Press Page
Welcome to the Metro South Chamber of Commerce Press Page. We strive to be an excellent resource for information related to the Metro South region. Here members of the press can find information on the Chamber and its members. You can use this website to research demographics, find information on events, or for more information on the regional issues that the Chamber is involved in.
The Press Page is updated monthly. Last update: 8/25/2003.
Chamber Press Releases
The Metro South Chamber of Commerce encourages members to submit electronic press releases for our website! To submit your press release for the webpage please email your press release in electronic format or as an attached word document to news@metrosouthchamber.com with Member Press Release in the subject field. The webpage is updated monthly and items will be placed as space is available. Only member press releases will be considered. Submitted items in conflict with the Chamber's mission or planned events as well as solicitations and advertisements will not be considered.
Members Press Releases
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Chamber in the News
For additional information please contact Sarah DeBettencourt, Communication Director at (508) 586-0500 ext. 222 or email sarah@metrosouthchamber.com
Chamber in the News
The Enterprise
Brockton City Council sets new tax rate
By Sean Flynn, Enterprise staff writer
Tuesday, December 2, 2003
BROCKTON - The City Council Monday night chose a tax factor that dropped tax rates for both residential and commercial property owners, but only business property owners will see lower tax bills.
The owner of a single-family home in the city at the median assessed value of $203,100 will see a $151.90 increase in his or her tax bill.
The owner of a business in the city at the median assessed value of $227,350 will see a $473.79 decrease in the tax bill.
The council chose a tax factor of 1.7, which results in a residential tax rate of $11.51 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which is $1.13 below the tax rate of $12.64 for the past fiscal year and $2.40 below the $13.91 rate of two years ago.
The commercial tax rate now drops to $22.93, which is $3.25 below the $25.78 rate of the past fiscal year and $5.30 below the $28.23 rate of two years ago.
In spite of the decreasing tax rates for homeowners, their tax bills will be going up because of the rapidly accelerating value of residential real estate in the city. Commercial real estate values are also increasing, but only moderately.
Mayor John T. Yunits Jr., Chief Financial Officer John A. Condon and City Assessor Bernard Siegel all stressed the increasing value of residential property as the reason homeowners will be paying a greater percentage of the tax levy this year.
The median assessed value of $203,100 for a single-family home in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2004, represents big jumps over the median values of $172,900 in fiscal year 2003 and $147,000 in fiscal year 2002.
Yunits, Condon and Siegel all expect the trend to continue.
The median selling prices for homes in Brockton this year from January through September was $224,950.
The assessed values used for the tax bills reflect sales and values only through Jan. 1, 2003.
While tax bills are going up for homeowners, Siegel put a good spin on it.
"People in Brockton have equity in their homes, more than anytime in the past," he said.
Still, the equity only comes into play for people selling their homes, and the higher tax bills for homeowners were tough for councilors to accept.
"This is never a nice evening," said Ward 4 Councilor Linda Balzotti.
The antidote to an increasing shift of the tax burden to homeowners, said Condon, "is encouraging new commercial tax base growth."
Councilors, led by councilors-at-large James Harrington and Peter Asiaf, pointed out that they have taken steps to soften the blow for homeowners, including limiting the increases of the tax levy well below the 2.5 percent allowed by state law.
In the current fiscal year, the city will collect $1.02 million in taxes on new construction growth, with $788,244 of that coming from commercial investment.
That is a trend city officials hope to encourage.
For fiscal year 2004, the city will collect a property tax levy totaling $78,552,068.
If the city were to increase its tax levy by the full 2.5 percent allowed under state law Proposition 2 1/2 and increase the levy allowed by new construction growth certified by the state's Department of Revenue, the total levy for fiscal year 2004 would be $80,110,256.
But the city plans not to collect $1,558,188 of that allowable levy limit. Since the new taxes on new growth are outside the limit, the city is only increasing its levy by .5 percent, not 2.5 percent, said Siegel.
Harrington said that restraint results in almost $50 in savings per residential taxpayer.
Siegel showed from fiscal years 1998 through 2004, the city has not collected $9.4 million that it could have under Proposition 2 1/2.
That, said Harrington, reflects the restraint of the City Council on spending.
By law, it is the responsibility of the City Council to choose a tax factor that determines what percentage of the city's total tax levy the residential property owners pay and what percentage of the levy the commercial property owners pay.
The value of all residential properties in the city far outweigh the total value of all commercial properties.
If the city were to use a straight tax factor of 1.0, both residential and commercial property owners would pay a tax rate of $13.49 per $1,000 of valuation, according to a table developed by the Board of Assessors for the City Council.
The result would be that residential property owners would pay 82.7 percent of the city's total property tax levy and the commercial property owners would pay 17.3 percent of the total levy.
By the council's choice of a tax factor of 1.7, the residential property owners will instead pay 70.5 percent of the total tax levy and the commercial and industrial property owners will pay 29.5 percent.
