Thank You OPKO Health for Your Participation

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Thank you to OPKO Health for joining us at the library and teaching us more about what the future of medical research.

Our last Innovation Series presentation of 2015 was held on December 3rd at the Woburn Public Library. We have been proud to partner with the library on this innovative idea to give to the people of Woburn an insight into the fascinating world of science and technology that is growing right here and influencing the world. OPKO Health is a Woburn company that is on the cutting edge of diagnostic research.

The Innovation Series is an opportunity for science and technology enthusiasts to feast their brains on new concepts and ideas. It is also an opportunity for people thinking of entering these fields to learn more about what is needed to prepare and succeed in the field. Woburnites who get excited to learn more about the happenings in their community also enjoy this series as they bloom with pride over the accomplishments of businesses growing in their backyards.

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Woburn Chamber of Commerce Reminds You To Ask Woburn Employees to Vote No on CPA

As an advocate for Woburn Businesses, the Woburn Chamber of Commerce takes a firm stand against the CPA. Woburn voters have rejected it in the past for good reason. The CPA creates another costly level of bureaucracy, has steadily decreased its state matching funds, offers no guarantee that state funds will be awarded to member communities and has historically awarded state funds to affluent suburbs over working class communities. The Woburn homeowner is facing several years of tax increases to fund the library addition, new fire station as well as the new Wyman-Hurld school. The CPA would add an additional burden to taxpayers who have already approved funding of open space through the meals tax. As a business owner you can help defeat the CPA by encouraging employees who live in Woburn to get out and vote “No” on this question. It will benefit them as well as the commercial and industrial property owners who do so much to benefit the city.

 

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Innovation Series Presents Janis Research

On Thursday, October 1, at 6:30PM, the Woburn Public Library invites you to learn about the very cool field of cryogenics from Scott Azer, the Vice President of Business Development at Janis Research! Although relatively new to Woburn, Janis Research has been providing the scientific and technical community with the highest-quality cryogenic equipment for research, characterization, and industrial applications since 1961, and their  family of customers has grown to include some of the world’s largest corporations and best-known research centers and institutions. Nerd out with us, and get some networking in, too! Refreshments will be served. Registration may be done here and is greatly appreciated.

This Series is brought to you by the Woburn Public Library and the Woburn Chamber of Commerce.

For the full list of upcoming events at the woburn Public Library visit their events page.

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Woburn Recipients of The Cummings Foundation Grant Program

$100K for 100 Grant Program

Cummings Foundation awards $10 million each year through its$100K for 100 grant program. This place-based philanthropic initiative primarily supports nonprofits in the Massachusetts counties where the Foundation and its founders originally derived their funds and where staff and clients of the Cummings organization live – eastern Middlesex, southern Essex, and Suffolk County.

Begun in 2012 as a pilot program with 60 grants, $100K for 100 has since announced 100 grants of $100,000 each, annually. Most grants are disbursed over two to five years, depending on the size and needs of the organization. Through $100K for 100 and its other grant programs, the Foundation has made recent contributions and commitments well exceeding $100 million.

The Woburn recipients include the City of Woburn Fire Department, Organization of Nurse Leaders, Woburn Council of Social Concern, and Youth Villages. For a full list of grant recipients and information on how the grant money will be used go to the Cummings Foundation website.

 

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Transportation System from Anderson Train Stop Explored

Discussion have begun in regards to a public, private partnership aimed to reduce emissions in the City of Woburn. Several large employers in the city have many employees who could commute to work by train if they had affordable and convenient transportation from the Anderson train stop to their place of employment. This change would positively impact the level emissions from commuters as well as traffic congestion on our roadways. Grants are available to cities for programs designed to do just this and combined with funds from employers Woburn could become a cleaner and quieter place to live.

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Congratulations to Woburn’s Dedicated Teachers

Teacher Appreciation Awards

The Woburn Chamber of Commerce honors the hard work and dedication of Woburn’s educators. The following teachers have  given 20 years of service to Woburn Public Schools and its students: Wendy Renna, Amy Givens, Brian Gilbertie, Kellyann Coughlin, Donna Cotter-Chakoian, Diane Brogna, Christina Beecher and Ralph Deldon (pictured above with boutonniere).

