Around Town

Chamber President Receives Housing Hero Award

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Greg Reibman, president of the Charles River Regional Chamber. The following announcement was provided by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership:

Each year MHP honors individuals and communities for their hard work and unwavering commitment to supporting and furthering affordable housing. President and CEO of the Charles River Regional Chamber Greg Reibman has been selected as one of four recipients of this year’s Housing Hero award. MHP will present the award on day 2 of its Housing Institute training conference on Thursday, June 13 in Worcester. 

Reibman has become known as the voice that people will listen to. He has built an exceptional level of support for housing, especially in the business community.

Business

Housing Secretary Tells Chamber Crowd That MBTA Communities Act is Key to a Strong Economy

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Ed Augustus, Massachusetts Secretary of Housing & Livable Communities, spoke at the Charles River Regional Chamber’s Spring Business Breakfast. (Courtesy of Charles River Chamber)

NEEDHAM — Building more housing is key to maintaining the local economy and preventing people from leaving the state, the Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities told the audience at last week’s Charles River Regional Chamber’s Spring Business Breakfast. Secretary Ed Augustus urged people at the event held at the Needham Sheraton to support the MBTA Communities Law in their communities, as well as pushing the Legislature to support the Governor’s Affordable Homes Act. He cited the example of a 24-year-old woman who moved home with her parents to save money while getting her graduate degree, and still has not been able to move out — despite having a degree and a good job — because she can’t find a place that she can afford. “Now this woman’s story might be simply unfortunate, if it was unique, but it’s not.

Business

Charles River Chamber’s Spring Event Focuses on the Need for Housing in the Region

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The Charles River Regional Chamber announced it will hold its Spring Business Breakfast on June 7. The Chamber, which serves Watertown, Newton, Needham and Wellesley, provided the following information. Housing, our region’s competitive future, and a salute to an outstanding member of our business community are on the menu at this year’s Spring Business Breakfast, presented by Eastern Bank. Program Information

We’ll hear from the Commonwealth’s first Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, Ed Augustus, the point person in the Healey-Driscoll Administration on efforts to drive efforts to increase housing production and lower housing costs across Massachusetts. We will be honoring Susan Paley who is retiring after leading The Village Bank’s community commitment efforts in support of all aspects of the region’s civic life, safety net, and cultural vitality for nearly two decades.

Around Town

Hear from the State Transportation Secretary at Charles River Chamber Event

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Hear about addressing the region’s transportation needs when the Charles River Chamber hosts host a conversation with MassDOT Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt in Watertown. The event will take place on Tuesday, May 14, 9:30-11 a.m. at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 25 Bond Street, Watertown. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers

The Chamber provided the following information:

It’s not possible to meet our region’s housing, climate, and workforce challenges without a safe, reliable, and accessible transportation system that meets the needs of all users whether they walk, bike, take public transit, or drive. Join us for a conversation with Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt for an overview of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s plans for improving the state’s transportation system and the role we all must play in supporting this effort. 9:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking

10 a.m.: A Conversation with Secretary Tibbits-Nutt

Tickets are nonrefundable but may be transferred to another guest. 

RSVP HERE

Business

Chamber Events Include Visit From Transportation Secretary, Small Business Day on Beacon Hill & More

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The Charles River Regional Chamber has plenty going on this spring, including a talk with the Transportation Secretary, a young professionals group, Small Business Day at the State House and an LGBTQIA+ Happy Hour. See the information provided by the Chamber below:

Addressing our transportation challenges: A conversation with MassDOT Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt

Tues. May 14, 9:30 to 11 a.m.Hampton Inn & Suites, 25 Bond Street, Watertown$10 for members, $15 for nonmembers

It’s not possible to meet our region’s housing, climate, and workforce challenges without a safe, reliable, and accessible transportation system that meets the needs of all users whether they walk, bike, take public transit, or drive. Join us for a conversation with Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt for an overview of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s plans for improving the state’s transportation system and the role we all must play in supporting this effort. 9:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking

10 a.m.: A Conversation with Secretary Tibbits-Nutt

Tickets are nonrefundable but may be transferred to another guest. 

RSVP HERE

LGBTQIA+ Happy Hour at Flora’s Wine Bar

Wed.

Around Town

Charles River Chamber Seeks Environment Committee Members

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

The Charles River Chamber’s Environment Committee is looking to expand its membership in 2024. If you work for a chamber member business and are passionate about sustainably and helping businesses become greener, contact Chamber President Greg Reibman greibman@charlesriverchamber.com. This a forum to share ideas and best practices, not a place to promote your company’s specific products or services. The committee meets via Zoom in the third Thursday of the month at 9 a.m.

Business

Four Watertown Restaurants Set to Showcase at Chamber’s Spring Seasonings

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

Bar ’Cino, Olespana, Shiraz Persian Cuisine and Ritcey East will all be featured at the Charles River Regional Chamber’s Spring Seasonings culinary showcase on Monday April 8 at the Newton Marriott Hotel. The highly anticipated event, presented by NBCU Boston, is returning after a four-year hiatus and promises to be a feast for the senses, bringing together restaurants, caterers and beverage providers from Newton, Needham, Watertown and Wellesley. This event takes Dine Local to a whole new level, showcasing the exceptional flavors that make our communities special. It’s expected to draw over 500 community members, business and civic leaders from across our region who share our enthusiasm for local cuisine. Bring your appetite!

Schools

Chamber Scholarship Deadline is Approaching!

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The Charles River Regional Chamber announced it is offering scholarship opportunities for up to four deserving students who either live in Needham, Newton, Watertown, or Wellesley and/or who attend school in Needham, Newton, Watertown, or Wellesley and who plan to attend an accredited program, community college, college or university in the next academic year. The student(s) selected will have a check (approximately $2,000) sent to their college or university to apply toward tuition upon completing their first semester. New this year, the chamber is expanding eligibility for a scholarship to include high school graduates attending community colleges and other accredited post-secondary programs.

Selection will be made by a panel of local leaders who will review all applications completed by the submission deadline of March 29, 2024, at 5 p.m. Decisions will be made based on a combination of the application’s completeness and accuracy, letter of recommendation, and responses to essay questions. For more information and to apply – https://www.charlesriverchamber.com/scholarship