Cusack, Collins Discuss Economy, Covid-19, Schools, Housing, Race at Braintree Chamber Forum10/22/2020 The Braintree Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum for the candidates for 5th Norfolk District on October 15. State Rep. Mark Cusack (D) and challenger Frank Collins (R) are vying to represent Braintree and portions of Holbrook and Randolph in the state’s legislature. Braintree Chamber Chair Kim Kroha queried the candidates on their views regarding economic recovery, revenue sources, reopening public schools, housing and racial equality. Here is the recap from the Braintree Patch: Cusack, Collins Talk Coronavirus, Schools In State Rep. Debate Sign up to receive Braintree Chamber news at braintreechamber.com. You can also follow us on Facebook.
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 Extended outdoor dining and other COVID-19 recovery matters were on the agenda for the Braintree Chamber of Commerce business update meeting held September 14. As a liaison between business leaders and government, the Chamber is hosting these business meetings for its members as well as the general public. Chamber Chair Kim Kroha led the Q&A with Mayor Charles Kokoros, State Rep. Mark Cusack, Margaret Laforest of the Mass. Office of Business Development, and South Shore Chamber head Peter Forman. Here’s the recap: Outdoor dining to continue through cool weatherBraintree restaurants are free to offer expanded outdoor dining through the fall and winter (for 60 days after the end of the state of emergency), according to a recent announcement by Gov. Charlie Baker.
“We’re seeing a lot of resiliency and people determined to make it through. A lot of businesses have adjusted by lowering expenses,” said Peter Forman, president and CEO of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. “But we’re concerned about lingering unemployment and what early next year is going to look like.” The mayor said Braintree restaurants continue to struggle and are worried about surviving through the winter without additional state or federal aid. “The landlords can only wait so long before people have to move out and close their business,” the mayor said. The mayor conveyed his support for local restaurants and is committed to working with the those and other Braintree businesses in any way possible. Braintree recovery: Mayor Kokoros’ COVID-19 story; more money available for small businesses7/2/2020  The Braintree Chamber of Commerce hosted its fifth COVID-19 recovery meeting with local officials via a video conference on June 29. In addition to town and state updates, participants heard about grants available for workforce training, worksite safety improvement, and economic relief. Led by Braintree Chamber chair Kim Kroha, these recovery meetings are open to anyone in Braintree’s business community as well as Chamber members. Here’s the recap: Mayor Kokoros shares experience with COVID-19, urges mask-wearingMayor Charles Kokoros reported he is back in good health after suffering from COVID-19 earlier this month. He said the illness is “an absolutely terrible thing to go through” and the experience reaffirmed his confidence in Braintree’s early and strict interventions to contain the spread.
The mayor said he contracted the virus through a family member and was likely contagious at work for a few days before developing symptoms. However, none of his colleagues tested positive, which he attributes to his diligent mask-wearing. “The masks make a difference. It’s the only way we’re going to stop spreading this virus,” he said. UPDATED July 1, 2020 Here’s your one-stop list of restaurants opening up for outdoor and indoor dining, along with curbside pickup, takeout and delivery. Bookmark this page and check back for updates! Look for these emojis, ☀️ and 🌧️, to see who is offering outdoor and indoor dining. Braintree restaurants reopen for indoor and outdoor dining It's time to eat out again in Braintree! Restaurants must adhere to Massachusetts safety standards and Braintree’s phase 2 reopening requirements. The hours of operation listed below can change at any time and only reflect the latest available information. Email your updates to towncouncil@braintreema.gov and braintreechamber@gmail.com. To support recovery the Braintree Chamber of Commerce is pleased to include non-members as well as Chamber members on this page.   In the Braintree Chamber of Commerce’s fourth COVID-19 update, local business leaders learned about recent improvements to the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as well as phase 2 reopenings facilitated by the mayor’s office. The June 8 video conference was led by Chamber Chair Kim Kroha of Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro, P.C. Here’s the recap: PPP loan program updatesOn June 5, the president signed into law the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act, which addresses problems with the original PPP loans for small business owners.
