Watch "We are Local - Love My Local MA" on YouTube

Whether it is #shopFranklin, #thinkFranklinFirst, #KeepItLocal, spending money in Franklin helps Franklin.

Direct link to video -> https://youtu.be/vaWHjnFWuV8

New business - CleanX Franklin opens for business

Proud to announce my new office cleaning business is up and running. CleanX Franklin is a local office cleaning business open Monday through Saturday. If you or anyone you know is in need of an office cleaning please contact us at cleanxfranklin@gmail.com

From their About page:  https://www.cleanxfranklin.com/

"Our mission at CleanX is simple: to provide high-quality services for our valued clients. Our team goes above and beyond to cater to each project’s specific needs. Through open communication and exceptional service, we hope you’ll find what you’re looking for with our Office Cleaning Service. For more information or general inquiries, get in touch today." 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/955635081150249/permalink/4108155262564866/

CleanX Franklin opens for business

Yes, #ThinkFranklinFirst Gift Cards are reloadable

To answer a frequently asked question: YES! Think Franklin First Gift Cards are reloadable! Bring your card to our amazing partner, Dean Bank, and add funds anytime! (Cash only!) 

Keep one ready to use in your wallet at all times as a reminder to #ThinkFranklinFirst!  

Status update: we have sold over $47,000 worth of gift cards! Thank you for the support!

Do you have one to spend? Visit www.franklingiftcard.com for a current list of participating businesses!  

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/109645590402552/posts/491291672237940/

Yes, #ThinkFranklinFirst Gift Cards are reloadable

Franklin Food Pantry: #ProjectEnvoy calendar for April 2021

"April is our last month of #projectenvoy, a community driven project, designed to support local restaurants who in-turn will donate some of their proceeds to The Franklin Food Pantry. 

 

What restaurant are you looking forward to trying?"

 

Find the April calendar here -> https://t.co/0KVI5FegEV  

or -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/April-Calendar.3.25.21.final_.pdf

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinFoodPan/status/1377233126330658818

Franklin Food Pantry: #ProjectEnvoy calendar for April 2021

Talk Franklin -> The Start of Spring 2021: News & Updates in Franklin! (audio)

 FM #503 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 503 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Re-opening
• Vaccine local delivery for homebound?
• Library, what’s next?
• Senior Center st pats meal

• THE BLACK BOX has events in April
• Project Envoy continues (#ThinkFrankinFirst)

• Budget cycle
• Capital coming to Capital SubComm - Weds, Mar 31
• Joint Budget SubComm - TBD
• FinComm hearings in Apr (4/27-28-29, 5/4)
• Town Council hearings in May

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 41 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie. 

*** Audio file = https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/episodes/The-Start-of-Spring-2021-News--Updates-in-Franklin-etqjl7/a-a53fd35

 

--------------

Town of Franklin COVID-19 page = https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/vaccination-and-covid-19-data 

Town of Franklin budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget 
Franklin Schools budget page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-district-budget 

#Project Envoy - March schedule = https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/project-envoy/ 
#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards = https://franklingiftcard.com/ 

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit   Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Talk Franklin -> The Start of Spring 2021: News & Updates in Franklin! (audio)

FM #491 - Talk Franklin - 03/12/21 (audio)

FM #491 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 491 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

Pandemic and recovery, vaccines (not locally delivered), re-opening (Library 3/22)

Budget cycle starting

• FinCom got preview of revenues
• budget subcommittee meeting Weds
• SchComm budget previewed Mar 9

ThinkFranklinFirst

Earth Day Registration

Senior Coffee hour 3/18 at 8:30 AM

Franklin Matters Q&A 3/18 at 1:30 PM

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 31 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e1f74225-b958-4790-8883-e1cb0ddbc442

--------------

Town of Franklin COVID-19 page = https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/vaccination-and-covid-19-data 

Finance Committee meeting - revenue estimates
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/fm-490-finance-committee-meeting-031021.html 

School Committee meeting budget first view
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/fm-486-school-committee-mtg-030921-p2.html 

#Project Envoy - March schedule = https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/project-envoy/ 

Dan Feerick interview =  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/fm-484-dan-feerick-for-project-envoy.html 

#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards = https://franklingiftcard.com/

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

FM #491 - Talk Franklin - 03/12/21 (audio)

#ThinkFranklinFirst adds businesses to the listing!

