波士頓市長Kim Janey推出" B-Local"應用程式支持地方企業

(Boston Orange) 波士頓代市長Kim Janey在4月16日正式推出B-Local這獎勵人們要買東西，向本地商家買的計畫，期以支持地方商家從困難中恢復。

民眾向參加這計畫的數以百計波士頓本地商家購物時，可藉由已綁定個人信用卡或付款卡，預付卡的B-Local手機應用程式，自動獲得，並累積獎勵，用作現金折扣。所有的獎勵金額，都將由波士頓市政府償還，企業及民眾使用這軟體不須花錢。

B-Local應用程式由Colu 科技公司研發，波士頓市政府希望藉此促使本地消費回歸社區，而不是流向電子商務巨頭，或是大零售商。在俄亥俄州(Ohio)的Akron，Colu研發的”Akronite”應用程式，最近在6個月間吸引了170家地方企業，4000名用戶，為當地企業贏得20萬元銷售額。波士頓將是美國首個推出這項目的大城市。

B-Local這計畫的做法是:

使用者先從谷歌應用商店，或是蘋果商店下載免費的B-Local軟體，然後把信用卡，付款卡，或預付卡安全帳戶和B-Local軟體連接。首3000名下在這軟體者，將會獲得獎勵。

加入獎勵提供者，然後開始在本地購物、用餐，使用已和B-Local連接的信用卡等做符合資格的消費，就可自動賺取波士頓點數。

在本地商家購物時，波士頓點數可折抵現金。每一點波士頓點數等於一美元。

鼓勵你喜歡的商家參加B-Local計畫。

            迄今已有269家本地商家參加了B-Local計畫。波士頓市長的經濟發展辦公室小企業組也在積極和企業聯繫，以期參加活動的企業商家有更公平的代表性。在目前已參加的商家中，有185家少數族裔及移民所擁有的企業，143家婦女經營，53家主街企業，46家黑人擁有的企業。

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES “B-LOCAL” APP TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES

Pilot program to support the economic recovery of our neighborhood commercial districts

BOSTON - Friday, April 16, 2021 - Mayor Janey announced today that the City of Boston is launching B-Local, a points-based program that offers rewards for shopping locally. The goal is to support local business recovery by incentivizing Bostonians to spend locally. By using the simple B-Local mobile app, shoppers earn rewards automatically at hundreds of participating local businesses across the City of Boston when they make purchases with registered credit, debit, or prepaid debit cards linked to their B-Local account. These rewards may then be applied as cash discounts to a growing list of redeeming businesses. All rewards are reimbursed by the City of Boston and there is no cost to users or businesses.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they need our help to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This dynamic program is a proven and powerful economic tool. By creatively leveraging federal CARES Act funding, the City of Boston can support local business owners, reward local shoppers, and drive a stronger recovery,” said Mayor Janey. “With warmer weather upon us, Bostonians are eager to reconnect with one another. This Patriot’s Day weekend, I urge my fellow Bostontians to exercise their city pride through our collective purchasing power to support local businesses as they recover from the pandemic. By supporting your favorite local businesses and exploring new establishments across our city, you can make a real difference.”

Through this innovative program developed in partnership with Colu Technologies, the City of Boston can drive local spending back into our community, instead of e-commerce giants and big-box retailers. This will provide critical support to local businesses as they recover and our city reopens, while also promoting diversity and equity. In Akron, Ohio, Colu’s “Akronite” app recently generated over $200,000 in local business sales, harnessing more than 4,000 users and 170 local businesses in a six-month period. Money spent locally stayed in their community and boosted the economy by a factor of nine. Boston is the first major U.S. city to launch this program.

“As an innovation hub, Boston is proud to leverage a creative program with a proven record of bringing city residents and small businesses together to drive our local economic recovery,” said Midori Morikawa, Interim Chief of Economic Development. “Boston is committed to an equitable recovery of our small and local businesses. B-Local will highlight the stories and experiences of our business owners to connect with residents, particularly those owned by women, immigrants, and people of color who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Business owners have demonstrated tremendous resilience throughout the pandemic and with B-Local, we as residents can make a real impact to help as they reopen and recover.”

How It Works:

1.  Download the free B-Local app from Google Play or the Apple Store and securely link your credit cards, debit cards, or prepaid debit cards to your account. The first 3,000 users to download and link a card will receive a bonus!

2.  Join reward offers and start shopping and dining locally, earning Boston Points automatically through qualifying purchases made with your linked cards at local businesses.

