We’ve just bought -- and served -- our 2,000th meal

It’s forgiveness day here at your chamber!

 

As in Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness, that essential step businesses and nonprofits need to take in order to avoid having to pay back a loan that kept many employers from closing their doors during this pandemic.

 

At 2 p.m. this afternoon, Ili Spahiu from the Massachusetts SBA District Office will guide us through a chamber webinar exploring the program requirements and forgiveness process.

 

If the SBA’s data so far is any indication, your chance of getting that loan forgiven is very good. Nationally $186.1 billion has been forgiven and only $600 million not forgiven for 2020 loans, writes Andy Medici for the BBJ.

 

So far, most forgiveness applications have used the so-called "3508S" form, a simplified forgiveness application for loans of less than $150,000. I’m sure Spahiu will explain it all today.

 

Meanwhile in D.C., seven Republican Senators have signed on to a bill that would extend the PPP to May 31. That puts Democrats three GOP votes shy of a filibuster-proof 60 votes, Roll Call reports, or else applications close next Wednesday.

 

 

Two business groups that expressed reservations with earlier versions of the state’s climate bill, support the revised version, reports Michael P. Norton at State House News.

 

NAIOP Massachusetts expressed appreciation for a change to the bill that asks the state Department of Energy Resources to develop a new municipal opt-in stretch energy code that "includes, but is not limited to, net-zero building performance standards and a definition of a net-zero building."

 

The Boston Chamber, which had raised concerns about the bill's potential to create "patchwork of building codes across the state," also now supports the bill, while calling for the state to "prepare for a dramatically different infrastructure to support ubiquitous electrification."

 

"This means new electric vehicle charging stations, additional power lines, and substations."

 

The bill now awaits Gov. Charlie Baker’s signature

 

 

 

Yesterday I had a chance to stop by the Newton Food Pantry with Sen. Cindy Creem and Seana Gaherin from Dunn-Gaherin’s to thank the crew at the pantry and Newton Rotary for collaborating with us on our program that feeds families in need and supporting local restaurants.

 

So far, the Nourishing Newton and Nourishing Wellesley programs have injected $30,000 into our local economy while feeding families in need and supporting local restaurants.

 

That represents over 2000 meals distributed in the two communities – purchased from over 40 independent restaurant partners using state grant dollars earmarked by Sen. Creem.

 

Volunteer coordinators from the Wellesley Youth Commission and the Rotary Club of Newton have contributed immense time and resources coordinating deliveries to the Centre Street Food Pantry, Newton Food Pantry, Senior Center, houses of worship and directly to individuals. (Watch Boston 25 video here.)

 

Just within this past week, we've purchased meals from Express Gourmet, Old School Pizza, Cheesy Street Grill, Maugus Restaurant, Jake’s Falafel Corner, House of Tandoor, Café St. Petersburg, Grape Leaf, Despasquales, Union Street Restaurant, Sweet Tomatoes, Cook, Better Life Food, Village Café, Johnny’s Luncheonette, Bill’s Pizzeria, Moldova Restaurant and Thistle and Leek.