"We are excited to share that 2 new businesses are accepting the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card! You can now use your card at Mirchi Indian Cuisine and at Night Owl Farm!  

Do you have a Franklin Gift card?  Check out the 40 different businesses where you can redeem them!  These cards are helping our local economy by boosting local spending AND covering processing costs thanks to our generous sponsor, Dean Bank!  

Businesses are redeemed 100% of the funds spent at their locations! Random Smile Project has helped make this initiative possible by donating their time and energy to assist with administrative tasks.  We are so lucky to live in such a supportive community! 

Gift cards are always available both online and at Dean Bank.  www.franklingiftcard.com #supportlocal #shoplocal #giftlocal"

Shared from the Town of Franklin page on Facebook: 

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=461047405262367&id=109645590402552

A full listing of the participating businesses can be found

https://franklingiftcard.com/participating-businesses

#ThinkFranklinFirst adds businesses to the listing!

"Talk Franklin" features vaccine distribution readiness, Davis Thayer, stormwater, "Hearts of Kindness" and #Project Envoy

FM #463 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 463 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Vaccine distribution readiness
• Recent School Committee Davis Thayer decision 
• The Stormwater discussion continues
• A preview of Town Council meeting 
• Complete streets
• Community Preservation Committee appointments possible
• "Hearts of Kindness" on the Town Common
• #thinkfranklinFirst, #ProjectEnvoy

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2eee4090-a465-4a7b-a5bd-49edf5d9825e

--------------
Town of Franklin COVID-19 page = https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/vaccination-and-covid-19-data 

Storm water Division page = https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division 
Check your impervious coverage = 
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e45452a3047e4c83b27170a8f4f79aa5 

My notes from the Feb 3, 2021 Town Council meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-meeting-recap-020321-town.html 

#Project Envoy - February schedule = https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/project-envoy/ 

#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards = https://franklingiftcard.com/ 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

"Talk Franklin" features vaccine distribution readiness, Davis Thayer, stormwater, "Hearts of Kindness" and #Project Envoy 

A Franklin Treasure - Elizabeth's Bagels (audio)

FM #457 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 457 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Jen Garcia of Elizabeth’s Bagels. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• A quick background on Elizabeth’s Bagels
• Adjustments made and being made during this COVID-19 pandemic
• As a small businesses some issues with 3rd party delivery companies

Links to Elizabeth's Bagels webpage are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 18 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jen.

Audio file = https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/72225fc3-d171-4ad9-a9c0-8f2f77f1b236/fm-457-elizabethsbagels-20210125.mp3

--------------

Find Elizabeth’s Bagels at 456 West Central Street, Franklin

• webpage = https://elizabethsbagels.com/ 
• Facebook page = https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeths-Bagels/84301856675 

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

A Franklin Treasure - Elizabeth's Bagels (audio)

Another business on the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card listing to visit

Another local business has joined the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card program!  We welcome Lotus Lash to the list of participating businesses! 

Gift cards can be purchased at Dean Bank  right in Downtown Franklin or online at www.franklingiftcard.com 

 

#LocalBusiness #LocaSupport #ItMatters #ShopLocal #SpendLocal

Shared from Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/109645590402552/posts/451347476232360/

You can use the #ThinkFranklinFirst card make your purchase as part of the #ProjectEnvoy eat out/take out, help out effort!

 

Another business on the #thinkfranklinfirst gift card listing to visit

Project Envoy's Jane Fulton talks about "eat in, take out, and help out" (audio)

FM #449 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 449 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Jane Fulton. She is part of the Franklin Interfaith Council - Food Security Team. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Project Envoy
• Calendar set for February, March, and April
• Eat in, take out at the restaurant of the day (per calendar)
• This helps out the restaurant during the pandemic
• The restaurant in turn will contribute a portion of the sales to help out the Franklin Food Pantry
• A win, win, win for Franklin

The link to the Project Envoy page is included in the show notes. Our conversation runs about 16 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jane Fulton. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HXx1tMqS

--------------

Link to Project Envoy page = https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/project-envoy/

