STEP Grant Application is Now Available MOITI, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network and the Massachusetts Export Center, is pleased to announce the Massachusetts State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Grant Program. Under the STEP Program, grants will be available to eligible Massachusetts small businesses for the purpose of increasing export sales of their goods and services. This grant is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Full details are now available atwww.mass.gov/export/step. Upcoming Events   An Export Forum with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas for companies interested in learning more about export resources, opportunities and ideas on how to succeed in overseas markets will be held on November 16th in Marlborough. Successful exporters will share their experiences and answer questions from the audience. A second panel includes speakers from U.S. and state trade agencies including MOITI. To register, contact Russell Pandres in Rep. Tsongas's Lowell office at Russell.pandres@mail.house.gov or call 978-459-0101. STEP Grant Webinars will be hosted by the Massachusetts Export Center and MOITI to assist small businesses in preparing a successful STEP Grant Application on November 20th and December 17th. To register, visitwww.mass.gov/export/step/register. A Quebec Medtech Showcase will be hosted by the Quebec Government Office in Boston and MassMedic and will feature the Premier of Quebec Mr. Philippe Couillard, 8 medtech companies from Quebec, and a night of networking on Nov. 12th in Boston. For more information and to register, visit the Quebec Government's eventbrite page. Recent MOITI Activities

Brittany and Hunter of MOITI joined the UNAGB UN Day Luncheon with Ambassador Matthew Rycroft. Governor Charlie Baker joined leaders from Hokkaido to celebrate25 years of sister state relationsbetween MA and the prefecture of Hokkaido in Japan MOITI and the ChileMass Alliance hosted a successful panel discussionon start-up collaboration between MA and Chile. Asst. Secretary Nam Pham addressed the New England Chinese Networking Association (NECINA) annual conference. Asst. Secretary Mike Kennealy and Hunter of MOITI welcomed adelegation of business and government leaders from India to Massachusetts.

Mass Pavilions at 2016 Trade Shows MOITI is planning to organize Massachusetts pavilions at select trade shows in 2016 similar to those organized in years past. MOITI has identified Arab Health (Jan. 2016),Mobile World Congress (Feb 2016), and Hannover Fair - Energy Pavilion (Apr 2016) as target shows and will soon begin recruiting Massachusetts companies to join these shows. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Brittany McDonough.

MAYOR WALSH CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP THANK BOSTON'S VETERANS

MAYOR WALSH CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP THANK BOSTON'S VETERANS

BOSTON - Thursday, November 5, 2015 - Leading up to Veterans Day, the Mayor's Office along with the Veterans' Services Department and Office of Neighborhood Services are calling for volunteers to sign-up for "Operation Thank A Vet," a citywide effort to honor Boston's veterans.  Over the weekend of Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, hundreds of volunteers will be going door-to-door throughout the City of Boston to personally thank the men and women who have served in the U.S. Military and provide them with the resources available to them as veterans living in Boston.  "I am proud of Boston's strong tradition of honoring our veterans, and appreciate all of the volunteers who have already come forward to donate their time," said Mayor Walsh. "There is no better way to celebrate Veterans Day than to personally thank the veterans in our city who have served our country."  Volunteers will be provided with specific addresses of veterans and packages to hand deliver. Volunteers can sign-up at boston.gov/veterans.  The City of Boston is committed to connecting Boston's military families with the resources and assistance they are entitled to. Earlier this year, Mayor Walsh released "An Action Plan to End Veteran and Chronic Homelessness In Boston: 2015 - 2018," which outlines the City's strategies to transform Boston's homeless response system in order to end veterans homelessness by 2015 and chronic homelessness by 2018. On Wednesday, the City, along with 11 partner agencies, hosted the first ever "housing surge" for veterans at the Pine Street Inn. Sixty homeless veterans met with representatives to better understand the housing resources available to them.

