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| Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda - April 7, 2021 - 5:45 PM |
"The post-vaccine workplace is taking shape, and for many it’s going to be a hybrid model, allowing more remote work but with clear expectations that some days a week will be in the office.
Workforce experts are bracing for a whole new set of post-pandemic upheavals, in some instances more transformative than the unplanned move to working from home last March, with some making efforts to avoid pre-pandemic remote-work mistakes.
“In a lot of ways it’s going to be more disruptive than when we went all remote,” said Brian Kropp, vice president of research at Gartner."
"Since the pandemic sent workers home last year, a slew of modifications have been made to office buildings to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. Now, as companies prepare to bring workers back, experts say even more changes are on the way.
Expect expanded gathering spaces and fewer personal workstations, for instance, changes that are being fueled by the success of working from home. Companies like Google, Microsoft and Walmart have already announced proposals for hybrid work models that will allow employees to continue to work remotely at least a few days a week."
"Unemployment insurance bill kicks the can"
"A BILL BEING CONSIDERED by the state Legislature to freeze businesses’ unemployment insurance payments may be a short-term fix, but it does not solve the longer-term problem of how to keep the fund solvent in the future.
“This is a perfectly reasonable, short-term fix for our unemployment insurance shortfall, but it’s a missed opportunity to address the fact that we were underfunding this system well before the COVID crisis,” Evan Horowitz, executive director of the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University, said after the bill was released."
AS SCHOOL OFFICIALS have been pressuring the state to cancel this year’s MCAS tests, state education commissioner Jeff Riley said the decision is not his – it belongs to the federal government.
“The federal government is still requiring we test our students,” Riley said, speaking at a Tuesday budget hearing before the Ways and Means Committees. “It provides a little wiggle room but won’t allow us to not test kids.”
"CDC links restaurant dining to a rise in cases"
"Even as officials in Texas and Mississippi lifted statewide mask mandates, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday offered fresh evidence of the importance of face coverings, reporting that mask-wearing mandates were linked to fewer infections with the coronavirus and COVID-19 deaths in counties across the United States.
Federal researchers also found that counties opening restaurants for on-premises dining — indoors or outdoors — saw a rise in daily infections about six weeks later, and an increase in COVID-19 death rates about two months later.
The study does not prove cause and effect, but the findings square with other research showing that masks prevent infection and that indoor spaces foster the spread of the virus through aerosols, tiny respiratory particles that linger in the air.
“You have decreases in cases and deaths when you wear masks, and you have increases in cases and deaths when you have in-person restaurant dining,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the CDC, said Friday. “And so we would advocate for policies, certainly while we’re at this plateau of a high number of cases, that would listen to that public health science.”
"After a year of hunkering down, the country is about to bask in the biggest boom in nearly four decades. But the scars of the pandemic linger.
By summer, most American adults should be vaccinated, and life is expected to return to something approaching normal as people eat in restaurants, hop on a plane, or catch a game at Fenway Park. Getting out of the house for work and recreation will swell the economy, juiced by another big federal stimulus program and trillions of dollars in savings that consumers are eager to spend.
Yet that rosy outlook isn’t reflected in the sentiments of many local employers who would benefit greatly from a post-pandemic resurgence. Hammered by COVID-19 shutdowns, they remain wary after earlier forecasts about the trajectory of the disease proved too optimistic.
Instead of the rapid rebound projected by economists, these employers — from small business owners to big institutions such as hospitals and universities — expect a more gradual recovery marked by fits and starts. So they’re ramping up slowly and delaying hiring decisions until the picture is clearer."
FM #480 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 480 in the series.
This shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting that was held on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.
The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the Chair Melanie Hamblen led the meeting remotely along with many others via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The meeting recording runs about fifty nine minutes. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/aada591e-6ed2-401b-90de-d949d30e7ab1
Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album https://photos.app.goo.gl/PbwWoeJjCLhCyHDY8
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?
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!
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You
can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or
your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| cover of the draft "Business Guide" |
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"A new grant program is available for Massachusetts businesses from @MassGCC. Applications open tomorrow at noon. Find details here https://t.co/mY1d6or3gg"
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| Town of Franklin, MA: new grant program for MA businesses |
"One moment, Governor Charlie Baker is asking people to lobby their legislators for some relatively modest funding as the state’s well of small-business relief funds runs dry.
The next: Baker unveils $668 million for grants, in particular to help several sectors hit hard by COVID-19 such as restaurants, retail stores, gyms, and hair salons.
The sharp turnabout last week surprised many small-business advocates — not to mention the budget writers in the Legislature.
A Christmas miracle, or clever budgetary legerdemain on the part of Baker’s Administration & Finance team?
Maybe a bit of both."
"In 2020, the sports industry in North America was projected to generate $75.7 billion, according to PwC, the accounting firm. Instead, it lost more than a third of its value as leagues suspended play before returning with stripped-down seasons.Television ratings have tumbled for many top sporting events, and advertising, printing and revenue streams connected to the sports business, like concessions, have practically vanished.While the coming vaccine in the United States raises hope that fans will be able to return to stadiums by late spring or early summer, the spread of the virus this winter will only deepen an already cratered sports economy. The modern sports industry has never faced such a prolonged, devastating interruption, and it is premature to gauge when sports will return fully to their pre-pandemic state, or if they ever will."
