美國副總統Harris向MBDA計畫建議資助43機構 全美亞裔總商會名列其一

哈里斯副總統宣布：全美亞裔總商會ACE獲得少數族裔商業發展局
MBDA資本協助計劃競賽獎。 (全美亞裔總商會提供)

           (Boston Orange) 美國副總統哈里斯 (Kamara Harris) 於8月3日宣佈，向少數族裔企業局 (MBDA)的1億2500萬元技術援助項目-資本準備計畫 (Capital Readiness Program) 建議，資助43個機構及組織發展及擴大企業規模。全美亞裔總商會(National ACE)是獲推薦組織之一。

一旦撥款落實，獲選者將針對幫助獲得服務不足的企業家，推出或經營企業孵化器或加速器，幫助他們從歷史性的100億元美國小企業信用計畫 (SSBCI)或其他來源獲取資金。

圖左起，全國非洲裔商會會長巴斯比，全美亞裔總商會ACE董繼玲會長，
聯邦商務部副部長克拉文斯在哈里斯副總統宣布會場合影。
(全美亞裔總商會提供)

少數族裔企業發展局 (MBDA) 是在2021年11月，基於拜登總統的不分黨派基礎建設法，成為一個永久性聯邦機構之後，推出了這有如里程碑的資本準備項目。

美國商務部長雷蒙朵 (Gina Raimondo)表示，資本準備項目是商務部為支持得到服務不足(underserved)的創業者及企業所做的有史以來最大一筆投資。拜登政府藉由支持國家的小企業，以及處於不利環境的企業，在建造強勁，公平的經濟上，持續做歷史性投資。

財政部副部長Wally Adeyemo表示，經由國家小企業信用計畫 (SSBCI)和資本準備項目來的投資，要藉由為小企業及創業家提供他們成功所需資源，助長小企業繁榮。前述宣佈是朝向幫助全美獲得服務不足社區釋放企業家潛能的重要步驟，要不然這些小企業可能永遠得不到追求企業理想及野心所需的支持。

MBDA的資本準備項目是由美國小企業信用計畫 (SSBCI)資助。SSBCI是財政部於2021年重新獲得美國援救計畫法案授權，有將近100億元經費，指定用於在全美各地帶動新投資或資本給小企業的項目。SSBCI為州、哥倫比亞特區，’地區及種族政府提供資金，推廣創業，增加獲得資本機會，幫助企業成長，特別是在傳統上獲得服務不足的社區。

MBDA是唯一的只致力支持少數族裔企業成長及全球競爭力的聯邦政府機構。資本準備計畫獲得者將加入MBDA由88個企業中心組成，為少數族裔企業提供技術支援其企業支持服務的的全國網路，以及其他項目。

商務部少數族裔企業發展副部長Donald R. Cravins, Jr.,表示，資本準備項目的目的是為每個美國創業者提供成功創立企業的公平機會。拜登政府投資100億元來支持小企業，賦予他們取得投資進創造就業機會所需的資金。經由資金準備計畫，MBFDA會幫助處於不利靜地企業家在社會上、經濟上做好準備，充分利用這歷史性的獲得資金機會。

一旦最後一筆資助金撥發後，這43個資本準備項目的獲選者將加入MBDA已經生氣蓬勃的企業及特別中心全國網，給該局和商務部在幫助打造對所有企業都有用得上更大的觸及率與影響力。

全美亞裔總商會執行長董繼玲表示，”在少數族裔企業發展局資本準備計劃的支持下，我們充滿活力並準備擴大我們的工作，以支持亞裔美國人和夏威夷太平洋島民企業家克服結構性障礙，創辦新企業並在商業環境中蓬勃發展。”

 以上所提及的申請，都獲得撥給資金建議。這一宣佈，並不構成授權展開或開始項目，而且也不保證經費。 當申請者獲選，一名補助專員會以書面通知申請者獲獎，這個時候前述提及的申請者的獲准，以及獲取經費責任，才會最後落實。查詢資金準備項目的地點、獲選者，以及建議資助金額，可上網。

 

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Competition Winners for the Minority Business Development Agency’s Capital Readiness Program

The Capital Readiness Program represents the Commerce Department’s largest investment in support of underserved entrepreneurs.

