TACC E-NEWS
March 23, 2022

E-News Sponsor
Chamber News
Join us in welcoming this delicious new member of the TACC community! POP Culture, Cake Pops, Cookies and Other Confections just opened a storefront at 10 Purchase St., Suite 100 in Fall River and they are excited to share their delightful treats with you.

Owner, Lisa Petrizzi shared with us how she got started in this business "My love for cake pops started in the spring of 2013. I was going through treatments for breast cancer and making all these sweets & treats became a sort of therapy for me. After posting my creations on my Facebook page, friends and family started asking me to make them for their upcoming events. Now here I am and my little hobby has blossomed into a nice business. Not only do I make cake pops but I also offer cookies, cupcakes, chocolate covered Oreo's, chocolate covered Rice Krispie Treats - I can pretty much make whatever you like. Most people aren't sure what a cake pop is. They are cakes mixed with a binder, usually frosting, rolled into balls or other shapes then dipped in chocolate and decorated...basically they are YUM on a stick! I look forward to working with you in creating the perfect treat for your next event."

Special thanks to BankFive for sponsoring this membership with the Chamber's Business for Business program. For more information, contact Kris@tauntonareachamber.org.
SAVE THE DATE

TACC Annual Golf Tournament
Monday, June 27, 2022
Segregansett Country Club
Contact Kris for more information about sponsoring a breakout room at the start of the TACC Annual Meeting on April 27th.
Join the TACC HR Group!

The Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce is creating a new Human Resources group to enhance the knowledge and resources of our Chamber members working in the field of human resources management through shared information, experiences, education and networking.

Meetings will be held via zoom to start and may remain a full or hybrid virtual meeting based on the group’s preference. We already have 12 businesses signed up!

To learn more about this group, email Kris.
Join our TACC Team! 🎉
We have a part-time Membership Coordinator role to fill who will work closely with our President & CEO in implementing a strategy to increase memberships, sponsorships, and programs. The position is 20 hours per week, and has a base + commission pay module.

For full position description and application details, visit our website.
Business & COVID Information
Small Business Grant - Deadline TOMORROW!

As small businesses continue to feel the impact of the pandemic, many still need support to keep their doors open. To back underrepresented small business owners as they navigate the pandemic and plan for long-term success and resilience, American Express has partnered with Main Street America on a $1.65M year-round program called Inclusive Backing. This program builds on American Express’ ongoing Backing Small initiative to provide economically vulnerable small businesses with financial support and other resources to address their critical needs and challenges. Learn more here.

 
 
·        Deadline: 12:59am ET March 24, 2022 [note the time!]
·        Award: $5,000
 
Eligible businesses:
·        The business must be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by women, nonbinary people, and/or Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
·        The business must be a business entity in good standing in the state in which it was formed and the state in which it does business.
·        The applicant’s business has a “brick-and-mortar” location and operates in an older or historic main street, downtown or commercial district in the United States—businesses in strip malls, residences, and shopping malls are not eligible for this grant program.
·        The applicant’s business employs 20 or fewer full-time employees, including the owner.
·        The applicant’s business has been in operation since Jan. 1, 2021.
·        The applicant is an owner of the business and is 18 years of age or older.
 
Eligible expenses:
·        Physical improvements to business space to meet relevant reopening requirements implemented because of COVID-19
·        Equipment to comply with public health and safety guidelines (i.e., touchless payment methods, automatic door open sensors, or disposable menus)
·        Fees associated with expanding the business to e-commerce sales and/or other business innovations
·        Other professional services, such as business plan modifications
·        Rent, payroll, and other operating expense
 
Notification / Award: June 2022
 
Notes: there will be one more round of open applications and awards sometime this year but it has not yet been announced.
EIDL Update

On March 15, 2022, the SBA announced additional deferment of principal and interest payments for existing COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program borrowers for a total of 30 months deferment from inception on all approved COVID EIDL loans. The extended deferment period will provide additional flexibility to small business owners impacted by the pandemic, especially those in hard-hit sectors managing disruption with recent variants, as well as recent supply chain and inflation challenges amid a growing economic recovery. Learn more.
Women in Business Conference

