BUSINESS BRIEFS: Late Trains, New DBAs, FDP Meeting, Small Biz Export Grants

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

MBTA Train Delivery Still Delayed

The Chinese firm responsible for building new MBTA Orange and Red Line trains is still crafting an updated schedule for the project after multiple delays, and T officials appear pleased with how well the vehicles have been performing lately. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng told the agency's board that CRRC has "strengthened" its quality assurance team in the wake of numerous issues reported at its Springfield manufacturing plant. Eng said he, Deputy General Manager Jeff Gonneville, Transportation Secretary Gina Fiandaca, Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao and Undersecretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt held a virtual meeting last week with CRRC's chairman, describing it as "productive."

July DBA Filings for Franklin

Information courtesy of Franklin Town Clerk Nancy Danello

Save the Date

The next Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting will be held on Thurs., Sept. 7 at 8:30 a.m. Guest speakers will include Brad Chaffee from Camford Property Group who will present his new downtown project.

Grant Funding to Help Small Businesses Increase Export Sales

According to an item in the 495/Metrowest Partnership newsletter, a webinar outlining eligibility and application requirements for the Massachusetts State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant program will be held on September 20th. The STEP program was created by the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOTI), in collaboration with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network (MSBDC) and the Massachusetts Export Center. The program is intended to provide funding for eligible small businesses to increase export sales of their respective goods and services. To be considered eligible for the program funding, a business must meet the definition of an "eligible small business concern" under Section 503 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015; click here to view the official definition. In addition, the business must meet U.S. content requirements.