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| December 2002 |  |
Chamber Recognizes Regional Economic ImpactAt its 89th Annual Meeting, celebrated with over 400 business professionals in attendance, the Chamber presented Metro South Economic Impact Awards to eight area companies who made significant investments and contributions to the economic development of the region in 2002. Honored were The Beacon Companies, Bridgewater State College, Brockton Hospital, Brockton Housing Authority, Brophy and Phillips Company, The City of Brockton, FedEx Ground, and Shaw's Supermarkets. The Beacon Residential Properties, a division of the Beacon Companies, develops multi and single family residences, primarily in urban areas, and provides active asset management to Beacon's existing portfolio. One of the most recent projects is the development of Walkover Commons, a 13.1 million mixed-income housing facility featuring 80 new one and two-bedroom rental housing units located on Perkins Avenue in Brockton. Walkover Commons was built on the site of the former Walkover Club. Bridgewater State College, founded in 1840, is one of the oldest public colleges in America. As the largest state college in Massachusetts, Bridgewater State enrolls more than 9,000 students with a full-time faculty of 260, and has 33 buildings spread over 235 acres. Bridgewater State has recently invested more than $50 million in the campus with the construction of three new buildings; East Campus Dining Commons with seating for 750, East Residence Hall housing 300 students in 85 suites, and the Adrian Tinsley Center containing two gyms, a fitness center, and a classroom. Brockton Hospital is a private, not-for-profit community teaching hospital that serves nearly 400,000 residents in southeastern Massachusetts. Brockton Hospital employs 409 doctors and over 400 registered nurses. The hospital has recently completed a $20 million improvement program. The Emergency Department has been expanded and enhanced, doubling in size to over 21,000 square feet and including state-of-the-art technology to provide advanced emergency care. The Hospital has also constructed a 6,500 square foot patient care facility on the hospital campus which houses 26 primary care and specialty clinics. The hospital also opened a new Pre-Admission Testing and Patient Registration and Outpatient Laboratory area and has completely renovated the Department of Medicine. The Brockton Housing Authority is a state-chartered real estate management and development corporation that manages, develops, and delivers affordable housing opportunities for Brockton's neighborhoods. Brockton Housing Authority has recently completed a $12 million rehabilitation of Roosevelt Heights, a 108-unit affordable housing complex located on Richmond Street in Brockton. Roosevelt Heights offers an affordable rental option for Brockton's working families. The complex includes a community policing substation, a revitalized community center, new basketball courts and playground equipment. Brophy and Phillips Company, under the leadership of John Vlaco, has invested over $3 million in renovating two prominent buildings in downtown Brockton. The first building, located at 34 School Street, is now referred to as "University Place". It provides the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute premier space to offer classes and operate Career Works. The second building, located at 100 Belmont Street, is the new home of Rockland Trust. Brophy and Phillips, has created a significant positive economic impact by successfully transforming these underutilized buildings into centers of business and education. The City of Brockton, under the leadership of Mayor John T. Yunits, has many recent accomplishments; most notably Campanelli Stadium and three new schools. The 12,000 square foot conference center will be complete by year's end and is considered the economic engine of the $17 million project. In addition, the City has recently opened three new schools and three more are in the procurement process including the East side "twin schools" (a junior high and an elementary school on Quincy Street). FedEx Ground is America's second largest ground carrier for business-to-business small package delivery. FedEx employs more than 35,000 nationwide and has a ground fleet of more than 9,000 vehicles. Locally, FedEx has opened a new Brockton shipping facility on Belmont Street. The new location represents $7.7 million in new investment for the region and has created 20 jobs to date. At full-phase of the project (2011) there will be 118 new positions. Shaw's Supermarkets, consists of stores throughout New England and serves more than 4 million customers each week. Locally, Shaw's Supermarkets has constructed and opened a new store on Belmont Street in Brockton, investing $14 million in the property and employing over 200 in that location. Shaw's has also moved its corporate headquarters to West Bridgewater and employs 600 in that facility. The Liberty Street location is also in operation and is the Technology and Loss Prevention headquarters of Shaw's Supermarkets. Through their respective investments, these organizations have preserved and expanded jobs, provided for future growth, enhanced the appearance of the area and generated tax revenue for additional improvements throughout the Metro South region. Over this past year, these award winners, collectively, contributed over one hundred thirty six million dollars in new construction to the Metro South economy and created hundreds of new jobs for our local residents.