3.  Redeem Boston Points for cash discounts at redeeming local businesses. Each Boston Point is worth one dollar.

4.  Encourage your favorite businesses to join B-Local by signing up on boston.gov/B-Local.

Users can learn more at Colu.com/b-local. Shoppers in the City of Boston are encouraged to review the latest public health guidance at Boston.gov/covid-19 and learn about Boston’s reopening efforts and public health guidelines for businesses at Boston.gov/reopening.

To date, 269 businesses have signed up to participate on B-Local. Outreach to businesses, led by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development Small Business Unit, has ensured an equitable representation of business owners, as well as even distribution across neighborhoods:

·    185 Minority and Immigrant-Owned Businesses

·    143 Woman-Owned Businesses

·    53 Main Streets Businesses

·    46 Black-Owned Businesses

Shoppers may earn rewards at restaurants, retail stores, cafés, gyms and yoga studios, salons, and more. Shoppers may then redeem their Boston Points as discounts toward future purchases. Any Boston-based businesses with a storefront or that engages with customers directly may apply as either a “participating” or “redeeming” business at Boston.gov/B-Local. All reward discounts using Boston Points will be reimbursed to businesses by the City of Boston on a biweekly basis. All costs for this pilot program and reimbursements are funded by the federal CARES Act.

The B-Local program is open to all Boston businesses, but it will also allow the City of Boston to stand by its values of equity and inclusion; supporting minority- and women-owned businesses and industries disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and other systemic barriers. By sharing the important stories that connect our community and local businesses, B-Local will highlight Boston’s vibrant and diverse businesses and celebrate the 20 Boston Main Streets neighborhood commercial districts. 

“B-local is such a unique and fun program for both businesses and patrons,” said Tiffani Faison, renowned chef and owner of Big Heart Hospitality, which includes Sweet Cheeks Q, Tiger Mama, Fool's Errand, and Orfano restaurants. “It aids in financial recovery and allows an opportunity for us all to reconnect and have each other's backs. It allows Bostonians a fresh perspective on which businesses are uniquely local and how, together, we contribute to the rebirth of the Boston we know, love and miss so dearly.”

紀念波士頓馬拉松賽爆炸案 州長市長聯袂獻花

波士頓市長Kim Janey(左起)，麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)，
波士頓體育會執行長Thomas S. Grilk為2013年爆炸案紀念碑獻花。
(周菊子攝)

           (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 2021年的4月15日，距離2013年波士頓馬拉松賽發生爆炸案已8年了。人們當年的驚嚇，已隨時間逐漸平息，強調波士頓團結的心意，卻藉由麻州州長和波士頓市市長聯袂獻花，年年傳承。

            礙於新冠病毒疫情仍未消散，波士頓馬拉松賽今年已是第二年無法在愛國者日週末舉行。比去年好的是，麻州的疫情已呈下降趨勢，於是麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)和波士頓市代理市長Kim Janey得以在波士頓體育會執行長Thomas S. Grilk陪同下，聯袂到紀念碑前，親自獻花。

           整個儀式，十分簡單。兩名州市首長一起把花圈搬到紀念碑前，肅立致意，就結束了。沒有講話，也沒有爆炸案的犧牲者家人出席。

            由於今年的波士頓馬拉松賽延期到10月舉行，大波士頓仍在疫情中，15日這天又是陰雨天氣，街道，人行道上都空蕩蕩的，空氣中有著淡淡憂傷。

第125屆波士頓馬拉松賽因為新冠疫情，賽期改到2021年10月，但
4月15日這天，波士頓體育會重新粉刷終點線，藉以紀念爆炸案。
(周菊子攝)

新冠疫情期間，Boylston街上店面丟空。(周菊子攝)

2021年4月15日的柯普利廣場三一教堂，靜靜矗立。(周菊子攝)

2013年波士頓馬拉松爆炸案的爆炸地點之一，Boylston街775號
，店面待租。(周菊子攝)

昆士市4月22日公開簡報 慶祝地球日

          (Boston Orange昆士市報導) 昆士市自然資源局(Natural Resources)和尼波塞特河流域協會(Neponset River Watershed Association)合作，將於4月22日中午12點在網路上公開簡報，慶祝2021年地球日。

簡報內容包括暴風雨水管理的重要性，水污染預防竅門，以及昆士市內持續的水質改善項目。

有意聽取簡報者，可於4月22日當天中午上網，https://zoom.us/j/96009531695?pwd=U3A0MEV2S0JHWWlxZS9PRU50VVpLdz09。

 

City of Quincy Celebrating Earth Day 2021 with Neponset River Watershed Association

QUINCY, MA – April 16, 2021 The City of Quincy’s Department of Natural Resources is teaming up

with the Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA) to celebrate Earth Day 2021. Guest speaker

Patrick Hogan of NepRWA will be giving a public presentation via Zoom at 12:00 noon on Thursday,

April 22nd. The presentation will cover the importance of stormwater management, water pollution

prevention tips, and information about ongoing water quality improvement projects in Quincy.

