Merrimack Valley Magazine

NoteWorthy – 2/14/21

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AROUND THE VALLEY

State Directs $8M to “Stuck” Buildings

The Baker-Polito administration and MassDevelopment announced the availability of up to $8 million in funding through the Underutilized Properties Program. The grant program aims to eliminate blight, expand housing production, increase accessibility, and support economic development by funding improvements to underutilized buildings located in Massachusetts downtowns or town centers. Through the first round of the program, municipalities and their economic development partners, nonprofits, and private-sector businesses can apply for grants ranging from approximately $50,000 to $2 million to design and fund capital improvements and code compliance projects for underutilized properties to support increased occupancy.

Funding will be awarded in two categories:

Buildings: Grants for capital improvements that are essential to the occupancy or increased occupancy of existing structures. These funds may address building stabilization, roof repair, HVAC system improvements, tenant improvements and fit-out expenses, and other similar purposes. Funds may also be used to facilitate compliance with building code, fire/life safety system regulations, accessibility requirements, seismic code, and other similar regulations.

Predevelopment: Grants to engage the services of architects, engineers, landscape architects and other related professionals to assess building conditions and to develop design and construction documents for capital improvement and code compliance projects in the buildings category.

MassDevelopment will host an informational webinar about the Underutilized Properties Program on February 19, 2021 at 9 a.m. Those interested can register here.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $64 Million in Grants to 1,312 Additional Businesses for COVID Relief

The Baker-Polito administration has also announced nearly $64 million in awards to 1,312 additional businesses in the seventh round of COVID relief grants administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). Each business meets sector and demographic priorities set for the two grant programs.

With the addition of this round of grant awards, the administration has awarded approximately $514 million in direct financial support to 11,212 businesses across the Commonwealth.

Among the sectors that received the highest total number of grants this round are: restaurants, bars, caterers or food trucks (426); personal services businesses (173); and independent retailers (114).

In addition, grants for this round were awarded to 596 minority-owned businesses and 489 women-owned businesses; 356 recipients are located in Gateway Cities, and 352 businesses have not received any prior aid.

Acknowledging the importance of restaurants and independent retailers to communities across Massachusetts, business owners of multiple locations that met demographic and sector priorities are receiving awards to support up to two additional locations.

Greater Lowell Community Foundation announces Racial Equity and Inclusion Grants

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced ten racial equity and inclusion grants totaling $84,500 to local nonprofits as part of the 2020 Discretionary Grants Program. These grants collectively work toward creating a better quality of life for all Greater Lowell residents and supporting local nonprofits providing essential programs and services.

The Foundation awarded multiple grants of up to $15,000 that focused on racial equity and inclusion. The grant funding focused on one or more of the following goals: increase understanding of our community’s challenges with racial equity and race relations; provide access to stories and diverse perspectives on the lived experience of racial inequity in Greater Lowell; strengthen relationships among Greater Lowell residents, particularly across racial and ethnic groups; and increase awareness of resources and best practices related to advancing racial equity.

Among the organizations funded was Free Soil Arts Collective, an arts organization based in Lowell, with a mission to amplify and strengthen the voices of artists of color; Budget Buddies, in Chelmsford; and Lowell’s Project LEARN, Inc., who received a grant of for Elevating Stories, Changing Narratives – A Student-Led Antiracism Program.

 

Lowell’s Place in U.S. History the Focus of Teacher Professional Development Workshops

The city of Lowell’s significance in U.S. history will be the focus of two new workshops for K-12 teachers, giving them the tools they need to develop engaging lesson plans on the American Industrial Revolution for their students.

Open to educators across the country, the week-long professional development sessions will be held virtually this summer by the Tsongas Industrial History Center as part of the Landmarks of American History and Culture program funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

A partnership of UMass Lowell’s College of Education and Lowell National Historical Park, the Tsongas Industrial History Center provides programs for educators and school children that illustrate Lowell’s place in the country’s industrial past, present and future.

Both summer workshops are open to K-12 teachers in all subject areas. Educators may choose between two weeks to attend either program and will receive a $1,300 stipend for their participation. The application deadline is Monday, March 1. For more information about the programs, click here.

Jackson Lumber & Millwork Celebrates 75th Anniversary

Jackson Lumber & Millwork in Lawrence, Mass., serves contractors, remodelers, and homeowners throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Owned and operated by the Torrisi family since 1946, the company celebrates its 75th year milestone this year.

Founded by Joseph A. Torrisi, the company started at a small site on Jackson Street in Lawrence in 1946. Torrisi recognized the building materials supply business opportunity created by the post-World War II building boom. Named Jackson Lumber for the street where it was located, the company quickly outgrew the initial location and moved to Market Street, where they could spread out over an entire city block. Innovative for that time, the property included a drive-through lumber yard and a rail spur to facilitate lumber delivery by rail.

