BUSINESS BRIEFS: Dean Bank Giving, Sierra's open, a Note on Rhapsody's, AIM Survey and more

Image

Dean Bank: Because Giving Feels Good. Nothing feels better than giving back! Especially when it positively impacts the communities we love. Each month select members of our Dean Bank team are given $100 each to donate to a charity that matters to them. Among the donors in January was Diane Padula, administrative assistant, shown above presenting a check to Judy Alfred, VP Commercial Loan Development Officer and a fellow Rotarian. Alfred is acting Treasurer for Rotary Club of Franklin.


SPONSOR OF Business Briefs in the Franklin Observer, the chamber serves the communities of Bellingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Medway, Milford, Mendon, Millis, and Upton. More information is available at https://www.tricountychamberma.org

Sierra’s Pizza and Pub Reopens

Sierra’s Pizza and Pub, located at 370 King Street (former location of Spruce Pond Creamery), recently reopened. A frozen pipe at the end of December had forced the restaurant to close for several weeks. But all systems are “go” according to proprietor Jimmy Garabedian. In addition to the pizza and the water view, we can recommend the Reuben and the Pastrami sandwiches.

And Rhapsody Victorian Coffee House Needs “Votes” ASAP

As mentioned in the Observer last week, Rhapsody’s Victorian Coffee House is participating in a competition for an investment grant in which everyone is encouraged to “vote” each
day on the FedEx website between now and March 8. Don’t miss this chance to support a local business!

AIM Business Confidence Survey “Flat”

Business confidence remained essentially flat during February as employers attempted to gauge whether inflation, recession, growth or labor shortages would dominate the Massachusetts economy in 2023. The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index (BCI) gained 0.3 points to 53.5 last month, halting a two-month slide. The confidence level was 3.2 points lower than a year ago but still in optimistic territory. Employer sentiment continues to be driven by a swirl of often contradictory economic signals. Leading indicators suggest that economic growth will decelerate during 2023, yet the state and national economies continue to exhibit a strong labor market, low unemployment, and a persistently high rate of inflation. The Central Massachusetts Business Confidence Index, conducted with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, increased to 54.0 from 52.5 in January.

Small Business, Big Dreams From Rockland Trust


Rockland Trust has just launched its annual Small Business, Big Dreams contest. This competition offers small business owners the chance to grow their enterprise. Participants will be narrowed down to three finalists that will be paired with a Rockland Trust Business Banking Officer (BBO) who will provide one-on-one consultations to coach the participants through the competition and help them build a comprehensive business plan to present to a panel of judges. The grand prize winner will receive $20,000 and both runners-up will receive $2,500. "Every successful business is fueled by a dream," said Mary Chetwynd, Senior Vice President and Director of Business Banking at Rockland Trust. Through March 31st, businesses throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island who have been running their business for at least two years and have an annual revenue of less than three million dollars are invited to enter the contest. For the complete official rules and detailed entry instructions, including eligibility criteria, please click here(Opens in a new Window).

Franklin Company Profiled for its HR Innovation

Interactions LLC was profiled recently in an online article for its innovative employee recognition program costing only about $100 per worker. For example, the technology firm dedicated a whole week last August to a celebrating its 371 employees. To read the full article, click here.

Main Street Lending Program Praised

The Main Street Lending Program loans succeeded in stabilizing midsize businesses that had shown strong potential in the year leading up to the pandemic but had suffered severe disruptions once COVID-19 struck, according to the latest analysis of the MSLP by Federal Reserve Bank of Boston senior economist and policy advisor J. Christina Wang. The loans enabled these businesses – generally of 250 to 500 employees – to survive the crisis, and it put them in better position to grow as the economy returns to normal. In her working paper titled “The Main Street Lending Program: Who Borrowed and How Have They Benefited?”, Wang finds evidence that the program “achieved the objective of shoring up the liquidity position of firms that had promising prospects but were hit hard by the pandemic.”

Holliston’s Biostage Announces Chairman and CEO Transition
Holliston-based Biostage, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing regenerative-medicine treatments for disorders of the gastro-intestinal system and the airway resulting from cancer, trauma or birth defects, has announced that effective as of March 1, its existing director since November 2021, Mr. Jerry He, was appointed Chairman of the Board and hired as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. He replaces David Green who is transitioning from such roles and will remain on the Board of Directors. Mr. Green will provide support to Mr. He during his transition to the Chief Executive Officer role.

MACCXIMUM Impact Networking Group

We mean business when it comes to growing your business – and that’s exactly what the Tri-County Regional Chamber’s MACCXIMUM Impact is all about.

MACCXIMUM Impact business networking group is a leads referral group providing a central meeting place where business referrals and prospects are exchanged. Help grow your business through business-to-business and business-to-consumer leads from trusted sources – other MACCXIMUM Impact members! Comprised of representatives from non-competing business categories (i.e. only one accounting firm per group), The MACCXIMUM Impact group meets via Zoom the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and in person once a quarter. For more information please email Jeff Katz.

We are always looking for new, dedicated members who want to grow their business and help others to do the same. If you’d like to be a guest at an upcoming meeting, contact the Tri-County Regional Chamber office at 508.473.6700 or any member of the MACCXIMUM Impact Networking Group.

There is a $90 yearly fee to join the MACCXIMUM Impact networking group if you are a TC Chamber member in good standing.

MACCXIMUM Impact networking group membership applications are accepted throughout the year!

I'm interested
I disagree with this
This is unverified
Spam
Offensive