On June 11th State Representative Jim Dwyer, Senator Kenneth Donnelly, Woburn Chamber of Commerce president Andrew Hackett and Veronica Andrews spent the morning visiting the schools and surprising the educators at work with flowers, certificates of recognition and gift cards. Thank you to all who supported this day including: State Representatives Jim Dwyer and Jay Kaufman, Senator Kenneth Donnelly, Veronica Andrews and donations from Hillside Florist, People’s United Bank, Allen & Major Associates, and Scoreboards Restaurant.

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Snow Storm Relief Fund

Dear Members,

Has this winter’s snow hit your business hard? There is a program available called the Storm Loan Fund through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp. or MGCC. They are offering business owners loans of between $5,000 and $10,000. This will be a 3 year note with a 6 month moratorium on principal (interest due monthly), and an annual interest rate of 5%. Follow the link for more information and to download the application. The application must be forwarded here to the Woburn Chamber of Commerce and we approve the application for the MGCC. Business owner can expect to hear within just a few days if their loan has been approved.

Here is the PDF application. Completed applications can be send to us via mail, email, or by completing our electronic form below:

Remember the Woburn Chamber of Commerce is here to support your business!

Sincerely,

Michael Meaney

Executive Director of the Woburn Chamber of Commerce

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Woburn Chamber of Commerce For Library Expansion Project

Dear Mayor and Members of the Council,

I am writing to express the support of the Woburn Chamber of Commerce for the expansion of the Woburn Public Library. The City of Woburn was given the gift of this historically and architecturally significant building which is a true asset to the community. The library provides free access to a world of books. It also provides a welcoming place for young children and families with craft and science experiences as well as groups, clubs and presentations of all kinds. Older children are supported with their academic challenges as well as their career aspirations. Free internet access helps level the field for all to members of our community.  The library provides a continuous stream of educational and entertaining programs available at no cost to the entire community.

The proposed expansion would add even further value to the community with plans for a 3D printer and technology to support the growth of STEM skills (Science, Technology and Math) which are vital to careers in the science and technology fields. As a business association we see clearly the added value of having our public library be as current and accessible as possible.

We do not, however, believe that this expansion should be funded by the commercial and industrial property owners of the city. Woburn is in a unique economic position with the deep cushion provided by the tax base of these entities and individuals. We believe strongly that it is in the best interest of the city and its tax payers to balance Woburn’s economic burdens in such a way that continue to make Woburn a City that is welcoming to  commerce.

Sincerely,

 

Michael Meaney

Executive Director , Woburn Chamber of Commerce

10 Tower Office Park, Suite 416

Woburn, MA 01801

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September Community News

Woburn Public Library Awarded $9.9 Million Provisional Construction Grant

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners recently announced that it awarded provisional construction grant awards to the top five communities on the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program’s wait list:
Woburn: Woburn Public Library $9,906,275, Webster : Chester C. Corbin Public Library $5,366,489, Hopkinton: Hopkinton Public Library $4,533,580, Somerville: Somerville Public Library $18,100,101, and Stoughton: Stoughton Public Library $6,702,689.

Funding for these projects was made possible through the capital bond bill, signed by Governor Deval Patrick on August 5. The bond bill authorizes a total of $151,200,000 for the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program.

Read More >

 

4e953681-de19-43ec-aad3-1994174a6eb2Free Member Event

Board member Joe Tarby would like to invite all Woburn Chamber of Commerce members to an event titled “Employment Law 2014: An HR Director’s Nightmare”.  This event will be on Thursday October 9th. If you are interested check out the event description to learn more.

Murtha Cullina’s Labor and Employment attorneys will walk you through the life cycle of an employee, while addressing new laws, regulations and employment issues that impact the workplace. Through a series of entertaining and inter-related hypotheticals this seminar will offer practical advice on the ins and outs of the employment process, how recent changes in the law have altered that process, and what employers need to know to avoid legal problems.

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July Community News

81f9db05-e1ae-47a6-8293-5525785317e9 Woburn City Council Meetings

On July 10th at the Woburn City Council meeting, Michael spoke against the Community Preservation Act (CPA) and its negative effect on Woburn businesses.

The CPA targets businesses that are doing well with a specific tax and the money collected is used to upgrade community areas.

This same tax was voted down a few years ago, but the Town is trying to get it passed again.

City Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 22nd
At this City Council meeting  Michael will speak for Herb Chambers again.  The final vote will be taken at this meeting on the storage lot issue.

708be28a-52bf-4f3b-9846-8b48fabad95eWelcome To Woburn!

Construction is under way as Dave and Busters opens its second location in the state at 275 Mishawum Road in Woburn. The staff is hoping to open by September 2015 with the support of the city.

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