Hamilton, Wenham consider tying the knot

There's the Hamilton-Wenham Library, the Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, and the Community House of Hamilton and Wenham.

A visitor might be forgiven for failing to distinguish between the neighboring hamlets of Hamilton and Wenham, each with its leafy neighborhoods of historic homes and wooded fields north of Boston. But there is a two-century-old line that divides them. On one side are the Myopia Hunt Club and a small shopping plaza. On the other are a quintessentially quaint town center and a single restaurant. On both sides of the line are residents with deep feelings about what it means to live there.

Any differences, subtle or sacrosanct, could go by the lushly landscaped wayside. Burdened by increasing expenses and imperiled revenues, the towns have asked the state to study what had long been taboo - a merger.

In an unprecedented step, the state has agreed to examine whether combining the two towns makes sense economically, practically, and bureaucratically. If Hamilton and Wenham decide to erase their boundary, state and local officials said, they would be the first Massachusetts communities in memory to merge in a state where local identity is revered.

While it's unlikely communities as starkly different as Weston and Waltham or Hingham and Weymouth would be next, a successful merger of Hamilton and Wenham could be a model for others, state officials said.

"Ninety percent of the seniors in Hamilton feel the way I do," said Mimi Fanning, chairwoman of the town's Council on Aging. "They just feel the town is theirs, and they don't want to lose it."

In Wenham, Peg Bode was equally adamant as she waited for customers inside the landmark Wenham Tea House, the only establishment in town to hold a liquor license.

"Personally, I hope they don't," Bode said of a merger. When pressed, Bode admitted reluctantly, "I've always thought of Wenham as better."

Barbara Ramsey of Hamilton, standing nearby, said she was stunned when she attended her first Town Meeting in Hamilton almost 40 years ago.

"I was in complete shock when they talked about Wenham," she recalled. "It was the good guys and the bad guys. I jabbed my husband and said, 'Oh my God.' "

Across the street, at the cozy Wenham Museum, executive director Lindsay Diehl opened her eyes wide when asked about a full marriage between the towns.

"No comment!" Diehl said with a laugh.

Inside the Mobil gas station on the Hamilton-Wenham line, owner John Fallon has yet another perspective on the debate. Fallon, who lives behind the station, pays business taxes to Wenham and property taxes to Hamilton.

"I get the double whammy from both towns," Fallon said, leaning back in his chair and shaking his head. "From a standpoint of saving money, especially in this tough economy, I think it's a good thing. But one thing's for sure, everyone ain't gonna be happy."

One topic that is sure to raise hackles is what a new, larger town would be called.

"Hamilton-Wenham" strikes many as too long, despite its bland functionality. "Wenilton" is another suggestion. And even "Ham-ham" has gained some humorous traction, said Ashley Perkins of Wenham, a 2004 graduate of the regional high school.

Combining some services is one thing, but changing town names should be off-limits, said Butch Crosbie, president of the Hamilton Historical Society. "We both have our histories," he said.

The study has not begun, but selectmen in both towns have given a green light to the analysis, which the state Division of Local Services is scheduled to begin in January and wrap up by April. The study's purview will include a comparison of tax rates, debt, employee contracts, salaries and benefits, municipally owned facilities, and legal issues related to any differences in town government.

If a merger went ahead, the state's work could become a template for other communities, particularly in sparsely populated Western Massachusetts, that want to trim expenses and boost efficiencies, said Robert Bliss, spokesman for the state Department of Revenue, which includes the local-services division.

Any merger, however, would have to clear a host of legal and sentimental hurdles. First, the idea has to make sense financially. And second, town meetings in both towns would be required to endorse the proposal. Then, the Legislature would likely need to approve a home-rule petition before a consolidation became official.

"We owe it to the citizens of the towns to really look into this," said Candace Wheeler, town administrator in Hamilton. "The financial pressure on municipalities is tremendous."

Jeff Chelgren, Wheeler's counterpart in Wenham, said the concept of merger has infiltrated local conversation more and more.

"For the last three to four months, we're starting to see politicians freely speaking about it," Chelgren said. "Before, if you even uttered the word, you'd get your head cut off."

The notion gained momentum recently during a voluntary management review in Hamilton, during which state officials noted the towns already shared several services. The towns agreed to share expenses for the schools and emergency communications system in 1959, the recreation department in 1995, an elderly van in 1998, and the state's first two-town library in 1998.