Thank You Renewing Members
Accounting Team/ARI
Good News Chamber members are invited to send information for the Good News column to the Chamber office. The South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell cordially invites the public to the third annual "A Natural Christmas", a collection of wreaths, swags and tabletop trees decorated using a natural theme, to be displayed in their Vine Hall Gallery Friday, December 6 through Saturday, December 7. The wreaths, trees and swags are decorated by garden clubs, garden centers and floral designers, as well as individuals and organizations for the purpose of raising money for the Science Center's numerous programs and exhibits. A new category this year is the Gingerbread House display. Bid on one of these fanciful confections, to decorate your holiday home or give as a gift. All will be sold by silent auction at a festive holiday reception on Friday, December 6 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Admission to the event is $5. For more information, call event coordinator Joan Reid at 781-659-2559. Karen Hughes, Vice President of Nursing at New England Sinai Hospital and Rehabilitation Center recently announced East Bridgewater resident Kathy O'Brien, RN, as the November 2002 recipient of the Woolfson Family "Making A Difference Award." The $500 award was established in 1998 by the generosity of Mrs. Judy Foran Woolfson of Chestnut Hill, MA, whose husband, Dr. Milton "Mickie" Woolfson was a patient at Sinai. It is presented twice a year-each May and November to recognize a nurse or nursing assistant who has made a difference in the life of a patient or family. In addition, Gail Southard Murphy, LICSW, of Duxbury has been appointed Social Work Supervisor at New England Hospital and Rehabilitation Center where she has served as a clinical social worker since 1990. Nancy Fabrowski, RN III, of East Bridgewater, has been promoted to Assistant Nurse Manager at the hospital. Kerri Robbins, RN, of Taunton, has been promoted to Assistant Nurse Manager at the hospital. Also, Mary E. Odette, RN, of Canton, MA has joined the staff on New England Sinai Hospital and Rehabilitation Center as a nurse liaison. James C. Lively, president and chief executive officer of Bridgewater Savings, announced that the bank has been awarded a 5-star Superior rating, the highest bestowed by Bauer Financial, Inc., a leading independent bank research firm based in Coral Gables, Florida. According to Bauer Financial, "What makes Bridgewater Savings stand out is their commitment to their customers and the community." Bridgewater Savings is a state-chartered bank with offices in Bridgewater, Lakeville, Raynham, and West Bridgewater. Emmanuel House Assisted Living on East Nilsson Street in Brockton, is pleased to announce the debut of their new talk radio program "Senior Focus". The show airs every Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on WBET-1460 a.m.. Every week, a new guest is invited to discuss a business or health related service in and around the Brockton community. The show pays exclusive attention to those businesses and services that would benefit the senior adult population. Topics include nursing services, elder law, geriatric medicine, yoga for seniors, pain management, nutrition and a host of other interesting venues. Almost a decade after Bill Beyer unveiled the "First Night" poster depicting Brockton and its landmarks, Mr. Beyer and the Brockton High School Alumni Association proudly announce the sale of "Brockton -City of Champions." This limited edition print celebrates the revitalization of Brockton's downtown, schools and services in a landscape of dynamic proportions. Proceeds from the sale of "Brockton-City of Champions" prints will go to the BHS Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment Fund. For more information, e-mail bhsalum@ci.brockton.ma.us, call 508-580-7447 or visit 43 Crescent Street, Crosby Administration Building. James W. Lavin, who just completed a two-year term as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the South Shore Tri-Town Development Corporation, the agency overseeing redevelopment of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station, is thanked for his service by Dr. John W. Rogers of Rockland, newly-elected Chairman. Lavin is remaining on the Board as Clerk. Rogers & Gray Insurance Agency, Inc. is conducting a holiday food and toy drive now through December 18. Drop in at any of their seven locations and drop off a non-perishable food item or a new unwrapped toy. Any food collected will be donated to area food banks and will be used to help the less fortunate. Toys donated will be given to the Salvation Army for distribution. Rogers & Gray offices are located on Davis Straits, Falmouth; on Route 132, Hyannis; on Route 6A in Orleans; on Court Street in Plymouth; in Tradewinds Plaza, Sandwich; on Route 134, South Dennis; and on Tremont Road in Wareham. The management of the Brockton Credit Union announced that it was honored to have received the prestigious "Five Star" rating for the 18th consecutive time from Bauer Financial Reports, a nationally recognized bank-research firm. "Five Stars" represents the highest rating awarded by Bauer, and it indicates that the credit union is one of the top performers in the financial services industry with high tangible federal regulatory capital. Bauer also recognized Brockton Credit Union for its profitability, sound investments and a low level of delinquent loans and assets. According to Bauer, very few of the nation's credit unions receive its Five Star rating for ten consecutive periods. With over one billion dollars in assets, Brockton Credit Union is the largest community-based credit union in New England. Dr. Burton J. Polansky, Chief