BUSINESS NEWS The Official Publication of the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. APRIL 2015 Addressing the High Cost of Energy 2015 Fall River Chamber of Commerce Co-Title Sponsors 2015 Gold Sponsors 2015 Corporate Sponsors 2015 Silver Sponsor IN THIS ISSUE 2015 OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Chair of the Board: Craig Jesiolowski, St. Anne’s Hospital Chair Elect: Carl Garcia, Carl’s Collision Center, Inc. First Vice Chair: Brian LeComte, Gold Medal Bakery Second Vice Chair: Curt Nelson, Nelson Insurance & Financial Services Treasurer: Roger Cabral, Bristol County Savings Bank Clerk: Monte Ferris, Quality Inn Somerset & Venus de Milo Immediate Past Chair: Scott O’Brien, O’Brien Plumbing & Heating President and CEO & General Counsel: Robert Mellion, Esq BOARD OF DIRECTORS Term Ending in 2015 Linda Baker, Baker Sign Works Dan Balboni, Complete Recycling Solutions Anthony Medeiros, Mechanics Cooperative Bank Rick Medeiros, Pawtucket Red Sox Marty Montleon, Diman Regional Vocational High School Jason Rua, Rua Dumont Audet Insurance Agency John Sbrega, Ph.D., Bristol Community College Term Ending in 2016 Steve Canessa, Southcoast Health Systems Charlie Fellows, Lafrance Hospitality Company Bill Perkins, People Incorporated Doug Rodrigues, CPA, DE Rodrigues & Company Lisa Stratton, The Herald News, GateHouse Media, N.E. Matthew Schondek, Fall River Municipal Credit Union Matt Zenni, Liberty Utilities Term Ending in 2017 Jo Ann Bentley, Jo Ann Bentley - Architect LoriAnn Taylor Branco, Center for Sight Nick Christ, BayCoast Bank Rebecca Collins, Collins Construction Dr. Angappa Gunasekaran, Ph.D., Charlton College of Business at UMASS Dartmouth Michael Lund, Borden Light Marina Carl Sawejko, Sawejko Communications Corner Office............................................................................3 Chamber Business Calendar...................................................4 Welcome New Members.........................................................9 Upcoming Seminars...............................................................17 Member-To-Member.............................................................22 Business After Hours............................................................24 Business News Scan to view the Chamber’s website The "Business News" is published monthly by the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The opinions featured in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Chamber staff nor of members of the Chamber Board of Directors. This newspaper is printed at the Newport Daily News. All letters to the editorial page must be signed and include a phone number. All submissions are welcome and should be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS: Frank Marchione, President, FROED Kenneth Fiola Jr., Esq., Executive Vice President, FROED Business News CHAMBER STAFF: Robert A. Mellion, Esq., President, CEO, & General Counsel Kimberly Coroa Moniz, Vice President Marilyn Almeida, Director of Operations & Finance Kerri Ostapow, Manager of Communications Christian Frederick, Intern Mission Statement The mission of the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry is to be the primary business and community information source for its members and the public; to provide networking opportunities for its members; and serve as an advocate, on behalf of its members, at the local, state and federal government levels. Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. 200 Pocasset Street | Fall River, MA 02721 | Phone: 508 676 8226 | Fax: 508 675 5932 Page 2 www.fallriverchamber.com, www.facebook.com/frchamber PUBLISHER: ROBERT A. MELLION, ESQ. MANAGING EDITOR: KERRI OSTAPOW ADVERTISING EDITOR: KIMBERLY COROA MONIZ The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network provides one-to-one free comprehensive and confidential services focusing on, business growth and strategies, financing and loan assistance as well as strategic, marketing and operational analysis. In addition, low cost educational training programs are offered across the state targeted to the needs of small business. Melinda Ailes, Senior Business Advisor Alison Moriarty, Administrative Assistant Daniel Lilly, Government Sales Advisor Nancy Lowd, Senior Business Advisor Clifford Robbins, Senior Business Advisor Anne Fenton, Client Services Coordinator Jill Beresford, Senior Business Advisor Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network 200 Pocasset Street | Fall River, MA 02721 | Phone: 508 673 9783 | Fax: 508 674 1929 www.msbdc.org, www.facebook.com/msbdc fallriverchamber.com Corner Office Addressing the High Cost of Energy shire. A concern is that these expanas solar or wind power. Both alternasion proposals are being impeded tives require significant tracts of land through legal actions by environmental and upfront infrastructure investment. Technology is also making energy pro- activist groups with no reasonable alternative. duction from natural gas more effiTaking positions on important cient. The problem for Massachusetts issues while working toward solutions consumers is that without diversity of is part of our purpose at the Fall River energy supply, the demand for energy Area Chamber of Commerce & Indusderived from natural gas has far try. It should not be a surprise that the exceeded pipeline capacity. Therefore Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce the increase in cost comes down to has been the only major trade associasupply and demand. tion in southeastern Massachusetts Electricity and natural gas and eastern Rhode Island that is prices in Massachusetts are the highactively working to lower energy costs est in the continental United States. for employers. In 2002, the Chamber established an Now is the time for sound energy purchasing aggregate of the energy policy that supports infrastruclargest users of electricity in southture, supply diversity and reliability at eastern region. Participation in the South Coast Electric Power Group has a reasonable cost to consumers. Lack of urgent leadership on this issue by provided members of its steering elected officials may lead to higher group with a unique seat at the table unemployment and a lagging economy in observing Massachusetts energy for years to come. policy. For years, due to our knowledge regarding the energy markets, the Chamber has warned officials that costs were on a course to skyrocket. Respectfully, In 2014, the cost of energy in Massachusetts spiked to more than double what it was during the past decade. An unanticipated added cost Robert A. Mellion, Esq. has been in the dramatic increases of President and CEO hidden delivery charges and legislated Fall River Area Chamber of fees. There is finally some good news to report after a record winter that saw Commerce & Industry, Inc energy costs soar. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has given an approval to expand the Algonquin natural gas pipeline. This is the gas Airing every Wednesday from 1:00PM-2:00PM line which serves New England and parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The expansion of the Algonquin line is one effort that can help lower the cost of energy in the region. Kinder Morgan Inc., of Houston, has also proposed a $4 billion pipeline through parts of Massachusetts and Southern New Hamp- Chamber Media Outreach Business News monthly newspaper publication - reaches 4,000+ per month - Business Connection monthly Herald News column - reaches 45,000+ per month - Voice of Business weekly radio show Wednesdays 1-2PM, 1480AM WSAR - reaches 25,000+ per month - World of Business weekly radio show Thursdays 4-5PM, WHTB 1400 Workforce Connection Chamber’s Official TV show in partnership with Bristol Community College - Aired monthly on FRC Media Channel 95 Fridays at 5:30pm Chamber Website latest business & community news - over 4,000 hits per month - Chamber Social Media social networking site www.facebook.com/frchamber www.twitter.com/fallriverchamber Tourism & Visitor Information Center Sponsored by: Business News A major issue impacting local businesses is the high cost of energy. Cheap energy, via natural gas, is available throughout much of the United States. It is not the case in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. A significant factor driving up the cost of energy is high demand without adequate infrastructure to support consumption. Massachusetts energy usage comprises approximately 46 percent of New England’s overall demand on energy. Another factor driving up the cost of energy in Massachusetts is the enactment of environmental regulations and policy that were intended to restrict local power plants in a manner that encourages closure. As an example, the Brayton Point Station in Somerset is slated to close in 2017. The 1,530-megawatt Brayton Point power plant produces energy by burning oil or coal. During the past decade, the production of fossil fuel energy has been intentionally impeded by policy makers and environmentalist groups. They have enacted legislation and initiated court cases that added to the cost of oil and coal energy production with the hope of their replacement by green alternatives. The shift away from coal and oil energy production during the past decade has been significant. Electricity produced from oil has dropped from 22 percent of the total generation ten years ago to a 1 percent level today. Coal production of energy was formally at 18 percent and is now down to 5 percent. Meanwhile, the percentage of energy produced by natural gas has nearly tripled. The trend toward gas is generally a good thing. Natural gas is much less polluting than oil or coal and more affordable than renewable energy such by Robert A . Mellion, Esq., CEO of the Fall River A rea Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. Page 3 CHAMBER BUSINESS CALENDAR April & May (All meetings take place at the Chamber unless otherwise noted) 4/27, MON, 4/27, MON, 4/29, WED, 4/30, THURS, 4/30, THURS, 5/8, FRI, 5/12, TUES, 5/13, WED, 5/15, FRI, 5/18, MON, 5/27, WED, Business News 5/28, THURS, Page 4 Finance Committee 11:30am Cultural Committee 1:30pm Board Meeting 11:45am Events Committee 8:30am Business After Hours 5:00pm Education Committee 11:30am Membership Committee 3pm Ambassadors Committee Noon Government Affairs Committee 8am Executive Committee 12:15pm Board Meeting 11:45am Business After Hours 5pm Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry 200 Pocasset Street | Fall River, MA 02721 | Phone: 508 676 8226 | Fax: 508 675 5932 www.fallriverchamber.com, www.facebook.com/frchamber Office Space for Rent at the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce For more information call 508.676.8226 fallriverchamber.com Economic News Baker-Polito Administration Welcomes Amazon Expansion in Fall River and Freetown Expansion Will Create 500 New Full-Time Jobs in the Commonwealth by cities and towns across the region.” "This is very exciting news for the City of Fall River,” said Mayor Samuel Sutter. “The 500 jobs created by this project will be transformative for our city. We look forward to Amazon completing the land purchase now that all the pieces are in place. We believe the construction of this great facility could begin as early as this summer." “It is a privilege to see the growth potential of these communities being recognized by some of the fastest growing companies in the world,” said Senator Michael Rodrigues. “We are excited to see the economic and community benefits that these businesses will provide to our residents and are grateful for the Baker-Polito Administration’s continued support throughout the process.” “This is a hallmark day for this district and our community,” said Representative Carole Fiola. “We look forward to the day when the shovel is in the ground, with the promise of new jobs and a blossoming regional economy on the horizon. I’m glad to have Amazon as a part of our corporate community, and I thank Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor Polito, and Secretary Jay Ash for their wholehearted support for this project and our region.” The EDIP is a tax incentive program designed to foster job creation and stimulate business growth throughout the Commonwealth. Participating companies may receive state and local tax incentives in exchange for job creation, job retention and private investment commitments. Business News Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced that the state’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) has approved an incentive package for Amazon’s proposed expansion in Fall River and Freetown. The incentives, awarded through the Commonwealth’s Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP), will facilitate an expansion project expected to create 500 new full-time jobs in Massachusetts. Amazon’s South Coast expansion will also create over 2,000 seasonal jobs, while leveraging $54 million in private investment. The decision was made during EACC’s board meeting Tuesday morning. “This project will not only create new jobs for the residents of Bristol County, but will also provide a much needed economic boost to one of our gateway cities,” said Governor Baker. “By supporting companies that are looking to expand in the Commonwealth, we are setting the stage for a competitive and stable economic environment here in Massachusetts.” “Our administration is committed to supporting businesses and promoting regional economic development, and through the EDIP program, we are helping businesses grow and create jobs for residents here in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “We look forward to seeing this expansion project strengthen the economies in both Fall River and Freetown.” The EACC approved $2.25 million in Enhanced Expansion Project Credits, as well as $1 million in Job Creation Projects Credits, for a total of $3.25 million in EDIP investment tax credits. In addition, the City of Fall River is supporting the project with a 15-year Tax Increment Financing and Personal Property Tax Exemption Agreement valued at $7,808,850. The Town of Freetown is supporting the project with a 15-year Tax Increment Financing and Personal Property Tax Exemption Agreement valued at $3,830,425. Through the expansion project, Amazon will invest approximately $54 million in a 1 million square foot sortable fulfillment center to be constructed by a third-party developer in the SouthCoast Life Science & Technology Park. Approximately 60 percent of the new construction will be in Fall River and 40 percent of the new construction will be in Freetown. The center is expected to be operational in late 2016. “Amazon’s commitment to Fall River and Freetown is welcome news for the entire South Coast,” said Congressman Joseph Kennedy III. “This project will bring quality jobs to our communities and help spur additional private sector growth to further compliment the dynamic development strategies already championed fallriverchamber.com Page 5 Business News Page 6 fallriverchamber.com Business News BANKFIVE HIRES HANRATTY AND NORATO TO COMMERCIAL SERVICES AT NEW CRANSTON RI LOCATION BankFive (bankfive.com), one al banks and in the New England area. A veteran of the of the New England’s top U.S. Navy, Mr. Hanratty earned a bachelors degree in community banks, today economics from the University of Rhode Island before announced it has hired two attending Williams College’s Graduate School of Bankbusiness banking professionals ing. He and his wife live in Exeter, RI. for its new Cranston, RI lendA resident of Cranston since grade school, Ms. ing office: Vice President for Norato brings 17 years of banking experience to her new Commercial Services Richard position. She has also specialized in business banking, R. Hanratty and Assistant Vice spending more than half of her career as a business President/Commercial Lender banking officer at a few area banks and most recently at Caroline Norato. Both are First Citizens Federal Credit Union as a commercial charged with ensuring that lender. She is a graduate of Bryant University with a Ms. Norato local companies and business degree in Business Administration, majoring in Manageowners have access to the kind of world-class business ment. banking they seek. BankFive’s new Cranston lending office is the “Business owners want to know that they are work- Bank’s second location in the Ocean State. Open by ing with professionals who understand their business and appointment only, the office brings BankFive’s extensive the market where they are competing, and who can con- loan portfolio of residential, consumer and commercial nect them with the banking tools they need to succeed,” loan products closer to its existing Rhode Island cussaid BankFive President & CEO William (Bill) Eccles. tomers. Managing the locations is William N. Beauchene, “Both Richard and Caroline bring a deep knowledge of Vice President, Commercial Lender. Mr. Beauchene both commercial banking and the business landscape of joined BankFive in 2013. He has over twenty years of Rhode Island, which we are confident will be appreciated banking experience in the New England market holding by BankFive’s Rhode Island-area customers.” positions in commercial/business banking. Anyone interA seasoned professional ested in making an appointment should contact the with more than 30 years in office at 774-888-6126. banking, Mr. Hanratty brings About BankFive a wealth of knowledge to the Since 1855, BankFive has been an independent appointment-only Cranston community bank dedicated to meeting the needs of the location. He began his bankcommunities we serve through expertise, accountability ing career in New England at and integrity as a trusted resource for our customers. Old Stone Bank in ProviWith thirteen offices conveniently located throughout dence, RI, where he worked the SouthCoast, BankFive is one of the top regional extensively on commercial banks in Massachusetts. For more information, visit us lending. From there, he online at bankfive.com worked as a lender specializMr. Hanratty ing in business loans at sever- Business Seminar Business Risks: Keeping a Successful Business Successful: Thursday, May 21st fallriverchamber.com Business News RDA Insurance and Nelson Insurance & Financial Services is holding a seminar at the Chamber in the Board Room 2nd floor at 8 am on May 21st registration at 7:45 coffee and muffins will be served. Many business owners spend years getting their business “off the ground.” Once the business begins to succeed many owners fail to address common risks that all business entities face. This presentation will identify the risks associated with new and existing businesses, and solutions to deal with these risks. Some of the topics that will be discussed: identifying the pitfalls of workers compensation insurance, lost business income, a businesses exposure to cyber attacks etc. Chamber businesses of all sizes are encouraged to attend. Page 7 Page 8 fallriverchamber.com Welcome New Members Oak & Holly Garden Design www.oakandholly.com Wells Fargo Advisors www.home.wellsfargoadvisor.com/nelsondias Bayside Automotive Inc. www.baysideautocenter.com Hasbro Children’s Specialty Practice hasbrochildrenshospital.org Jay’s Wine and Spirits www.jayswineandspirits.com fallriverchamber.com Page 9 Community News Light It Up Blue for Autism Speaks Pictured: Staff at St. Anne’s Credit Union’s Main Office. Business News The United Nations’ eighth annual World Autism Awareness Day was celebrated on Thursday, April 2, in conjunction with Autism Speaks’ international Light It Up Blue Campaign. The LIUB campaign encourages people around the world to shine bright blue lights on their homes, businesses and even on landmarks, in honor of the millions of people who are affected by autism. More than 130,000 buildings worldwide joined the LIUB campaign this year, including the Empire State Building, the Pyramids of Giza, and London’s Trafalgar Square. St. Anne’s Credit Union was excited to take part in LIUB this year by holding a casual day for a cause encouraging employees to donate to Autism Speaks and dress in blue. The Credit Union also challenged their employees to decorate their branches and departments in honor of World Autism Awareness Day and to submit a picture that was then posted on St. Anne’s Facebook page. Many of the branches submitted great photos showing off their wonderful and informative decorations, but in the end the Main Office won the picture contest thanks to their decorations that actually lit up! In total, St. Anne’s employees and members raised over $350 which will all go to Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. Page 10 fallriverchamber.com Business Advice Support your favorite charity with life insurance. As Americans, we can take pride in the fact that we are a nation of givers. And as the economy improves, charitable giving is on the rise. In fact, according to the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, in 2013 total charitable giving from U.S. individuals, corporations, foundations, and bequests exceeded $335 billion. But with money still being tight for many Pictured: Berto Cabral Americans, it’s nice to know that there is a way to support a favorite charity without having to worry about the impact it could have on your budget. How? By giving the gift of life insurance. Here are just a few ways you can use this proven method to contribute money to your favorite causes: • Donate an existing policy—If you already have a policy and no longer need the death benefit, you can irrevocably transfer ownership of the policy to your desired charity. While the charity will be responsible for any remaining premium payments, it will also receive the full death benefit when you die. • List the charity as a beneficiary—As the owner, you remain in control of your policy and can leave money to as many beneficiaries as you like: children, grandchildren—even multiple charities. Or you can name a single charity the sole beneficiary, and it will receive the entire amount. • Purchase a separate policy—There are times when it makes sense to have separate policies: one for loved ones, and one for charitable gifts. This technique can prove especially helpful if you would like to retain ownership of one policy, but not the other. • Create a Charitable Remainder Trust: While this planned-giving tool is designed to shelter assets such as stocks and real estate, you can also incorporate life insurance if it’s set up correctly. Be sure to consult a trust attorney before pursuing this approach. Giving life insurance can be a lasting and recession-proof way to support a worthy cause. Depending on the method you choose, it may also offer a variety of tax benefits. Neither New York Life Insurance Company nor its agents provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, or accounting professionals before making any decision. Also, state laws vary with respect to charities and insurance. Please consult your legal advisor for details. People with Disabilities Continue Finding Jobs fallriverchamber.com labor force participation rate decreased slightly from 75.9 percent in March 2014 to 75.8 percent in March 2015 (down 0.1 percent; 0.1 percentage points). The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the population that is working or actively looking for work. “The last few months have been very encouraging—workers with disabilities are outpacing workers without disabilities for the first time in a very long Pictured: Mitchell Zhan time,” said Andrew J. Houtenville, Ph.D., associate professor of economics and research director at UNH-IOD. “This could mean that the economic recovery from the Great Recession is finally reaching people with disabilities.” In March 2015, among workers ages 16-64, the 4,359,000 workers with disabilities represented 3.1 percent of the total 139,158,000 workers in the U.S. Be a part of this growing trend! Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission works with persons with disabilities to find or retain employment. We have trained, job ready candidates motivated to work. If you are seeking to fill a position, or want more information about our programs, call your local MRC Area Office. In the Greater Fall River area, call 508-678-9041. (The information in this article was adapted from the Kessler Foundation’s Research on Disability website, a program funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.) Page 11 Business News While labor force participation for people with disabilities is much lower than it is for people without disabilities, recent statistics show greater gains in employment for people with disabilities than for those without disabilities. For six consecutive months, Americans with disabilities have continued to find jobs, according to today's National Trends in Disability Employment – Monthly Update (nTIDE), issued by Kessler Foundation and University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD). However, there still remains an employment gap of 44.5 percent between people with and without disabilities. In the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Jobs Report released Friday, April 3, the employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased from 24.6 percent in March 2014 to 27.2 percent in March 2015 (up 10.6 percent; 2.6 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the employment-to-population ratio increased slightly from 70.7 percent in March 2014 to 71.7 percent in March 2015 (up 1.4 percent; 1 percentage point). The employment-to-population ratio, a key indicator, reflects the percentage of people who are working relative to the total population. In comparison to March 2014, 555,000 more Americans with disabilities are in the workforce. Job training is one strategy that is helping individuals with disabilities start careers. Americans with disabilities are honing their job skills and finding lasting careers. For people with disabilities, the labor force participation rate also increased from 29.5 percent in March 2014 to 31.1 percent in March 2015 (up 5.4 percent; 1.6 percentage points). For people without disabilities, the Business News Page 12 Community News Junior Achievement Seeking Golfers for World-Class Tournament at TPC Boston Proceeds to benefit programs that teach youth financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness skills On Tuesday, May 26th Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts will hold its annual IRONMAN Golf Tournament at the TPC Boston. “This event is such a fun day for avid golfers,” said Ms. Paradis. “Participation means exclusive access to this exceptional course and its facilities, with 36 holes of no-waiting golf.” The event, which raises critical funds for local Junior Achievement programs in K-12 classrooms, allows players to compete in a Ryder Cup style format at the home of the renowned Deutsche Bank Championship. In addition to two rounds of golf, participation in the event includes breakfast, lunch and a dinner reception, where prizes are awarded for fundraising excellence, golf performance (such as longest drive and most total golf points, as well as a team prize), and to the overall IRONMAN Champion. Prizes include items such as seats to Red Sox and Patriots games, a foursome at the TPC Boston, tickets to the Deutsche Bank Championship tournament, FootJoy’s MyJoy golf shoes and much more, in addition to a complimentary golf bag for all participants. Since its inception, the IRONMAN has raised over one million dollars for Junior Achievement programs, impacting a total of 35,000 students throughout Bristol and Plymouth counties. Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through an extensive volunteer network, JA of Southern Massachusetts impacted 4,435 students last year. To receive information on participating the IRONMAN or to learn more about Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts, contact Caroline Paradis at [email protected] or call 508-997-6536. St. Anne’s holds a Homebuyer Seminar Shown in the picture is St. Anne’s Credit Union Mortgage Originator Tim Souza speaking at the Homebuyer Seminar Page 13 Business News St. Anne’s Credit Union held a free Homebuyer Seminar on Monday, April 13th, the most recent in the Credit Union’s Financial Literacy class series. The class was presented by two of St. Anne’s Mortgage Originators, Jean Correia and Timothy Souza, and covered the basics of credit, mortgages and gave an overview of the entire home buying process. It was a full class and was held in the training center at St. Anne’s Corporate Office. The Credit Union provided attendees with food and refreshments and also held a raffle for a $50 gift card to Shell that everyone who attended the seminar was entered into. The home buying process can often be confusing and intimidating, and St. Anne’s was happy to be able to provide some assistance to people who are looking to enter the home buying market. Make sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming classes in the St. Anne’s Credit Union Financial Literacy Series! Business News Fall River Municipal Credit Union Announces Promotions Matthew Schondek, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fall River Municipal Credit Union, is pleased to announce the promotion of Stephanie Medeiros of New Bedford, MA. Ms. Medeiros has been promoted to Operations Manager. Ms. Medeiros has been with the Credit Union since 2010 and has her Master of Public Policy degree from UMass Dartmouth. In her former role as Branch Manager, she oversaw the daily operation of the Lakeville and Assonet offices of FRMCU. In her new role as Operations Manager, Ms. Medeiros will be responsible for overseeing the Account and Loan Services Departments. This area of the credit union deals with deposit and loan account processing, debit card and ATM activity, aiding customers with inquiries and required account reporting. Ms. Medeiros will also oversee the collection efforts of the credit union. “Stephanie Medeiros’s appointment to the role of Operations Manager will continue to enhance member relations.” stated Mr. Schondek. “Stephanie is a very hard worker who will work to guide her staff to respond positively to member needs and inquiries.” Ms. Travassos has also been promoted to Assistant Branch Manager and has worked for FRMCU for six years, most recently as a Head Teller. In her role as Assistant Branch Manager, Ms. Travassos will be interacting with members on a one-to-one basis as well as assisting the branch manager with the daily responsibilities of running a branch. Her day to day responsibilities will also include helping members with account openings and loan applications and to make the member experience at FRMCU first rate. Fall River Municipal Credit Union is celebrating 85 years of serving the greater Fall River Community. FRMCU where we are focused on you the member. Fall River Municipal Credit Union is celebrating 85 years of serving the greater Fall River Community. FRMCU where we are focused on you the member. Bristol County Savings Bank (BCSB), through its charitable foundation, recently announced a contribution of $250,000 to the Bristol Community College Foundation for the John J. Sbrega Health and Science building. Construction of the building is currently underway on the Fall River campus with an anticipated opening in early 2016. The 46,000 square-foot building will house BCC’s Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Clinical Laboratory and Medical Assisting Programs and will feature highly advanced biology, chemistry and other science laboratories. “Providing the citizens of our region with access to education is one of the College’s top priorities,” said Dr. John J. Sbrega, President of Bristol Community College and the project’s namesake. “With this contribution towards the Health and Science building, the Bank and its Foundation have really stepped up to help us improve this access. The demand for workers in the healthcare and life sciences industries is growing and this building will help educate the workforce the region needs. By doing so, BCC will continue to play a critical role in helping to support and nurture the economic health of southeastern Massachusetts.” Bristol County Savings Bank is an active supporter in the communities in which it serves. Since 2007, the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation (BCSCF) has donated more than $3 million to 501©(3) organizations in the Southcoast. “We have worked closely with the College and Dr. Sbrega over the years and are proud to continue to support his vision for this building and the future of BCC through this contribution,” said Patrick J. Murray, Jr., President of the BCSCF, President & CEO of BCSB and a BCC Foundation board member. Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation was established in 1996 as part of the Bank’s 150th Anniversary celebration. Its purpose is to fund needs that contribute to the economic and the social well-being of the people and institutions located in the greater Attleboro/Taunton Region, the greater New Bedford/Dartmouth Region, the Fall River Region and the Pawtucket, Rhode Island Region, with particular emphasis in the areas of education and literacy, economic development and housing for the low- to moderate-income population. Since the Foundation began, over $14 million has been committed to hundreds of different non-profit organizations. In 2014, the Foundation awarded $1.4 million to various 501©(3) organizations. Bristol County Savings Bank Background Information: Bristol County Savings Bank, founded in 1846, is a full-service financial institution offering commercial lending, personal and business banking, and mortgage services. The Bank’s Financial Advisory Services division has successfully assisted businesses, individuals and non-profits with the management of their assets since 1989. In addition, the Bank also offers quality property and casualty insurance options for its customers through its majority-owned insurance partner, FBinsure. The Bank’s steady growth and expansion has resulted in $1.6 billion in assets and over 400 employees in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The key words at Bristol County Savings Bank are: "Commitment, Stability, and Community," values that are combined with state-of-the-art technology to meet the needs of its customers. A dedicated local community bank for over 168 years, Bristol County Savings Bank is actively involved in giving back to all the communities it serves both through financial support and the volunteerism of its people. The Main Office and Corporate Headquarters of Bristol County Savings Bank are located on Broadway in Taunton, Massachusetts. For additional information, please call 508-824-6626 or visit www.bristolcountysavings.com. Business News Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation Makes $250,000 Contribution Towards The Construction Of Bristol Community College’s John J. Sbrega Health and Science Building Page 14 fallriverchamber.com Chamber Member Spotlight Helping you reach your financial goals: Nelson Dias, Wells Fargo Financial Advisor BIOGRAPHY As a Financial Advisor, I am dedicated to helping my clients meet their financial needs. Whether you are planning your retirement, saving for your children’s or grandchildren’s education, or looking to preserve your wealth, I can help. With over 17 years of professional experience in consumer finance, retail banking, insurance, and investments, I bring a diverse perspective while providing objective and timely financial advice and guidance. As a Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, I take pride in offering a high level of personal service and professional integrity while working for a firm that puts the client's needs first. Fluent in Portuguese, I also service the Portuguese-American community with their investment planning needs. Away from the office, I like staying active with sports and spending time with my wife and two young children. I also enjoy sharing laughs and spending quality time with family and friends and value the strong relationships that we have. should expect at retirement and whether that amount matches your expectations. I can help you determine which retirement income strategies may help you reach your goals – whether you hope to maintain flexibility and control of the principal, have opportunities to grow the principal or increase the income, or have enough income to last the rest of your life. ABOUT WELLS FARGO ADVISORS Wells Fargo Advisors, which traces its roots to 1879, grew through mergers with highly respected regional and national firms. It is a non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company, one of the nation’s largest and highly respected financial institutions. In business since 1852 and named on Fortune magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies list for 2009 - 2014, Wells Fargo is known and respected for its responsible stewardship of its clients’ assets. MY COMMITMENT TO YOU Backed by the vast resources of Wells Fargo Advisors, I offer a wide range of services, from helping you select individual investments to developing a retirement plan. With access to a broad array of company resources - including research analysis and economic and market experts - I can help you make informed investment decisions based on your specific needs. Business News COMPREHENSIVE INVESTMENT PLANNING Making sure your wealth continues to work in support of the goals you have established takes careful planning. Such planning is not a single event – it is a process. As your life circumstances change, so must the investment strategies I use to stay on course toward meeting your objectives. That is why I work with you, one on one, to design investment strategies targeted to your specific needs and goals. RETIREMENT INCOME PLANNING An aspect of retirement planning that’s often overlooked is understanding how much annual income you fallriverchamber.com Page 15 Business News Page 16 fallriverchamber.com Business Seminars Getting Started in Business Thur., May 7, 2015 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Central Library in Copley Square 700 Boylston Street, Commonwealth Salon, Boston This popular workshop provides a complete overview of business startup and planning considerations, oriented to those planning a venture as well as existing small business owners. Topics include the entrepreneurial lifestyle, feasibility, business strategy, business plan preparation, marketing, financing and additional resources. A free workbook is provided. Please note that there is a limited space for UMass Boston College of Management MAP students. Seminars are offered free of charge and held at various locations throughout the Boston area. Preregistration is required. Cost: Free If you have questions, contact the Boston Regional Office & Minority Business Center at 617-287-7750. The SBA Advantage Thurs., April 16, 2015 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Plymouth Career Center, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 200, Plymouth To register, contact the Plymouth Career Center at 508-732-5399 Wed., May 20, 2015 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Career Works, 34 School Street, Brockton To register, contact Career Works at 508-513-3400 Business News Thurs., May 21, 2015 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Plymouth Career Center, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 200, Plymouth To register, contact the Plymouth Career Center at 508-732-5399. This workshop will help you gain a better understanding of the various U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs and services that are available to prospective or current entrepreneurs who need assistance in starting or expanding their businesses. fallriverchamber.com Page 17 Business News Need qualified summer (and year-round) employees? Business News Partner with Bristol Community College Cooperative Education and Internship program The Cooperative Education and Internship Program at Bristol Community College (Co-op) is celebrating 30 years in 2015/16 of helping South Coast businesses meet summer and year round Co-op and internship needs. Through the BCC Co-op program, partner businesses, community organizations, and government agencies offer students the opportunity to acquire valuable work experience, earn credit, and explore career options. In return, employers work with skilled and academically qualified BCC students. In the past 10 years alone, more than 3,000 BCC students have worked with area employers in a Co-op experience. “Co-op cultivates an unparalleled and personalized experience for both the student and the employer, said Nicole Heaney, Director, BCC Cooperative Education. “We work with motivated BCC students on their resumes and interviewing skills. And, we help organizations achieve cost-effectiveness of recruitment, training, and retention by matching student classroom experiences with needed employer knowledge, abilities and skills.” “This mutually beneficial relationship provides interns with training for their future careers, and equips our partner organizations with academically successful and ready to learn and work BCC students,” added Heaney. BCC currently has students seeking