Representatives from the Massachusetts District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Bob Nelson and Susan Lourie, led a discussion of the PPP Flexibility Act and other PPP loan information. Margaret Laforest from the Massachusetts Economic Development Office provided additional information on PPP and reopening. Applications: Assistance funds are still available, and new PPP applications must be approved by June 30. SBA has guidance for calculating maximum loan amounts.
Repayment: The PPP Flexibility Act answered many questions of small businesses related to repayment requirements.
Employment issues: Businesses will not be penalized if former employees decline offers to come back to work, or if businesses are unable to find qualified employees.
For more information, or if you have questions: Contact your local SBA partners for free consultations, and sign up for SBA email notifications on PPP and other programs.  Slowly and cautiously, Braintree is reopening for business with guidance from the state and town. In the Braintree Chamber of Commerce’s third COVID-19 update, business owners learned about the governor’s reopening plan and when businesses can reopen. The meeting was held by video conference on May 21 and led by Chamber Chair Kim Kroha of Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro, P.C. Here’s what you need to know: Four phases for reopeningState Senator John Keenan and Margaret LaForest of the Mass. Office of Business Development previewed the reopening plan’s four phases. Advancing to the next phase will require a positive trend in public health metrics. All businesses and service providers must comply with mandatory safety standards for adequate social distancing, hygiene protocols and cleaning. In addition, specific sectors should follow recommended best practices. Sectors eligible to reopen in phase 1 are construction, manufacturing, office spaces, laboratories, hair salons and barbershops, car washes and pet grooming. Businesses can use this Covid-19 control plan template to self-certify their compliance with the safety guidelines and display this compliance attestation poster to the public. There will be no drop-in inspections, but employers and employees can report unsafe work conditions, which will trigger an inspection. Under the “Safer at Home” advisory, people at high risk should continue to stay home except for essential errands. Public health officials anticipate another surge of COVID-19 cases that will coincide with the annual flu season. “The fall will be very challenging,” said Sen. Keenan. Facial coverings are required The Braintree Chamber of Commerce hosted its second COVID-19 update with Mayor Kokoros, State Senator John Keenan and members of the real estate community on May 11. Meeting by video conference, participants discussed the pandemic’s impact on residential and commercial renters and landlords as well as the broader business community. Incoming Braintree Chamber chair Kim Kroha led the meeting. Coronavirus update from Town HallThe mayor reported that 78 Braintree residents have died of Covid-19 to date, and 65% of cases are in nursing homes and long-term-care facilities. The number of new cases is declining, although the numbers are “far higher” than could have been anticipated at the start of the crisis.
The mayor expressed his commitment to working closely with business owners to reopen safely after the governor lifts restrictions and issues guidelines.
“We want everyone to get back to work, but we also don’t want everyone to get exposed,” the mayor said. Given that Braintree’s numbers are higher than the state average, the town likely will require stricter measures than those ordered by the state, he added.  Braintree’s elected officials briefed members of the local business community in a videoconference hosted by the Braintree Chamber of Commerce on April 27. The virtual meeting featured Mayor Charles Kokoros, Town Council President Shannon Hume and Braintree’s two state senators: Walter Timilty and John Keenan. Here is the recap:  Thanks to outreach from the Braintree Town Council, the list below shows how local restaurants and small businesses are continuing to serve Braintree through the coronavirus COVID-19 situation.
These organizations are employers, taxpayers and integral parts of the community. Many of them have given generously to Braintree’s schools, youth groups and nonprofit organizations. Now they need residents’ support more than ever. You can help them by ordering takeout and purchasing gift certificates. About This List The Braintree Chamber of Commerce is happy to support the Town Council’s work by updating this list here on our website. If you own a Braintree business and have an update, email towncouncil@braintreema.gov and braintreechamber@gmail.com. You do not need to be a member of the Braintree Chamber to be listed here during the coronavirus situation. >> Braintree residents: Bookmark this page and keep watch for updates! |
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