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Saturday, May 15, 2021
NEW! Nonprofit Management Certificate for Practitioners
Thursday, April 29, 2021
MetroWest Visitors Bureau Awards $70k in Mini-Grants
The MetroWest Visitors Bureau announced today (4/28/21) the recipients of its spring cycle of mini-grants. The awards, totaling $70k, are funded through the Bureau and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism to promote MetroWest events, attractions, businesses, services, cultural and recreational opportunities.
“Through these grant projects we are able to highlight our region and stimulate economic recovery,” says Erin Lynch, Executive Director of the Bureau. “We are attracting visitors while generating local enthusiasm and support for MetroWest community businesses.”
One of sixteen Regional Tourism Councils in Massachusetts, the MetroWest Visitors Bureau participates in the state’s MyLocalMA campaign encouraging Massachusetts residents to eat, shop and stay local, and the Bureau’s mini-grant program aligns with that mission. “As travel begins to open up again,” Lynch says, “it remains critical to include MetroWest in your plans. Our local hotels and attractions have been very hard hit and still need help to survive.”
Throughout the spring and summer, the Bureau will be releasing updates on the funded projects.
Grant recipients are as follows:
- Amazing Things Art Center (Framingham)
- Arts Wayland Foundation (Wayland)
- Franklin Performing Arts Company (Franklin)
- Halloween New England (Southborough)
- Hopkinton Center for the Arts (Hopkinton)
- Jack's Abby MayFest (Framingham)
- Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (Marlborough)
- MetroWest Chamber of Commerce (Framingham)
- Natick Center Cultural District (Natick)
- The VERVE Hotel (Natick)
- Town of Franklin - Visitors Center (Franklin)
- XUA Inc. - Brazilian Food and Entertainment Compendium (Framingham)
About the MetroWest Visitors Bureau — As the only regional organization with the mission of stimulating the MetroWest economy by marketing the region's assets, the MetroWest Visitors Bureau has served hundreds of businesses, nonprofit agencies, and municipalities since its founding. This independent nonprofit organization markets the region’s cultural and recreational venues, retailers, restaurants, accommodations, and educational and other services to visitors and residents alike. These marketing efforts also serve to brand the region, to build collaborations across sectors and towns, to support jobs-producing enterprises, and to celebrate the diverse and vibrant MetroWest community. Learn more about the MWVB by visiting www.metrowestvisitors.org or by following on social media @visitmetrowest. #visitmetrowest #visitma #mylocalma
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| MetroWest Visitors Bureau Awards $70k in Mini-Grants |
Monday, March 15, 2021
Senate President Spilka holds Fourth Annual Social Emotional Learning Forum - Mar 19
Senate President holds Fourth Annual Social Emotional Learning Forum
Event to offer parents tools to support students' success during pandemic and beyond
On Friday, March 19, 2020, Massachusetts Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) will hold a virtual event entitled, "Supporting our Students through COVID-19 and Beyond." The event is the Senate President's fourth annual Social Emotional Learning (SEL) forum part of her #MetroWestKids initiative and is aimed at offering resources to educators and parents. This important event is being presented in partnership with the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy and will feature local and statewide experts in social emotional learning.
"In this moment, ensuring our young people's future success means stepping up and stepping into their lives to understand the hardships they are facing due to COVID-19," stated Senate President Spilka. "The need to talk about our kids' mental health has never been so great. I hope all MetroWest parents and educators who are interested will join us on March 19."
While continuing to provide parents with tools to support the development of key skills, such as making self-aware, responsible decisions and maintaining healthy relationships, this year's event will also deal with the specific challenges faced by young people in light of the pandemic. In particular, the forum will highlight methods to reduce stress levels, build resilience, and promote overall wellness.
Those interested in the event, which will be held on Zoom, may register at https://karenspilka.com/sel. The event will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on March 19, 2021. All are welcome to join, but event will be focused on MetroWest. Participants may submit questions to the featured experts when registering.