Minority Business Development Agency Capital Readiness Program Fact Sheet

 

WASHINGTON, D.C., – Today, Vice President Harris announced the recommended awardees for the MBDA Capital Readiness Program. The Capital Readiness Program is a $125 million technical assistance program to help underserved entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. Once final awards are made, the awardees will launch and operate business incubators or accelerators designed to prepare underserved entrepreneurs to secure capital from the historic $10 billion State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and other capital sources.

The launch of the Capital Readiness Program marks a monumental milestone for MBDA, following the Agency’s enactment as a permanent Federal Agency in November 2021 as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“The Capital Readiness Program marks the largest investment to support underserved entrepreneurs and businesses in Commerce Department history,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The Biden Administration continues to make historic investments in building a strong, equitable economy, including by supporting our Nation’s small and disadvantaged businesses. The Capital Readiness Program will provide the resources and tools to prepare businesses to access capital and funding, and ensure prosperity is within reach for all American entrepreneurs.”

“The investments through the State Small Business Credit Initiative and the Capital Readiness Program are helping fuel a small business boom by providing small businesses and entrepreneurs the resources they need to succeed,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. “Today's announcement is an important step toward helping to unlock the potential of entrepreneurs in underserved communities across the nation who may have otherwise never had the support needed to pursue their business ideas and ambitions.”

MBDA’s Capital Readiness Program is funded by the Department of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and was reauthorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. SSBCI is a nearly $10 billion fund designed to drive new investment and capital to small businesses across America. SSBCI provides funding to states, the District of Columbia, territories, and Tribal governments to promote entrepreneurship, increase access to capital, and help businesses grow—especially in traditionally underserved communities.

MBDA is the only federal government agency dedicated solely to supporting the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises. The Capital Readiness Program awardees will join MBDA’s National Network of 88 business centers and other projects that provide technical assistance and business support services to minority business enterprises.

“The purpose of the Capital Readiness Program is to provide every American entrepreneur an equitable shot at building a successful business,” said Donald R. Cravins, Jr., Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development. “The Biden Administration is investing $10 billion to support small businesses and empower them to access the capital needed to invest in job-creating opportunities. Through the Capital Readiness Program, MBDA will prepare socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs to take advantage of this historic funding opportunity. Once final awards are made, the 43 Capital Readiness Program awardees will join MBDA’s already robust National Network of business and specialty centers, giving our Agency and the Department of Commerce greater reach and influence in helping to create an economy that works for all businesses.”

The above-referenced applications are being recommended for funding.  This announcement does not constitute an authorization to start a project and is not a guarantee of funding.  A Grants Officer will notify successful applicants in a written Award Notice when such applicants have been selected for an award, at which point the approval and obligation of funds for the above-referenced applications will become final. To see the locations, awardees, and amounts for the recommended awards under the Capital Readiness Program, and for more information on the recommended awardees and the program itself, visit www.mbda.gov.

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• 2023 CRP Awardees Announced Press Release FINAL.pdf

麻州長Healey簽署第90章法案授權動用3億7500萬元資助市鎮修橋補路

 Governor Healey Signs $375 Million Bridge, Road Maintenance, and Infrastructure Bill to Improve Transportation Across Massachusetts  

State Legislature’s Chapter 90 conference committee bill authorizes funding to reimburse municipalities for bridge and road maintenance and funding for transportation-related infrastructure grants 

 

AMESBURY – Governor Maura T. Healey today signed the Chapter 90 conference committee bill (“Chapter 90”), which authorizes $375 million in funding to reimburse municipalities for bridge and road maintenance and funding for transportation-related infrastructure grants. Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary Gina Fiandaca today celebrated the bill signing at events in Lowell and Amesbury. 

“This Chapter 90 bill will deliver funds straight to municipalities to support projects that we know are critical to their economic development, including bridge and road maintenance, public transit, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and pedestrian, cyclist and car safety,” said Governor Healey. “We’re grateful to the Legislature for advancing this essential funding and to our friends in labor who will make sure this work gets done with the high level of quality and safety that they are known for.” 

 

“As a former Mayor, I know firsthand how much cities and towns rely on Chapter 90 funding to ensure that residents and visitors can get around safely and to spur economic activity,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration extends our heartfelt appreciation to the local officials who advocated for this funding and will make sure it goes to good use in their communities.” 