Hogan started with NepRWA in August 2019. He holds a BS in Crop & Soil Environmental Sciences and

an MS in Environmental Science and Engineering, both from Virginia Tech. Prior to

joining NepRWA, Hogan spent most of his career in municipal government working in the Public Works

departments of both the City of Roanoke (VA) and the City of Durham (NC). At NepRWA, Hogan

works on a regional basis to provide technical assistance with MS4-related issues to municipalities and

businesses.

“Patrick is a great colleague who is very knowledgeable about water quality related issues. I anticipate

that his presentation will be interesting and informative for all in attendance, especially as we take

Earth Day as an opportunity to reflect on our impact on the planet and learn about ways we can work

together to solve environmental issues,” said Julie Sullivan, Environmental Scientist with the Quincy

Department of Natural Resources.

To access this presentation when it goes live on April 22nd, please follow the Zoom link provided

here: https://zoom.us/j/96009531695?pwd=U3A0MEV2S0JHWWlxZS9PRU50VVpLdz09.

3年67萬5000元 波士頓要為申請經營大麻業者提供技術援助

              (Boston Orange編譯)波士頓市公佈招標書(RFP)，將在今年4月1日起到2024年3月31日止的三年間，每月招標，經由波士頓市的”供應商平台”接受各界在網上填表，為符合資格的申請經營大麻生意者，”提供技術援助”。

             波士頓市政府預定三年撥款67萬5000元，第一輪的申請截止日期為5月1日。

             波士頓市長Kim Janey表示，這是要確保大麻業的創業者能獲得在波士頓發展成長的工具。

             麻州居民在2016年時，經由公投，合法化了成人使用大麻。該法案也規定要讓之前不成比例的受到禁止大麻傷害的社區，獲得鼓勵。

             2019年11月，Kim Janey還是市議員時，在市議會帶頭通過訂立波士頓市大麻業公平法條例，以確保在這新的大麻業中，存在著族裔平等及包容。

             在該條例下，波士頓市長的經濟發展辦公室將監管大麻技術援助項目，幫助符合資格的大麻業申請者。

               波士頓市臨時經濟發展長Midori Morikawa表示，波士頓是是全美第

MAYOR JANEY RELEASES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR CANNABIS EQUITY APPLICANTS New capacity building program will support equity in the cannabis industry BOSTON - Friday, April 16, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey announced that the City of Boston this week released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide technical assistance support to certified cannabis equity applicants. This $675,000 investment over three years is designed to expand economic and entrepreneurial opportunity and capacity. Completed proposals will be accepted monthly on a rolling basis, on the first day of each month, for a three year period, beginning on April 1, 2021 and ending March 31, 2024. The first deadline will be May 1, 2021. Proposals can be submitted electronically via the City of Boston Supplier Portal.  "Today we are taking a major step forward in lifting up local entrepreneurs with diverse ownership from communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs," said Mayor Kim Janey. “We want to ensure that business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry have the tools they need to grow and thrive in Boston.” In 2016, the Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts approved a ballot question to legalize and regulate adult-use marijuana. That law requires the development of "procedures and policies to promote and encourage full participation in the regulated marijuana industry by people from communities that have previously been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement and to positively impact those communities.” In November 2019, in her former role as Boston City Council President, Mayor Kim Janey led the City Council in passing an Ordinance to establish equitable regulation of the cannabis industry in the City of Boston. This ordinance was the result of a collaboration from many stakeholders and advocates and ensures Boston’s role as a national model for how to create a system that fosters racial equity and inclusion in the new cannabis industry.  As part of this ordinance, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED) will oversee the Cannabis Technical Assistance Program to assist any eligible certified cannabis equity applicants. This designation is based on the majority of an applicant’s business ownership and gives preference to people who reside in areas impacted hardest by the war on drugs, Boston residents, people of color, and people with low incomes, among others. Based on this criteria, the City will maintain an equal or greater number of equity applicant licensees to licensees that do not qualify as equity applicants. The Office of Economic Development has also hired a full-time Cannabis Industry Manager to work directly with cannabis applicants to guide equity applicants through the certification process and to match their needs with experienced TA providers. “Cannabis is a fast-growing industry, and Boston is committed to ensuring that equity applicants in our city can access the resources they need to launch a successful business,” said Midori Morikawa, Interim Chief of Economic Development. “Boston is the first city in the United States to formally prioritize diverse applicants who are looking to participate in this emerging industry. With this new RFP, the Boston Cannabis Equity Program will support equity applicants with critical technical assistance across business operations, workforce development, legal compliance, and other best practices to assist diverse cannabis businesses throughout the city.” Applicants and licensees seeking to be certified pursuant to the Ordinance are reviewed and certified by the Office of Economic Development, in collaboration with the Boston Cannabis Board and other appropriate city departments when applicable. Once selected, the Office of Economic Development shall facilitate the initial engagement with the contractor. In each case, the contractor will be expected to work directly with the cannabis equity applicant. "Since its formation, the Boston Cannabis Board has worked diligently to ensure equity, both to whom cannabis establishment licenses are granted and the geographic distribution of these licenses through the City of Boston," said Chairwoman Kathleen Joyce. "We have prioritized equity since the beginning of this new industry in Boston. Providing technical assistance to certified equity applicants is critical to ensuring those communities negatively impacted by the failed war on drugs have access to this emerging industry. We want to support these applicants throughout the entire process, and we look forward to continuing this important work." Technical assistance providers are experienced business consultants that, through this program, will provide high quality one-on-one assistance to designated businesses, and also provide group workshops and coaching sessions to existing or aspiring business owners. Services can include, but are not limited to:  ·    Assistance with business operations, including the development of business plans;  ·    Assistance recruiting employees; ·    Guidance and assistance through the application process; ·    Assistance with legal compliance; ·    Accounting and tax preparedness assistance; ·    Best practices for operating in the marijuana industry;  ·    Assistance with store security; ·    Assistance identifying and raising funds and capital and identifying vendors; ·    Guidance on legal issues and compliance; and ·    Other cannabis business equity applicant needs.  All prospective TA providers are encouraged to attend a live applicant conference session for the opportunity to address questions relative to the content of the RFP. These sessions will be held quarterly, via Zoom, and will occur in person pending updated COVID-19 public health restrictions at 1 City Hall Sq., Boston, MA 02201. To register, view upcoming dates, and join the conference, please visit: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ETxD64JzTQqNBpyq0Wbvdg  Every month, on the first business day of the month, applications will be downloaded from the City of Boston Supplier Portal website for review. The RFP will appear live again the next day for the following month. In order to participate in these online procurement activities, bidders must register with the Supplier Portal.   The City of Boston encourages a full range of TA providers to apply for this opportunity to support the varied and dynamic needs of small business owners of all backgrounds. The City of Boston seeks to promote the full participation and equity of opportunity for minority‐owned and women‐owned enterprises (“M/WBEs”) on City of Boston contracts. To support these City objectives and to further the City’s progress toward achieving its goal of 25% M/WBE participation on City discretionary spend, the City encourages minority-owned and woman-owned enterprises to respond to this RFP.

昆士市將增添一所新小學

            (Boston Orange昆士市報導) 麻州學校樓宇管理局(Massachusetts School Building Authority Board，簡稱MSBA)投票通過了，昆士市將可建造一所新的史昆頓(Squantum)小學。

這將是昆士市的第4個大型建校計畫，之前有昆士高中，中央中學，以及最近的西南中學(South-West Middle School)。

昆士市還將和MSBA合作一系列的翻修全市學校門窗計畫，並藉由麻州政府的60%到80%施工費用補助，為昆士市納稅人節省數以百萬元，千萬元計的費用。

昆士市第6區市議員William Harris表示，學校士史昆頓社區的基石，他為昆士市年輕人將有一座現代化的教育場所，感到很激動。

              昆士市長柯奇(Tom Koch)也感謝麻州財政廳廳長高柏珂(Deb Goldberg)，代表昆士市的麻州參議員約翰基南(John Keenan)，麻州眾議員Bruce Ayers，昆士市公校總監Kevin Mulvey，昆士學校委員會等人促成此事，直言新學校將容許昆士市更好的推廣藝術，數理，科技等科目。

 

Plans For New Squantum Elementary School Qualifies for State’s Building Program

QUINCY, MA April 14, 2021 – Plans for a new Squantum Elementary School today officially qualified for

the state’s school building program following a critical vote by the board that oversees school

construction across Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously at its regular

meeting on Wednesday to accept the City’s request, proposed by Mayor Thomas Koch and supported

by both the City Council and School Committee, to enroll in the program that provides millions of

dollars in state reimbursement for new school construction and major renovation projects.