positions for the summer, including: • Business Administration - accounting, marketing, and management • Office Administration - executive, legal, and medical • Paralegal Studies and Criminal Justice • Engineering and Environmental Technology - civil, structural, environmental, electro-mechanical, applied Page 18 manufacturing, surveying and CAD It is easy to partner with BCC Co-op. Register and post positions for free at https://www.myinterfase.com/bristol/employer/ or contact the program directly. The BCC Co-op team works one-on-one with students to match their classroom experiences with your needed employee knowledge and skills. Co-op staff matches qualified students to the position. All final hiring decisions are left to the employer. Co-op students are placed throughout Bristol County and beyond including the Attleboro, Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford areas. Contact BCC Co-op staff: David LePage, 508-6782811 x3140, [email protected] Kaisa Holloway Cripps, 508-678-2811 x 3729 [email protected] or Nicole Heaney, 508-678-2811 x2471, [email protected] fallriverchamber.com BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Thursday, 4/30, 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: 999 Reed Road, N. Dartmouth Sponsored by: My Brother’s Keeper Thursday, 5/28, 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: Battleship Cove Sponsored by: St. Anne’s Credit Union Wednesday, 6/24, 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: 333 Milliken Blvd., Fall River Sponsored by: Fall River Municipal Credit Union Thursday, 7/9, 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: 13 N. Main Street, Fall River Sponsored by: Dunny’s Saloon Dunny’s S[loon Thursday, 7/30, 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: Tipsy Seagull Sponsored by: Borden Light Marina & Tipsy Seagull Wednesday, 8/26, 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: 330 Swansea Mall Drive, Swansea Sponsored by: BayCoast Bank Thursday, 9/24, 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: 100 Old Faunce Corner Road, N. Dartmouth Sponsored by: Toyota of Dartmouth Wednesday, 10/28, 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: 79 N. Main Street, Fall River Sponsored by: Bank Five Thursday, 11/19, 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: Venus de Milo, 75 Grand Army Highway, Swansea, MA Holiday Fund Kick Off Thursday, 12/17, 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: White’s of Westport, 66 State Road, Westport Sponsored by: White’s of Westport *Nov. 1, 2015 Applications for 2016 Available fallriverchamber.com Business News More info: contact Kimberly Coroa Moniz @ [email protected] Page 19 Business News [email protected] www.bristolcountybusinessconnect.com Page 20 Business News Fall River Area Leads and Referral Groups Bristol County Business Connect (BCBC) Meets Friday Mornings 7:30am Location: Rockland Trust 100 Slades Ferry Ave Somerset, MA Community News Poyant names Stephanie Poyant Moran, Account Executive Poyant Moran joins as fourth generation in the 77 year old family business Poyant, a New Bedford sign manufacturer and branding specialist, has named Stephanie Poyant Moran, Account Executive. In her new role, Poyant Moran will be responsible for serving customers in Bristol and Plymouth County and Beaumont Sign customers. “Stephanie is a very welcome addition to our sales team, her connections to the local community and her understanding of branding and signage will be of benefit to our customers helping us to better build their brand,” said Jason Fredette, Director of Sales Operations at Poyant. Poyant Moran brings more than five years of sign industry experience to the company. She previously worked at Poyant from 2001 to 2007. During that time she was the Project Manager for the highest volume sales executive in the company and was responsible for the project management of the company’s largest accounts including CVS/pharmacy, Brooks Pharmacy, Shaw’s Supermarkets, Webster Bank, and WS Development. She also handled the project management of some of the company’s largest conversion projects including Osco Drug to Brooks Pharmacy (80 stores), Shaw’s pharmacy to Osco Pharmacy (40 stores), and the Webster Bank logo conversion (100 branches). From 2005 to 2007 she also took on the role as Scheduling & Field Services Coordinator. In that role she was responsible for the planning, logistics and management of the Installation and Service Schedule to ensure on-time delivery and efficient response for all company accounts. Before rejoining Poyant, Poyant Moran held the position of Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Prior to that, she was the Public Information Officer and New Media Specialist at Southcoast Health and was the Public Information Officer and Executive Assistant to Mayor Scott W. Lang of the City of New Bedford. Poyant Moran holds a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management and Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She is a past Chair of the Board of Managers at the New Bedford YMCA, Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE) Wine Festival Committee and a past member of the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Historical Association Board of Directors and the Whaling History Alliance. “This is a very exciting announcement for our family and our business,” said Richard V. Poyant, President of Poyant. “Stephanie’s energy and passion for helping people in our community along with experience in government, public relations, and marketing will add value to our company and the customers she will be serving.” Poyant Moran resides in New Bedford with her husband, Ross, and their daughter, Elle. About Poyant For more than 75 years, Poyant has provided custom design and manufacturing services to businesses throughout New England and beyond. Poyant’s team of signage professionals is behind some of the most recognized brands. We collaborate to bring our unique talents to each project and achieve extraordinary results. From custom signs to all-encompassing sign programs, we are committed to providing superior quality to all of our clients — on time and on budget. For more information, visit www.poyantsigns.com. Page 21 & RESTAURANT www.armandscarpets.com Beacon Light Tavern 15% OFF Food Only www.beaconlighttavern.com (508) 675-5044 Bless You Handkerchiefs $500 OFF $499 TV Furniture Purchase or More 508-672-8603 Blount Clam Shack & Company Store 10% OFF 774-888-0050 www.blountfinefoods.com Capone’s Chicago Style Pizza 10% OFF (508) 672-6700 Halftime Sports Bar & Grille *15% OFF food only Complimentary event space (508) 235-1106 www.thehalftimebar.com Jerry Remy’s Bar & Grill 10% OFF food only (774) 365-6905 www.jerryremys.com/fallriver Nik’s Pizza 10% OFF (508) 674-8440 Patti's Pierogies 10 percent off international platter (508) 679-4001 www.pattispierogis.com