News
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Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
Link/Learn Session: Staying Connected Featuring Chamber Ambassadors
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Join members of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce's (GNCC's) Investor & Ambassador Committee on Monday, March 29, 2021, for a lunch-hour panel discussion focused on tactics and tips that will help you network successfully and develop relationships in the age of online engagement.
From how to pass your virtual business card to approaching client relationship-building from a pandemic recovery perspective, this session aims to answer both the "why?" and "how?" of creating connections in this current networking climate. Register.
Link/Learn is a free, virtual education series sponsored by Florence Bank.
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The Community Classroom
Celebrate the Joy of Public Math on Nice Tuesday: April 13, 2021
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On Tuesday, April 13, 2021 there will be a free, interactive math walk that’s great for the whole family (or anyone who loves math)! And it will be under your feet—with sidewalk math throughout downtown Northampton!
The Community Classroom tutoring center and the Western Massachusetts Math Partnership (WMMP) are excited to celebrate #NiceTuesdaysNorthampton with Sidewalk Math in downtown Northampton on April 13, 2021.
Sidewalk math is an opportunity to explore math in a fun and Covid-safe way. It takes math out of its usual environment and plops it on sidewalks, giving families and other passersby the opportunity to play, discuss, and ponder.
Emily Hamilton, WMMP member and historian of math education at UMass Amherst, stated: “Sidewalk Math is a really exciting way to demonstrate that math is truly all around us. As someone who studies different ways of approaching math education, it’s so great to see WMMP working with community partners to build engagement with mathematical ideas in a fun and family-friendly way… from the ground up!”
A digital map will be available, with Sidewalk Math tasks chalked throughout downtown at 20 different locations. Appropriate for kids and "grown-ups," 5 years and up! Read more.
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This Nice Tuesday: Downtown Ambassadors Return!
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The Downtown Northampton Association (DNA) is delighted to welcome spring sunshine and the promise of warmer weather with the return of their Downtown Ambassador program today, March 23, 2021, just in time for Nice Tuesday!
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GNCC's Community Engagement Committee (CEC)
Adopt a Nice Tuesday
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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.
Nice Tuesdays are just what they sound like: doing good things in, with, and for the community, and sharing about it every Tuesday. There’s no cost, just a one-day commitment and a little of your time to uplift the things that make Northampton a great place to live and work.
Learn more and sign up to Adopt a Nice Tuesday here.
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Municipal Broadband Surveys for Businesses and Residents
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The City of Northampton has launched two online surveys designed to identify the current and future broadband needs of Northampton’s residents and businesses. All Northampton residents and all businesses located in Northampton are encouraged to complete the survey by April 23, 2021, to help the city evaluate the potential for municipal broadband.
SURVEY LINKS:
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Announcing the #413TakeOut Weekly Challenge Winners + Local Giveaway
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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 Donna Bowman and Jennifer Abrams!
As a special treat to celebrate the start of Spring and “grill season,” we also are giving away two, $10 Local Burgers & Fries Gift Cards to Tina Shen and Steve Butler!
Thank you to all those who are making an impact by taking the 413 Pledge! Use the #413TakeOut hashtag when you dine each week and follow our new Instagram: @413TakeOut for ideas of where to order in!
Anyone who takes the pledge is automatically entered to win a $25 Northampton Gift Card. Winners are picked weekly and announced in the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce’s Community Connector newsletter. Individuals are not eligible to win more than once.
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GNCC In the News
Vince Jackson Featured on BusinessTalk with BusinessWest
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On March 15, 2021, BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien talked with Vince Jackson, executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) during the weekly BusinessTalk Podcast, a series presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.
Listen in on the lively discussion about the deep toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on Paradise City, and how the business community has responded with determination, imagination, and perseverance. Listen.
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Special Thanks to The Community Connector's Supporting Sponsors
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Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Timeline for All Massachusetts Residents
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Last week, Governor Charlie Baker announced the dates that all remaining residents and certain worker groups will be eligible for a vaccine. The Commonwealth’s detailed timeline adheres to the original timeline for the three phases announced in December.
Appointments will be offered based on eligibility and available appointments nearby. It is expected that more sites will come online as part of the preregistration process in April.
Timeline for remaining groups:
- March 22nd: Residents 60+ and certain workers
- April 5th: Residents 55+ and residents with one certain medical condition
- April 19th: General public ages 16 years of age and older
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Reopening MA Update and Travel Advisory
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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.
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COVID-19 Business Relief Grants Awarded
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On Thursday, March 18, 2021, the Baker-Polito Administration announced approximately $31 million in awards for 710 additional businesses in the tenth round of COVID relief grants administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). As in prior rounds, each grant recipient meets sector or demographic priorities set for the grant programs administered by MGCC.
With the addition of this round of grants, the Administration has awarded over $633 million in direct financial support to 14,056 businesses across the Commonwealth.
Grants for this round were awarded to 327 minority-owned, and 293 women-owned, businesses; 240 recipients are located in Gateway Cities, and 245 businesses awarded grants have not received any prior aid.
Additionally, MGCC will soon be announcing the availability of funding to support small business technical assistance and community development financial institutions.
