7/1/09

NBA Roundtable Discussion focuses on Parking Enforcement of Delivery Vehicles in the City

Over the past month, the NBA has held two Roundtable Discussions regarding the difficulties and costs of delivering product to businesses in downtown Boston.

This issue is very important to many of our member companies, both big and small and a number of Newmarket business owners attended and voiced their concerns.

At the heart of the issue for business owners is the perceived excessive enforcement of parking regulations focused on delivery vehicles.  Some larger Newmarket companies indicated that their yearly cost for parking tickets for their fleets are in excess of $10,000.00 and is severely limiting their ability to do business in Boston. 

An added factor, and perhaps central to the problem, is the question of whether there is a lack of adequate “loading zone” spaces in certain areas of downtown Boston, at certain times, which is causing the need for double-parking and illegal parking when deliveries are being made. 

Representatives of the Boston Transportation Department, including Assistant Commissioner Jim Gilooly while understanding the importance of the issue to the business community, were dismissive of concerns relating to excessive enforcement, stating unequivocally that there is no incentive system in place for meter attendants to write more tickets and that it is not possible for attendants to target certain trucks because they are rotated to different areas frequently and they are monitored regularly by supervisors.

At the same time, they did agree that it is important to look at whether changes could and should be made to the loading zone inventory in  particular areas of the City.  They additionally indicated that some large companies have successfully reduced their parking ticket costs through driver training offered by the Transportation Dept. that teaches the drivers how to optimize their delivery options. 

While the businesses present were somewhat skeptical of the effectiveness of the driver training, the general belief was that a study regarding the increasing of loading zone areas/times would be beneficial. 

The details of this study are being worked on with the Transportation Dept. and the businesses involved.  The NBA is also looking for input from any other Newmarket business regarding problems finding adequate parking in certain delivery areas.  To weigh in with your concerns about a particular area, email  suesullivan@newmarketboston.org
 

6/10/09 

Newmarket Business Resource Expo draws crowd of area business owners 

On Thursday June 4, 2009, the Boston Redevelopment Authority, in partnership with the Department of Neighborhood Development, held the Business Resource Expo for Boston's manufacturing and industrial businesses. 

The event allowed Newmarket businesses to meet directly with the following business assistance organizations:

NStar  - (helping businesses to save money through energy efficiency)

Boston Connects – (showing Newmarket businesses how being in the Emplowerment Zone qualifies them for large amounts of    federal tax credits)

Boston Buying Power – (combining the purchasing efficiency of  Boston’s businesses to reduce their utility costs and give them long-term rate stability)

BIDFA – (the Boston Industrial Development Financing Authority issues bonds to finance the capital needs of Boston’s businesses.  Bonds may be used to finance construction, capital expenses and working capital needs resulting from expansion.)

Microloan Boston -  (A $350,000. loan pool designed to support  entrepreneurs and existing small businesses in Boston’s Empowerment Zone.  Eligible businesses can apply for loans between $5,000. and $25,000. to assist with working capital needs such as inventory and leasehold improvements)

BLDC – (the Boston Local Development Corp. provides loans of up to $150,000. for businesses in or relocating to the City of Boston. These loans can be used when buying a new business  property, purchasing equipment and machinery, constructing an addition to an existing plant, making leasehold  improvements or providing working capital to grow your business.)

Backstreets Backup Loan Program – (This program provides  favorable financing up to $250,000. to eligible Backstreets   businesses within the City of Boston.  The Program provides     favorable and flexible terms and conditions on loans that vary  based on the size of the loan request and the strength of the  company’s finances.)

GreenTech Initiative -  (developed in 2008 to assist businesses in  implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy   strategies)

DND-Office of Business Development – (This City department provides entrepreneurs and existing businesses with access    to financial and technical resources.)

Many Newmarket businesses attended the Expo, taking advantage of this opportunity to forge relationships and begin the process for essential business improvements.

The enthusiasm of those that attended including many who commented that it was “one of the most productive events they have ever been to” has led the BRA and the Newmarket Business Association to begin the planning process for a second Expo to take place in the fall. 

If you missed the first one, be sure to keep an eye out for the scheduling of the next.  In the meantime, for more information on any of the programs mentioned, please contact Sal DiStefano, BRA Senior Manager for the Industrial/Commercial Sector at 617-918-4338.

4/1/09

Boston Redevelopment Authority Presents Exciting Newmarket Facts & Figures

11/20/08

City Announces Major Initiatives at NBA Annual Meeting!

A perfect fall evening, with Boston Harbor as our backdrop, provided the setting for this year’s Newmarket Business Association Annual Meeting.  As always, members had a great time sharing laughs, networking with each other and with govt. officials, and celebrating the strength of our Association.

More than 100 members and friends gathered at The Exchange Conference Center on the Fish Pier on October 14^th   to vote in the new Officers and Directors for 2008/2009 and to witness the unveiling of Boston Mayor Tom Menino’s plan to strengthen and preserve the industrial base of the Newmarket Industrial District. While Mayor Menino was scheduled to unveil the plan personally, illness prevented him from doing so that evening.  John Palmeiri, Director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, spoke in his place. 

The City’s plan outlined a number of initiatives in three important areas designed to strengthen the Newmarket Industrial District, with an infusion of City services and infrastructure improvements.

These initiatives, in the areas of Business Services/Greening Newmarket, Transportation, and Land Use, are designed to insure that the industrial businesses of the area remain successful and able to compete in their current locations.  The industrial businesses of the Newmarket District, often referred to as the backbone of the area economy, provide thousands of good jobs at sustainable wages and are vital to the strength of the surrounding neighborhoods.

Mayor Menino has been a good friend of the Newmarket Industrial District and to the NBA over the years.  We look forward to his continued support and assistance. 

 If you missed this chance to get together with your fellow business owners, don’t worry.  We will have another networking event soon and we promise, as always, that it will be a memorable time.