The Squantum School is Quincy’s fourth major school project to qualify for the program, including most

recently the new South-West Middle School. That project followed the new Quincy High School and

Central Middle School projects. In addition, the City has partnered with MSBA on a series of door and

window projects at schools citywide. State reimbursements for those projects have ranged from 60 to

80 percent, saving local taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.

“This project is vital to the future of Squantum and our City. We have an incredibly well-proven track

record in delivering transformational school projects together with the MSBA, and I think that gives the

Board of Directors a good deal of confidence in welcoming us once again into the program,” said

Mayor Koch. “I’m grateful for the ongoing partnership with Treasurer Goldberg, all of our colleagues at

the MSBA, and the tremendous efforts by Superintendent Mulvey and his team, the state delegation,

our City Councilors and the School Committee for getting us to this point. We have plenty of work

ahead, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Added Ward 6 City Councilor William Harris:

“This school is the cornerstone of the Squantum community, and I am thrilled we are now on our way

to providing the state-of-the-art educational facility that our young people very much deserve. I can

think of few higher priorities for myself as Ward Councilor than seeing this project through, and I look

forward to working directly with so many of our neighbors in Squantum as this process moves

forward.”

In its proposal, the City and the Quincy Public Schools team noted that while the school has served the

community remarkably well since it opened in 1919 but a building of that age is extremely limited in

providing a 21st Century learning environment. Officials cited the need for technology-driven

curriculum, science laboratories, computer labs, and a library media center as components to be

included in any new building.

“I’m looking forward to working with the MSBA on the Eligibility Phase of the Squantum Elementary

School project,” said Superintendent Kevin Mulvey. “Thanks to the support of Quincy’s state legislative

delegation, Mayor Koch, the City Council, and School Committee, we have an opportunity to build a

state-of-the art facility to benefit all of the students who attend the school, both from the

neighborhood and the citywide Special Education program students. A new building will enhance the

outstanding educational opportunities provided by the dedicated staff and administrators at Squantum

Elementary School and will also be an important resource for the local community.”

The project now enters an elaborate process guided by the MSBA, which starts with meeting eligibility

requirements showing the City can finance and manage a project of this magnitude. Officials expressed

a high degree of confidence on moving through that phase based on the City’s history of successful

school projects. From there, the project moves onto a feasibility study that determines the full scope of

needs before a final project agreement, reimbursement rate, and schedule is voted on the MSBA

Board.

Said State Senator John Keenan:

"I wish to thank the School Building Authority, its Board and team, and Treasurer Goldberg for

advancing the Squantum School project through the process, and congratulate my colleagues in

government - Representative Ayers, Mayor Koch, the City Council, Superintendent Mulvey and his

team, and the School Committee - for their hard work in laying the groundwork for what will be a

modern school in another of Quincy’s great neighborhoods. Generations of students will benefit,

proving that government works best when it works together.”

Added State Representative Bruce Ayers

“The city designated rebuilding the Squantum School as a priority a few years ago, and this morning

our advocacy paid off,” said State Representative Bruce Ayers. “I was proud to testify in support of the

city's proposal at the MSBA's board meeting. With this partnership, we can finally begin to replace a

facility that is over 100 years old and hasn’t been renovated in decades. A new building will help the

great educators at Squantum School bring their programs into the 21st century of education. This

project will allow for technology integration, greater investment in the arts, and more emphasis on

STEM learning, all thanks to a facility equipped with the tools necessary for students to reach their

maximum potential. The residents of Squantum take a lot of pride in their community, and now they

are one big step closer to having an elementary school facility they can be proud of as well.”

波士頓移民進步辦公室邀Kim Kaney市長和族裔社區媒體晤談

Yusufi Vali, Director of MOIA

 

Boston Mayor Kim Janey

Celina Barrios-Millner, Chief, Equity and Inclusion

Marty Matinez，Chief of Health and Human Services

Kate Forde, Acting Deputy Director,
Office of Housing Stability