 

“Chapter 90 funding is a crucial part of maintaining and expanding safe, reliable, and equitable roadways and infrastructure across our Commonwealth,” said MassDOT Secretary Gina Fiandaca. “Within this funding, we’re able to provide cities and towns with resources to keep their roads and bridges in good repair. We’re also able to invest in multi-modal transportation options through grant programs like MassDOT’s Complete Streets program, which helps communities design streets that are accessible to all, whether residents are walking, biking, or traveling by car. I want to thank Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and the Legislature for supporting these key transportation investments.” 

 

“Municipal leaders know best what their transportation infrastructure needs are in their cities and towns and we are pleased to provide financial support for their priorities with Chapter 90 funding,” said Undersecretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We’d like to thank legislators for their support of Chapter 90 funding, and we look forward to working with local officials as they plan and design projects which will improve the state’s transportation system and, in so doing, increase the quality of life and economic vitality of all our communities.” 

 

This funding includes the following:  

 

• $200 million in one-year funding for MassDOT’s Chapter 90 program, which reimburses cities and towns for construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of municipal roads and bridges.  

• $25 million to fund a new MassDOT program to reimburse cities and towns for maintenance of municipal roads and bridges, with a formula based on road mileage, population, and whether municipality is considered rural, which is particularly helpful for rural communities. 

• $25 million for MassDOT grants for construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, repair, maintenance and improvement of pavement and surface conditions on non-federally funded roadways. 

• $25 million for MassDOT’s Municipal Small Bridges program, which supports engineering, design, construction, reconstruction and maintenance on non-federally aided bridges. 

• $25 million for MassDOT’s Complete Streets program, which supports municipalities seeking to design streets accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and modes of travel. 

• $25 million for MassDOT grants for municipalities to prioritize and enhance bus- focused transit initiatives. 

• $25 million for MassDOT grants for municipalities to study, design, construct or improve access at mass transit and commuter rail stations. 

• $25 million for MassDOT grants supporting municipalities and regional transit authorities transitioning to electric and zero emission vehicles. 

 

Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and Secretary Fiandaca celebrated the bill at events in Lowell and Amesbury. Through this bill, Lowell will be awarded at least $1.87 million. Local elected officials highlighted the Lowell Beaver Street Bridge Project as an example of the kinds of projects that are supported by Chapter 90. MassDOT recently approved $1.6 million for this project, which funds the replacement of the superstructure of the bridge on Beaver Street over Beaver Brook. The bridge has been closed to vehicles since 2019, following an inspection by MassDOT. 

 

In Amesbury, local elected officials highlighted Amesbury’s $437,967 in Chapter 90 funding, showcasing the Carriage Town Connector for the Amesbury Riverwalk as an example of the kinds of projects supported by Chapter 90. MassDOT recently approved $138,000 for this project, which will connect the Amesbury Riverwalk, a biking and walking trail, to trails in Salisbury and Newburyport. This effort is part of the Coastal Trail Network, which has also received funding support from the state’s Mass Trails grant program.  

 

Authorized through Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L) Chapter 90, Section 34, the Chapter 90 Program provides funding to municipalities for the implementation of capital improvements on local public ways. Every municipality in the Commonwealth is allocated a portion of total program dollars.  

  

In 2021, MassDOT released new Chapter 90 resources including online tools and guides for Massachusetts cities and towns. MassDOT continues to provide technical expertise from their district offices: MassDOT engineers work directly with communities on their transportation issues and help them develop strategies for using Chapter 90 funds and direct funding opportunities. These resources provide help communities better plan projects and budget their Chapter 90 funds.    

 

The Commonwealth began providing aid to municipalities to assist with local road and bridge costs in 1973 as authorized through M.G.L Chapter 90, Section 34. Over time, this state aid became known as the Chapter 90 Program. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation administers the Chapter 90 Program under the powers of the department provided in MassDOT’s enabling legislation through Chapter 6C.  

 

The purpose of the Chapter 90 Program is to provide municipalities with an annual funding source for improvements to and investments in local transportation networks. The Chapter 90 Program allows municipalities to evaluate their unique transportation needs and goals and allocate funding dollars accordingly. This is a reimbursement program, which means that municipalities pay for approved expenses up-front and receive reimbursement afterwards.   

 

Funding levels for the Chapter 90 Program are established by Massachusetts Legislature and approved by the Governor on an annual basis. Based on the amount approved, each of the Commonwealth’s 351 municipalities are allocated a portion of overall Chapter 90 Program dollars each state fiscal year, which runs July 1 through June 30. Additional information about Chapter 90 is available on mass.gov.

紐英崙中華公所章程修訂、資產投資 下次再議

紐英倫中華公所主席雷國輝(中)和中文書記翁宇才(右)，財政陳余寶愛(左)等
5名職員主持會議。(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙中華公所坐擁數千萬元資產，手頭拿著200多萬現金，下一步該怎麼走，雖研議經年，7月25日召開本年度第4次董事大會時，依然無解。

            根據中華公所財政陳余寶愛發給公所董事們的財務報告，中華公所的營運戶口內，截至6月底，帳上有現金約218萬元。列在資產負債表上的流動資產有1086萬餘元，固定資產有1749萬元，錢實在很多，但中華公所董事們還沒人深究該怎麼處理。

            中華公所中文書記翁宇才是中華公所的選舉/章程小組召集人，早從去年雷國輝初上任起，就已開始研議投資方案，以期充分利用中華公所的資金。只是公所董事們對於投資該怎麼做，章程條文該怎麼修訂，中英文字句是否意義相符，討論經年，7月25日晚把此事再度延擱至下次會期。

7月25日大雨，中華公所董事們仍然踴躍出席會議。
(周菊子攝)

            在中華公所董事會中還是新人，代表華人經濟發展協會出席，本身是康州總精算師兼保險局助理副局長的周萬欽，以他本人的金融專業知識指出，以中華公所有資產1000萬元為例，存在銀行的利率是0.1%，10年下來約可得利息10萬元，但是若存成10年期的財政部國債，3.75%的利率，10年就有44萬5千元利息收入，如果是存到有10%股息的ETF，本息加起來，金額更可高達2593萬元，所以如何投資，的確會有很大差異。他認為中華公所既然是一個社會服務組織，如何善用資產，爭取收益，用於民眾，十分重要。他認為中華公所應該及早討論定案，免得浪費了資產可發揮的作用。

中華公所董事周萬親有金融專業知識。(周菊子攝)

            只是中華公所所有的董事都是義務職，連每二個月開會一次的會議報告，財政報告，恐怕都沒時間仔細看，各董事對中華公所到底有些什麼資產，各別營運狀況如何，都無力深入了解，更遑論要腦力激盪的來進一步研議如何善用中華公所資源。

            雷國輝接任中華公所主席後，遭遇行政主任朱蘇珊辭職，無人繼任窘狀。他親力親為的承擔了許多工作，直到今年，才經由董事會於6月時通過，新聘羅燕玲擔任時薪80元的獎助金顧問，處理中華公所曾經申請，並已領得政府經費，但尚未辦理的項目，以及早前聘請的一名專業人員協助中華公所處理土地發展事宜。

中華公所董事梁添光發言。

今年以來後，雷國輝更是在召開董事大會時，從公所事務、物業、章程/選舉到其他事項，一口氣幾乎把中華公所的所有事項都報告了一遍，公所董事們也幾乎都無人提出任何疑問。

中華公所董事謝中之發言。

            25日晚，雷國輝就報告了泰勒街90號會址的除鉛，更新冷暖氣及防火警報系統，以及大同村南車站蓋博愛樓等工程；華福樓的需要特別訂製氣窗，更換消防警報系統；喜露街(Herald) 50號中國超市的租約協商等等。

中文書記翁宇才在匯報完投資委員會研議的章程條文修訂，下次再議後，動議為包括主席雷國輝，英文書記阮鴻燦，財政陳余寶愛，核數張青梅和他自己等5名各支薪三或四百元的義務職員，隨著通貨膨脹指數，調整車馬費。

