Pull up a chair and connect with community at the next virtual Arrive@5 on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, from 5:00 - 6:00 PM, sponsored by Resinate, Inc.

Enjoy networking breakout rooms, be present to win door prizes, and hear an exciting announcement from Resinate. Plus, our Community Speaker segment will feature Khrysti Smyth Barry of the Center for EcoTechnology who will speak on sustainability in honor of Earth Day (April 22, 2021).

All are welcome but you must register to join us for this free event!

The Office of the Mayor and the Northampton Housing Partnership invite all rental property owners to attend a Zoom workshop on “Resources for Rental Property Owners in the Time of Covid” on Wednesday, April 7th, 2021 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. to learn more about related legal issues and available financial resources from experts working in the field. 

Zoom: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/8291877456

Via Phone: Dial +13017158592, Meeting ID: 8291877456#

 

For further information, contact Keith Benoit, the Community Development Planner at kbenoit@northamptonma.gov. 

Mayor David J. Narkewicz had announced two important meetings inviting public comment about downtown Northampton. The city will host its 15th stakeholder outreach meeting about the Picture Main Street project on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at 6:00 pm. On Wednesday, April 27, 2021, the city will host its “Helping Downtown Recover from COVID-19” meeting as part of a $90,000 grant the city received under the Commonwealth’s Rapid Recovery Plan program.

“I am truly excited to continue the public conversation about plans for downtown Northampton,” said Mayor Narkewicz, “There’s a lot on the agenda for both meetings. Please come and share your thoughts about downtown’s future, and help us spread the word about these two important meetings to everyone you know.”

The main topics of the April 14, 2021, Picture Main Street meeting will be built on prior community input to discuss possible options for a redesign of Main Street. Three prototype plans will be shared in advance of the meeting on the Picture Main Street storyboard website. The project will use state and federal funding provided through the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Currently, the Picture Main Street project is projected to receive $16.6M in 2025. When compared and scored against all other proposed projects, this project was identified as the highest priority project in the region. The project area extends from the intersection of Elm and West Streets on the west to the intersection of Market and Hawley Streets on the east.

The April 27, 2021 “Helping Downtown Recover from COVID-19” will share output from the Commonwealth's Rapid Recovery Plan Program. The project is designed to support our business community through actionable, project-based recovery recommendations unique to the individual economic challenges and COVID-related impacts in our downtown. These plans, facilitated by the Commonwealth and standardized across communities, will be developed in coordination with the City of Northampton. The goal is to share the results of our Rapid Recovery business survey and discuss with you what comes next during a community meeting.

Registration information for these sessions are provided in the Learning Together section of this newsletter.

Join The Community Classroom and the Western Massachusetts Math Partnership next Tuesday, April 13th, for a very special Nice Tuesday Interactive #MathWalk in downtown Northampton!

Stroll the sidewalk outside of 26 downtown businesses where math problems, jokes, and challenges will be presented in a covid-safe way for learners of all ages to nerd-out and engage with! Complete with strolling mathematicians, this event is perfect for home-schoolers, remote learners, and anyone who loves having fun with math.

Learn more about the Interactive Math Walk and download the map.

Have an idea for a math problem, riddle, or task for the walk? Email it to megan@thecommunityclassroom.com and let us know if your child would like to be recognized for their great thinking.

The Northampton Arts Council is looking for artists to submit work for consideration for the Traffic Light Utility Box Mural Program. The Traffic Light Utility Box Mural Program is designed to encourage community pride and beautify the streets of Northampton, Massachusetts. Murals will be installed in public places and must be suitable for viewing by all ages. The Commission anticipates selecting artwork for up to 7 utility boxes and The Northampton Arts Council will fund $350 per utility box, inclusive of all artist’s fees, paints and materials.

The deadline for the application is Monday, May 3, 2021. Download this doc for eligibility and application guidelines.