To Perkins, the communities always were considered one town when she attended high school. "When you drive through, you can't tell a difference," she said.

But among older residents, wariness is the watchword.

"I love my little town of Hamilton, and I wouldn't mind it one way or another, but I know so many people who would," said Annette Janes, a library trustee. As library director when the merger of that institution was underway, Janes knows first-hand how challenging and sensitive a consolidation can become.

Joanne Patton, of Hamilton, the wife of the late Major General George S. Patton, said a merger would be a positive step.

"Economics are what's going to drive it," said Patton, whose father-in-law was General George S. Patton Jr., the legendary World War II hero. "Everybody's proud of where they are, but I myself would have no objection. I think what we need to do is start talking. Like other things in the world, we're learning that if we have dialogue, it's an appropriate first step. Sometimes, we learn we have more in common than we have differences."

In Patton's view, a merger is sensible and inevitable.

"I've often told my children," she said, "that by my grandchildren's lifetime, this will be one town."

Brian MacQuarrie, Boston Globe / November 11, 2008

Photos & Video from the Nov. 5th Economic & Public Policy Breakfast Forum

Photos & Video from the Nov. 5th Economic & Public Policy Breakfast Forum

Over 250 members of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce attended the November 5 Economic & Public Policy Breakfast Forum yesterday (moderated by Dr. Wayne Burton, Chairman) at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, where Congressman John Tierney (D) addressed members of the Chamber the day after the presidential election.

Please visit our Photocast site for Pictures & Photos from the Nov. 5 Breakfast:
http://gallery.me.com/northshorechamber1#100193

Click Below to watch a YouTube Clip of
Congressman John Tierney speaking on the Presidential Election Results

Congressman Tierney sees 'Great Promise'

SALEM — Just hours after he swept to a seventh term, Congressman John Tierney addressed a packed house of businessmen and businesswomen during a breakfast forum for the North Shore Chamber of Commerce at the Hawthorne Hotel.

The Salem Democrat spoke about the historic election, the dire economy and his work to help the North Shore and the nation recover from the financial crisis.

"I think there's great promise for us," Tierney said.

Tierney also praised Republican Sen. John McCain for an inspiring concession speech. He wondered how different the election might have been if the candidate had run his election with the same tone.

Tierney also talked about the last eight years with an obstinate President Bush. He hoped for a return to the politics of ideas akin to those of former House Speaker Thomas "Tip" O'Neill.

"I hate the cynicism that's out there," Tierney said. "I think the victory last night gives us a chance to get beyond the cynicism."

Worse yet is the fiscal outlook for the nation.

A report due out tomorrow will show the country has experienced its 10th consecutive month of job loss, Tierney said.

Moreover, 90 percent of economists agree the country will not rebound until 2009, he said, and overall manufacturing jobs are down.

"So this is the serious predicament on the economic front," he said.

Tierney said the House has been trying to pass an economic recovery package for months, but it has been held up in the Senate and by threats of a presidential veto.

The package — separate from the so-called bailout — would extend unemployment benefits, ensure federal dollars to states for Medicaid, increase access to food stamps and generate jobs by improving local infrastructure for transportation and technology, according to Tierney.

"We are talking about tens of thousands of jobs in Massachusetts," he said. "I think it's good for Massachusetts and the district. I think it's good for the country."

It's a way to help move the country forward, Tierney said, but he wondered whether Bush would be an obstacle.

"The question is going to be, is he going to cooperate or is he going to be stubborn?" he said.

He hopes the sitting Congress will pass the legislation before the end of the year. If not, the next session will, Tierney said.

The North Shore would be poised to accept jobs with both the passage of the economic recovery package and his own legislation, the Green Jobs Act of 2007, Tierney said. The region has the work force development, the labor unions and the academic institutions to partner with.

"We are perfectly situated in this district," he said.

For those worried that the shift of power to the Democrats would signal wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars, Tierney disagreed. Government had to take the lead, he said.

"We're going to be good liberals and good progressives," he said.

Host Wayne Burton, president of North Shore Community College, thanked Tierney for his presentation, adding, "We don't envy you the challenges you face." The Salem News - Stacie N. Galang, Thurs. Nov. 6, 2008.