The commercial property owners would-be levy of 17.3 percent is multiplied by the 1.7 factor to give them their new burden of paying 29.5 percent of the total tax levy.
A shift of this magnitude is not popular with the business community.
Christopher Cooney, president of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, asked councilors to use a 1.62 tax factor recommended by Condon. That would have resulted in a bigger tax cut for business owners this year, a $719 decrease at the median value.
The owner of the median single-family home would have faced a $197 increase.
Condon was thinking of next year.
Condon had pointed out that state law allows a maximum tax factor 1.75. He assumes residential property values will continue to increase, and that the council may have to increase the levy by the full 2.5 percent next year because of continuing state aid cuts, reduced city reserves, and school financing obligations.
Homeowners face even greater tax bill increases next year, he said.
By taking a lower tax factor this year, Condon said the homeowners would take a bigger increase this year, but have next year's projected increase alleviated if the council then went to a 1.72 or even 1.75 factor to shift some of that increase onto the commercial taxpayers.
Council President Charles Logan said the council would focus on this year and not try to balance projected increases over two years.
The council voted unanimously to stay at 1.7, the same tax factor used in the past fiscal year.
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The Boston Globe
Business groups rally to oppose tax measure
By Scott S. Greenberger, Globe Staff
Tuesday, December 2, 2003
Business groups, encouraged by Governor Mitt Romney's apparent sympathy for their cause, are stepping up their efforts to weaken or derail a bill designed to protect homeowners from huge property tax increases by making business owners pay more.
Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino lobbied furiously for the bill, arguing that without it the average Boston homeowner would see a property tax increase of $800 next year. As many as 50 other communities also would benefit from the measure, which would allow cities to raise commercial tax rates beyond the current limits to deal with a rare divergence between rising residential property values and stagnant commercial values.
Romney and Senate President Robert E. Travaglini endorsed the proposal, but it stalled in the House as the legislative session wound down last month. The Legislature did agree, however, to establish a five-member commission charged with drafting a bill by Jan. 12 that will allow communities to raise commercial tax rates beyond the current limits, at least temporarily.
Though Romney's spokeswoman said he has not altered his stance, business leaders are taking heart from a letter the governor issued when he signed the bill creating the commission. In it he mentions "my concerns that this measure has the potential to create an adverse impact on business opportunities and job creation in our Commonwealth."
Business leaders say Menino's bill would burden commercial property owners at a time when many of them are struggling to emerge from the economic downturn.
"It looks like, to his credit, that [Romney] may be reconsidering his earlier support for the measure," said Brian Gilmore of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, noting that business owners have been bombarding Beacon Hill with letters and calls opposing Menino's proposal. "Hopefully, he's heard from our members."
Christopher Cooney, president of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, noted that the bill creating the commission doesn't specify how long cities and towns can temporarily raise the commercial tax rate beyond the current limit. Cooney said business groups are hopeful they can persuade the commission and the governor to make the period shorter than the three years proposed by Menino and endorsed by Romney.
"If you're charging a task force with gathering information and gaining insight and making recommendations, those recommendations should hold some sway over the final decision," said Cooney, one of about 20 business leaders who met with Romney last week. "I don't think it's too late."
A spokesman for Menino said the mayor "remains confident that Governor Romney will work with him for the relief of the homeowners of Boston."
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The Enterprise
Menino says convention is chance to 'sell' region
By Sean Flynn, Enterprise staff writer
Thursday, November 20, 2003
BROCKTON - More than 500 people gathered Wednesday at the Massasoit Conference Center for the 90th annual meeting of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, and to hear Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino talk about the massive preparations under way for the 2004 Democratic National Convention at the Fleet Center in July.
The convention has been classified a "National Special Security Event," meaning Boston will be aided by the Secret Service, the FBI and other federal agencies in planning security.
The original convention budget called for $10 million for security, but the estimated cost is now up to $25 million, according to Menino.
"The security will be unbelievable," said Menino, who met with FBI and Secret Service officials on Tuesday.
"I can't wait until it is over," he said, getting laughs from the crowd.
The total convention budget is now at $65 million, but spending by the thousands of delegates, guests and those covering the convention will boost the regional economy by additional millions of dollars.
Menino said 15,000 "reporters and other media types" are expected to flood into the city.
This is an opportunity "to sell" the region, and spur later vacations and visits by the guests, according to the Boston mayor. He said hotel rooms in the Brockton area will also be booked to help meet convention demand.
"While it's great for Boston, it's good for all of New England," he said.
Menino also gave the Chamber and city a tip on how to bring millions of dollars into the community.
Many people who don't owe any federal taxes, or do not earn enough money to require them to file a tax return, fail every year to claim their earned income tax credit payments from the federal government.
With mailings, posters in subways and buses, and notices on public bulletin boards - along with volunteers at 17 sites around Boston - the city was able to boost within one year the amount of EITC money sent to city residents by $5 million.
That campaign is a model Brockton business leaders now want to follow.
