Senator Rausch Launches Local Small Business Advisory Council

SENATOR RAUSCH ANNOUNCES CREATION OF 

SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL 

Council is comprised of local business owners to inform economic recovery policies on Beacon Hill 

 

This morning (3/25/22), Senator Rausch hosted the inaugural meeting of her Small Business Advisory Council, consisting of eleven small business from across the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District. Spurred by the unique challenges small businesses face during the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council's mission is to create a consistent dialogue about issues facing small businesses from across the district to inform economic policy on Beacon Hill.  

 

The Massachusetts legislative session ends at the end of July, and the Senate will be debating the fiscal year 2023 budget this May. The four remaining months of the legislative session are a critical period to pass bills and allocate funding for Massachusetts communities and local projects across the state. 

 

"Small businesses have always been the backbones of our communities," said Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham). "Our local business owners have faced countless challenges through this pandemic, but in my district, I have seen so much innovation and persistence from these local leaders. I am excited to give our communities' businesses a seat at the table to inform my work on Beacon Hill and meet the diverse needs of our local economy." 

 

The Senator's Small Business Advisory Council currently consists of the following 11 businesses: 

• 67 Degrees Brewing, Franklin 

• Althea's Beauty Depot, North Attleboro 

• Choc-Allure, Needham 

• Crosby's Coffeehouse, Wrentham 

• French Press, Needham 

• La Cantina, Franklin  

• Nutty Bird Granola, Sherborn 

• Quality Cleaners, Millis 

• Todos, Natick  

• An Unlikely Story, Plainville 

• Wesleaf, Needham 

 

Last year, the Massachusetts Legislature approved $75 million in grant funding for small businesses grants through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, which administered the largest state-sponsored business relief program in the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Applications for MGCC grants are due by April 4, 2022.   

Senator Becca Rausch represents the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District, comprised of Attleboro, Franklin, Millis, Natick, Needham, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Sherborn, Wayland, Wellesley, and Wrentham. Senator Rausch serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture and the Senate Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

 

Senator Rausch Launches Local Small Business Advisory Council