CHAMBER REPORT OUTLINES STEPS FOR REGION TO KEEP AND GROW ITS COMPETITIVE EDGE IN WORKFORCE TALENT

Growth of Knowledge Workers Low, Job Vacancies High October 31, 2008) – The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce today released a new report on the state’s workforce that raises a red flag concerning our competitive edge in workforce talent. The study, Greater Boston’s Challenge: Sustaining the Talent Advantage identifies weaknesses in our workforce development pipeline, and makes five recommendations to ensure we solidify this strength.

The Chamber’s report complements a research report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on The Future of the Skilled Labor Force in New England: The Supply of Recent College Graduates. The Chamber and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston convened area leaders in September to discuss that report, which investigated the factors that affect the stock of recent college graduates in the region.

Today the Chamber and the Boston Fed are convening area leaders to discuss the Chamber’s latest report. The findings in the Chamber’s report were derived by an analysis of local and national labor markets along with a series of interviews conducted with many of the region’s top employers. The data reveals a worrisome trend: Greater Boston is not growing its skilled workforce fast enough to meet employers’ needs, and is unable to fill more than 90,000 job vacancies that exist each year in the region. As a result, the talent and skill level of the region’s workforce is in some jeopardy.

The report makes five recommendations, which the Chamber will work to implement through legislative advocacy and coordinated efforts with the employer community:

Increase STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) teachers, students, and graduates by instituting a differentiated pay system for teachers, and by expanding fellowships and mentoring programs.

Reform federal H1-B visas by lifting overly-restrictive limits on the number of highly-educated foreign workers our employers can recruit from other countries.
Expand work-based internships by using job fairs and internship summits to convene a critical mass of students and employers, and by creating better online opportunities to fit student talent with employer needs.

Implement Governor Patrick’s Readiness Project initiatives that enable more students to complete college, by expanding the number of Early College High Schools, increasing participation in dual high school and college enrollment programs, and guaranteeing course credit transfers among public higher education institutions.
Create additional job opportunities for talented graduates by making Massachusetts business costs more competitive through legislation, regulatory changes, and innovations in the way business services are delivered. That will promote job creation, which will draw more graduates to Greater Boston.

“Talent has long been our greatest resource,” said Paul Guzzi, president & CEO of the Chamber. “As we continue to compete with other states and countries to grow jobs in industries such as financial services, high tech, and life sciences, this natural resource becomes even more critical.”

Chairman Dr. Wayne Burton discusses Regional Impact of Struggling Economy on NECN News

(Shown above is Alan Clayton-Mathews is a UMass-Boston professor)

As consumers cut their spending and corporate profits decline, the pink slips trickle down and the vicious cycle continues. The rate of job layoffs seems to be picking up.

Axcelis Technology in Beverly laid off 200 employees this week. These latest layoffs part of a wider slow down in the economy that is now hitting Massachusetts. Employers across the state slashed 4-thousand jobs in September alone.

"We will probably be losing jobs at the rate of 2% annually over the next several months"

Alan Clayton-Mathews is a UMass-Boston professor who tracks the Massachusetts economy. He says all indicators now point to a recession.

"This is the beginning of a downward spiral that will probably be a sharp and quick one"

While Massachusetts strong technology base helped fend off the economic slowdown, the recent financial crisis that has pounded Wall Street, lending markets and the world economy is finally taking its toll here. At Teradyne – whose customers make consumer electronics – sales forecasts have been slashed.

"There are indicator demand for technology products is now beginning to fall worldwide"

"It is not good news to hear of anybody’s job loss at all."

Wayne Burton is head of the president of North Shore Community College and Chairman of the area’s largest chamber of commerce, the North Shore Chamber of Commerce. He is confident there are still other sectors growing – hoping those who lose jobs here will find new jobs... transcript continued in embedded video

Chamber Board says "NO" to Question 1 - MA Income Tax Repeal (Executive Summary)

POSITION STATEMENT – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

MASSACHUSETTS QUESTION 1

The Board of Directors of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce unanimously voted to oppose Massachusetts Question 1 (Massachusetts State Income Tax Repeal) at a special meeting on October 1, 2008.

In the judgment of the Board, removing the state income tax would result in dire consequences for businesses in already economically-trying times:

• The binding proposal would result in drastic cuts to our communities and would directly impact small businesses and job creation, needed for a viable economy on the North Shore.

• Massachusetts would lose about 40% of its income and would deal an $12 billion blow to the state, with ripple effects throughout state government, including the North Shore.