Link to February calendar = https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Envoy-calendar-February.1.27.21.pdf 

Hashtag your social post with  #ProjectEnvoy  #noonegoeshungryFranklin  

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Project Envoy's Jane Fulton talks about "eat in, take out, and help out" (audio)

Good news from Teddy Gallagher's GoFundMe effort

 "To All of Our Friends, Family and Loyal Customers,

Joe, Chris, and I would like to thank each of you all from the bottom of our hearts for your loving and generous contribution to the Go-Fund Me. Closing Teddy’s was one of the hardest things we have had to do, it was heartbreaking to say goodbye to our loved and valued employees. Our nephew Ricky Robidoux decided to do this Go-Fund me event and we are forever grateful. Ricky and some of our favorite talented musicians put on one of the best musical performances. During COVID not only have the restaurants been effected but the lives of these musicians has been as well, and during this difficult time they sang their hearts out for us.

Because of all of you, we will be able to re-open Teddy’s!!! We hope to in March, but we will keep you posted to the exact date. As the restrictions lift and more people are vaccinated, and people no longer fear for their safety we will host an event for all our contributors. Joe, Chris, and I would like to thank each and everyone one of you personally. If you posted anonymously, please share your email with us, if you are able.

Once again, words cannot even begin to express how appreciative we are to each and everyone of you. Thank you to the musicians, our friends, our family, our customers, our employees, and our Franklin Community.

With gratitude and all the best wishes…

Joe, Dori, and Chris Gallagher"

Shared from GoFundMe  https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-teddy-gallaghers

Original post here  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/01/gofundme-teddy-gallaghers-fund-raiser.html

GoFundMe: Teddy Gallagher's find raiser

Project Envoy - eat out or take out, and you help out!

 

The Interfaith Council Food Security Team is preparing to launch Project Envoy, a community driven project designed to support local restaurants that in-turn will donate some of their proceeds to the Franklin Food Pantry.

Project Envoy starts Feb. 1 and runs through April 30.  

As of this week, the following restaurants are participating: Rome, Acapulcos, Intermission Café, Franklin Central Pizza, George’s Pizza, Dacey’s Market & Deli, Santa Fe, Rhapsody’s Victorian Coffee House, King Street Café, Spruce Pond Creamery, and Franklin Pizza and Deli.

Patrons can visit the Franklin Food Pantry site each day to learn which restaurants are participating on what day as well as follow social media channels. The different Faith organizations in Franklin will also share the restaurant schedule.

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/country-gazette/2021/01/26/franklin-interfaith-council-launches-program-support-local-restaurants-pantry/4268156001/ 

Franklin Food Pantry - Project Envoy page for a restaurant to enroll
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/envoy-program

Download or print a copy of the Project Envoy calendar for February
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Envoy-calendar-February.1.27.21.pdf

Project Envoy calendar for February 2021

GoFundMe: Teddy Gallagher’s fund raiser

"Teddy Gallagher’s Irish pub has been a staple in Franklin, MA for the last 5 years! They have incredible staff, food, beverages, and an all around great atmosphere.

Due to COVID-19 they have been forced to temporarily shut their doors. They are not sure if they will be able to reopen them.  However, with a little bit of help from us they may just be able to survive.

My Godparents started this place to give the community a place that feels like home. That’s just what it is! They support very young staff who are single parents, students, and thriving young adults.

Let’s try and help out the best we can to keep them afloat! Any little bit will help! I know the goal is high, but let’s face it the sky is the limit!

Please consider keeping this great business open! Thank you all and God bless!"

Shared from the GoFundMe page where you can contribute to the cause:  

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-teddy-gallaghers

GoFundMe: Teddy Gallagher's find raiser

 

“We have to give credit to the entire community for its help"

"It might be Bonnie and Mark Corso steering the ship, but the swell of enthusiasm from the Franklin community has supported their plans to open Fresh Start Market.

With more than 70 combined years of experience in the food industry—Mark in sales, distribution and grocery stores, and Bonnie in restaurants and food warehousing and distribution—an idea that was conceived nearly five years ago is now finally being realized. At first, they believed a stall at the now-popular Boston Public Market would be the right place to sell their curated selection of unique local products, but they were opposed to being in direct competition with the suppliers themselves, so they declined. With busy work lives and childrearing responsibilities to four, the over-extended Corsos decided to put their idea on hold.

