Tuesday, January 26, 2021 |
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News
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Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Arrive@5: Public Health and Smart Business, Sponsored by Florence Bank
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Wednesday, February 10, 2021
5:00 - 6:30 PM
Zoom
This virtual, networking event features Community Leader Joanne Marqusee, President and CEO of Cooley Dickinson Health Care, who will provide an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine distribution in Hampshire County. Plus, you'll enjoy 60 minutes in breakout rooms for small group networking and fun!
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Ski United
February 11, 2021 | Berkshire East
Join a day of fun and fundraising as you hit the slopes, hang out with friends (socially distanced, of course), and support United Way of Hampshire County. We already have a record number of sponsors for this year!
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Volunteers Needed - Hampshire HOPE Feedback Sessions |
Hampshire HOPE is a coalition addressing opioid overdose and the impacts of substance use in our local communities. Hampshire HOPE is developing resources to help local businesses support employees who are struggling with substance abuse or in recovery.
Hampshire HOPE, Northampton Health Department, and CommunicateHealth (CH), a communication and research company, are looking for volunteers to give feedback and help us improve these resources.
Interested in participating in a feedback session?
1-hour sessions will be conducted the week of February 15, 2021. Volunteers will receive $150 for their time and participation. All those interested, please email Lydia Franklin by Wednesday, February 3, 2021. |
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Project Support Available to Cultural Organizations |
On Monday, January 25, 2021, Mass Cultural Council (MCC) announced the availability of CIP Projects grants, which provide a 1-year grant to support cultural projects that benefit the public. In order to respond to the unique needs of the cultural sector during these challenging times, applicants can either apply for a project grant for public programming OR for an organizational investment. Unlike the CIP Portfolio or Gateway programs, these awards do not provide general operating support. (A cultural organization is not eligible for a Projects grant if it will receive Portfolio or Gateway funding in FY21.)
Projects grantees will receive a grant of either $1,000 or $2,500 to support a specific project. Applications are due on March 2, 2021 at 11:59pm (ET).
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COVID-19 Updates and Quick Links |
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Northampton COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Underway |
The City of Northampton announced it has the honor of providing Hampshire County with COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics. Over the past month, the Northampton Health Department has partnered with Northampton Fire Rescue, the Hampshire Public Health Preparedness Coalition, the Amherst Health Department, and the Easthampton Fire Department to provide vaccine to firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, police officers, emergency dispatchers, and several other groups of healthcare providers in early Phase One of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Vaccination Rollout Plan.
On January 21, 2021, Governor Charlie Baker announced that clinics may now open up to the rest of Phase One healthcare providers. Additional appointment-only clinics will be scheduled during the coming weeks of the Phase One Vaccine rollout and moving forward into Phases Three and Four. The clinics will be contingent upon weekly federal and state allotments and will follow the phased guidelines as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
The vaccine is free to individuals and is being provided to the states by the federal government. Sites can bill for a small administration fee to cover the cost of running the administration sites and insurance information will be requested. However, no person will be turned away due to lack of insurance.
For further information, contact: Merridith O’Leary, Public Health Director, Northampton Health Department (413) 587-1214 or healthdept@northamptonma.gov. |
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Cooley Dickinson COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ |
Cooley Dickinson Health Care has created a FAQ Page that answers basic questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, and contains links to many resources including federal, state and local government health departments, vaccine manufacturer websites and their parent organization, Mass General Brigham. Information about the vaccines is evolving and the page will be updated as new information becomes available.
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Paycheck Protection Program Open |
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 9 am ET.
All participating SBA lenders are now authorized to make Paycheck Protection Program loans in line with new SBA guidance. Small businesses can use the Lender Look Up tool to connect with an eligible PPP lender. The Shuttered Venues Operators Grants Program is not yet accepting applications; however, eligible businesses can review the program guidance now available online. In addition, the SBA continues to offer debt relief. Businesses with existing SBA 7(a), microloan, and 504 loans should speak to their lender and review the new guidance regarding debt relief to learn how this may apply to their loans. In addition, borrowers who are approved for new 7(a), 504, and microloans (between February 2, 2021 and September 30, 2021) will be eligible for six months of eligible principal and interest payments.
Equitable PPP Initiative
The Equitable PPP Initiative offers multilingual technical assistance and lender matching for underbanked and historically underserved businesses, including businesses owned by women and people of color, seeking a PPP loan. Learn more. |
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Link/Learn Session Recording Available: SBA Debt Forgiveness |
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To help you navigate the second wave of stimulus and debt forgiveness, the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) held a Link/Learn education session with Adam Duso of Second Wind Consultants on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Duso presented best practices for accessing the PPP.
Watch the session recording and find more free, virtual events on GNCC's 2021 Event Page.
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PPP Webinar Recording from Inner City Capital Connections |
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Inner City Capital Connections (ICIC) and Small Business Majority hosted a webinar last Thursday, January 21, 2021, to share details about the new rollout of PPP. Please click here for a recorded version of the webinar, along with the presentation slides. |
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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.