James Blake, president and CEO of the Brockton Credit Union and newly re-elected chairman of the MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce, said the loss in earned income tax credit payments to city residents is significant.
"If a company opened in the city with 300 employees, each earning $40,000 a year, that total salary income would be the equivalent of the EITC unclaimed money in this city," Blake said.
That is $12 million a year.
A married couple earning less than $34,178, filing jointly, with a qualifying child qualifies. The payments can be up to $4,400 a year for a family.
Christopher Cooney, president and CEO of the Metro South Chamber, said the chamber will work with the city, School Department and organizations like the YMCA to get the word out about this tax credit benefit.
"With more money in people's pockets, they spend most of it locally," said Menino.
Besides the Menino speech and luncheon, Wednesday's events also featured the Business-to-Business Expo. More than 60 area businesses from Abington Savings Bank and The Enterprise, to Signature Apparel and Vanguard ACE, set up display stands to make contacts with other businesses.
Besides Blake, other officers confirmed at the annual meeting were Chairman-elect Stephen Hall of the Massachusetts Electric Co. and treasurer Gary Oman, a certified public accountant. The four vice chairmen are: for community affairs, Paula Peterson of the Children's Museum in Easton; for economic development, Robert Kenworthy of Fleet Bank; for government affairs, Reinald Ledoux of the Brockton Area Transit Authority; and, for membership development, H. Scott Sanborn of Sovereign Bank.
Every year, the Chamber makes special awards to companies that have had an economic impact on the area or in a Metro South community in the past year.
The nine winners this year included Stop & Shop, for investing $20 million in two new Super Stop & Shop supermarkets in Brockton and Whitman; Roche Bros. for investing $7 million in a new supermarket on Route 138 in Easton; Stoughton Courtyard by Marriott for a $2 million renovation; and W.B. Mason Co., for investing $1 million in its corporate headquarters on Centre Street in Brockton.
Also, CompuMath Consulting for investing $750,000 to renovate the former Tea House of the Almighty on Main Street in downtown Brockton; Douglas A. King Builders, for investing $13 million to build the 99-unit Queset on the Pond rental community in Easton; Geo. Knight & Co. for investing $2 million in its facility on Commercial Street in Brockton; Joe Angelo's Cafe and Deli, for a $500,000 investment to open Mulligan's at Main and Crescent streets in downtown Brockton; and Murphy and McManus, for investing $11 million to renovate the medical building at One Pearl Street in Brockton.
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Brockton High School introduces students to business world
By Jennifer Kovalich, Enterprise staff writer
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
BROCKTON -- Cristina Martinez has only been in the professional world for three weeks, but she has already developed a sharp business acumen.
A high school junior, Martinez has been working as an intern at the law firm of McCluskey, Yunits & Buckley after school. She is considering a career in the law field and has learned a few lessons about the working world.
"It's really quick. You have to be on point. You have to be a people person," she said Monday.
Martinez is one of 80 Brockton High School students who this semester are participating in a community internship program. A summer session, called Summer of Work and Learning, is also offered at the school.
The programs are designed to introduce students to the business world, teach them skills to make them marketable in the workforce, give them a taste of "real life" expectations.
The internship program was launched in the fall of 2001 through a partnership the school department formed with the Brockton Area Private Industry Council. The Summer of Work and Learning program began as a pilot program in 1994.
A "Rewarding Youth Achievement" grant from the U.S. Department of Labor has provided funding for the semester-based internship program but that money is about to dry up, said Shailah Stewart, the district's communities and schools for career success coordinator.
Starting next semester, businesses will be asked to pick up half the costs.
"We are now asking work sites to step up to the plate," Stewart said Monday.
Costs for the businesses to participate in the spring will be about $290. Summertime programs are expected to cost businesses more than $780.
"We are anticipating a need for work sites," Stewart said.
The semester-based internship program consists of 48 hours of paid work time.
The summer program lasts five weeks and includes 20 hours of work weekly plus a day in class.
Stewart said private agencies and nonprofits have been very supportive of the programs in the past, however it may be cost prohibitive for some in the future.
To raise awareness of the internship opportunities, Stewart and two students will participate in the Metro South Business Expo Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Conference Center at Massasoit on Crescent Street.
The program is one that the Metro South Chamber of Commerce has embraced said chamber CEO and President Christopher Cooney.
"The program is great for several reasons," Cooney said.
"It gets students into a business setting to see firsthand what it takes to make a business successful. It also shows them what they have to do to prepare for exiting school and entering the work world."
Cooney said he has seen students come in and learn office skills such as using postage meters and scales while picking up equally important business etiquette such as professional dress codes.
"Even in one day it's amazing what one student can pick up," he said.
Businesses also win out in the program because they can groom potential employees, Cooney said.
That was the case at McCluskey, Yunits & Buckley, said Rita Cashin, a real estate law assistant. The firm liked the first intern it had so much it hired the student, who is now a sophomore at Bridgewater State College, to work after classes end for the day.