Then the pandemic hit and the way of doing business in most industries, including the food industry, was turned upside down. Bonnie quickly realized that smaller local farms had inventory that needed distribution. “I saw that mom-and-pop farmstand sales were increasing, so I started to make calls to farmers directly. Not only was inventory available, but farmers told me they would adjust to meet our needs,” says Bonnie. So, Fresh Start Market took form."

Continue reading the article online 

https://www.naturalawakeningsboston.com/2020/12/30/340335/a-healthy-start-to-a-new-year-fresh-start-market-opening-in-franklin

Listen to the Franklin Matters Radio episode with Bonnie talking about the development of the Fresh Start Market  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/fm-425-fresh-start-market-121620-audio.html

Finian, their pet parrot, provided some background commentary during our remote recording session

New York Times: "A Canadian ‘Buy Local’ Effort Fights Amazon on Its Own Turf"

 

"The snow was falling outside Ali Haberstroh’s apartment in late November when the idea came to her. 

At the time, Canada was nearing a second lockdown to curb rising coronavirus cases. In anticipation, the owner of a vintage clothing store in Toronto who is a friend of Ms. Haberstroh’s had put together a list of other local vintage shops offering curbside pickup and deliveries in lieu of being able to open their doors. 

“It was a wake-up call,” Ms. Haberstroh, 27, said of the list, which reminded her how enormous retailers like Walmart, Costco and Amazon had thrived during the pandemic while many smaller, local businesses had been shut. “I thought if there is one tiny thing I can do to help, then I should get on it.” 

Inspired to build a more comprehensive list, Ms. Haberstroh promptly created an Instagram post, tagging independent businesses and shopkeepers across Toronto. Included was a new website, Not-Amazon.ca — a URL that she had bought for $2.99."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/02/business/not-amazon-canada.html

The Franklin Downtown Partnership has a similar listing of local Franklin businesses  https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/shop-dine-more.html

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce has two Facebook pages, one for restaurants and one for other businesses

• Restaurants = “Rally ‘round the Restaurants” page on Facebook and share your update for a restaurant https://www.facebook.com/United-Regionals-Rally-round-the-Restaurants-109228560731634

• Businesses = "United Regional's Back to Business" page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/United-Regionals-Back-to-Business-106228444403838

Of course, consider using a #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card for your local shopping

https://franklingiftcard.com/participating-businesses

consider using a #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card for your local shopping

FM #425 Fresh Start Market - 12/16/20 (audio)

FM #425 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 425 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Fresh Start Market co-owner Bonnie Corso. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the social distancing requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about how Bonnie and her husband Mark have spent many years developing the market which will open in the near future here in Franklin. They will be located in the Liquor World Plaza, in the space where the Shiva Market had been.

We talk about the timeline how they came to bring this to reality. How they used the Market Study developed by MAPC for Franklin to confirm three was an opportunity here. 

By way of disclosure: I did purchase a brick on their wall to help share the Franklin Matters Name. I did also contribute as an investor in their venture. We talk about this and how they will be part of the community in bringing a ‘farm to table’ approach to grab and go meals.

While I do believe in what they are doing, this radio program is part of my overall effort to share newsworthy goodness in Franklin. This happens to be a very good example of the stories I think are newsworthy.

Our conversation runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H13TRRHS

 
--------------
Follow Fresh Start Market on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartMkt/ 
On Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/fresh_start.market/ 
Their investment opportunity page on MainVest  https://mainvest.com/b/fresh-start-market-franklin 
`
EDC Meeting with the MAPC Market Study presented and discussed
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/fm-322-edc-mapc-market-study-73030-audio.html

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Finian, their pet parrot, provided some background commentary during our remote recording session. Here is a cropped photo of Finian shared on the Fresh Start Market Instagram page  https://www.instagram.com/p/CJIEFN7gQ29/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Finian, their pet parrot, provided some background commentary during our remote recording session

BerkShares are an early version of #thinkfranklinfirst gift cards

The Boston Globe has the following:

"Last spring, shortly after it became clear that COVID-19 was more than just a little flu and that local shops would be down and out for more than just a little while, America got to wondering: How can we save small businesses?

