHWB) is seeking "a few good firms" to recognize as Workforce Development Leaders in the Franklin, Hampshire and North Quabbin area.
The MassHire FHWB looks for some of the following characteristics when selecting companies:
- a company that is generally known as “a good place to work”
- a company with a reputation for “investing” in workers
- For example: by training, advancing, and promoting people from within; or providing special job-training or exploration opportunities for youth or other populations; or fully utilizing the services of the One-Stop Career Centers; or taking advantage of other public resources, like the Workforce Training Funds, etc.
- a company that is private sector but public-spirited: visible and active in the community.
- Companies can be nominated for this award by anyone in the community, including employees, other companies, and those associated with economic, business or workforce development in the Franklin Hampshire region, such as Chambers of Commerce, Community Development Corporations, educational institutions, and human service agencies of various kinds.
Fill out the form linked below to nominate a company! Just write a few lines in the space provided about the company and why you think they deserve recognition as a Workforce Development Leader. Include your phone number so we can call you for more information. FHWB committee members will take it from there!
|
|
The Nice Tuesday Report: Balloon Cutlasses and Dogs for All! |
|
|
|
Community member, Lena Merten, had the brilliant idea to hand out free balloon cutlasses and dogs for last week's Nice Tuesday! Merten will be learning how to create more balloon animals this week and will be out there again this coming Tuesday. She said, "Just doing balloon twisting feels really good, but making people happy with them is even better!" Thanks, Lena!
What are you doing this Nice Tuesday? Take a picture and share it on social media using the hashtag #nicetuesdaysnorthampton!
Nice Tuesdays are a project of the Community Engagement Committee (CEC) of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC).
|
|
Amherst Cinema Announces New Executive Director, Yasmin Chin Eisenhauer |
|
After a six-month, nationwide search, Amherst Cinema announced the hiring of its new executive director, Yasmin Chin Eisenhauer. An Amherst resident and Cinema Member, Yasmin stood out in a pool of qualified candidates for her visionary and inclusive leadership, commitment to media education, and expertise in new technology.
Yasmin comes from Smith College, where she led a team of instructional technologists and media producers as Associate Director for Learning, Research & Technology. A media educator at heart, she brings a wealth of knowledge in emerging technology, innovative programming, and impactful learning experiences.
After a challenging year, the Cinema’s board prioritized innovation, creativity, and
inclusion as the essential means for the organization to grow and expand. The board is
confident that Eisenhauer is the right leader to effect change and achieve new success for
the preeminent arthouse cinema.
|
|
COVID-19 Updates and Quick Links |
|
COVID-19 Vaccine Update and FAQ from Cooley Dickinson Health Care |
|
To serve the needs of the community, Cooley Dickinson Health Care has created a FAQ Page that answers basic questions, and contains links to many resources including federal, state and local government health departments, vaccine manufacturer websites and their parent organization, @MassGeneralBrigham. Information about the vaccines is evolving and the page will be updated as new information becomes available. |
|
Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation Announces New Relief Programs for Hardest Hit Small Businesses |
|
Last week, the Administration announced a $668 million business relief package to be administered by Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). The business relief package consists of two programs: (1) a recapitalization of the first small business relief program, which launched in October and (2) additional funding for businesses that fall into specific industry sectors. MGCC is reviewing existing applications from the first small business relief program, and is preparing to post the application for the sector-specific grant program. Please note the following:
- A program overview for the sector-specific program is now online and can be found here.
- The application period for the new program will run from Thursday, December 31st through Friday, January 15th.
- Businesses that already applied to MGCC’s first small business relief program from October do not need to reapply to the new program. All applications in the existing program are currently being reviewed.
- Businesses that have already submitted complete and accurate applications to the first program and either (a) meet the demographic preferences from the first program or (b) meet the sector-specific preferences from the new program will receive funding.
- Demographic preferences: Minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, or businesses located in Gateway Cities
- Sector preferences: Restaurants/Bars, Independent Retailers, Indoor Recreation and Entertainment, Personal Services, Event Support Companies (additional details)
- Businesses that have already applied to MGCC through the first program will be notified of their award status by January 18, 2021.
- Businesses that have not already applied to MGCC and choose to apply in the new program will be notified of their award status in February.
|
|
From the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development |
|
Vaccine Plan Rollout in Massachusetts |
|
Earlier this month, the Administration announced its plan for rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts. You can read the plan here and sign up for email alerts regarding the vaccine here. |
|
Mass Cultural Council (MCC) Cultural Facilities Fund Grant |
|
On behalf of Mass Cultural Council (MCC) and our partners at MassDevelopment, we are pleased to share that the 2021 Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) grant round is open and applications are due on January 15, 2021, at 11:59 PM (ET).
|
|
Welcome New Investors
Meet the newest investors (members) of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) community. We now refer to our members as "investors" because their affiliation with GNCC is an investment in our community and we are deeply committed to ensuring a return on their investment. To learn more, contact us.