Today, the company has a millwork manufacturing facility in Raymond, New Hampshire, lumber yards and retail stores in Amesbury, Woburn and Lawrence, as well as a state-of-the-art kitchen design showroom in North Andover. Torrisi’s son, Al Torrisi, was at the company helm for 30 years before he passed control of Jackson Lumber & Millwork to the third generation of family leadership in 2012.

Current president, Mark Torrisi, is committed to continuing the company mission to “provide customers with quality products, services & solutions on-time and in-full every day.” After 75 years in business, Jackson Lumber & Millwork and the Torrisi family continue their commitment to stay close to their customers and help them with their project needs, to give back to their communities and actively participate in lumber industry associations.

MCC to Kick Off Spring 2021 Virtual ‘World of Music’ Concert Series

After a successful fall semester run, Middlesex Community College’s (MCC) Spring 2021 “A World of Music” will continue virtually throughout the semester. Performances will be recorded live and then streamed online for audiences to watch for free. The concert series will kick off with a performance celebrating black composers in honor of Black History Month.

MCC’s music department will release “Celebrating Black Composers from Europe, Africa, United States and South America” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26. The show will be recorded live at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center in Lowell.

Middlesex faculty members will perform, including Todd Brunel on the clarinet and saxophone, Orlando Cela on the flute, Eunghee Cho on the cello, Rodriguez-Peralta on the piano, and Brazil-native Marcus Santos who will conclude the program with a drumming piece.

The performance includes a variety of styles from the 1700s to the present time, featuring works by Joseph Bologne, Florence Price, Samuel Coleridge Taylor, “Blind Tom” Wiggins, Bongani Ndodana-Breen and Gerri Allen. There will also be a Jazz Improvisation for saxophone and drums, and Afro Brazilian drumming with a dancer.

All events are free. Click here for more information.

Tupelo Music Hall to Open Drive In This Summer

After facing numerous setbacks because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tupelo Music Hall in Derry, N.H. has announced the opening of the Tupelo Drive-In this summer. So far, approximately 35 show dates have been secured, and an official schedule is in the works that will extend throughout most of the summer season. The shows will begin this May, so stay tuned for updates. For COVID-19 updates, click here.

Firehouse Center for the Arts Announces Reopening of the Institution for Savings Gallery 

Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport has announced the reopening of the Institution for Savings Gallery from Friday, Feb. 12, through Sunday, March 28. In partnership with the Newburyport Art Association, the featured exhibit, Love is LOVE! will feature 32 pieces of artwork from 30 local artists. This exhibit will celebrate love in its many forms and shines a light on the artful joy of the community as artists work in acrylic, drawing, oil, pastel, photography, printmaking and mixed media. The partnership was inspired by a desire to collaboratively create a welcoming and vibrant arts experience for the public to safely experience throughout the winter. The Gallery will be open Thursday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Nominations Wanted: YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts 38th Annual Tribute to Women

Since 1983, the YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts’ Tribute to Women has recognized over 1200 local women leaders from business and community organizations. A hallmark of the tribute is that women honored come from all walks of life; their contributions are varied, and all are remarkable in their own unique way. This year, YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts is seeking nominations of women who have made a difference in their work and community. Nominations will be accepted through March 1 visit the YWCA website here. The Tribute to Women luncheon takes place virtually on May 13 at 6:30 p.m.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Atlantic Hospitality Group Announces Certified Master Chef Daniel Dumont as Director of Culinary Operations

Certified Master Chef, three-time Culinary Olympics gold medal winner, and passionate food craftsman Daniel Dumont will be responsible for overseeing the development and execution of menus and kitchen operations for the group’s five seacoast dining, events and entertainment establishments—Seaglass Restaurant, Capri Seaside Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria, Blue Ocean Event Center, SurfSide, and Blue Ocean Music Hall. Chef Dumont has worked at some of the country’s most celebrated and award-winning restaurants and resorts spanning two decades.

A New England native, Chef Dumont has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He is also the founder and CEO of WHISK Kitchen, an innovative plant-based dressing and condiment company.  Chef Dumont and his family have always enjoyed a love affair with cooking. 

Groundwork Lawrence Executive Director Receives Florence G. Heller Alumni Award

Heather McMann, executive director os Groundwork Lawrence, is one of 15 recipients of the 2020 Florence G. Heller Alumni Award. Groundwork Lawrence (GWL) is a public health and environmental organization based in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and has worked for 25 years in the nonprofit sector. McMann spoke about what GWL means to her and shared her passion for working towards a more equitable community. This award is given to Heller School graduates living a life that exemplifies the mission and vision of the school and honors the legacy of the school’s namesake, Florence G. Heller. Award recipients all produced positive and impactful change through the rigor, creativity, and innovation of their work. Check out more about McMann here.