Many commentators demanded quick federal relief. Some consumers went on gift card shopping sprees. And 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang tweeted a proposal combining the two — government-issued debit cards redeemable only at locally owned small businesses.

The Twitterati mostly condemned Yang’s idea as “stupid,” “impractical,” and “useless.” And the debit cards never came to pass; consumers got stimulus checks and small businesses got Paycheck Protection Program loans instead.

But a piece of his idea — a currency that could only be spent at local businesses — has been a fixture of life in Massachusetts’ southern Berkshires since 2006."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/24/opinion/when-money-is-running-short-print-your-own/

United Regional Chamber issues the $50 Challenge

"I'm Issuing a $50 Dollar Challenge" A Message from Our CEO/President Jack Lank  Typically, right about now we'd be singing about "the most wonderful time of the year". It's an understatement to say that 2020 has had other plans. If you've replaced wonderful with some other choice words, I promise, you're not alone. I always ask small business owners, "What keeps you up at night?" In the past, they responded that prime concerns are regulations or the ability to retain quality employees. This year, the most common response has been, "How is my business going to survive?" The corona virus has significantly hit our communities' economy.

 

Jack Lank How can the chamber help? The chamber supports local business by advocating on their behalf and communicating their needs to elected officials. We work with local partners to provide a prepared workforce so that our member businesses have access to qualified employees. We hunt down resources designed to help them succeed in entrepreneurial ventures. We create networking opportunities and facilitate connections. THIS year, especially, shopping local is what's going to keep small businesses ALIVE. The truth is we can shop and remain safe. Shopping looks different this year, but most small businesses are still open for business. We can shop safely (masks ON please), support our community, and make a significant difference in our friends' and neighbors' lives. This isn't about politics or your opinion on wearing a mask. This is about preserving what makes our communities special before it's too late. One study found that for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 remained in the community. However, only $43 of $100 spent at a chain retailer remains in the community. I'll be the first to admit that I shop at the big chain retailers. Many of these businesses employ our friends and neighbors, and they're a vital part of our community. However, let's not forget the local businesses – the ones that support our children's baseball team or theater program, volunteer their time, and give to the non-profits in our community. According to the small business support organization Independent We Stand, "If every family in the country shifted $10 a month to locally owned, independent businesses instead of national chains, over $9.3 billion would be directly returned to local economies." I have a challenge for you: Shift $50 of your holiday budget this month to a locally owned, independent business. If you don't have $50, shift $25. If you don't feel comfortable going inside, every shop will walk products or gift cards out to your car if you'll only ask. Post this challenge on social media with the hashtags #50 DollarChallenge, #URCC, and #Supportsmallbusiness. Check in and tag businesses on social media and post pictures to show your support. Together we can do this. This time next year, no matter where COVID takes us, we'll all be better for it.

Jack Lank, IOM
President & CEO
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce
310 South Street
Plainville, MA 02762
Phone:  508-316-0861
www.unitedregionalchamber.org
"People Do Business With People They Know" 

FAQs for #ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards

It's been two weeks since our #ThinkFranklinFirst Gift Cards launched and we are so happy with the amazing response!  

We wanted to share a few frequently asked questions with the community: 

1. Cards can be purchased for ANY denomination if they are bought at Dean Bank. Cards purchased online at www.franklingiftcard.com have a $25 minimum, due to processing fees.  
2. Cards can be purchased with cash only at Dean Bank, and with credit/debit cards online.
3. This program is not only running during the holiday season! It is our hope that these cards become part of the Franklin shop local mentality. The cards do not have an expiration date.
4. The list of participating businesses will continue to evolve.  Check the website for the most current list.
5. The businesses listed have agreed to accept and honor the cards at their locations, although you may not be able to add a tip on the cards. Please be prepared for that 🙂 
6. A printable list of Participating Businesses is now available on our website here https://franklingiftcard.com/participating-businesses
7. And finally, this is purely an Economic Development initiative! Businesses are 100% reimbursed for any cards redeemed at their location. 

Thank you for your continued support! 

• Dean Bank 
• Random Smile Project

Shared from the Town of Franklin Facebook page => 

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTownofFranklin/posts/418016829565425

FAQs for #ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards