South Shore Chamber update on MBTA proposed service cuts  The MBTA proposed a series of transit cuts earlier this month in an attempt to answer some budget shortfalls due to a decrease in revenue and ridership. These proposed cuts affect Ferry Service in Hingham & Hull, as well as some bus and commuter rail service in the region. The proposed MBTA service cuts could impact far more people and interests than simply the individual riders of ferries, buses, and trains. Some of the proposals threaten the region’s economic future. Municipalities, developers, businesses, and homeowners have planned, invested, or located around long-term transit assets. The South Shore Chamber of Commerce has been engaged in dozens of public and private discussions with state and local officials as well as residents and businesses. The Chamber recognizes the financial pressure on the MBTA during the COVID-19 slowdown when people have been asked to stay at home. However, we are also looking to the recovery. We are concerned that deep cuts or elimination of services during a slowdown may mean no services during the recovery. Mass-transit services are not easily reinstated once capital and personnel changes are made. The Chamber has submitted a formal statement to the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board. The FMCB will be making their decisions in the next few weeks. Chamber's advocacy effortsOn November 17th, organized and led meeting with Joe Aiello, Fiscal and Management Control Board Chair for the MBTA with 50 + regional leaders, stakeholders, local officials.
Submission of an official letter to MBTA outlining concerns. See link to full letter. Creation of member sign-on letter. Chamber members can support our position and express concern by reading and signing the letter via the link provided.
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 More than 30 future leaders had the opportunity to meet and listen to U.S. Senator Edward Markey speak during a recent first-of-a-kind luncheon at Lombardo’s in Randolph, hosted by the South Shore Chamber of Commerce.
The special Future Leaders Luncheon, where attending Chambers members were encouraged to bring a relative age 13-21, drew a large audience, interested in hearing Senator Markey address a variety of issues. The “emerging leaders” also had the occasion to take a group photo with the senator, who is highly recognized as a consumer champion and national leader on energy, environmental protection and telecommunications policy. “We were pleased to be joined by more than 30 area interns and emerging leaders at this special lunch with Senator Markey,” said Peter Forman, President and CEO of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, noting that the senator “is always encouraged by young leaders taking an interest in public events.” Jim Dunphy, Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors presented Sen. Markey with a land grant document, circa 1825, signed by John Quincy Adams; the gift from the South Shore Chamber was in appreciation of the Senator’s deep commitment to the South Shore region. “Senator Markey is a real history buff,” said Forman. “His desk on the Senate Floor was used by John Quincy Adams when he was in the Senate, so we were pleased to present the senator with a document personally signed by Adams as president.” Article published by APN News on July 30, 2019 Key stakeholders gathered at the beginning of the month to recognize some critical leadership in the next phase of South Shore 2030’s Housing Initiative. The business voice is a critical component to moving the number on our housing goal of 44,000 new units by 2030. It isn’t only about increased housing production, but the right kind of housing in the right locations – some key housing developments and town initiatives were highlighted during the event and can be found on South Shore 2030’s housing page. Getting to that 44,000 number will take a lot of effort and leadership from community members, local officials from all 25 communities, small business, big business, all industry representatives. This is bigger than just increasing the number of homes on the South Shore – it is about building our communities and supporting the economic vitality of the region. We have some great leadership here on the South Shore and Rockland Trust’s, Christopher Oddleifson, is leading the charge with a $35,000 contribution to support the project work. Check out some of the media coverage of this announcement from the sources below.
For more information about the Housing Initiative and/or to get involved in the conversation, contact Courtney Bjorgaard at [email protected] or 781.421.3915.
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