Entrepreneurship Center at Community Teamwork Hires Popular Local Business Owner

Local businesswoman Ani Vong has joined the Entrepreneurship Center (ECenter) team, working in partnership with former female founders KellyAnne Mello and Franky Descoteaux. Vong is a Khmer American woman, Lowellian and entrepreneur. As owner and operator of Humanity Boutique in downtown Lowell since 2014, she has led the store through slow economic times. During COVID-19, Vong has transformed her business into an e-commerce presence and pop-up shop.

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Check out the latest episode of The 495 Podcast!

This week on The 495, host Doug Sparks talks with Jon Santos and Kate Cutlip of Tiny Arms Coffee Roasters of Lowell. See how you can make a better world with better coffee.

 

NoteWorthy – 7/28/19

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AROUND THE VALLEY

Autographed Les Paul Epiphone Guitar Raffle to Benefit Maudslay Arts Center

Here is your chance to win a Les Paul Epiphone guitar, personally autographed by many of the 2019 Summer Concert Series musicians.

Best known for its summer concert series, the Maudslay Arts Center (MAC) is a cultural and entertainment destination that has served thousands of patrons since its founding in 1992.

On October 28, 2018, a large maple tree cracked during a coastal windstorm and fell through the roof of the MAC concert barn causing extensive damage that was not covered by insurance. Funds from the guitar raffle will go towards further recovery from the 2018 aftermath.

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Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union Awards $1,500 to Joni & Friends New England ( Top of page )

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union announced the winner of its latest Give-A-Click campaign, Joni & Friends New England. The organization received a $1,500 donation from the Credit Union’s We Share A Common Thread Foundation.

The Give-A-Click program runs quarterly on the We Share a Common Thread foundation website (WSACT.com). Community members visit the site, learn about the worthy nonprofit contestants and cast their vote for the one they would like to support. The organization with the most votes at the end of the quarter is awarded a $1,500 donation from the foundation.

Jessica Moore Wilson Transitions to Mill City Grows Executive Director

Effective January 2020, Mill City Grows’ Director of Development Jessica Moore Wilson will be assuming the role of the organization’s executive director. This new leadership in the organization’s eight-year existence comes as Mill City Grows expands their new headquarters, builds their team, and engages new community partnerships. 

Mill City Grows co-founders Francey Slater and Lydia Sisson, 2013. Photo by Kevin Harkins.

Mill City Grows co-founders Francey Slater and Lydia Sisson, who have been at the helm of Mill City Grows since 2011, will be transitioning out of their current respective roles of executive director and director of programs by the end of 2019 and will continue to support the organization in transitional roles through the summer of 2020. 

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Scott Cote Elected to Depositors Insurance Fund Board of Directors, and Pentucket Bank Welcomes new Officer Positions: Scott D. Cote, CEO/chairman of the board of Pentucket Bank has been elected to serve a six year term on the Board of the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF). “It is an honor and a privilege to have been elected by my peers to serve on this prestigious governing board of the DIF,” Cote stated. “I wholeheartedly believe in the mission of the DIF. I am passionate and committed to using my board position to ensure the fund continues to thrive on behalf of its member banks and most importantly the protections it provides for our customers’ deposits.” Cote is one of twelve board members representing all regions of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
 

Robert Glosner is the director of information technology and is responsible for overall ownership of IT within the bank. This includes strategic development of IT infrastructure and related development; disaster recovery/business continuity, vendor management and staff management, among other duties, to ensure a robust and secure technology environment on which the bank functions. Glosner has over thirty years of related IT experience, most recently with the United States Air Force. Glosner is also a certified regulatory and compliance professional and holds two masters’ degrees.    

 

Sara Wormald is the business banking manager, a new position to the bank. Wormald joined the team in March and came to the bank with over 17 years of retail and operational banking experience. Wormald is responsible for the daily management of the business banking team including business banking services and business online banking. In addition to coaching and mentoring the business banking team, Wormald maintains up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge on related policies, procedures and regulations while identifying areas of process improvement, all to ensure satisfactory audit results and to enhance the customer experience.  

 

Heather Harrell joined Pentucket Bank in March as the full-time training officer. Harrell joined the bank with over 11 years of industry experience. In the role of training officer, a new position at Pentucket Bank, Harrell is responsible for designing and implementing bank-wide training programs that educate employees at all levels while enhancing job performance and developing skills for future advancement. Harrell also works with newly hired employees. In addition to her role as training officer, Harrell serves on the customer experience leadership team.

