Contacts: Bill Ryan: 617-699-3057;
CJ Chapman: 413-519-7212;
The
Massachusetts Coalition for Sustainable Energy (MCSE)
continues to add members. The Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Cape Cod Canal Chamber of Commerce and the Sandwich Chamber of Commerce bring total MCSE membership to 17 representing business, employer and labor organizations throughout the state, heading into the next Legislative Session as energy policy is anticipated to emerge as a key issue.
“We felt it important to join with this very impressive coalition of Massachusetts organizations that are advocating for sound, sustainable and reasonable energy policies,” said Tom O’Rourke, President of the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce. “We believe our renewable portfolio needs to increase, but our members are very concerned that as electricity costs escalate significantly, our economy becomes less competitive, and we aren’t even seeing emission reduction benefits anymore,” O’Rourke added. “This is the definition of unsustainable,” O’Rourke stated.
“Our business and employer communities endure some of the highest energy costs in Massachusetts,” Marie Oliva, President of the Cape Cod Canal Chamber of Commerce said. “We want to add our regional voice to the MCSE’s efforts and make clear to policymakers that the cost of energy is a major problem for everyone, especially businesses on and around the Cape,” Oliva continued. “We are also very concerned that the region’s grid operator is clear that we are near the limits of our electricity capacity and a contingency away from the need to implement forced blackouts,” Oliva added. “That would be catastrophic for our economy,” Oliva stated.
Theresa Stanley, President of the Sandwich Chamber of Commerce said: “We have joined the MCSE because energy policy in Massachusetts could use some improvement.” Pointing to the recent increases in greenhouse gas emissions produced by large amounts of oil and coal usage during peak periods of electricity use, Stanley added: “No area of the Commonwealth is more affected by climate change than ours. The fact that our emissions progress has halted, and even reversed, while at the same time residents pay the highest rates is just galling. We aren’t reaching our potential.”
“It really says a lot about the importance of this issue and the need for a sustainable solution that we are seeing so many local and regional business organizations join the MCSE,” said Bob Rio, Senior Vice President of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) a founding member of the MCSE. “We need a lot more reality and a lot less ideology in how we tackle this problem. It’s good to see that understanding penetrate at the local and regional level,” Rio added.
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Cape Cod Canal Bridge Major Rehabilitation Evaluation Study Update
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The five hearings by US Army Corps (USACE) on the
Canal Bridges Rehabilitation Evaluation Study
are completed, and turnout varied by town – with Hyannis & Bourne seeing the largest numbers.
Public comment was mostly positive (something needs to be done – but various suggestions on what.)
Please leave comments in support of replacement bridges. USACE even states “after a major rehab on each bridge– which will be required by 2025 – we will still have ‘functionally obsolete’ bridges.”
We have been in ongoing talks with MA DOT and elected officials about our advocacy in Washington DC on authorization and funding for USACE and these spans. State House News Service this week reported that Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollock stated MA DOT’s support of this project and that this is a major focus of the Baker Administration in 2019 and 2020. In the new year, we are planning a briefing with directors and the FIX coalition relative to spring repairs on the Bourne Bridge.
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How our Chamber is working for you
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Attention Chamber Members!
You're invited to the SEMLAC 2019 legislative agenda presentation on January 18th from 8:30-9:30 AM at the Taunton Holiday Inn!
Come meet with elected members of our Southeastern Mass Legislative delegation, chamber representatives and the business community while we discuss public policy and issues which matter to us!
Too often our voice is not heard! The Southeastern Massachusetts Legislative Alliance of Chambers is a nine-chamber group with a common agenda and a desire to influence quality legislation at the State House. The coming together of these chambers adds strength to the messages we send our delegations in Boston and Washington, D.C. representing thousands of businesses, our voice is heard!
The cost to attend will be $20, and will include a continental breakfast.
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Four Chamber Joint Networking Event
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Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce,
Partridge, Snow & Hahn, and
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center
Network’s Southeast Regional Office (MSBDC)
Present
A FREE ONE-ON-ONE
LEGAL CLINIC
Friday, January 11, 2019
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) is pleased to announce that the law firm of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP (PSH) has generously offered to hold free Legal Clinics in our office and outreach sites on Friday afternoon of each month.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners can meet one-on-one, for 30 minutes, with Chris Cassara, Esq., a partner at PSH, to discuss general legal questions such as corporate structure, leases, contracts, insurance, employment, franchising, and various other business related issues. Participants will receive a general waiver statement prior to their meeting and are eligible to attend a 30-minute Legal Clinic, one-time.
Free
30 minute one-on-one appointments between 1:00 & 4:00 p.m.
Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce
Buzzards Bay
On-line reservations are required.
Please call the MSBDC SE Office at 508.673.9783 with questions.
“Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.”
“The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network is a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Massachusetts Department of Business Development under cooperative agreement SBAHQ-18-B-0001 through the University of Massachusetts Amherst. SBDCs are a program supported by the U. S. Small Business Administration and extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions, or services of any external parties or activities. The MSBDC reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a seminar or clinic due to insufficient enrollment. If requested at least two weeks in advance, every attempt will be made to reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities and those who need translation services. For further information, contact the MSBDC SE office at 508.673.9783.”
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In the summer of 1974, Sam's opened its first restaurant in a tiny, former laundromat with six employees, ancient equipment, and no seating. But Sam had a dream and a secret recipe:
Offer the very best local seafood available and serve it with friendly, fast service at reasonable prices.
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6 Coast Guard Rd.
P.O. Box 1129
Sandwich, MA 02563
Phone: (508) 888-4629
Fax: (508) 888-6420
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Since 1974 Seafood Sam's has been serving families just what they wanted. And now - with our menu expanded to over 100 items, friendly value pricing, large helpings, freshest ingredients and beautiful locations - we offer even more of what you want. Bring the whole family and enjoy our award-winning Cape Cod fare!
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Certified Fiber Optics Technician Course (CFOT) –
Hyannis, Begins 1/7-1/9/19, 3sessions
Certified Fiber Optics Specialist in Testing & Maintenance (CFOS/T) – Hyannis, Begins 1/10-1/11/19
Certified Fiber Optics Splicing Specialist Course (CFOS/S) – Hyannis, Begins 1/12-1/13/19
40-Hour Real Estate Salesperson Pre-License Course – Hyannis, Begins 1/15/19, 5 sessions
MS Excel for the Workplace - Part One –
Hyannis, Begins 1/23/19, 4 sessions
Graphic Design Fundamentals using Adobe CC Certificate Series
–
Hyannis, Begins 2/4/
19
, 12 sessions
Social Media Marketing Immersion Certificate –
Hyannis, Begins 2/8/19, 2 sessions
Computers: Beyond the Basics –
Hyannis, Begins 2/14/19, 4 sessions
Managing Priorities and Time to Boost Productivity
–
Hyannis, Runs 2/14/19, 1 session
Mary Conklin
Program Coordinator
The Center for Corporate and Professional Education
Cape Cod Community College
Tel: 508-375-5010
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How Can I Fund my Small Business
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Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
220 Sandwich Rd., Bourne
Tuesday, January 15th
8:30 AM-10:00AM
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Thank you for your continued support of the chamber!
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Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce
70 Main Street, Buzzards Bay, MA 02360
(508) 759-6000 | capecodcanalchamber.org http:/www.capecodcanalchamber.org/
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