CITY OF BOSTON HOLDS FIRST-EVER "HOUSING SURGE" FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

CITY OF BOSTON HOLDS FIRST-EVER "HOUSING SURGE" FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

One-stop Event Helped 60 Vets Receive Counseling, Benefits, and Housing Help

BOSTON - Wednesday, November 4, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today that as part of Boston's "Homes for the Brave" initiative, the City this morning hosted its first-ever housing surge for veterans at Pine Street Inn.  Representatives from 11 partner agencies gathered for the first time in one place to efficiently assist veterans in connecting with housing and housing resources. "One of the biggest barriers for a returning veteran is finding safe, affordable housing," said Mayor Walsh. "We must do all that we can to honor the men and women who have served our country, and I thank all of the partners who stepped forward to make this event a success. No veteran should be homeless - and in Boston, we are working to make that a reality." To learn more, please visit:

AG HEALEY JOINS COALITION OF STATE AGS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN DEFENSE OF EPA’S CLEAN POWER PLAN

AG HEALEY JOINS COALITION OF STATE AGS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN DEFENSE OF EPA’S CLEAN POWER PLAN

            Coalition Cites Critical Need for Rules in Order to Protect the Public, Environment, and Grow Economies

            BOSTON— Attorney General Maura Healey announced today that she has joined a coalition of 18 states and several local governments in supporting the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan rules against legal challenges by several states and industry groups. The rules are the culmination of a decade-long effort by Massachusetts and other states and partners to advocate for regulations reducing climate change-causing emissions from power plants.

The AG’s Office joined with the coalition in filing a motion to intervene in support of the Clean Power Plan in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

“We are proud today to join 17 state attorneys general and several local governments, in moving to intervene in support of EPA’s Clean Power Plan,” AG Healey said. “The AG’s Office has long advocated for regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, and it was our office that won the landmark Supreme Court victory inMassachusetts v. EPA, which held that greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The Clean Power Plan is a pivotal step that will allow us to curb carbon emissions from existing power plants, and do it in a way that allows the states maximum flexibility.

 Here in Massachusetts, we’ve been national leaders in clean energy —from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, to energy efficiency programs, and a standard to promote greater reliance on renewable energy. Those programs have been good for Massachusetts residents and good for our regional economy. There is no time to waste.  Securing these emissions reductions from power plants—the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States—is critical to putting us on a path to avoid dangerous levels of warming, and toward building a sustainable energy future.”

The coalition includes attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, the District of Columbia, the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boulder, South Miami, and Broward County in Florida.

The EPA released the Clean Power Plan under Sections 111 (d) of the Clean Air Act in August 2015. The Clean Power Plan establishes a national goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants by 32 percent from 2005 by 2030. The rule for existing power plants is expected to eliminate as much climate change pollution as is emitted by more than 160 million cars a year.

Also today, AG Healey joined a coalition of states and local governments in filing a motion to intervene in separate cases pending in the D.C. Circuit to defend EPA’s rules establishing carbon emission standards for new and modified power plants under Section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act.

On Aug. 3 2015, AG Healey sent EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy a letter co-signed by a coalition of state attorneys general and local governments, expressing strong support for the final rules and pledging to help EPA defend the rules from legal challenges. The coalition’s letter emphasized that the EPA’s power plant rules are “firmly grounded in the law.”

Earlier this year, AG Healey successfully helped defend the proposed rule for reducing carbon emissions from existing power plants against premature legal challenges brought by the coal industry and several coal-producing states. Several states, including Massachusetts have taken cost-effective measures to reduce carbon emissions from the power sector, including establishing renewable portfolio standards to encourage greater reliance on clean energy, implementing energy efficiency programs, and participating in market-based programs, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. 

This matter is being handled by Melissa A. Hoffer, Chief of AG Healey’s Energy and Environment Bureau, Christophe Courchesne, Chief of the Environmental Protection Division, Assistant Attorney General Tracy Triplett and Legal Analyst Jillian Riley.

AG’S OFFICE SEEKING APPLICATIONS FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT PROVIDERS FOR GAME CHANGE PARTNERSHIP WITH NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

AG’S OFFICE SEEKING APPLICATIONS FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT PROVIDERS FOR GAME CHANGE PARTNERSHIP WITH 
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Application Period Opens For Grant Program For New Anti-Violence Initiative in High Schools

BOSTON — As part of her office’s new anti-violence partnership with the New England Patriots, Attorney General Maura Healey opened the application period for a grant program to fund training by local domestic violence and sexual assault (DV/SA) prevention organizations in high schools across Massachusetts.