 

The Merrimack Valley YMCA has named current Chief Operating Officer Francis Kenneally III as its new president and chief executive officer. Kenneally distinguished himself from a field of strong candidates drawn from across the country in a national search led by the Merrimack Valley YMCA corporate board of directors. Kenneally now will succeed Gary Morelli, who stepped down in 2018. In his new role, Kenneally will be the permanent CEO of the Merrimack Valley YMCA, headquartered in Lawrence, and consisting of the Andover/North Andover YMCA, the Lawrence YMCA, the Methuen YMCA and camping services. He will oversee an association consisting of 700 staff, delivering more than $4.1 million annually of subsidized services to deserving children, adults and families of the Merrimack Valley. He will also shepherd the multimillion-dollar renovations and expansion of the Lawrence YMCA.  

NoteWorthy – 6/16/19

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AROUND THE VALLEY

NETSCOUT Awards Fifth Grant to Merrimack Valley Food Bank in Partnership with Greater Lowell Community Foundation

 

NETSCOUT, a leading provider of service assurance, security and business analytics, awarded its Heart of Giving $10,000 grant through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation Center for Business Philanthropy. The annual grant program builds relationships with nonprofit organizations and engages employees in learning about service opportunities in the communities of Greater Lowell. This grant was awarded to Merrimack Valley Food Bank to support their mobile food pantry that serves elderly and disabled clients in the area.

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Students Showcase Innovative Projects at Park for Every Classroom Celebration

For the seventh year, teachers and students participating in the Park for Every Classroom program, offered by Essex Heritage and the National Park Service, have completed projects that utilize the rich heritage resources of the region.

A team of sixth grade students at Andover West Middle School worked diligently to get their community engaged with their local river, the Shawsheen. Through interactions with multiple community partners including Andover’s Conservation Commission, Groundwork Lawrence and Shawsheen Greenway/Andover Trails, the students identified several issues that they wanted to address. They have been educating the community about ways to help minimize invasive species along the river, submitting proposals for a herring festival, creating awareness about recreational opportunities along the river and finding ways to limit plastic and other pollution in the river.

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Cobblestones of Lowell Celebrates 25 Years

Cobblestones of Lowell owners Kathy and Scott Plath recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of their restaurant. The two celebrated with a block party attended by family, friends and longtime fans of the Lowell institution.

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Mill City Grows Awarded $100,000 Cummings Foundation Grant

Mill City Grows is one of 100 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 through Cummings Foundation’s $100K for 100 program. The Lowell-based organization was chosen from a total of 574 applicants during a competitive review process.

“Mill City Grows is concerned not only with ensuring people have enough to eat, but knowing that people can access high quality, fresh produce that reflects their cultural backgrounds and preferences,” said Francey Slater, executive director of Mill City Grows. “This grant will help us make this goal a reality by empowering and supporting local growers and gardeners.”

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A Cause for Giving: McLellan Family Shows Support for Lawrence YMCA Capital Expansion Project

On the evening of June 13,  hosts Kristine and Kevin McLellan treated 80 guests, friends and Merrimack Valley YMCA stakeholders to a wonderful gathering to emphasize the importance of supporting the Lawrence YMCA Capital Expansion Project – Growing Together. The evening was named A Cause for Giving and was held at their historic home in North Andover. Both Mayor Daniel Rivera and the current reigning Miss Massachusetts, Gabriela Taveras, were on hand to advocate on behalf of the YMCA and the essential access it provides to the Lawrence community.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Align Credit Union Announces New Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager for Lowell Location

Align Credit Union is pleased to announce that Megan Brady has been promoted to assistant vice president and branch manager at their Lowell location. She will oversee daily operations, business development and member service.

Megan joined Align in 2011 as a teller and advanced to the position of member service representative. She was promoted to the position of branch manager at Align’s Danvers branch in 2018.

Megan is a notary public, medallion stamp certified, registered by NMLS and a member of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce.

UMass Lowell High Tech Council Honors Chancellor Jacquie Moloney for Leadership

The Massachusetts High Technology Council honored University of Massachusetts Lowell chancellor Jacquie Moloney with its Ray Stata Leadership and Innovation Award at its 2019 annual meeting this week.
 
Moloney, a national leader in innovation in higher education, was appointed chancellor by the UMass Board of Trustees in 2015 and is the first woman to lead the university since its founding in 1894. An early proponent of integrating entrepreneurial lessons and opportunities throughout campus life, she was a pioneer in web-based learning and continuing education.
 
The Stata Award was created by the council in 2017 and is awarded to a technology leader who is active in Massachusetts and exhibits the key leadership qualities and commitment to philanthropy possessed by Massachusetts technology pioneer Ray Stata, the founder of Analog Devices and a co-founder of the High Tech Council.

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