When we reach 500 pledges, a $10 donation will be made to Feed the Frontlines – Nourish Our Community for every pledger, totaling $5,000 to a new partnership between the Northampton Survival Center, Grow Food Northampton’s Community Food Distribution Project, and the Downtown Northampton Association (DNA). This generous donation will provide takeout meals to our friends and neighbors who may be unable to take the "413 Pledge" and help feed the frontlines.

1. Take the pledge if you haven't already, even if you order takeout regularly.

2. Share this link with four friends (or more) to invite them to take the "413 Pledge" also.

3. Post using the #413Takeout hashtag when you dine each week.

Each week, all those who have taken the "413 pledge" to support Northampton's local restaurants are entered to win one of two, $25 Northampton Gift Cards. This week's winners are Lekzi NesSmith and Lindsie Alterkun!

In light of the significant challenges to talking about racism (among them a fear of sounding ignorant or offending someone), Human In Common, diversity and Ethical Upstander® trainers, is offering a bi-weekly breakdown of useful language. Let’s create a compassionate space for conversation, context, and growth where we can untie our tongues and talk it out.

Please visit Human In Common’s Solidarity Statement to read more about how you can act to undo harmful stereotypes and be an Ethical Upstander® who interrupts racism against Asian Americans, as well as against all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color! 

Would you like to help create a care package that will introduce seniors to your services/products, while at the same time, service those who would benefit most?

If so, we ask that you add your business pledge here.

Northampton Senior Services is putting together care packages for seniors and are inviting local businesses to participate. They can help you design/print coupons or vouchers, pair outdoor activities with your events/offers, include your discounts in their Senior Business Resource Guide, or help you develop vouchers for free meals by contributing $5 each for up to 600 vouchers. Have questions or want to discuss an idea? Contact Marie Westburg.

The Northampton Jazz Festival is excited to announce "Up Jumped Spring," it's first virtual jazz series this April - Jazz Appreciation Month - presenting a new jazz trio performance each Tuesday at 7:30 PM. Free of charge.

Tonight, the series starts with the Fumi Tomita Trio! Fumi Tomita will be on bass, with Austin McMahon on drums and Carl Clements on saxophone and flute. Recorded at The Parlor Room in Northampton, the concert will be streamed on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and on Channel 12 Northampton Community Access TV tonight. Read more about the musicians. 

All residents can pre-register to book an appointment at a mass vaccination site at mass.gov/COVIDVaccine.

Timeline for remaining groups:

The full timeline is available at mass.gov/COVIDVaccinePhases.

Massachusetts has advanced to Step 1 of Phase IV of the Commonwealth's reopening plan as of Monday, March 22, 2021. This opens a range of previously closed business sectors under tight capacity restrictions that are expected to be adjusted over time if favorable trends in the public health data continue.

The Massachusetts Travel Order originally issued in July 2020 has also been replaced with a Travel Advisory, effective March 22, 2021. The new travel advisory will urge all persons entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival if they have been out of the state for 24 hours or more.

As part of the “Partnerships for Recovery” plan to stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy, the Massachusetts Workforce Skills Cabinet has announced a new grant program, the Rapid Reemployment Program.

Through this program, occupational training providers partner with MassHire Centers and at least one employer to build specific skills in the labor market and match those skills with good jobs. Target sectors include in-demand Healthcare, Information Technology, Financial Services or Transportation occupations. Importantly, the Rapid Reemployment model leverages the performance-based contracting approach used in the Career Technical Initiative.

Eligible lead applicants are Massachusetts based training providers with experience and existing training capacity to deliver occupational training to the target population for proposed targeted occupations. Read more about this program. 

The SBA is now allowing applicants that file IRS Form 1040, Schedule C to calculate their maximum loan amount using gross income instead of net profit, which may enable some borrowers to access higher loan amounts. See the form for First Draw PPP applicants and Second Draw PPP applicants online.