This grant program is one component of  “Game Change: The Patriots Anti-Violence Partnership,” announced in September by AG Healey and New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. The AG’s Office is awarding six grants of up to $45,000 each to six domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy organizations statewide for the 2016-2017 school year. The selected organizations will partner with and provide support services to schools.

“The Game Change program will help prevent violence by reaching students at an early age and teaching them about healthy relationships,” said AG Healey. “We are looking to partner with organizations that will lend their expertise and support to students, parents and school administrators as we work to prevent domestic violence.”

The first phase of the Game Change program will train 180 personnel from 90 high schools across the state through a series of training institutes conducted by the nation-leading Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) program, run by The Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University. The AG’s Office is currently acceptingapplications from schools for participation in the Game Change program. Schools will be selected this winter and trainings will begin this spring.

In the second phase of the program, the AG’s Office will select 30 high schools – five in each of the six regions of the state – to receive more in-depth training for school staff, students, parents and administrators. Each of these 30 high schools will be paired with a local DV/SA provider for ongoing support.

Applicants for the DV/SA Provider grants must:

·         Have experience in providing domestic violence and sexual assault prevention educational programming in high schools.

·         Be committed to viewing its organization’s involvement in the program as a way to help schools sustain violence prevention programming beyond the life cycle of the grant.

·         Be willing to attend the three-day initial training institute for their region, which the AG’s Office anticipates will be held in the winter of 2016.

·         Develop an ongoing relationship with the schools, including helping to provide classroom programing, training other school staff, educating parents, working with the administration on anti-violence policies and offering services for parents and families dealing with violence and abuse.

Interested applicants can visit the Attorney General’s website,www.mass.gov/ago/gamechange for additional information about the application process and to submit an application. The deadline to apply for the grant is 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015.

昆士市長柯奇（Koch）順利連任

昆市首屆一任四年市長，由第五度連任的在位市長柯奇(Tom Koch)以12,416票當選，競爭對手費林（William Phelan）得9615票。

陳樂距當選為緬因州首名華裔市長更近一步 ---更正

緬因州路易斯頓市（Lewiston）昨（3）日的選舉結果，陳樂（Ben Chin）與Robert E. Macdonald的得票數都未超過50%，將於12月8日再次競逐。
該市共有25,009名登記選民，33.5%出席投了票。在五名參選者中，陳樂得票數最高，3,673票，比第二高票參選人多500多票。
由於陳樂和獲得次高票的Robert E. Macdonald，得票數都未超過50%，路易斯頓市很可能12月時得再辦一次只有兩名候選人的選舉。

Ben Chin is getting closer to be Mayor of Lewiston, Maine.  Ben Chin and Robert E. Macdonald are the highest vote getter in this Mayor race, yet neither of them received more than 50% of the vote, and a runoff election is now scheduled on December 8th.
There are 25,009 registered voters in Lewiston, about 33.5% voted. Ben Chin received 3673 vote, and Robert E. Macdonald received 3107 vote.

梁秀婷當選為昆士市歷史上首名華裔市議員

            麻州的政治界，昨（三）日再度締造歷史。昆士市選出有史以來第一位華裔市議員。年僅27歲的梁秀婷（Nina Liang），以9487票當選為昆士不分區市議員。

            昆市首屆一任四年市長，由第五度連任的在位市長柯奇(Tom Koch)以12,416票把得約9615票的對手費林（William Phelan）遠拋在後。他的亞裔助理邱潔芳，亞裔支持者，包括翁渭漢，陳寶萍等人和數百名支持者在Granite Links 高爾夫俱樂部狂歡。

            昆市居民昨日共有22,000人出席投票。

            梁秀婷昨晚在昆士市的Fuji餐廳慶功，包括支持她競選最力的梁戰士，梁戰成，以及她父親梁禮湛，叔叔梁禮然等家人，親戚，以及社區內的鄒毅等，不下百人全都興高采烈。

            梁戰士高興的說，這是全昆市攜手締造的歷史。

            昆士市三名不分區市議員中的另兩名當選者，依序為成功連任，得9851票的方安（Joe Finn)，以及新人，得9493票的狄邦納（Noel DiBona）。

波士頓市議員吳弭第二高票順利連任

CITY of BOSTON MUNICIPAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2015 Unofficial Results 11/03/15 21:56:56