• It would put education, health care, public safety and infrastructure at risk, resulting in chaos.

Our mission charges us to "work to improve the economy and quality of life on the North Shore". We do this by raising our collective voice of 1500 members to address the opportunities and challenges faced by the Region.

The Board of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes Ballot Question One, which would eliminate the state income tax and unfavorably impact the North Shore Chamber of Commerce’s members and its mission.

Bernard Gordon on the Bailout

Bernard Gordon of Manchester-by-the-Sea is the founder of Analogic in Peabody and Danvers-based NeuroLogica — where he works currently. He pioneered the engineering that transformed analog signals to digital, making possible products like the CT scanner and the DVD.

At NeuroLogica, Gordon is marketing a portable CT scanner designed to quickly diagnose strokes, among other things. He has run a multimillion-dollar corporation and donated millions to organizations like the Lahey Clinic and Salem State College.

Q: What's your take on the financial emergency in Washington?

I am certainly not an expert in banking. But I do have one thought ... it seems our leaders neglected one factor, the decline in manufacturing jobs in the United States and the farming out of those jobs to overseas suppliers.

Q: How has that impacted banking and credit?

Once upon a time a whole bunch of people built houses and a whole bunch of people got paid for it and bought things from other people in the community. What happens now? A large part of the money gets spent overseas. ... I don't see how you can have your society where everybody is doing service jobs for each other and buying all their goods from overseas. I don't see how that can work.

Q: What should be done?

I'd like to see some of the policy makers pay attention to where the jobs have been going. I see large companies forcing their suppliers to have their stuff made overseas. You do enough of this and you destroy the country. Give an incentive to increase supplies from the United States.

Q: Has NeuroLogica been impacted by any credit worries?

The banks have tightened up. But we're in a fortunate position. (We have resources.) They've tightened up. But it doesn't bother us too much. We're doing fairly well. Alan Burke, staff writer, The Salem News Sept. 30, 2008.

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH TO THE NATION ON THE ECONOMY

President Bush summoned Barack Obama, John McCain and legislative leaders to an extraordinary White House summit, warning Americans and Congress on Wednesday that failing to act on a $700 billion financial industry bailout could lead to "a long and painful recession." His speech is below.

Good evening. This is an extraordinary period for America's economy. Over the past few weeks, many Americans have felt anxiety about their finances and their future. I understand their worry and their frustration. We’ve seen triple-digit swings in the stock market. Major financial institutions have teetered on the edge of collapse, and some have failed. As uncertainty has grown, many banks have restricted lending. Credit markets have frozen. And families and businesses have found it harder to borrow money.

We’re in the midst of a serious financial crisis, and the federal government is responding with decisive action. We’ve boosted confidence in money market mutual funds, and acted to prevent major investors from intentionally driving down stocks for their own personal gain.

Most importantly, my administration is working with Congress to address the root cause behind much of the instability in our markets. Financial assets related to home mortgages have lost value during the housing decline. And the banks holding these assets have restricted credit. As a result, our entire economy is in danger. So I’ve proposed that the federal government reduce the risk posed by these troubled assets, and supply urgently-needed money so banks and other financial institutions can avoid collapse and resume lending.

This rescue effort is not aimed at preserving any individual company or industry -- it is aimed at preserving America's overall economy. It will help American consumers and businesses get credit to meet their daily needs and create jobs. And it will help send a signal to markets around the world thatAmerica's financial system is back on track.

I know many Americans have questions tonight: How did we reach this point in our economy? How will the solution I’ve proposed work? And what does this mean for your financial future? These are good questions, and they deserve clear answers.

First, how did our economy reach this point?

Well, most economists agree that the problems we are witnessing today developed over a long period of time. For more than a decade, a massive amount of money flowed into the United States from investors abroad, because our country is an attractive and secure place to do business. This large influx of money to U.S. banks and financial institutions -- along with low interest rates -- made it easier for Americans to get credit. These developments allowed more families to borrow money for cars and homes and college tuition -- some for the first time. They allowed more entrepreneurs to get loans to start new businesses and create jobs.

Unfortunately, there were also some serious negative consequences, particularly in the housing market. Easy credit -- combined with the faulty assumption that home values would continue to rise -- led to excesses and bad decisions. Many mortgage lenders approved loans for borrowers without carefully examining their ability to pay. Many borrowers took out loans larger than they could afford, assuming that they could sell or refinance their homes at a higher price later on.

