Business owners' latest dilemma

Thanks to you -- our members -- for making us one of Massachusetts' largest chambers. One decade ago, we didn't even crack the BBJ's annual top-25 chambers list. We're No. 6 in the latest annual survey. 
 
It's our honor to serve you and to stand alongside so many remarkable Bay State business associations. 

Business owners' latest dilemma 
 
The rising costs of just about everything has put our businesses and nonprofits in a difficult position.
 
In fact, when we surveyed our members earlier this month, three out of four respondents told us inflation was their No 1 business concern heading into the fall.
 
For business owners raising prices is always a gamble.
 
Increase prices too much, or too fast, and risk losing customers. Raise them too little, or too slowly, and risk losing your livelihood.
 
With each price change comes another dilemma: Should I call attention to my need to raise my prices? Or just increase them and hope no one notices?
 
“Businesses, like consumers, have little to no experience in dealing with this type of inflation today — there’s no playbook,” Mark A. Cohen, director of retail studies at the Columbia Business School tells Charlotte Cowles at the New York Times. “The last time consumer prices skyrocketed in the United States was in the late 1970s.”
 
“If a brand is very cavalier about a price increase, then customers feel like they’re being taken for a ride,” adds John Zhang, a marketing professor at the Wharton School.
 
Zhang recommends companies explain why their actions benefit customers.
 
“If a brand says, ‘My costs have increased, and for me to stay in this business to serve you what you want, I have to increase my price,’ then the customers are going to be more receptive.”
 
I’d be interested in learning how your company is coping with rising costs -- and how your customers are responding. I’ll keep your responses confidential.

Still no word on UI relief and other business needs
 
We’re about a week away from when the state’s commissioner of revenue must report on the net tax revenue for the fiscal year that ended June 30.
 
The Baker administration expects the rosy report will trigger Chapter 62F, a state law that would mandate the return of some $3 billion in excess revenues to tax payers.
 
Amidst fears that legislators might try to block the rebates, at least two groups say they’re ready to sue state officials if they refuse to comply with the law, reports Alison Kuznitz at MassLive.
 
The looming rebate debate also held up approval of an $4 billion economic development bill that included many urgent business needs, including $300 million for unemployment insurance as well as reforms to the state’s estate taxes.
 
Also included are $500 million in various housing initiatives, $200 million for small-business assistance and $75 million to help businesses run by people of color. There's also $500 million for local water and sewer projects and other environmental infrastructure.
 
Even once the rebate question is settled it’s not certain if -- or when -- our vacationing Legislature might return in 2022 to take up parts of the unpassed bill.

Here's something we haven't done all summer
 
The chamber’s Coffee Connect -- originally scheduled for this morning at Linden Square in Wellesley -- has been postponed until tomorrow (Weds.) at 9 a.m. due to the possibility of a rare meteorological phenomenon known as rain.  RSVP. 

Wu covets Newton’s electrification slot
 
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signaled last week that she'd be willing to bump Newton or one of nine other municipalities from participation in a pilot program that would ban the use of fossil fuels in new and major renovations of homes and commercial buildings.
 
And that could happen if the Garden City fails to meet the affordable housing requirements required under the state pilot program rules, writes Bruce Mohl at CommonWealth.
 
To qualify for the pilot, communities have up to 18 months to either meet its 40B “safe harbor” threshold (something Newton has failed to accomplish since 40B became law in 1969), or meet the terms of the state’s new MBTA Communities Law.
 
Of the 10 communities that have already signaled their interest in the fossil fuel building ban, Newton, Arlington, and West Tisbury don't yet meet the affordable housing rules. Acton, Aquinnah, Brookline, Cambridge, Concord, Lexington and Lincoln have.
 
Mayor Ruthanne Fuller says the city is reviewing its 40B numbers.
 
Newton is also engaged in a process to rezone its village centers that could simultaneously meet the MBTA Communities requirements, a process that as John Hilliard in the Globe explains will enter a community engagement phase next month.
 
But we're talking about Newton, where all things related to zoning and housing are never certain. 
 

Other need to knows

• Andrea's House of Pizza in Watertown’s  Coolidge Square has closed its doors after 40 years.  (Boston Restaurant Talk)
• Boston Properties is renovating a 106,000 SF of its facility at 140 Kendrick Street in Needham to be net zero and carbon neutral for Wellington Management. (Boston Real Estate Times)
• Developers looking to build a four-story, 130,000 sq. ft. office or lab building at the LINX campus on Arsenal Way in Watertown will host a virtual meeting about the project Thursday (Aug. 25) at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. (Watertown News).
• The Newton City Council is considering make changes to requirements that aim to encourage the creation of more Accessory Dwelling Units to increase housing. (Fig City News)
• The Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series is back. The ninth season kicks off Sept 24 with The Canadian Brass.