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| Fourth Annual Social Emotional Learning Forum - Mar 19 |
Friday, March 12, 2021
Supporting Our Students Through COVID-19 and Beyond
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Wednesday, March 3, 2021
MetroWest Daily News: "Franklin High athletics nearly perfect this winter"
"Great article proud to be part of this exceptional group of coaches and student athletes! #pantherpride @FHSSports @fhsgymboosters @FranklinMatters @KatCornetta"
"The Franklin High girls basketball team went undefeated, again, this winter.
Granted, this past season was only 10 games long. But still, the Panthers kept their unbeaten streak alive at 35 straight games, spanning across the last two seasons.
"Our girls basketball team, under the direction of John Leighton, has been simply outstanding," Franklin High athletic director Tom Angelo said. "Coach Leighton preached (that) this is one game at a time. Last year's season is over, last game doesn't matter, it’s this next game and that was their focus."
It was that mentality that helped the Panthers continue their success on the court following a 25-0 season last year and a Division 1 co-state championship title. "
Monday, February 15, 2021
MetroWest Visitors Bureau to Offer Mini-Grants - applications open Feb 15
The MetroWest Visitors Bureau (MWVB) announced today a new mini-grant program funded through the MWVB and the Mass Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT). The MWVB will consider mini-grant applications for projects devoted to marketing a MetroWest event, attraction, business, service, or cultural or recreational offering including virtual and online projects.
Grant applications open Feb. 15, 2021, and close April 1, 2021. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2021. Grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $15,000.
One of sixteen Regional Tourism Councils in Massachusetts, the MetroWest Visitors Bureau participates in the state’s MyLocalMA campaign encouraging Massachusetts residents to eat, shop and stay local. The Bureau’s mini-grant program aligns with that mission and calls for marketing proposals that will increase revenue generation for MetroWest’s designated region: Ashland, Bellingham, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland and Westborough.
“Many of our region’s attractions, hospitality and retail operations have been hard hit during the Covid pandemic. These grant funds provide some much-needed assistance as we work together to promote local businesses and stimulate economic recovery,” says Erin Lynch, Executive Director of the Visitors Bureau. “Unlike previous years, there is no match required for grant funding, making it even easier for organizations to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Grant applications and program information can be found online at http://bit.ly/MWVBmini-grants. For questions or more information, please email Erin Lynch at erin@metrowestvisitors.org.
About the MetroWest Visitors Bureau — As the only regional organization with the mission of stimulating the MetroWest economy by marketing the region's assets, the MetroWest Visitors Bureau has served hundreds of businesses, nonprofit agencies, and municipalities since its founding. This independent nonprofit organization markets the region’s cultural and recreational venues, retailers, restaurants, accommodations, and educational and other services to visitors and residents alike. These marketing efforts also serve to brand the region, to build collaborations across sectors and towns, to support jobs-producing enterprises, and to celebrate the diverse and vibrant MetroWest community. Learn more about the MWVB by visiting www.metrowestvisitors.org or by following on social media @visitmetrowest.
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| MetroWest Visitors Bureau to Offer Mini-Grants |
Monday, February 1, 2021
MetroWest Daily News: "Emma White is sending Franklin gymnastics to new heights"
"The Franklin High gymnastics team finished sixth at South Sectionals last year but have taken a massive leap this winter.One of the major reasons why is the addition of Level 10 gymnast, junior Emma White. White had competed in club gymnastics her first two years of high school before deciding to join the Panthers.In Friday's meet against Oliver Ames at All Around Gymnastics Academy in Plainville, White continued to prove why she has been such a great addition for Franklin.White’s night got started on vault where she cruised to a 9.45 score before moving over to bars where she broke her own school record of 9.55 with a near perfect score, posting a 9.8 as her performance was highlighted with an overshoot from high to low bars and a toe catch from low to high."