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Hilltown CDC Announces Small Grant Program for Businesses, Nonprofits, Artists, and Farmers
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The Hilltown COVID Relief Fund is designed to assist businesses with 25 or fewer employees (including the owner) that have been negatively impacted due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide one-time grants of up to $15,000. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Funding will be awarded on a first come, first eligible, completed application basis, subject to the availability of funding.
The Hilltown COVID Relief Fund is available to businesses, nonprofits, artists, and farmers in the towns of: Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Granville, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Peru, Plainfield, Russell, Westhampton, Williamsburg, Worthington. For more information, email Michele Kenney.
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Comcast Announces RISE Program Second Round
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The Comcast RISE program is open for a second round of nominations through May 7, 2021. The program provides tech and marketing makeovers and is open to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses. Comcast is proud to already have 20 recipients here in New England, including 10 in Massachusetts.
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Job Board
GNCC Investors may submit employment opportunities through the Member Portal.
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Grow Food Northampton is hiring a part-time Operations and Administrative Manager. The Operations and Administrative Manager (OAM) will refine, implement, and oversee all aspects of organizational infrastructure, grow the organization's ability to operate smoothly, and support the overall functioning of the organization. Learn more.
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Learning Together
Education and Business Resources
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Small Business Administration (SBA)
WMass Women in Business Conference: Wednesday, March 31, 2021
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This 3-hour event will kick-off with our keynote speaker, followed by panels and presentations including: three women entrepreneurs who will share their stories of success, challenges, and lessons learned; resource partners; and funding experts sharing tips for success.
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The International Language Institute
Announcing Online Teacher Training Programs with The International Language Institute
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Live Local
Community Events, Specials and Campaigns
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2021 Virtual Meltdown! The River's Family Music and Book Bash
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Cooped-up caretakers and kids in Western Massachusetts long yearly
for the annual Meltdown! The River’s Family Music and Book Bash, an early springtime event extravaganza featuring A-list children’s book authors and illustrators and children’s
musicians. Typically held in multiple buildings on the Smith Vocational School campus in Northampton, this year’s raucous send-off-to-winter will be safely streamed straight into viewers’ homes on March 27, 2021 with more interactive elements than ever before.
Meltdown! The River’s Family Music and Book Bash, will stream live at www.rivermeltdown.com on March 27, 2021, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM.
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Celebrating 5 Years of Ownership: Gazebo in Downtown Northampton
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On March 18, 2021, Amy Dickinson and Donna McKneight of Gazebo Lingerie in downtown Northampton celebrated five years of co-ownership and the anniversary of the store's sale by previous owner and founder, Judith Fine.
Pictured are McNeight, Fine, and Dickinson, photographed at Gazebo in 2019 for the Chamber's centennial celebration by Lynne Saner.
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Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month - Children's Advocacy Center Commemoration on April 1, 2021
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To commemorate Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, The Children’s Advocacy Center of Hampshire County and Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan invites you to participate in “This Little Light of Mine” a luminaria display at Childs Park in Northampton, and throughout our community.
On April 1, 2021, 2,000 luminarias will be lit to represent the number of child abuse survivors the Children’s Advocacy Center has served since opening its doors in 2006.
To participate, you can drive by the luminaria at Childs Park that evening or put out lights of your own.
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Riverside Industries, Inc.
April 9-16, 2021 | Riverside: MissionPossible!
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Please join us Friday, April 9th, 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, filled with the energy you are used to at the in-person event. If you choose to accept this mission, please stay tuned for more . . . Please consider supporting the auction with a cash or item donation or sponsorship, go to our auction page. Thank you.
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Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Hampshire County
April 25, 2021 | (Virtual) Daffodil Run for Big Brothers Big Sisters
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The Daffodil Run for Big Brothers Big Sisters is going virtual again on April 25, 2021! We will celebrate our community and raise funds for essential 1:1 mentoring services for young people in our area. FREE giveaways, fun contests, and training classes available for all participants!
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Northampton.live - A Hub for Those Who Love Local!
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We know that dining and buying local to support our small business community is vital to a thriving community. For those who love 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.
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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!
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Adventure East
NEW Outdoor Adventures in Western Mass - $50 Northampton Gift Card Giveaway!
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Adventure East is a new outdoor adventure company in Western Mass and is developing hiking, biking, paddling experiences for all ages and experience levels. They would love to have your input as they prepare to launch in June. They need 10 minutes of your time to complete their online survey. The information you share will only be used for their product development and will not be shared. To show their appreciation, if you provide them with your email, you will be eligible to win one of five Northampton Gift Cards worth $50 each. The deadline for replying is March 31, 2021. To complete the survey, click here. More info: info@adventureeast.com.
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413 Takeout >>
Have you heard about the campaign to save Northampton's restaurants? Learn more and take the "413 pledge" here.
2021 Sponsorship Opportunities >>
2021 Annual Meeting sponsorship opportunities are available for investors. Contact Jessica Thompson, Director of Investor and Community Relations to discuss your options today!
Event Recordings on YouTube >>
Interested in joining our virtual events, but just can't make it to the computer during your busy day? Check out our archive of program recordings on YouTube to learn on your own time.
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Community Connector Submission
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To have your news or event featured in the Community Connector newsletter, please submit the following via email to lu@northamptonchamber.com:
- 100 words communicating your message
- An eye-catching image or your logo
- A link to more information or an email contact
- Include "Connector Submission" in the subject line
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