GET MOTIVATED! Join SBA on Thursday, March 24th from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. for educational panels with small business owners who will share their challenges and successes in the areas of Supply Chain, Employee Management and Government Contracting. Additionally, there will be an overview of SBA programs/resources and a presentation on Hiring Resources. Register here.
Women’s Business Summit March 29-30, 2022

In celebration of Women’s History Month, join the SBA's Office of Women’s Business Ownership and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center for the virtual Women’s Business Summit on March 29-30, 2022. The free event will include power-packed panels, inspirational fireside chats, and 'Ask an Expert' workshops to help you build, scale, and grow your business. Click here to learn more and to register.
Celebrate Women’s History Month with the U.S. Small Business Administration

Join the U.S. SBA on March 31st at 1:00 p.m. for an online event celebrating Women’s History Month. You will hear from industry experts including Natalie Madeira Cofield, SBA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership; Candace Waterman, President and CEO of the Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP); Alisa Sheard, SBA Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Government Contracting; and Michelle Sherod, President and CEO of Accounting Legal & Logistics Solutions, Inc.

The discussion will focus on financial wellness for women-owned small businesses, the importance of increasing equity and access to opportunities that help uplift and support women entrepreneurs, and SBA initiatives and resources that support existing women-owned small businesses and new startups as they pivot and grow in a post-COVID world. Register here.
State Support for Employers - Input Needed

The Commonwealth is conducting a short poll of Massachusetts employers, and we are hoping you will participate. The poll will help us understand your largest hiring barriers, and how the State can best provide support to overcome those barriers. It should take less than five minutes to complete. Click here to complete the poll.
Two Small Business Grants - Deadline: April 4, 2022

The $75 million will be focused on small businesses that employ between two and 50 people, with $25 million directed toward businesses that did not qualify for previous MGCC grants because of a lack of revenue loss in 2020; and $50 million directed to businesses that reach underserved markets and historically underrepresented groups, or are minority-, women-, or veteran-owned businesses, or are owned by individuals with disabilities or who identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Applications for each grant program will be accepted now through Monday, April 4, 2022 and will award grants ranging from $10,000 to $75,000.

Eligible uses of these funds include the following:
• Employee payroll benefits costs
• Interest on other debt obligations incurred after March 3, 2021
• Cost to pivot company due to COVID-19 pandemic
• Business mortgage or rent and utilities

Sole proprietors without any employees or 1099 workers are not eligible. If you are a sole proprietor and you have employees or 1099 workers and you meet all other criteria, you might be eligible.
For more information about each grant program, visit the links below:

Supporting businesses negatively impacted by COVID that have not previously received financial relief from MGCC’s COVID-19 Relief Grant Programs.

Supporting business negatively affected by COVID that are also socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented, underserved markets, and businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, disabled individuals, or those that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Save the Date! Virtual Massachusetts Small Business Day 2022 Set for April 12

Does Boston hear you? Join the conversation during Small Business Day 2022, virtually - Tuesday, April 12, 2022, from noon until 1:30PM.

Learn about pending legislation dealing with healthcare, taxes, labor mandates, UI, and energy.
This year’s program will focus on small business health insurance affordability and what can be done to lower costs for employers and their workers. As you are aware, health costs continue to rise in Massachusetts forcing many small businesses into high deductible, high-cost plans. There will be a robust discussion on this topic with policymaker guests to explore potential solutions and cost relief for employers.

In addition to healthcare affordability, NFIB will present on other issues facing Massachusetts small businesses like unemployment insurance, labor mandates, taxation, and energy.
Ready to register? Click here.

To receive additional updates please email, Elizabeth.parks@nfib.org and continue checking your inbox for details!
5 Wellness Ideas for Your Business

Whether your team works from home or in an office, whether you are a business of one or one hundred and one, taking care and making time for wellness is becoming increasingly important. Stress levels because of what’s going on in the world around us are increasing. You may not even be aware of the outside stress someone is under.

Making sure you create an atmosphere where wellness is stressed and made a priority is critical to successful performance. Stressed out employees make more mistakes and have difficulty making good decisions. Read more.
Events
TONIGHT!
Ladies! Get ready for a great night by supporting #womenownedbusinesses and a few TACC members at Berkley Beer Company’s Painted Laydezes Night on March 23rd! $15 entrance ticket includes a flight of 4 Painted Laydezes brewed teas. A Special 3-Course Menu will be available for $35 and you’ll get to meet business owners from: The Luxury Booth, Anchor Barre, Honest Books, and KatieJodly!

