BUSINESS BRIEFS: Politcal Pulse, Business Awards, Bottle Bill, and more

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

Tri-County Political Pulse Breakfast with Your Senators & Business Awards

Tuesday, October 24th 8am-10am

DoubleTree by Hilton Boston/Milford | 11 Beaver St, Milford, MA 01757

Join us for an engaging and insightful panel discussion featuring Senators Ryan Fattman, Rebecca Rausch, Karen Spilka, and Michael O. Moore as they address critical issues affecting the Tri-County Regional Chamber ten towns. Delve into topics such as Economic Recovery, Job Creation, Small Business Support, Workforce Development, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environmental Sustainability, Education & Innovation, and discover the strategies proposed to drive positive change and progress in the region. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives and contribute to the dialogue shaping the future of our communities. For information, go to https://www.tricountychamberma.org

We will also present the 2023 Business Awards to the companies listed below.

A huge congratulations to the 2023 Businesses of the Year

George Draper Award

Presented to Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center

The Extra Mile Award

Presented to Ariane Morais, ADM Cleaning and Maintenance Services

Large Business of Distinction,

Presented to Kevin Lobisser, Lobisser & Ferreira Construction

Small Business of Distinction,

Presented to Viviane Gontijo, Vivilicious Treats

Five Star Service Award

Presented to Ultimate Chimney Sweep

Simple Sips Fresh Cocktail Mix Set to Debut at 2023 Restaurant Expo

Simple Sips Fresh Cocktail Mix, a rising star in the beverage industry, has announced its inaugural appearance at the Franklin Health Department's 2023 Restaurant Expo. This marks a significant milestone for the company as it expands its presence west of Boston, demonstrating its commitment to delivering high-quality beverage solutions to the foodservice industry throughout the state.

The Franklin Health Department's 2023 Restaurant Expo, scheduled for September 27, 2023 at the Franklin Public Library. For more information, visit https://drinksimplesips.com/pages/wholesale.

Data Shows Declining Interest in College

Bottle Bill Boosters Gathering

Above, Eileen Ryan of Watertown dons a hat bedecked with empty nip bottles in support of expanding the state's bottle redemption law, recently, as she rides a State House elevator to visit her senator's office. The leader of Beyond Plastics Greater Boston, Ryan helped mark the launch of a new coalition -- Plastic Free Mass -- composed of 16 organizations with priorities including expansion the so-called bottle bill law and pushing for a statewide ban on plastic bags. - Sam Doran/SHNS |

Massachusetts Unemployment & Job Estimates for August

The state’s August total unemployment rate was 2.6 percent, up 0.1 percentage point from the revised July estimate of 2.5 percent, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Friday. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts gained 15,400 jobs in August. This follows July’s revised gain of 4,600 jobs. The largest over-the-month private sector job gains were in Education and Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Other Services. Employment now stands at 3,788,700. From August 2022 to August 2023, BLS estimates Massachusetts gained 90,500 jobs. The largest over-the-year gains occurred in Education and Health Services, Professional, Scientific, and Business Services, and Leisure and Hospitality. The state’s August unemployment rate of 2.6 percent was 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 3.8 percent reported by BLS.

Contract Negotiations Open for 12,000 Building Cleaners in MA and RI

In first negotiations since the pandemic, 32BJ SEIU seeks to raise wages, protect benefits, and increase full-time work before November 15 contract expiration. It is just one in a series of contract talks taking place across the country this year for contracts covering more than 134,000 cleaners with different SEIU locals, including 70,000 members of 32BJ SEIU in states across the East Coast. The outcomes of these janitorial contract talks will mark another important moment in a year of labor activism that includes a strike by screenwriters and actors, a hard-fought contract for UPS workers, and a strike by autoworkers in the Midwest that began on Thursday evening, just hours after 32BJ began negotiating the contract for New England janitors.