The members of the EDC will host the third in a series of five Business Listening & Networking Sessions on sectors of the Town’s economy. Anyone is invited to attend and offer public comments.
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| listening session schedule adjusted to include the original #3 session with that of the Dec 9 agenda |
"Today is the day! Think Franklin First gift cards are now available for purchase both online and at Dean Bank!
You can redeem the gift cards at the local businesses pictured below beginning next week!
www.franklingiftcard.com #thinkfranklinfirst #GivetheGiftofFranklin #localsupport #shoplocal #keepitlocal Dean Bank, Random Smile Project"
"The Massachusetts Port Authority is trimming about 25 percent of its workforce through layoffs and voluntary buyouts as it reacts to an unprecedented plunge in air travel at Logan Airport due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The port authority avoided layoffs in its first big round of budget cuts in the spring, but not this time. The downturn in jet passenger traffic has been far more protracted than Massport executives anticipated, forcing them to plug a new shortfall exceeding $100 million in this fiscal year’s budget.
“We are trending below our worst-case, business-activity forecast at Logan Airport,” Massport chief executive Lisa Wieland told the port authority board on Thursday. “It’s hard, and I hoped we wouldn’t be here. Unfortunately, we are.”
Rather than rebounding as Wieland and others had hoped, the number of passengers actually declined in August from July levels, and again in September. Only about 633,000 passengers were tracked through Logan in September, an 82 percent plunge compared with the same month a year ago. The number of flights, meanwhile, was down 64 percent, year over year."
"FACING MASSIVE financial strain inflicted by the pandemic, the Massachusetts Port Authority plans to slash its workforce by about 25 percent through a combination of voluntary retirements, buyouts, furloughs, and layoffs.
The cost-cutting effort comes as Massport officials grapple with a $400 million budget gap projected over the next three fiscal years, driven by passenger volumes at Logan International Airport dropping to their lowest level in decades.
With a current workforce of about 1,300 full-time employees, hundreds of Port Authority employees could take incentivized retirements or buyouts, be terminated, or forced to take several unpaid days off in the coming months.
“If we thought the airport would be coming back soon, maybe we could try other approaches, but we are years, many years, away from getting back to the number of passengers that were carried last year, and we have to be realistic about the right size for our workforce,” Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said."Continue reading the article online
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce (URCC) has created two Facebook pages to promote local businesses – Rally ‘Round the Restaurants and Back to Business. These pages are open to all local businesses (URCC members as well as others) that want to promote how they are innovating to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In these difficult and uncertain times, many local restaurants are struggling, day to day. Local restaurants are welcome to post their specials, events, and hours of operation on the URCC Rally ‘Round the Restaurants page (https://www.facebook.com/United-Regionals-Rally-round-the-Restaurants-109228560731634).
URCC Rally ‘Round the Restaurants page
Holiday shopping has begun and the URCC wants to help by bringing customers to local businesses. These businesses can post their information including special holiday promotions and sales On the Back to Business Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/United-Regionals-Back-to-Business-106228444403838).
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| URCC Back to Business Facebook page |
The URCC has created these pages to get the word out and to help local businesses succeed.
Please contact President/CEO Jack Lank jack@unitedregionalchamber.org for more information or if you have any questions. He is looking forward to hearing from you to learn about anything that the URCC can do to help local businesses.
FM #383 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 383 in the series.
This shares my discussion with #shopFranklin’s organizer Sarah Mabardy. Our discussion was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
This is the start of sharing the conversation Sarah and I have around how to help the small businesses of Franklin. We have some thoughts, you may too. If you have questions, ideas, or suggestions, feel free to reach out to Sarah or myself.
The recording runs just about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Sarah Audio file = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-383-shopfranklin-sarah-mabardy-11-04-20
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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?
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!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| Facebook page for #shopFranklin |
FM #366 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 366 in the series.
This shares my conversation with the organizers of the Reverse Trunk or Treat scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2020. The conversation was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
In the conversation, I talked with Kristine Shanahan, President of the Franklin Lions, and Lions member Heather Sansoucy.
Links to the event page and contact info for businesses to sign up are in the show notes. The conversation runs about 7 minutes.
Audio link = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrDCdGjK
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Event page https://www.facebook.com/events/337652293995243
Register as a business to provide a trunk - Link to register: https://forms.gle/HZ9aAPsC1sLDXXM18
Email option for info and to register: franklinmalions@gmail.com
Facebook page for Franklin Lions https://www.facebook.com/franklinmalions
Franklin Lions web page https://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/franklinma/index.php
--------------
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?
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"
 |
| Franklin Lions to hold "Trunk Or Treat" - October 24, 2020 |
From Pantherbook we share the following:
"Are you interested in business? Want to be an entrepreneur? Do you just want to try something new? Then DECA is just right for you!
What is DECA?
DECA stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America. It’s an organization that helps students enter the world of business and get to know more about it. Franklin’s DECA organization appeals to anybody who is interested in any field of business. In DECA, students either create a written project or compete in a role play. Both events require persistence and hard work. The topics for these projects vary from Finance to Entrepreneurship to Sports and Entertainment and more.
“It is not an easy club, but if you put in the effort, then you will succeed and have fun as well!” said Mr. Carmo. Mr. Carmo teaches business and other subjects at FHS and runs DECA as well. "
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| DECA States 2020 (pantherbook image) |