Tickets for each seating (5-7p.m. and 7-9p.m.) are available at Berkley Beer Company during business hours.
Digital Skills for Everyday Tasks
Wed, Mar. 29 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM 

There is a Google tool for just about everything. Whether it’s creating and sharing lists, collaborating on documents or drafting meeting agendas, Google has got you covered. Join us to learn more about the different tools available and how you can use them to boost productivity and create a more efficient and organized life.

Join Bryan Caplan, your Dedicated Trainer for Grow with Google, as he walks you through the ins and outs of Google Workspace in this value-packed virtual class. Seats are limited, so register today!
TACC's 105th Virtual Annual Meeting & Awards - April 27th

The Annual Meeting will include the presentation of the Annual Business Awards, and new this year, an Educator of the Year award and recognition of the Charles E. Volkmann Scholarship recipients.

We are excited to announce the Business Award honorees:


Congratulations to the Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year, Steve Kulpa, Special Ed Teacher at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School.

The two recipients of the Charles E. Volkmann Scholarship are Alec Rego and Timothy Luc, both of Taunton High School.

This year's keynote speaker is Dave Wedge, a New York Times bestselling author, podcaster and communications consultant based in Boston. He has written six non-fiction books, including “Boston Strong: A City's Triumph Over Tragedy,” a drama about the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings which was adapted for the 2017 movie “Patriots Day”; “Hunting Whitey: The Inside Story of the Capture and Killing of America’s Most Wanted Crime Boss”; and “The Last Days of John Lennon,” written with co-author Casey Sherman and James Patterson. His next book, “Riding with Evil: Taking Down the Notorious Pagan Motorcycle Gang,” comes out March 15 via William Morrow/Harper Collins.

Dave was an award-winning investigative journalist for the Boston Herald for 14 years and has written for VICE, Esquire, Newsweek and Boston magazine. He and Sherman host the true crime podcast, "Saints Sinners & Serial Killers." He has also worked as a communications consultant with a diverse roster of clients in politics, business, nonprofit, hospitality, health care, sports and more.

Register below to attend this virtual meeting.
Join us for the first Business After Hours of the year! The Clarion Hotel & Conference Center (formerly Holiday Inn Taunton) will be hosting on Wednesday, April 13th from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. They are located in the Myles Standish Industrial Park at 700 Myles Standish Blvd. Watch a video at the event to learn about the exciting renovations to come!

Business After Hours is an evening of fun, food, and fellowship among Chamber members and their guests, with a chance to network, make new friends, and meet potential customers.

Register below.
Member News
Paid Internships at OCHM

The Old Colony History Museum (OCHM) is pleased to announce that applications for 2022 Summer Internships are now being accepted. Internships are intended to provide students who demonstrate financial need and academic motivation in the field of history, public history, museum education, museum studies, or a related field access to resources and experiences that enhance their community engagement, encourage personal and professional development, and support future college and career success. Learn more here.
TASC's 18th Annual Business-Education Spelling Bee

Taunton Area School to Career (TASC), a program of Associates for Human Services, proudly presents their 18th Annual Business -Education Spelling Bee! It will be held at Taunton High School on April 27th at 5:30 p.m. Where community businesses and civic groups partner with local students for a traditional spelling bee! Learn more here. Sponsorship and Team Registration Form
BCC's Back to Work Program

Bristol Community College (BCC) is offering the community free webinars focused on professional and technical skill development for job seekers, educators, employers and employees. These short webinars will increase proficiency in current work and learning environments as well as provide individuals critical workforce skills.

For 8 weeks starting March 7th to April 25th, Bristol will offer virtual courses that focus on three areas: Career Exploration & Personal Branding, Upskilling Opportunities, and Professional and Organizational Training. Register today!