of Medicine and Cardiology at Brockton Hospital, received the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center's Compassionate Caregiver of the Year Award at a dinner attended by more than 1,000 health care executives, caregivers, community leaders, and supporters. The annual award recognizes the caregiver in Massachusetts who best represents the goals and mission of the Schwartz Center to "advance compassionate health care in which caregivers, patients and their families relate to one another in a way that provides hope to the patient, support to caregivers and sustenance to the healing process." Jonathan Cohler, Music Director and Conductor of the Brockton Symphony Orchestra, has selected the repertoire for the Wednesday, December 11 annual Holiday Pops Concert. Calling it an "all festive and holiday fare" the concert will feature some of the most beloved holiday musical selections from the "Nutcracker", "Songs of Hanukkah" and the rousing "March of the Toys" from Babes in Toyland. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is the Gold Sponsor for the Holiday Pops Concert and the Metro South Chamber of Commerce is the silver sponsor. Tickets are $12.50 per person, all are general admission. Advance purchases recommended through 508-588-3841. Box office opens a 6:00 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Brockton High School which is wheelchair accessible. Parking is always free. The Fuller Museum of Art will present The Right Stuff, a contemporary furniture exhibition, from January 18 through March 30, 2003. There will be an opening reception from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, January 18 with a lecture at 1:00 p.m. by Edward S. Cooke, the Charles F. Montgomery Professor of American Decorative Arts at Yale University. The lecture is entitled "Women Furnituremakers of the 20th Century: A Historical Perspective". Lecture tickets are $13 for non-members and $10 for members. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. For more information call the museum at 508-588-6000 or log onto www.fullermuseum.org. Mayor John T. Yunits will sponsor a Jingle Bell Run for the City of Champions, on Saturday, December 7, at 3:00 p.m. The two mile run/walk will begin at the War Memorial, 156 West Elm St. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. The entry fee for children 14 and under is one new unwrapped toy, and for adults $10 cash or check. The run/walk benefits the Helping Hand Fund. There will also be custom race t-shirts for sale for $10. For more information contact the Mayor's office at 508-941-0252
Businesses Benefit ChamberThe Chamber thanks the following companies for their donations to benefit the Chamber's Foundation and Annual Meeting Raffle:
Abington Savings Bank Special Thanks To...
B C Tent & Awning Co., Inc. Additional thanks to the exhibitors, volunteers, and attendees for making the 89th Annual Meeting such a wonderful event.
Six Elected to Chamber BoardAt its 89th Annual Meeting, the Metro South Chamber of Commerce welcomed six new members to its Board of Directors. On November 13, 2002, James Blake, Brockton Credit Union, and Chair of the Chamber's Board of Directors, introduced Jack Conway, Conway Real Estate; Dr. Dana Mohler-Faria, Bridgewater State College; Kelly Carney Kelly, Raynham Taunton Greyhound Park; David Orloff, Sharkansky & Company; John Vlaco, Brophy & Phillips Company, Inc.; and Hank Wolfson, Shaw's Supermarkets, to over four hundred members of the Metro South Chamber. In their new role as directors, they will be responsible for helping the Chamber carry out its mission: to serve the interests of member businesses while providing community leadership to ensure the economic advancement of the Metro South region. The Chamber's Board of Directors meets regularly to address policy and issues of economic and community concern. The next Board of Directors meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2002, at the Chamber's headquarters located at Sixty School Street in Brockton.
UMass/ CareerWorks Open Workforce CenterWith the support of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, the UMASS Center for Professional Education at Brockton celebrated its grand opening November 13. The Center, which is located at University Place, 34 School Street, is home to Career Works, a One-Stop-Career Center that provides services to employers and job seekers, as well as the New England Institute of Law Enforcement, UMASS Nutrition Extension, the Shaw's Career Transition Center and course work planned for degree completion. University Place partners include the Brockton Area Transit Authority, Rockland Trust Company, Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board and Brophy and Phillips. The Center provides great opportunities for continued economic development in downtown Brockton.
Government Affairs
Next Committee Meeting: Friday, December 20, 2002 at
7:45 a.m. Robert R. Ruddock, Executive Vice President and John R. Regan, Vice President of Legislative Policy for Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), will be the guest speakers at the next Government Affairs Committee Meeting on Friday, December 20, 2002, at 7:45 a.m. They will provide members with an overview of the upcoming legislative session and update members on legislation that impacts the state's business community. AIM is the voice of more than 7,200 Massachusetts employers from all industries on legislative and regulatory issues in Boston and Washington. Join other Chamber members for this opportunity to interact with legislators and hear first hand what is in store for the business community on Beacon Hill. For further information on the Government Affairs Committee, please call Roy Nascimento at 508-586-0500 ext. 225.