Martinez, who mans the phones for the 13 employees at the firm, has been a good fit, too.
"She greets the clients. She is very polite ... she seems to have caught on really well," Cashin said.
Brockton Hospital was one of the original participants in the internship program when the Summer of Work and Learning began, said spokesman Rich Copp.
The hospital may have to trim back its participation if it is picking up part of the future costs.
"It may mean we have a slightly smaller program this summer," Copp said. "It would not be in anyone's interests, not the hospital's and not the students', to discontinue the program."
Students placed at the hospital have had the chance to learn about nursing, radiology, medical records and more.
Stewart said overall students have been placed in more than 100 businesses in the community. The students are paid $8 per hour and have to provide their own transportation. Internship placements have included W.B. Mason, the 21st Century Economic Development Corp., Crescent Credit Union and retail.
To help students gain skills they will need in the workforce, Stewart said each is evaluated before he or she starts an internships and after.
Students are also surveyed for their perspectives. Stewart said students have indicated they would like the programs to last longer and they would like to earn more money.
Stewart said the program has a proven track record it would like to continue.
"This has proven its work and we would like to see it be a community-funded initiative and not have to rely on scarce grant funding," she said.
Martinez can vouch for the program.
Her internship will end Thursday, but in her short time at McCluskey, Yunits & Berkley, she has gotten a taste of real estate law, estate planning and criminal law. The program has met her expectations, she said.
"It was somewhat similar to what I thought it would be," she said. "I learned how the place works."
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The Enterprise
Gain without the pain wins more converts
By Maria Papadopoulos
Enterprise Special Correspondent
Saturday, August 16, 2003
Linda Downey of Brockton is jumping up and down to pop music on a square platform.
Change station, the recorded voice orders politely.
She quickly gets on a hydraulic-resistance machine and pumps her arms for 30 seconds, then moves yet again on the circuit.
In four months of half-hour, stop-and-go workout sessions at Curves for Women in Easton, Downey has dropped 18 pounds and shed 12 inches.
Finally, she said as she held in her shorts, now a size too big, she's found a workout program that's fast, easy and fun.
"I love it. It's quickly in and quickly out," said Downey, 52. "I wouldn't miss coming here, no matter what."
Downey is one of thousands of area women hitting fitness clubs like Curves that promise quick workouts - and results.
With more than 200 Curves outlets in Massachusetts and 5,000 nationwide, the privately owned, Waco, Texas-based company is the world's fastest-growing fitness franchise, measured by locations, according to Entrepreneur magazine.
Curves exercise centers have raced into the region, with centers in Abington, Carver, Hanover, Kingston, Lakeville, Middleboro, Norton, Plymouth, Randolph, Raynham, Rockland, Stoughton and Taunton.
"It certainly shows that there's a lot of demand for this," said Roy Nascimento, vice president of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce.
Strip-mall fitness centers like Curves target inactive or overweight women over age 35, who may be first-time exercisers and are not fans of gyms where jocks and babes rule.
"In gyms, you have to be a jock in order to fit in," Downey said. "There are some very heavy women here, and they don't feel intimidated by size."
June Rullo of Easton, 63, said she has become more agile after working out at Curves.
"After you get to a certain age, your bones start to stiffen up," she said as she toned up on the leg press at the Easton center. "I can move faster."
To compete with Curves, similar centers are opening, such as Ladies Workout Express in Easton; Lite-N-Up Inc. in Brockton; Motivation Works for Her in West Bridgewater, and Slendher Inc. in Bridgewater, due to open this week.
"Around the urban areas, they're like, saturated," said Shannon Merlino, fitness technician at Curves in Brockton.
Not to be left behind is the Old Colony Y in Brockton, which has incorporated a similar 30-minute "Express Workout" on weight machines.
Fitness experts say the quick workouts three times a week can help women fight obesity, heart disease and diabetes. They may see increased muscle tone, flexibility and strength.
"It works great for people who have time restraints or are new to exercise," said Jen Sullivan, YMCA fitness director.
But longer, more intense activity is needed for cardiovascular benefits, said Robert Haslam, director of the human performance lab at Bridgewater State College.
"When you do resistance work, the heart rates go up, but the aerobic fitness doesn't," he said. "In terms of cardio, it sounds like (the Curves method) wouldn't be enough."
There's nothing fancy about a typical Curves center.
Each has roughly 1,500 square feet of space with eight to 12 exercise machines arranged in a circle. Women work out together to lively music. A recorded voice tells them when to move to the next machine. There typically are no showers, saunas or whirlpools.
Members sign a one-year agreement and pay $29 to $49 per month, based on location. Curves also has a one-time sign-up fee of $149, but some centers offer a discount. The sign-up fee in Stoughton is $89; in Randolph, $75.
The center's simplicity - and an affordable $25,000 franchise fee for the owner - has yielded astounding success for Curves International and its franchise owners.
Bonnie Arruda, manager of Curves in Easton, said her club has drawn 1,000 members since opening in January 2002.
Curves in Bridgewater opened one month ago and already has 200 women enrolled, according to Darlene Moore, club manager.
Company officials say they predict a sell-out of domestic Curves markets by next year.
However, Nascimento, of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, said the company - and its members - need to be aware of the financial and customer-service problems that can result from such rapid expansion.
"I know that's been a problem for some companies that have expanded too quickly," he said, noting when Boston Market rapidly grew and then hit hard times.
Some who tried it and quit have said some Curves "technicians" were inattentive, the warm-ups were inadequate and centers did not post instructions on how to use the exercise machines.
Supervision during exercise "was very limited, if any," said Melodie Olson of Abington, who quit her membership at the Abington Curves because she "just wasn't getting the results I thought I would."
And, over the last three years, the state Better Business Bureau received three complaints about Curves centers in Wilmington, Haverhill and Woburn. An official at the bureau said two were resolved and one is outstanding. She did not comment on the nature of the complaints.
Paul Baldrate, general manager of Plymouth Fitness in Plymouth and Jordan Fitness in Halifax, has seen fitness fads come and go in his 24 years of industry experience.
The long-term potential for Curves, he said, will ultimately come down to individual franchise operators.
"That's going to be where the rubber meets the road," Baldrate said. "If they're just looking for a fast buck by taking advantage of the Curves phenomenon, that will quickly become apparent within their operation."
Some area women said they've seen a lack of customer service at two Curves outlets.
Olson, of Abington, said she replaced the Curves workout with walking. She complained of inattention from the technicians.
"I felt that they had their favorites and they would chat with them," she said. "I would just do my thing, not speak a word and leave. There was no overly friendliness."
Marti Mulholland of Abington, a member of the Abington center, also complained some, but not all, staffers were inattentive. "I don't like the fact that they don't watch you," she said.
Another woman, who asked not to be named, said there were no posted instructions on using the exercise machines.
Mary Beth Couble, manager of the Abington Curves, said members are shown how to use the machines the first time. "Then afterwards, we're watching them," she said.
As for posted instructions, she said, "That's not a requirement. I have the Curves hard-cover book out. We always encourage our members to purchase the book."
A third woman, who belongs to the Brockton center, said Curves staff in Brockton did not ask members to warm up before getting on the machines. But she did praise the results she got. She lost 30 pounds since November of last year.
Baldrate said the American College of Sports Medicine recommends a warm-up of 10 to 20 minutes prior to physical activity to prevent injuries and stiffness.
"Primarily, it's stretching," he said. "That's often the most neglected part of a fitness program."
Amanda Cruz, manager of the Brockton Curves, said members do a warm-up on the machines.
"You basically are stretching your arms on the machines," she said. "That's your warm-up. It's 2 1/2 minutes of slowly going through the motions and then getting your heart rate up."
Many members interviewed last week were satisfied.
Karen Danforth-Barron of Rockland joined a Curves center near her job.
"They were getting quicker results, loss of inches," she said. "I was working out at the gym for twice as long and not getting that result."
Danforth-Barron opened her own Curves franchise in Kingston in October 2002. The club now has 500 members, she said.
Similar centers are also doing well.
Ladies Workout Express boasts 185 members after opening its franchise doors about one month ago, said co-owner Janis S. Martin, who lost 130 pounds at Curves. "It just lit a fire under me," she said.
Laurie Conley of Brockton opened Lite-N-Up Inc. in October 2002. The club mirrors Curves except her fitness machines have a dial to vary the resistance, while Curves' do not, she said. That means the program adapts to women of different fitness levels.
Conley also installed showers and tanning beds in the club, which has 500 members now, she said.
Fitness experts say Curves' recommended regimen - 30 minutes three-days-a-week - is better than no exercise.
"The President's Council (for fitness) is really advocating daily activity," said Haslam of Bridgewater State College. "But it's better than not doing anything."
Arcel Talusan of Easton, 56, said she likes the variety of the exercise circuit. "With this it changes," she said. "You don't get bored."
Men thinking of crashing a Curves center can think again. In 1998, Massachusetts law allowed single-sex health clubs to ensure privacy for women.
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The Enterprise
Adult learning director gets Athena Award
Linda Faria Braun is honored by the Metro South Chamber of Commerce
By Elaine Allegrini
Enterprise Staff Writer
Friday, June 20, 2003
Brockton- In 30 years as a teacher, role model and mentor, Linda Faria Braun has led the way for thousands of women who seek to better themselves through education.
For her work, Braun was presented the Metro South Chamber of Commerce's annual Athena Award on Thursday.
In accepting the bronze sculpture that symbolizes strength, courage and wisdom, Braun said she is motivated by a phrase from the Pledge of Allegiance, "Liberty and justice for all."
That is what leads her in her work as director of Brockton's Adult Learning Center, where this year 740 adults from around the world attended classes to learn English and prepare for high school equivalency diploma exams.
The program also offers training in parenting skills, especially when it relates to their children's education.