Piezonis 10% OFF all purchases 508-673-7600 www.piezonis.com Business News Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits *10% OFF 508-689-7905 www.popeyes.com Tipsy Toboggan 10% Discount 508-944-3728 RETAIL Armand’s Carpet & Linoleum *10% OFF carpet, vinyl, ceramic 508-679-2745 Page 22 SERVICES 3rd Eye Photography 10% OFF and Free Initial Consultation (508)-212-9052 www.3rdeyephotography.net Accurate Service, Inc 10% OFF storage 508-674-5773 www.accurateservice.com Admat Advertising 10% OFF Year online AD 508-942-6907 www.admatadvertising.com At Your Service *10% OFF 508-677-6700 Baker Sign Works *10% OFF $500+ 508-674-6600 www.bakersignworks.com Battleship Cove *20% OFF 508-678-1100 www.battleshipcove.com Blackstone Valley Office Systems Free Ipad Mini with any Lease or purchase www.bvos.com Camara's Heating & Air Conditioning 10% OFF 508-636-8325 www.camarasheatingandac.com Canteen Kitchen 50% OFF Franchise and Royalty Fees (508) 672-4822 Cape Cod Dinner Train *$10 OFF Elegant Dinner 508-771-3800 www.masscoastal.com Cayton Electrical Services 10% OFF To take advantage of the savings, simply present your Buy SouthCoast card or Membership card and ask for the Chamber discount on your transaction with any participating merchant. All of the below listed discounts are offered through the Member-to-Member Discount Program. If the discount is marked with an asterisk (*), then it is also offered as a Buy SouthCoast discount. For more information about the Member-to-Member Discount Program or Buy SouthCoast, contact the Chamber at 508-676-8226. 774-319-5155 www.caytonelectrical.com www.enterprise.com Use Code 49B7000 Comfort Inn & Suites *10% OFF Room Rates 508-672-0011 www.globalvisionhotels.com Fall River Modern Printing Co., Inc. 15% OFF 508-6739421 Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River 10% OFF Admisson (508) 672-0033 Command Security Corp. 10 % off guard/concierge services 800-791-9102 www.commandsecurity.com Common Sense Environmental $100 OFF 508-858-5606 www.commonsenseenv.com Corporate Image Apparel Inc 10% OFF 508-676-3099 www.ciainc.com D.E. Rodrigues & Co., Inc. *FREE Initial Consultation 508-679-6079 www.rodriguesandcompany.com Dave’s Tire & Auto Service *10% OFF parts with repairs 10% OFF Tires 508-679-6482 www.davestireandauto.com Delken Dry Cleaning *10% OFF 508-679-0999 www.delken.com East Commerce Solutions *10% OFF 800-527-5395 www.eastcommercesolutions.com Empire Hyundai, Inc. 10% discount on all parts and labor 15% discount on all accessories purchased at the parts counter or service desk. 508-673-7646 Enterprise-Rent-a-car 10% OFF Rental Vehicle 508-677-9000 Fikes New England 10% OFF janitorial/office/general supplies www.fikesdealers.com Fire Systems Inc. 10% OFF of parts 508-999-4444 Gaspar’s Landscaping *10% OFF 508-677-3502 www.gasparslandscaping.com Guardian Pest Control, Inc. 10% OFF 508-6798550 General Fitness *20% OFF all memberships 508-677-4933 Gentlemen's Quarters 10% off services or products with initial visit only 508-617-8592 Health & Safety Solutions *10% OFF 508-415-7127 www.health-safetysolutions.com Interactive Palette 10% OFF 781-930-3100 www.interactivepalette.com Labor Ready $50 OFF first order 508-672-6300 www.laborready.com Lazer Gate 10% OFF 508-730-1230 www.lazergate.com Mallard & POPS Printing Ask for Chamber Discount 508-675-5733 www.mallardprinting.com All listed discounts are included within the Member-To-Member discount program. An asterisk (*) indicates a Buy SouthCoast Discount. Meganet Communications *10% OFF, 1 Month Free 508-646-0030 Somerset Decorating Two Guys Barber Shop www.fallriverbgc.org 508-674-8596 Price $12.00) Center for Sight 10% OFF www.meganet.net www.SomersetDecorating.com O’Brien Plumbing & Heating Co. South End Sunoco 10% OFF 508-679-3368 20% OFF all labor work Minimum $100 of work www.obriensplumbingandheating.com 2322 S. Main St Fall River, MA Pawtucket Red Sox Stellar Web Production Save $2.00 on a Haircut (Regular price $14.00/Savings 508-999-6690 Sullivan Tire & Auto 508-679-1858 www.sullivantire.com Best Price Around Performance Auto Center *10% OFF 508-675-4777 Precision Mechanical, Inc. 10% OFF 774-930-1589 Radio Voz do Emigrante 15% OFF 508-678-9727 www.radiovozdoemigrante.com ReMax, Dawn Rusin $500 off $100k+ closing costs 508-674-4068 Spindle City Auto Glass 10% Off any services (Not included with any other offer) 10% OFF Parts & Labor 508-675-1106 www.somersetautogroup.com 508-672-6340 www.TheGutterCleaningCompany.com ThinkTech Computer 508-992-2541 TNT Cleaning Services 10 % off any cleaning services with a contract www.tntcleaningma.com Town Car Travel Limousine 10% OFF 508-379-9088 www.towncartravel.com TransAnalysis *First Month FREE 508-646-1000 www.transanalysis.com For more information on Chamber Membership or including your business in the Chamber’s Member to Member Discount Program contact Kimberly Coroa Moniz at 508.676.8226 Page 23 Business News Somerset Chrysler Dodge Jeep 15% OFF senior membership 1-866-244-6361 508-644-5010 www.smokeclean.com 508-567-3830 The Gutter Cleaning Company Sam’s Club in Fall River 508-324-8031 10% OFF* 5% OFF Servic (Must be mentioned at time of booking) Two free residential rooms carpet cleaned/ FREE Consultation Strive Gymnastics & Fitness, LLC 10% OFF All Services www.sabertv.com Sinel, Wilfand & Vinci, CPAs Boys & Girls Club www.eyehealthvision.com 508-679-6122 www.thinktechonline.com 774-627-3065 HEALTH 508-673-2020 Sylvan Animal Clinic Saber TV $25 Gift Card with new or renewal plus membership 25% OFF advertising for new clients, Townsquare Media $100 offlowest discounted price (508) 677-3063 FREE 27-Point Network Audit 508-672-8603 $500 off regular and customary price. www.spindlecityautoglass.com 508-677-3629 $50 off any $499 or more furniture purchase Eye Health Vision Centers www.newenglandcleansurfaces.com www.stellarinternet.com *Full service regular oil change $19.95 www.center-for-sight.com 508-863-7263 www.pawsox.com We will beat our competitors pricing 508-730-2020 cleaning and/or scaling FUN107/WBSM Payroll Express treatment New England Clean Surfaces *20% OFF hourly fee 508-801-0599 *$100 OFF Radiesse cosmetic 10% discount tile and grout *Buy 25 Flex tickets, save $25 401-724-7300 *$50 OFF pair of eyeglasses (508) 677-6717 To register call the Chamber 508.676.8226 5/28, 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: USS Massachusetts, 5 Water St, Fall River Sponsored by: St. Anne’s Credit Union 4/30, 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: 999 Reed Road, N. Dartmouth Sponsored by: My Brother’s Keeper Business After Hours Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. 200 Pocasset Street Fall River, MA 02721-1585 508-676-8226 www.fallriverchamber.com Business News PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 46 Fall River, MA Current Resident or
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