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Good Morning Metro South December 19The Chamber will hold its next Good Morning Metro South on Thursday, December 19, 2002, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the Holiday Inn/Metro South, 195 Westgate Drive., Brockton. The premier sponsor is Brockton Credit Union. The featured speaker is Ilene Fischer, Managing Director of the Northeast Region of the tompeterscompany!. The tompeterscompany! is a global company that helps organizations introduce, implement and integrate learning for extraordinary results. For nearly two decades, their revolutionary thought practices and offerings have addressed the enormous challenges and strategic business issues organizations face in a hyper-competitive, fast-challenging world. The tompeterscompany! has partnered with thousands of clients who are truly committed to organizational transformation. Prior to joining tompeterscompany!, Ms. Fischer served as an associate partner at Innovative Associates. Her prior experience also includes a chemical engineer for Raytheon and a Quality Manager for Honeywell. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Ms. Fischer has more than eleven years experience in change consulting. She has led complex engagements with clients representing a wide range of industries, including healthcare, chemical, food and beverage, telecommunications, paper, and consumer products. To register, call the Chamber office at 508-586-0500 ext. 221. The cost is $15 for members and $22 for non-members.
Southeastern MA Venture Forum - December 5The Southeastern Mass Venture Forum will hold its next monthly meeting on Thursday, December 5. The forum's educational program brings together entrepreneurs and other individuals who may be interested in servicing and/or investing in growth companies. The keynote speaker for this event will be Scott Kirsner, At-Large Columnist for The Boston Globe, which runs every Monday on the business section front. His focus is on new technologies, the people who create them and bring them to the market and how they impact our lives. Scott is also a contributing editor at Fast Company and Wired Magazine, and his writing has appeared in Newsweek, Boston Magazine, the New York Times, CIO Magazine and the London Sunday Telegraph. Kirsner was one of the founders of the Nantucket Conference on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which is held in May; and Future Forward: The New England Technology Summit, held each fall. In addition, there will also be a Business Plan Presentation given by John Hart III, president and Elliot Klugman, vice president of Business Development of ECD Systems. ECD Systems provides anti-piracy solutions for digital content. The primary company focus is the hard media distribution of high unit volume computer games and high asset value software. These combined segments represent the greatest revenue potential and is the most receptive to anti-piracy adoption. ECD's anti-piracy solution is demonstrably more resistant to copying and cracking than any competitive technology, and has passed rigorous testing reviews at multiple Fortune 500 Technology companies. The December 5 program will run from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. and will be held at the Moakley Center at Bridgewater State College. The fee is $5 by pre-registering and $15 at the door. For more information or to register call Diane Joiner at 508-531-2788.
December Calendar
January Calendar
Note: All meetings are held at the Metro South Chamber office or Metro South Business Assistance Center (BAC) unless otherwise indicated.
Stone Commissioned For Edison MemorialThe Metro South Chamber of Commerce has commissioned Janos Stone to sculpt a memorial in honor of Thomas Edison. He was selected from more than a dozen artists who responded to a request for proposals. The proposals were reviewed and narrowed by Jennifer Atkinson, Director of the Fuller Museum of Art. Stone was then selected after a site visit by Atkinson and several Chamber representatives. Stone, produces his art at The Fenway Studios on Ipswich Street in Boston. He attended the Rhode Island School of Design. While he was attending RISD, he was fortunate to be accepted into the European Honors Program where he lived and and studied in Rome, Italy. Stone was commissioned to fabricate the Nagano Olympic Prize to be given out at the 1998 Olympic Games. Stone also studied the Human Anatomy with artist Eric Ericson at Brown University. Stone was then given the opportunity to teach Figurative Sculpture at Brown University for the Visual Arts Department. He was then asked by the city of Providence, RI in tandem with the Feinstein family to design a memorial to Lillian Feinstein, the mother of the noted philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein. Stone has mainly worked on commissions for private and public clients. Stone's work is also shown in galleries throughout New England.
David Frenette Receives Charles A. Fuller AwardAt its 89th Annual Meeting, the Metro South Chamber of Commerce presented the Charles A. Fuller Memorial Chamber Service Award to David Frenette, Attorney with the Law Firm of Frenette & Dukess in Brockton. Since joining the Chamber's Board of Directors in 1994, David has been called upon many times over the past eight years to contribute his time and talents as the Chamber's legal counsel. His accomplishments on behalf of the Chamber are numerous. He is always an active participant, contributing consistently through word and action. Beyond David's Chamber service, he is also active in many community organizations. He serves as a Trustee on the Board of Brockton Hospital; a Corporator at The Community Bank; is a member of the Board of Management of the Old Colony YMCA; and is a member of the Brockton Rotary Club. David's extraordinary commitment to the Chamber and Metro South community is impressive. He truly embodies the spirit of the Fuller Award. The late Mr. Charles Fuller served as Chairman of the Board for the Chamber and was very dedicated to the organization and the community. The Fuller award recognizes an individual whose leadership performance, personal example and good influence has done the most to advance the welfare of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce and the community.
~ Board Member Profile ~
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