|
|
Community Investors
Want to get involved with the Chamber and you are not a business owner or organization? Then consider becoming a "Community Investor." As an open organization, GNCC welcomes individuals who would like to contribute to activities that support the well-being of our community.
|
|
Derrick Feuerstein, Westfield Bank
Vince Jackson, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
Felicia Lundquist, Springfield College
|
|
|
|
Organization and Business Members |
|
Forbes Library, the public library for Northampton, Massachusetts, provides a wide range of information, materials and services to all of the people of Northampton and Massachusetts. The library’s magnificent building offers a friendly, welcoming physical environment which encourages the civic, intellectual, and cultural pursuits of the public.
|
|
|
|
Lathrop Home is a residential care facility providing assisted living services to elders. It is located at 215 South Street in Northampton.
|
|
|
|
Mill River Music and Guitars |
Mill River Music and Guitars looks forward to serving your guitar and musical needs, both online and in-person at their store at 16 Armory Street in downtown Northampton. They specialize in a large inventory of used guitars, and have many accessories and carefully selected new product lines.
|
|
|
|
Resinate, Inc. is a vertically integrated and locally owned cannabis dispensary open now for Adult Use at 110 Pleasant Street in downtown Northampton, right across from GNCC's Visitor Center and Sylvester's Restaurant.
|
|
|
|
Westover Job Corps Center |
Job Corps at the Westover Job Corps Center offers a no-cost education and career technical training program.
|
|
|
|
Busy Bee-Cleans is a locally owned and operated small business established in 2019. We provide commercial and residential cleaning services. Much of our clientele and customers consist of young professionals, real estate agents, brokers, and families. We are insured and trusted.
|
|
|
|
Active GNCC Members may submit employment opportunities here.
|
|
Learning Together
Workshops and Business Education
|
|
Tuesday, January 21, 2021
Free Webinar: Building a High-Performance Culture in Your Organization
|
|
Free Webinar: Building a High-Performance Culture in Your Organization
Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 2-3 p.m. ET
“Culture eats strategy for lunch,” as management guru Peter Drucker famously said. But culture can be a strategic asset, too. This interactive webinar presents a practical, powerful framework for creating, assessing and strengthening your organizational culture. Working with real-world business examples and stories, you will explore how to:
- Use a framework to identify the dominant cultures and sub-cultures within your organization
- Develop communication strategies for working across cultural boundaries inside your company and with your strategic partners
- Manage cultural and communication conflicts when they arise
- Adapt your culture where necessary
|
|
Community Resource
SCORE Western Massachusetts
|
|
SCORE, America's premier source of free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs and small businesses, is a nonprofit resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). We have over 300 SCORE offices across the country and 10,000 volunteers offering free business mentoring and low- or no-cost workshops.
At SCORE Western Massachusetts we provide:
-
Free, confidential business mentoring by video
- Volunteer mentors who share their expertise across industries
- Free business tools, templates and tips online
-
Inexpensive or free business webinars
|
|
January 24 - February 5, 2021
Sign Up Now: Online Language Classes With ILI
|
|
|
Support Local
Community Events, Specials and Campaigns
|
|
Saturday, January 16, 2021: Virtual Valley Multi-Arts Festival |
|
|
|
The COVID-19 pandemic has demanded that the arts do what they do best: adapt. Produced by Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School, The Virtual Valley Multi-Arts Festival is an effort to celebrate the vibrant youth led arts scene in the Pioneer Valley. Join us Saturday, January 16 at 7PM as we champion art in a time of great distance and change.
For more information, contact PVPA educator Emma Ayres at [email protected]. Tickets may be purchased at the link below. |
|
Friday and Saturday, January 8 and 9, 2021
Get Down with your Hometown: A Musical Benefit
|
|
North Star, The Institute for the Musical Arts (IMA), and the Shea Theater are pleased to announced Get Down with Your Hometown (GDHT). GDHT is an online music festival with the goal of promoting the musical talent of North Star and the IMA, and benefitting the three non-profit organizations. The festival will take place on January 8 and 9, 2021. Visit www.getdownhometown.com and view the full list of artists including Lake Street Dive, Erin McKeown, Winterpills, and many more. |
|
Visit Northampton.live for Business Information |
|
Looking to keep your holiday shopping local and support our small business community? Northampton.live is your ticket to all things happening right now in Northampton, including information on how your favorite shops, salons, restaurants, and coffee shops are operating during the pandemic. Keep it local, and stay informed with Northampton.live. |
|
Thank You, Newsletter Sponsors! |
|
To have your post featured in The Community Connector newsletter, please submit the following. Not exclusive to active members of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC):
- 100 words communicating your message
- An eye-catching image or your logo
- A link to more information or an email contact
- Be sure to include "Connector Submission" in the subject line
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