There are 1,100 people on the waiting list.
This was the fifth annual Athena Award, which recognizes outstanding leaders who strive toward the highest level of professional excellence and community service and generously assist women in reaching their full leadership potential.
The award was presented last year to Christine Karavites, a senior consultant with the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute.
More than 100 people packed the dining room at the Holiday Inn for the presentation.
Faria Braun was nominated by Anne Beauregard of Citizens Bank. She was greeted by a standing ovation.
"Over the past 30 years, Ms. Faria Braun has administered a comprehensive adult basic education program providing thousands of men and women with the skills necessary to open doors to opportunity and a new life," Metro South's Lou Russo said in introducing Faria Braun.
The award came the same week the Adult learning Center celebrated its 30th anniversary. Faria Braun has been there since it was established.
In accepting the award, Faria Braun paid tribute to her staff, quoting from a book, "Hire the right people and get out of the way."
She said the award was also recognition of the teaching profession.
"I am privileged to be among this group of women," she said, "I am truly, truly honored."
Other nominees were Joyce Antine, vice president of financial development for the Old Colony YMCA; Andrea Bates, executive director for the Brockton Symphony Orchestra; Joan Medeiros, assistant vice president of Rockland Trust Co.; and Maureen Murray, a department head with 21st Century Community Learning Centers for Brockton schools.
Guest speaker was Shirley Singleton, a graduate of East Bridgewater High School who became a teacher and track coach only to find herself unemployed in the late 1980's. She went on to study computer programming and, in 1992, was co-founder of Edgewater Technologies, a company that weathered the fall of the industry and gained notoriety when employee Michael McDermott shot and killed seven employees in the Wakefield office in December 2000.
Singleton said she handled that with the same determination that she handled her job loss a decade earlier.
"I'm not going to lose this company to some jerk who decides to go crazy," she said.
Today, Singleton said the company is enjoying success. As the CEO of the now publicly traded Edgewater Technologies, she recently purchased another company and is planning two more acquisitions on the next 18 months. And, in the last 60 days, Edgewater has added 20 new employees in Massachusetts.
Elaine Allegrini can be reached at eallegrini@enterprisenews.com
Business News
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerrie Blake
Communications Director
(508) 586-0500 ext. 222
Metro South Chamber Launches New Interactive Website at www.metrosouthchamber.com
Brockton, MA (July 2, 2003)- The Metro South Chamber of Commerce, the voice of business in the region, unveiled its new redesigned website www.metrosouthchamber.com today. The new site was made possible through web designer Media Concepts of Whitman.
The website has a new look and provides Metro South businesses and residents, as well as prospective businesses, with a wealth of information on the Metro South Chamber of Commerce and the region. The website, www.metrosouthchamber.com, is a portal for all things in the Metro South and includes community economic profiles, demographics, business statistics, a searchable business directory of Chamber members, and complete information about the Chamber and its business benefits.
"We're very excited to offer a site that is a one-stop shopping resource for information on Brockton and the Metro South region," said Christopher B. Cooney, President and CEO of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce. "The new site provides visitors from around the world with information on finding businesses in the region, relocating to a Metro South community, or visiting one of our great attractions."
The redesigned site includes new features such as secure online registration for programs and events, a press page, Chamber News to spotlight what's currently happening at the Chamber, as well as information for relocation purposes and for business and leisure travel planning. Over twenty-five categories are listed on the new Website under topics such as About the Region, Relocation Information, Employment, Sample Wages, Visitor and Travel Information, and Entertainment. Website visitors can explore Metro South golf courses, Massachusetts politics, dining, shopping, special events, and museums and cultural attractions to name just a few. The site also contains a variety of links to valuable national and local business resources on the Internet.
"The new website was created with a special focus on the needs of our membership," said Roy M. Nascimento, Vice President of the Metro South Chamber who led the Chamber efforts with Media Concepts on the redesign of the website. "Our goal was to deliver improved customer service by providing a site that was user friendly, provided valuable information, had value-added benefits for our members, and was more interactive with new e-commerce features."
"We worked to find a balance between attractiveness, speed, ease of updating, and functionality," said Joe Goldsberry, Owner of Media Concepts and designer of the new website. "The new website gives the Chamber unlimited potential to serve its members and to promote awareness about what the Metro South has to offer."
The Metro South Chamber of Commerce is the region's oldest and leading economic development and business advocacy organization. The Chamber serves over 900 member businesses in the communities of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Holbrook, Norwell, Randolph, Rockland, Sharon, Stoughton, West Bridgewater, and Whitman.
The Patriot Ledger
Metro South maintains momentum
Despite economic downturn region prospers
Business Forum Special
By Christopher Cooney, President & CEO
Metro South Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
The Metro South region-comprised of the 18 communities south of Boston and centered in Brockton-has not only been weathering the recent economic downturn, it has prospered.
During the last recession, nearly 10 years ago, the region was among the hardest to be hit.
Today, with a diverse economy and a booming real estate market, the region has exploded with new opportunities.