Registered Voters 372889 - Cards Cast 50807 13.63%

Num. Report Precinct 255 - Num. Reporting 255 100.00%

CITY COUNCILLOR AT LARGE CTY Total Number of Precincts 255 Precincts Reporting 255 100.0% Vote For 4 Total Votes 131229 Number of Uncast Votes 71999 AYANNA S PRESSLEY 31768 24.21% MICHELLE WU 28891 22.02% MICHAEL F FLAHERTY 26463 20.17% ANNISSA E GEORGE 23439 17.86% STEPHEN J MURPHY 19538 14.89% Write-in Votes 1130 0.86%

Governor Baker Expands Supplier Opportunities for Veteran, LGBT, Disability, Diverse and Small Businesses

Governor Baker Expands Supplier Opportunities for Veteran, LGBT, Disability, Diverse and Small Businesses

Massachusetts becomes 1st state to recognize LGBT-owned businesses; increases opportunities for veteran, disability, minority, women-owned businesses and MA-based small businesses

BOSTON – Reinforcing his administration’s commitment to fostering competitiveness and prosperity for small and diverse business owners, Governor Charlie Baker today announced several improvements to the state’s decades-old supplier diversity program, including best practice innovations and updates from the public and private sectors, the first expansion of benchmarks for minority and women-owned businesses in four years, and the first-time certification of veteran, disability and LGBT-owned businesses.

“We are committed to ensuring diversity as the state engages business suppliers and contractors and are excited about this opportunity to include LGBT, disability and veteran business owners in the state’s network and procurement chain,” said Governor Baker. “The Lieutenant Governor and I are proud to uphold our promise to expand opportunities for diverse and small businesses as our administration works to extend economic prosperity to more communities throughout the Commonwealth.”

The changes to the Commonwealth’s Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) include improvements to the state’s small and diverse business certification and reporting processes and cross-certification partnerships with the City of Boston and nationally-recognized private certification organizations.

“At the heart of these efforts is the goal to grow the number of diverse and small companies participating and conducting business with the state as well as increasing the total dollar amount annually won by diverse and small businesses from across the Commonwealth,” said Jabes Rojas, Deputy Chief for Access & Opportunity.“Today’s innovations and expansions are significant and only a first step for the Baker-Polito Administration as we plan for the future of supplier diversity.”

“Today, we recognize the tremendous impact small businesses have on the economic vitality of our Commonwealth,” said Senator Linda Dorcena Forry. “Thank you to Governor Baker and his Administration for continuing our State’s commitment to diversity by engaging and ensuring access to opportunities for all. Expansion of our supplier diversity means growing a more sustainable, diverse and competitive economy.”

"Our economy cannot move forward when opportunities for success are not shared equally across the board," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "I thank Governor Baker and his administration for expanding opportunities for diverse and small businesses, and I look forward to continuing our efforts on the city level to ensure that economic growth reaches every corner in the City of Boston." 

Benchmark increases and additions to the state certification procurement process include the following, with new certification categories to undergo a two to three year capacity building period prior to unveiling benchmarks:

• A first-in-the-nation LGBT-owned business certification partnership between the state and National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s (NGLCC) fully-accredited, industry-standard certification process recognized and accepted across many Fortune 1000 companies. 

“We thank Governor Baker and his administration for their commitment to the LGBT community in Massachusetts,” said NGLCC Co-Founder & President Justin Nelson. “LGBT-inclusive supplier diversity means that there will be greater LGBT business visibility across Massachusetts. Economic visibility, just like social visibility, is essential in building a diverse and inclusive society. Governor Baker’s administration recognizes what over 1/3 of the Fortune 500 has already – including opportunities for all businesses, including those owned by LGBT people is good for business. We now call upon leaders in other states to follow the precedent set by Massachusetts to create equal business opportunities for LGBT citizens nationwide.” 