Saturday, October 17, 2020
MetroWest Daily News Sports: “It’s definitely a different senior year”
"Franklin High cross country coach Nick Bailey first met Nick Calitri when he was a freshman in Bailey’s video production class.
That is when Bailey first saw Calitri’s potential.
“I discovered him when he was running in one of the videos,” Bailey said. “I said, ‘Hey you got to do cross country or track.’ But it was too late for him to do cross country at the time.
“He ran track as a freshman and he ended up having a pretty good season.”
Saturday, October 10, 2020
Daily News Sports: "Franklin field hockey’s family matters: Hess and Carney clans well represented for Panthers"
"It is a family affair these days within the Franklin field hockey program.
After six-plus months of quarantine with their mothers, Franklin senior Neilee Hess and senior Sara Carney along with her sister, sophomore Kaitlyn Carney, have kept the family time going, even while returning to the field.
Neilee’s mom, Michelle, is the Panthers’ head coach while the Carney sisters’ mom, Kim, is Michelle’s assistant and the JV head coach.
On Thursday, the Carney sisters had quite a day against Milford in a 13-0 rout. Kaitlyn had four goals while Sara added three assists. Hess had a shutout in goal with minimal work, and senior Amanda Lewandowski added four goals as well."
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| Daily News Sports: "Franklin field hockey’s family matters: Hess and Carney clans well represented for Panthers" (Daily News and Wicked Local photo/Dan Holmes) |
Saturday, October 3, 2020
FM #358 EDC Listening Session Number 1 - 9/30/20 (audio)
FM #358 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 358 in the series.
This shares the Franklin, MA Economic Development SubCommittee "Listening session" that was held on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. The session was conducted via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
A quick recap:
- The first of several “listening sessions” was held on Weds, Sep 30.
- While the meeting was delayed in opening officially, there was a healthy interactive discussion among the non-Council Chamber folks while waiting. The conversation unfortunately did not continue when the meeting opened.
- It is a known problem with “listening sessions” where those doing the listening tend to respond to ideas rather than absorbing and asking no more than clarification questions like: please elaborate, what could work, what could be done… and that happened here too.
The meeting runs just about 88 minutes, so let’s listen to the EDC ‘listening session’ of Sep 30, 2020. Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HDx4fRhK
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The agenda doc, including connection info
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2020-09-30_edc_listening_session_1_agenda.pdf
Listening Session schedule
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/business_listening_flyer_-_final_2_1_1.pdf
My notes taken via Twitter during the meeting are summarized here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/economic-development-subcommittee.html
Photos used in the Twitter thread can be found in the Google photo album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DKJbMzaqHNqfLs5KA
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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?
- 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!
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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"
EDC Chair Melanie Hamblen
Friday, September 25, 2020
Listening Sessions start on Weds, Sep 30 - How can we help Franklin determine its future?
From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:
"FITCHBURG MAYOR Stephen DiNatale’s office bears all the markings of the workspace of a small-city Massachusetts leader working hard to pull up his community, a place that has struggled for years following the exodus of industries that once made mill towns like this hum with economic vigor.
There are sketches of planned development projects, a big photograph showing downtown Fitchburg back in its pre-World War II heyday, and in one corner a group of shiny ceremonial shovels standing against the wall, mementos from recent groundbreaking celebrations that DiNatale is anxious to replicate. The affable 68-year-old former state representative is laser-focused on economic development, and in a hurry for it to happen. “I’m not a patient guy,” said DiNatale.It’s easy to see why. Median household income is $55,000 in Fitchburg, $22,000 below the statewide average. Meanwhile, the pandemic has hit the city hard, with its 15.5 percent unemployment rate in August the eighth highest in the state."
For reference here are links to the MAPC Town of Franklin Market Study
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| Listening Sessions start on Weds, Sep 30 - How can we help Franklin determine its future? |
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
In the News: "One challenge the region faces due to its economic success is traffic congestion"
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"The MetroWest region’s unemployment rate has been consistently lower than the statewide numbers for the past three decades thanks in part to an influx of biopharmaceutical, information technology and analytics as well as medical device companies moving to the area.