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Organization and Business Investors |
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Christine Carpenter Gleason, HALO Branded Solutions |
HALO Branded Solutions combines cutting edge technology and caring personal service to create an exceptional dimensional advertising product purchasing experience. We have spent decades as the global leader in client promotional solutions with one simple philosophy, "Success is created one order, one client and one promotion at a time”. Looking for insider knowledge of the promotional product industry? That’s me! I have a great deal of experience managing corporate accounts and starting new business partnerships- big or small. My passion is bringing brands to life. I love creating and sharing a brand's story with the world. No matter how big your marketing challenge, I am up for it…..A life-long native of the Valley, I have a keen understanding of our area and the opportunities and challenges that businesses face today. Learn More.
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Powder Hollow Brewery at Yankee Candle Village |
Powder Hollow Brewery is a 3 BBL Brewery connected to Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield, MA. We offer hand crafted beer! Stop by for a sample, pint, or 4-Pack to go. Also available we have pizza from our Partners at Hillside Pizza! Learn More.
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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.
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GNCC Investors may submit employment opportunities here or through the Member Portal.
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Learning Together
Education and Business Resources
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Beginning February 1, 2021
Recover, Rebuild, Renew Series from Mass Cultural Council
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Mass Cultural Council (MCC) is excited to launch the Recover, Rebuild, Renew Series, part of the Agency’s FY21 service agenda. This series includes 40+ webinars and countless hours of one-on-one consulting to help the cultural sector begin to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is free and open to all cultural organizations across the Commonwealth, regardless of their funding relationship with the Agency.
The topics covered in the Recover, Rebuild, Renew Series are informed by our conversations with cultural organizations about their operations during the pandemic, and include:
- Human Resources
- Legal Issues for Arts Administrators
- Board and Governance
- Leadership and Management
- Financial Management
- Advocacy
The first workshop is February 2, 2021. Two workshops will be offered weekly through June 29, 2021. Read more.
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Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Resilience Roadshow: Building a Trauma-Informed Community
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Wednesday, February 3, 2021, 12:00 - 1:30 PM
A free, 90-minute webinar to support civic and faith-based organizations, libraries, schools, businesses, and other community groups and individuals to better understand the impact of trauma and how to address it.
For more information, contact Ruth Ever, MPH, staff/consultant with Trauma Informed Hampshire County Network, a network responding to adverse childhood experiences by building resilience at HampshireTIHC@gmail.com.
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Community Resource: SCORE Western Massachusetts |
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2021 is a New Year full of potential to grow your knowledge and business!
SCORE Western Mass provides relevant and free workshops that you can register to attend here: Take a Workshop. There is no better time than now!
If you have any questions or are interested in viewing our library of prerecorded workshops, please email us. |
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The International Language Institute's 4-Week Online Teacher Training |
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Support Local
Community Events, Specials and Campaigns
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UMass Fine Arts Center Announced Virtual Spring Season |
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This spring the UMass Fine Arts Center takes full advantage of the virtual world to engage and inspire audiences with over 40 online events featuring renowned artists like visual artist Alison Saar and the South African choral icons Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Audiences can witness musicians from around the world perform in the newest configuration of the Silkroad Ensemble and enjoy the return of audience favorites like cellist Matt Haimovitz. “This moment to pivot enabled us to expand our reach, allowing us to bring the wonders of the arts to more communities in our richly diverse region,” said director Jamilla Deria.
In keeping with tradition, the first event of the semester is the annual Fine Arts Center Gala hosted via Zoom on February 6, 2021, and sponsored by Greenfield | Northampton Cooperative Bank. With the theme of “Relive-Renew-Reimagine,” the virtual version of this beloved and historically sold out event celebrates and supports the Arts/Access outreach programs of the Fine Arts Center. The presentation includes a trivia contest and prizes sponsored by Florence Bank and a “mini” silent auction featuring work by Tom Friedman and Laura Radwell. The evening concludes with a virtual dance party to an original set by FEVER thanks to Finck & Perras Insurance. Registration is required and while the event is free, guests are asked to make a donation at whichever level they are comfortable.
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Tuesday, January 26, 2021, 7:00 PM
Self-Evident Truths: A Free Zoom Program on Anti-Racist History
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Self-Evident Truths
A presentation by Self-Evident media in partnership with Historic Northampton
Tuesday, January 26, 2021, 7:00 PM
Zoom and Northampton Open Media Platforms
Historic Northampton is pleased to present a screening of two video episodes from Self-Evident Media’s series of educational resources. “One Minute’s Freedom” is about Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman and the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts and “The Truth is Powerful” (premiere) examines two public versions of Sojourner Truth’s most famous speech, “Ain’t I A Woman?” delivered in 1851. Each video is about 12 minutes long.
Following the screenings, Professor Ousmane Power-Greene will moderate a discussion with the scholars, filmmakers, and educators who produced the series: Jellissa Lacon, Michael Lawrence-Riddell, Chrishaunda Lee Perez, and Bayeté Ross Smith.
Self-Evident Media creates highly engaging, multimedia, educational tools that educators, students, and communities can use to engage in conversations to understand the histories and the legacies of systemic racism in the United States.
Supported by Whalen Insurance
This Program is Free and Open to the Public.
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Visit Northampton.live for Business Information |
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Looking to keep your 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. |
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Thank You, Newsletter Sponsors! |
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To have your post featured in The Community Connector newsletter, please submit the following. Not exclusive to Investors in 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
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