The Metro South region's success lies with its diverse employer base. Health care is the largest industry, with four major hospitals and numerous health care and biotechnology companies making their home in the region. Low interest rates, the region's booming real-estate and home building markets, and the number of new businesses relocating into the area have caused a major expansion of the financial services industry in the region. The region is home to several major financial institutions with long histories of service, including Rockland Trust Company, Abington Savings Bank, Bridgewater Savings Bank, Community Bank, First Fed and Brockton Credit Union- among the largest credit unions in New England.
All of these companies, along with the larger regional banks such as Fleet, Eastern, Sovereign, and Citizens Bank, have expanded in the region. Demand for qualified workers in both these industries still continues in spite of the increase in unemployment.
Despite the decline if manufacturing in New England, the industry is still a major employer in Metro South, with a number of large and small manufacturing facilities, and machine and metal shops located in the region. Many of them have relocated into the area after being priced out of Boston.
Transportation is the key to the economic vitality of any community and the Metro South region has benefited from major improvements to the region's transportation infrastructure. The expansion of the Old Colony Commuter Rail Line in particular has served as a catalyst for growth. A resident of the region can be in South Station within 30 minutes. In addition, the region benefits because it's strategically located on Route 24, between Route 128 and Interstate 495. Six million people live within a 50 mile radius of the region.
Major companies such as Shaw's Supermarkets, W.B. Mason, and Reebok International have chosen the region as their home. In addition, several new hotels and a new Fed-Ex distribution center have opened in the region. The list of new investment in the region goes on and on. Companies are finding out the Metro South Region is an attractive economy filled with opportunity.
The Enterprise
State budget to be cut to the core
The State Senate president gives a grim budget preview, saying "core services" will go
By Sean Flynn
Enterprise Staff Writer
Friday, April 11, 2003
Brockton-State Senate President Robert Travaglini had no good news for the members of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning, confirming fears that the House and Senate will unveil budgets that severely cut state services.
But unlike in past years, the details will come soon.
"We cannot cut our way out of this crisis," he said. "We will abandon what I believe are core services of government."
Last year, the leaders of the Legislature, the Senate President Thomas Birmingham and House Speaker Thomas Finneran, battled over provisions of the budget, such as financing campaign reform, so passage of the budget was delayed until late fall.
"You may not like the budget this year, but it will be on time," said Travaglini. "For the first time in a long time, the House and Senate have established a camaraderie."
He said he, Finneran and Gov. Mitt Romney have been meeting weekly in order to try to settle differences.
The House is expected to unveil its version of the budget on April 23, and the Senate will follow with its proposal in mid-May. Fiscal year 2004 begins July 1.
In the current fiscal year, Travaglini said $650 million was cut from the budget. Now, there is nearly $3 billion shortfall in state revenues.
Travaglini said about $700 million can be made up by increasing various state fees and through cost-saving measures. That leaves $2.3 billion that must be cut from about $2.3 billion in projected expenditures.
Travaglini said about $16. 4 billion of the state budget cannot be cut because the money represents expenditures that are legal obligations of the state or mandates of the federal government, such as bond debt repayments, pensions, Medicaid, health insurance and foundation level spending for the school districts in the state.
The needed cut of $2.3 billion must therefore come from $6.7 billion in so-called discretionary funding, he said.
That will mean cuts in local aid and other areas of 15 to 20 percent, he said.
While Travaglini said there is "no appetite" for the new taxes among the general public or in the legislature, he hinted that may change.
"We must balance the budget without new taxes and without cutting core services," he said. "If we can't do that, there could be a call back and a revisiting of our strategy."
Brockton Mayor John Yunits Jr. agreed with that assessment. "The magnitude of these cuts will generate blood in the streets," he said. "There will be calls for new revenues."
Yunits favors re-establishing an income tax rate of 5.95 percent that was in effect in 1999, which would be an increase over the current 5.3 percent rate.
He said that would bring in additional $1 billion to help alleviate the deep cuts in government services and help prevent the layoff of needed police officers, firefighters and teachers across the state.
Travaglini said the current deficit is the result of 42 different tax cuts in 1990s, the rollback of the income tax in 2000, a recession, the terrorist attacks and the collapse of the stock market.
"It is not inefficiency and waste in government, and it is not because we have ineffective people administering government," he said. "It is time for this administration to transfer from campaign mode to government mode."
The governor has proposed increasing revenues by allowing slot machines in the state, but Travaglini said these possible revenues will not be a part of the legislature's budget.
"We'll take a look at proposals," he said. "We have to consider the effect on the Lottery, the local aid and the fabric of our community. But let's decide once and for all if it's something we want to do, and not dance around it."
Sean Flynn can be reached at sflynn@enterprise.com
Members Press Releases
Fleischman joins staff of Old Colony United Way
Kimberly Fleischman of New Bedford was appointed Assistant Campaign Director of Old Colony United Way. She works with Vice President and Campaign Director Chuck Callan to plan, organize and direct the annual fund-raising campaign.