Cultural Competency in the Workplace - April 11th 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Resumes and Cover Letters - April 18th, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Celebrate Easter at LeBaron Hills Country Club

LeBaron Hills Country Club is having an Easter Bruch again this year on Sunday, April 17th. First seating is at 11:00 a.m. and second seating is at 1:30 p.m. Reservations are required - call 508-923-5706. Click here for the menu.
Register for Camp Riverside

A summer of fun and adventure awaits at Camp Riverside in Taunton for ages 5-15! Round-trip bus transportation is available from several surrounding communities! Learn more here. Register here.
Community News
Taunton Open Space & Recreation Planning

If you missed the Open Space Meeting this past week at City Hall, you are welcome to find out more about this initiative and take an online survey by visiting the SRPEDD website (link below).
Residents are also encouraged to participate in an interactive mapping exercise where you can pinpoint specific locations for improvement in Taunton.

Please click here for more information: https://srpedd.org/.../taunton-open-space-recreation.../. Thank you for your participation and your investment in the City of Taunton!
Dighton’s Trails Committee Invites Community Members to Attend Sweets Knoll State Park Improvement Plan Forum

Chairman Jeffrey Carvalho and the Dighton Trails Committee would like to invite community members to attend the upcoming Taunton River Trail at Sweets Knoll State Park Improvements Project Public Listening Session.

The Taunton River Trail at Sweets Knoll State Park Improvements Project Public Listening Session will be hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) virtually on Tuesday, March 29, from 6-7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
SCORE Business Resources
Help For Your Small Business
 
Let SCORE business advisors help you navigate the SBA Debt Relief Programs or the start-up and growth of your small business. All services are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL. If you are an existing SCORE client, please send an email to your SCORE counselor to schedule a phone call or Zoom conference. If you are new to SCORE, please complete the Request a Mentor form and someone from SCORE will contact you via email to schedule an appointment with an advisor. Sign up for SCORE webinars here. View upcoming webinars here.
Persuasive Writing -
When Nobody Reads Anymore
Mon, Mar. 28 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM 

Be it blogs, posts, emails, proposals, or presentations, many people are not particularly good writers. They know it hurts their business but are intimidated or don't know how to improve. Join us to see how it is easier than most realize. By accepting "nobody reads anymore", a writer can make it easier for the reader to overcome their challenges.

Take Aways:
1. Allocate your time and organize your thoughts
2. Simple, but important, concepts: BLOT, AAA, Readability, Sesquipedalian
3. Real examples, and follow-on help if desire

Presented by: Peter Poulin, Former senior consulting partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte

Register here .
SCORE’s Small Business Resilience program

This year, during an unprecedented national health crisis, small businesses needed help more than ever before. In order to support these business owners when they needed it most, the SCORE Foundation provided funding for SCORE’s Small Business Resilience program. This platform allowed SCORE to pivot their mentoring and educational services onto virtual platforms, where clients could easily access the pandemic-related information, guidance and resources they needed to survive and thrive. Learn more here.
Volunteer At SCORE

Are you looking for ways to help your small business community? Would you like to grow your network or develop professionally? As a SCORE volunteer, you get it all!

Join the SCORE network of 10,000 volunteers. SCORE relies on volunteers to help small business around the country thrive.

Interested? Visit the volunteer web page to find about the many benefits of volunteering and the right opportunity for you!
SCORE's Partners In Success Newsletters
 
·    Blogging Tips
·    Cash Management
$5 off orders of $50 or more

20% off your first month membership or class package. Email Melynda for more info

Offering Chamber members $10/unit for Botox. $150 off a syringe of Dermal Filler.

10% off first week temporary services.
Email Joni for more info.

10% off for Chamber members

10% off for Chamber members

free estimates for all moves and 10% off the first month of storage for Chamber members. Contact Pauline for more info.

10% off most services. Contact Kerry for more info.
5% off your auto insurance. Contact Luke for details.

Relaxation Works Spa
$10 off any facial. Enter code TACC online. (Does not include membership appointments.)

10% off any purchase

Staples
10% off regular price items on the sales floor, and 20% off print and marketing orders over $50.00. Chamber Members must access through the Members Only section of the TACC website. Email Lisa for assistance.

10% all parts, labor on applicable services. Email Ken Rubino for more information.

10% off for TACC Members
Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce, 6 Pleasant Street, Taunton, MA 02780
(508) 824-4068