• First-time certification of businesses owned by those with disabilities(Disability-Owned Business Enterprises or “DOBE”), in partnership with the U.S. Business Leadership Network’s (USBLN) nationally-recognized certification program, which will also conduct certifications of service-disabled, veteran-owned business enterprises (SDVOBE). 

“We are excited and grateful to be a part of this historic event,” said Jill Houghton, Executive Director, USBLN. “We look forward to working with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and for this to be the model for the rest of the country. There are an estimated 57 million Americans with disabilities and around 15 percent of working persons with disabilities are self-employed. Our disability-owned business enterprises and service-disabled veteran-owned business certification processes will help many businesses into the supplier diversity pipeline.”

“This is an important day for persons with disabilities throughout our Commonwealth,” said David D’Arcangelo, Director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability. “Our acceptance of the USBLN certification for disability owned businesses sends a clear message that state government is welcoming people of all abilities and incentivizing opportunities that promote self-determination. Today marks an important first step towards creating and supporting increased opportunities for persons with disabilities.”

• Expanding the certified service-disabled, veteran-owned business enterprises (SDVOBE) category of the Supplier Diversity Program to include all certifiedveteran-owned business enterprises (VBE), continuing to use the federal VetBiz certification process (and new partnership with the USBLN for the certification of SDVOBEs), at a combined, existing benchmark of 3%.

“Expanding supplier diversity efforts to include all veterans affirms Governor Baker’s commitment to the men and women who have served our country and who should be provided access to business opportunities with the Commonwealth,” saidSecretary of Veterans’ Services, Francisco A. Ureña.

• Increasing the benchmark for registered Massachusetts-based small businesses in the Small Business Purchasing Program (SBPP) from 2.5% to 3.3%.

• Increasing the existing certified minority-owned business enterprises (MBE) benchmark from 6% to 7%, and introducing a partnership with the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC), whereby the Commonwealth will begin accepting MBE applications approved by GNEMSDC starting on January 1, 2016.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors, our members and the countless minority business owners throughout Massachusetts, the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council wishes to express our gratitude to Governor Baker and his dedicated and talented administration for their commitment to creating opportunities for this important segment of the Massachusetts business community,” said Peter Hurst, President and CEO of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council. “More successful MBEs can clearly reduce the wealth and income gap for their owners and their employees. The Council, along with our MBDA Center here in Boston, are excited about working with the Commonwealth to eliminate barriers to economic development for MBEs. Together, we will be a positive force in the continued growth and development of the minority business community in Massachusetts.”

• Increasing the certified women-owned business enterprises (WBE) benchmark from 12% to 13%, and introducing a partnership with the Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE) to also begin accepting WBE applications approved by CWE on January 1, 2016.

“It is a privilege for the Center of Women & Enterprise to partner with the Commonwealth on these important and innovative initiatives and expansions,” said Susan Rittscher, President and CEO of the Center for Women and Enterprise. “The plans to increase benchmarks and to collaborate with regional certification agencies such as the Center for Women & Enterprise (a WBENC affiliate) demonstrate the Governor's steadfast commitment to diverse businesses in the Commonwealth.”

• Acceptance and promotion of cross-certification with the City of Boston of MBE and WBE applicants on January 1, 2016.

The City of Boston is also one of five municipal partners and co-hosts for the Baker-Polito Administration’s recently announced and underway, Supplier Diversity Regional Series. These events led by the Governor’s Office of Access and Opportunity (OAO), Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), the Operational Services Division (OSD) and OSD’S Supplier Diversity Office are designed to increase engagement and marketplace opportunities for small and diverse business enterprises with procurement officials in state and local government, educational institutions, medical facilities and the private sector.

The Baker-Polito Administration’s policy changes and inclusiveness of new supplier diversity categories and partnerships, have also been made effective in a Governor’s Executive Order signed today, reaffirming and expanding the Supplier Diversity Program (SDP).

In February, Governor Baker signed Executive Order No. 559, elevating the Office of Access and Opportunity to the Governor’s Office under the direction of a Deputy Chief of Staff to further the administration’s priority of increasing diversity and inclusion within state government employment and procurement. The Executive Order also established a cross-administration Steering Committee for Access and Opportunity to coordinate best practices.