"Kim is a much-welcomed addition to our staff," said Tom O'Rourke, President & CEO of Old Colony United Way. "She has 10 years of experience with nonprofits and will be a great asset in developing relationships with local companies to help them run more effective United Way campaigns."
Fleischman previously was Community Impact Coordinator for United Way of Greater New Bedford, where she was responsible for grants administration and served as a liaison with member agencies. She also worked as Administration Manager for United Way of Greater New Bedford and had been Youth Services Director of YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts.
A resident of New Bedford, Fleischman has two daughters, Taylor and Dylan. She has a master's degree in Education from Bank Street College in New York City and a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Denison College in Ohio.
Old Colony United Way is a local fund-raising organization serving 22 communities and providing funds for 38 member agencies. Through a vigorous campaign with area businesses and individuals, Old Colony supports important community agencies, such as American Red Cross, Big Brother-Big Sister, Dom Davies Senior Center and the Boys and Girls Club.
The goal of Old Colony United Way is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of people who live and work in the communities of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, West Bridgewater and Whitman.
For more information, call the Old Colony United Way at 508-583-6306 or go to the website at www.oldcolonyunitedway.com.
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Chamber Press Releases
Metro South Chamber Launches On-Line Conference & Meeting Space Directory
Brockton, MA (August 25, 2003)-The Metro South Chamber of Commerce, the voice of business in the region, unveiled a new on-line directory of local conference and meeting space facilities on its recently redesigned website www.metrosouthchamber.com today. The new site was made possible through web designer Media Concepts of Whitman.
The on-line directory, located at www.metrosouthchamber.com/meeting.html, contains detailed information on conference and meeting facilities located throughout the Metro South region. The directory is intended to assist corporate and event planners as they make their decisions on locations for their next meeting or event. The information on each listing includes square footage, total capacity, number of meeting rooms, handicap access, contact information, as well as whether the facility has catering and multimedia services.
The facilities listed on the directory vary from small venues that can accommodate up to 30 people for small business meetings to larger facilities that can accommodate up to 1,500 people for high-tech presentations and elegant dinners. Member businesses with function or meeting space are invited to submit their information to the Metro South Chamber of Commerce for inclusion on the directory. Call (508) 586-0500 ext. 225 or email roy@metrosouthchamber.com for a submission form.
The Metro South Chamber of Commerce is the region's oldest and leading economic development and business advocacy organization. The Chamber serves over 900 member businesses in the communities of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Holbrook, Norwell, Randolph, Rockland, Sharon, Stoughton, West Bridgewater, and Whitman.
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Chamber Day at the Rox
On Thursday, July 17, 2003 the Metro South Chamber of Commerce will celebrate Metro South's home team, the Brockton Rox at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton. Game time is 12:00 noon.
The event features a special "fun pack" for your employees and customers to enjoy. This afternoon is a great opportunity to hold your company outing while experiencing a great baseball stadium and team. The Brockton Rox will play the Berkshire Blackbears.
All members are invited and encouraged to participate in this event. Mark your calendar for this great opportunity to meet potential clients, customers and other local business people as well as take in a great baseball game. Exposure for your business is your competitive edge so bring plenty of business cards. The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.
To find out more information on this event or to register call the Chamber at 508-586-0500 ext. 221.
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Brockton High School Student Art Exhibition
at the Fuller Museum of Art June 9 - June 20, 2003
Opening reception: June 11, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Brockton, MA. Edmund Allen Smart was awarded the 2003 Fuller Museum of Art Docent Award for best artwork of a student at Brockton High School. The Docent Award consists of an opportunity for the winning student to show his or her work in a museum setting at the Fuller Museum of Art in Brockton. Smart's work will be shown from June 9 through June 20, 2003, with an opening reception to be held on June 11, 2003 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Smart's art work is based upon 3D computer modeling and animation. His original characters were inspired by the hobgoblins of classic fairytales. But when the "The Lord of the Rings" series of movies came out in theaters, Smart noticed strong similarities between his characters, and the movies' animated character, Gollum. Smart stopped working on his own project, knowing that he would have no proof that his work was indeed original. "But at least I know I'm on the right track with what's going on in the industry," he said. Smart then started working on another hobgoblin project, a three-fingered character named Zy. The exhibition at the Fuller Museum of Art features Zy in action, fully modeled and animated.
Smart was taught by Brockton High School art teachers Mr. Mello and Mr. Allen. Both supervised his computer work as to composition and layout. Mr. Allen also taught Smart the necessary drawing skills to do animation. Having just graduated from Brockton High School, Smart will carry out his two year mission in the Morman church. After his mission is completed, he will go to college for computer animation, possibly to the Art Institute of San Francisco.
FULLER MUSEUM OF ART
455 Oak St., Brockton MA 02301
TEL 508.588.6000 FAX 508.587.6191
www.fullermuseum.org
contact: Dawn Low, x.113
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