On or about July 1, 2021, the City of Northampton will receive approximately $683,764 in CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Unexpended funds from the prior year will also be available. Activities must benefit persons of low- and moderate-income or aid in the elimination of slums and blight. The program proposes to fund activities to address priorities identified in the City’s 5-Year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan.

When: Thursday, April 8, 2021

Time: 5:30 PM (revised time)

Zoom Address: https://zoom.us/j/9082926870

Dial-in Info: 301-715-8592, 8291877456#

The next Picture Main Street public forum will take place on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at 6:00 PM. While you wait for the public forum, please visit the Picture Main Street story map.

Sign up to receive notices directly from Planning & Sustainability, including the sign-in information for upcoming forums.

Please save the date for Senator Jo Comerford’s next People’s Town Hall — a virtual town hall that will look forward to a post-COVID world and the future of our district. The People’s Town Hall with Senator Jo Comerford will be Monday, April 26, 2021, at 5:15-6:30 PM via Zoom.

The Town Hall will be closed captioned and interpretation will be available. We welcome your feedback on features that may make this event more accessible to you via this survey.

“Helping Downtown Recover from COVID-19” will share output from the Commonwealth's Rapid Recovery Plan Program. The project is designed to support our business community through actionable, project-based recovery recommendations unique to the individual economic challenges and COVID-related impacts in our downtown. These plans, facilitated by the Commonwealth and standardized across communities, will be developed in coordination with the City of Northampton. The goal is to share the results of our Rapid Recovery business survey and discuss what comes next during a community meeting.

Link to call: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/98498291166 OR (646) 876-9923 (ID: 984 9829 1166)

Lace up your shoes, tune up your tires, and hit the road to support the Northampton Public Schools! The NEF April Vacation School2School Fun Run/Walk/Ride is a family-friendly event where you pick your distance (we recommend a run, walk, or ride between any two or more Northampton schools) and your day/time (any time during April school vacation). All proceeds will support grants to Northampton public school teachers.

Your registration in this event will include a link to our prize entry form. Tell us your course, if you ran, walked, or cycled, how long it took you, and (optional) share a selfie at the finish line of your school of choice so we can post it on our social media. This enters you into our raffle to win one of our themed gift baskets!

Suggested donation of $15 for individuals and $20 for a family.

Event runs April 17- 25, 2021. Prize entry form should be completed by 5:00 PM, April 25, 2021.

Please join us Friday, April 9, 2021, for the start of the 17th Annual Riverside Auction to be held virtually. As much as we all enjoy our in-person event, we know it is best to hold the event online. The event will run through April 16, 2021, ending with a short live-streamed program.

The Virtual Daffodil Run for Big Brothers Big Sisters is coming up on April 25, 2021!

By signing up, you'll be eligible for premium giveaways, take part in online training classes with knowledgeable running coaches, and even have access to a custom playlist created by participants! Since it's a virtual event, you get to choose your own 5K or 10K course.

So dust off those running shoes and help ignite the potential of our young people by registering now!

SHOP NOHO is a website created by local retailers for the community to be able to support them while shopping online. Visit SHOPNOHO.com where you can shop online and local!

Have you heard about the campaign to save Northampton's restaurants? Learn more and take the "413 pledge" here.

2021 Annual Meeting sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Jessica Thompson, Director of Investor and Community Relations to discuss options today!

Interested in joining virtual events, but can't make it during your busy day? Check out our archive of program recordings on YouTube.

The Community Engagement Committee (CEC) of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) began the "Nice Tuesdays" initiative in the midst of the pandemic, and now they are inviting businesses and nonprofits in Northampton and Florence to participate.

Learn more and sign up to Adopt a Nice Tuesday here.

The City of Northampton has launched two surveys to identify the current and future broadband needs of Northampton’s residents and businesses. Residents and businesses are encouraged to complete the survey by April 23, 2021.

For those who live local, Northampton.live is a hub that makes finding Northampton's small businesses simple, and includes information on how your favorite shops, salons, and restaurants are currently operating. Keep it local, and stay informed with Northampton.live.