But the increase in new businesses coming to the region has created some challenges, such as increased traffic congestion, according to a new profile of economic and demographic trends released Monday.
The Westborough-based 495/MetroWest Partnership and the Public Policy Center at UMass Dartmouth released the new profile, which indicates the region continues to enjoy a number of strategic advantages while continuing to confront challenges related to transportation and housing."
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Foundation for MetroWest & MathWorks Provide $285,000 to Local Nonprofits
The Grant Program, which was originally slated to provide $250,000 in funding to a select few non-profit organizations chosen through a community voting process, is instead delivering $5,000 grants to 57 MetroWest-serving nonprofits, increasing the total amount awarded to $285,000. The grants will help an array of nonprofits address any pressing needs they themselves identify, including family support, food insecurity and youth development.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is putting significant additional strain on community organizations that were already working to support so many neighbors in need,” stated Judy Salerno, executive director of the Foundation for MetroWest. “The decision to accelerate the grant program was immediately apparent and we are grateful to MathWorks for their partnership and their ongoing dedication to this community.”
The launch of the 25th Anniversary Grant Program coincided with the launch of Impact MetroWest, an interactive website designed to identify the area’s strengths and challenges and to jumpstart investments in long-term solutions and programs. The initiative highlighted strong civic engagement, generous open land and low crime rates as successes in the region while population changes, financial hardships, and educational disparities were noted as challenges impacting the daily lives of MetroWest residents.
The Foundation, in partnership with MathWorks, planned to award $250,000 in grants to organizations that used the Impact MetroWest findings to create positive change in their community. In February, dozens of nonprofits submitted their innovative ideas through creative video applications, and a community-wide vote was scheduled for mid-April to select the winners.
“In difficult times like these, it is especially important that MathWorks supports our local community through the non-profit organizations serving it,” said Jeanne O’Keefe, senior vice president and CFO at MathWorks. “Adjusting the Grant Program to benefit more organizations sooner was simply the right thing to do.”
“The Foundation is grateful to all applicants for rising to the challenge and creating thoughtful and inspiring videos, and sharing their vision for a better, stronger MetroWest. COVID-19 has shown us that their passion and determination to better their community is truly indispensable,” added Salerno.
“We are humbled by the generosity and support of the Foundation for MetroWest and MathWorks,” said Lino Covarrubias, CEO of Jewish Family Service of Metrowest. “The 25th Anniversary Grant has enabled us to continue doing our important work, even in the face of the extraordinary challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re committed to helping our neighbors endure and emerge from this period stronger than before.”
To learn more about the Foundation for MetroWest or support their relief efforts, visit https://foundationmw.org/.
About Foundation for MetroWest
Established in 1995, the Foundation for MetroWest is the only community foundation serving the cities and towns in the region, encompassing 700,000 residents from Westborough to Waltham and Acton to Walpole. The Foundation promotes philanthropy across the area, helps donors maximize the impact of their local giving, serves as a resource for local nonprofits and enhances the quality of life for all our residents. The Foundation is supported by a wide range of businesses, individuals, community groups and other philanthropic organizations. Since inception, the Foundation has granted $19 million to its nonprofit partners and currently stewards more than $26 million in charitable assets for current needs and future impact. To learn more, please visit www.foundationformetrowest.org or call 508-647-2260.
About MathWorks
MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software. MATLAB, the language of engineers and scientists, is a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numeric computation. Simulink is a block diagram environment for simulation and Model-Based Design of multidomain and embedded engineering systems. Engineers and scientists worldwide rely on these product families to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation, and development in automotive, aerospace, electronics, financial services, biotech-pharmaceutical, and other industries. MATLAB and Simulink are also fundamental teaching and research tools in the world’s universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, MathWorks employs more than 5000 people in 16 countries, with headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, USA. For additional information, visit mathworks.com.