Optimism about housing values also led to a boom in home construction. Eventually the number of new houses exceeded the number of people willing to buy them. And with supply exceeding demand, housing prices fell. And this created a problem: Borrowers with adjustable rate mortgages who had been planning to sell or refinance their homes at a higher price were stuck with homes worth less than expected -- along with mortgage payments they could not afford. As a result, many mortgage holders began to default.

These widespread defaults had effects far beyond the housing market. See, in today's mortgage industry, home loans are often packaged together, and converted into financial products called "mortgage-backed securities." These securities were sold to investors around the world. Many investors assumed these securities were trustworthy, and asked few questions about their actual value. Two of the leading purchasers of mortgage-backed securities were Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Because these companies were chartered by Congress, many believed they were guaranteed by the federal government. This allowed them to borrow enormous sums of money, fuel the market for questionable investments, and put our financial system at risk.

The decline in the housing market set off a domino effect across our economy. When home values declined, borrowers defaulted on their mortgages, and investors holding mortgage-backed securities began to incur serious losses. Before long, these securities became so unreliable that they were not being bought or sold. Investment banks such as Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers found themselves saddled with large amounts of assets they could not sell. They ran out of the money needed to meet their immediate obligations. And they faced imminent collapse. Other banks found themselves in severe financial trouble. These banks began holding on to their money, and lending dried up, and the gears of the American financial system began grinding to a halt.

With the situation becoming more precarious by the day, I faced a choice: To step in with dramatic government action, or to stand back and allow the irresponsible actions of some to undermine the financial security of all.

I’m a strong believer in free enterprise. So my natural instinct is to oppose government intervention. I believe companies that make bad decisions should be allowed to go out of business. Under normal circumstances, I would have followed this course. But these are not normal circumstances. The market is not functioning properly. There’s been a widespread loss of confidence. And major sectors of America's financial system are at risk of shutting down.

The government's top economic experts warn that without immediate action by Congress, America could slip into a financial panic, and a distressing scenario would unfold:

More banks could fail, including some in your community. The stock market would drop even more, which would reduce the value of your retirement account. The value of your home could plummet. Foreclosures would rise dramatically. And if you own a business or a farm, you would find it harder and more expensive to get credit. More businesses would close their doors, and millions of Americans could lose their jobs. Even if you have good credit history, it would be more difficult for you to get the loans you need to buy a car or send your children to college. And ultimately, our country could experience a long and painful recession.

Fellow citizens: We must not let this happen. I appreciate the work of leaders from both parties in both houses of Congress to address this problem -- and to make improvements to the proposal my administration sent to them. There is a spirit of cooperation between Democrats and Republicans, and between Congress and this administration. In that spirit, I’ve invited Senators McCain and Obama to join congressional leaders of both parties at the White House tomorrow to help speed our discussions toward a bipartisan bill.

I know that an economic rescue package will present a tough vote for many members of Congress. It is difficult to pass a bill that commits so much of the taxpayers' hard-earned money. I also understand the frustration of responsible Americans who pay their mortgages on time, file their tax returns every April 15th, and are reluctant to pay the cost of excesses on Wall Street. But given the situation we are facing, not passing a bill now would cost these Americans much more later.

Many Americans are asking: How would a rescue plan work?

After much discussion, there is now widespread agreement on the principles such a plan would include. It would remove the risk posed by the troubled assets -- including mortgage-backed securities -- now clogging the financial system. This would free banks to resume the flow of credit to American families and businesses. Any rescue plan should also be designed to ensure that taxpayers are protected. It should welcome the participation of financial institutions large and small. It should make certain that failed executives do not receive a windfall from your tax dollars. It should establish a bipartisan board to oversee the plan's implementation. And it should be enacted as soon as possible.

In close consultation with Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, and SEC Chairman Chris Cox, I announced a plan on Friday. First, the plan is big enough to solve a serious problem. Under our proposal, the federal government would put up to $700 billion taxpayer dollars on the line to purchase troubled assets that are clogging the financial system. In the short term, this will free up banks to resume the flow of credit to American families and businesses. And this will help our economy grow.

Second, as markets have lost confidence in mortgage-backed securities, their prices have dropped sharply. Yet the value of many of these assets will likely be higher than their current price, because the vast majority of Americans will ultimately pay off their mortgages. The government is the one institution with the patience and resources to buy these assets at their current low prices and hold them until markets return to normal. And when that happens, money will flow back to the Treasury as these assets are sold. And we expect that much, if not all, of the tax dollars we invest will be paid back.

A final question is: What does this mean for your economic future?

The primary steps -- purpose of the steps I have outlined tonight is to safeguard the financial security of American workers and families and small businesses. The federal government also continues to enforce laws and regulations protecting your money. The Treasury Department recently offered government insurance for money market mutual funds. And through the FDIC, every savings account, checking account, and certificate of deposit is insured by the federal government for up to $100,000. The FDIC has been in existence for 75 years, and no one has ever lost a penny on an insured deposit -- and this will not change.

Once this crisis is resolved, there will be time to update our financial regulatory structures. Our 21st century global economy remains regulated largely by outdated 20th century laws. Recently, we’ve seen how one company can grow so large that its failure jeopardizes the entire financial system.

Earlier this year, Secretary Paulson proposed a blueprint that would modernize our financial regulations. For example, the Federal Reserve would be authorized to take a closer look at the operations of companies across the financial spectrum and ensure that their practices do not threaten overall financial stability. There are other good ideas, and members of Congress should consider them. As they do, they must ensure that efforts to regulate Wall Street do not end up hampering our economy's ability to grow.

In the long run, Americans have good reason to be confident in our economic strength. Despite corrections in the marketplace and instances of abuse, democratic capitalism is the best system ever devised. It has unleashed the talents and the productivity, and entrepreneurial spirit of our citizens. It has made this country the best place in the world to invest and do business. And it gives our economy the flexibility and resilience to absorb shocks, adjust, and bounce back.

Our economy is facing a moment of great challenge. But we’ve overcome tough challenges before -- and we will overcome this one. I know that Americans sometimes get discouraged by the tone inWashington, and the seemingly endless partisan struggles. Yet history has shown that in times of real trial, elected officials rise to the occasion. And together, we will show the world once again what kind of country America is -- a nation that tackles problems head on, where leaders come together to meet great tests, and where people of every background can work hard, develop their talents, and realize their dreams.

Thank you for listening. May God bless you.

Photos, Video and News Article Recap of the Sept. 10th "State of the Region" Address

Over 350 members of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce attended the annual State of the Region Address yesterday (moderated by Dr. Wayne Burton, Chairman) at the Sheraton Ferncroft Resort in Danvers. Presentations were made from eight Mayors of the larger cities on the North Shore.

One highlight was Salem News Editorial Page Editor Nelson Benton was honored for winning the Yankee Quill Award for his contributions to journalism. Dr. Burton read a letter from state Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry, D-Peabody, who thanked Benton for his coverage over the years. "Your view was a bit McCain-Palin to my Obama-Biden, to say the least," Berry wrote. "You are a true professional, a true friend — a balance that is not easily struck."

Please visit our Photocast site for Pictures & Photos from the Sept. 10th Breakfast:
http://gallery.me.com/northshorechamber1#100143

Click Here to Read The Salem News article about the breakfast, "$11M building pays off in more jobs for Beverly".

Click Here to read The Salem News highlights from the breakfast, "Highlights from State of the Region address".

Click Below to watch a YouTube Clip of
Gloucester Mayor Carolyn Kirk's speech about Gloucester and the Teen Pregnancies.

North Shore Small Business Leads Group

NEW PROGRAM: The North Shore Chamber of Commerce will launch a new program on Friday, September 19th for its small business members. The “Small Business Leads Group” is comprised of many different types of businesses who are intently focused on being a marketing force for each other.

This group becomes a networking environment where one can build relationships with other business professionals. During the leads group meetings other members will become familiar with your business and learn how they can refer you to their own circle of contacts.

Participating in the Chamber's Small Business Leads Group is literally like having a full-time, built in sales force working directly for your business! If you help me build my business, I will help you build yours -- simply put... a beneficiary leads group.

The SBLG is designed to broaden your networking base and increase your business contact list. Lasting relationships start with Trust. Word of mouth is the best and most effective means of advertising around!

Members will meet twice a month to give a "1-minute commercial" about their business and to network. In the SBLG, there are no exclusives (one person per line of work) -- all are welcome! However attendance must be limited to the first 25 registrants to be effective.

The Small Business Leads Group will meet on the first and third Friday of every month from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the North Shore Chamber of Commerce Boardroom, please call 978-774-8565 to register.