當日晚，有董事提出，既然中華公所手頭有那麼多錢，應該辦一些造福社區的活動。董事黃國威就提出，或可由中華公所出資，聘請專人清掃華埠街道。董事余麗媖則指出，中華公所如今坐擁許多資產，又同時要處理大同村南停車場蓋可負擔住宅，很快又要規劃喜露街50號蓋可負擔住宅，中華公所還希望能為社區提供更多實質服務，以現有人力來說，恐怕不堪負荷，最好是能聘請專職工作人員，來處理日常事務，並協助公所董事們整理構想，逐步落實。

            紐英崙中華公所從雷國輝上任以來，幾乎每次開會都能準時，甚至提前結束，往年約2派人馬互相爭執不下的情況，已不覆見。但中華公所董事們對改善中華公所營運的熱心程度，恐怕依然有待加強。

麻州地鐵招巴士司機 全職年薪可逾6萬元

               (Boston Orange

麻州州長Maura Healey強調新合約將帶動麻州地鐵往全國最好的方向邁進。
(周菊子攝)

周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 麻州地鐵 (MBTA) 為解決人力不足造成的服務品質問題，8月2日早上以記者會宣佈，員工四年加薪18%，新聘駕駛時薪調高至30元，另增多項福利。8月3日早上，麻州地鐵董事會投票通過，加薪案即起生效，。

              麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 和麻州交通廳廳長Gina Fiandaca，麻州地鐵總經理伍偉華 (Philip Eng)，以Carmen工會的本地589工會會長Jim Evers是在8月2日這天早上，匯集到麻州地鐵位於南波士頓的Cabot 巴士廠，聯袂宣佈，地鐵員工將四年加薪18%。

麻州地鐵總經理伍偉華 (Philip Eng) 感謝麻州長的支持與工會的信任。
(周菊子攝)

              奚莉州長明顯的已經預知，麻州地鐵董事會會通過麻州地鐵和本地589工會協商出的這4年加薪18%合約。她強調這新合約影響所及的有一大半人是前線工作人員，包括巴士、地鐵、輕軌電車等的司機及維修人員，進一步增強了麻州政府和勞工之間夥伴關係，將使麻州地鐵的營運，更為安全、可靠。

麻州地鐵再以高薪吸引巴士司機加盟。(周菊子攝)

              聯邦交通局當初對麻州地鐵的稽核調查，其中一項重點就是員工不合理的超時工作，此後麻州地鐵也祭出過高額加盟獎金等辦法，但一直未能完全改善這一情況。麻州地鐵巴士的今夏營運班次，也因此比新冠病毒疫情發生前少了20%，意味著搭乘巴士的人得等候更長時間。

              根據MBTA在7月13日董事會中公佈的資料，麻州地鐵在2023會計年度內總共新聘1071人，加上內部聘用的533人，共聘1604人，但同時有863人離職，其中281人退休，271人自願離職，173人聘僱後未就任，另138人在非自願情況下離職。總結下來，員工人數只增加了208人。根據該報告，儘管麻州地鐵在過去一年半以來，一直在積極招聘，但迄今仍短缺約200人。

              麻州納稅人基金會在今年稍早前公佈的一份報告稱，麻州地鐵必須在未來一年內增聘大薛2800人，才能達到預算中的7600名員工人數，這還已經包括從4月到2024會計年度結束時的預定有1000人離職。

麻州地鐵四年加薪合約需資5516萬元。

              麻州地鐵總經理伍偉華也強調，只有調高薪資，才能留住人才。他希望這一份新合約能穩定軍心，吸引更多人加入，並留在麻州地鐵工作，以其逐步調整服務。麻州地鐵人力長Ahmad Barnes在回應董事會主席Thomas Glenn關於加薪的錢從哪裡來時，回答道，麻州州長簽署的約2000萬元補充預算，可充分支持第一年加薪所需額度。四年合約加薪總成本約為5516萬元。

              為鼓勵更多人加入麻州地鐵巴士司機行列，在8月2日的記者會現場，還放了一份巨大佈告排，說明現在巴士司機的時薪為30元，不但可全職工作，還有加班機會，另有退休計畫及退休金，一旦獲聘，還有加盟獎今7500元，其中500元在第一天上班的時候就發。麻州地鐵還會支付3500元到5200元的商用車輛駕駛牌照培訓費，給予價值28000元的醫療保險，10000元的學費補償等。

              在招聘巴士司機的網站說明頁面上，麻州地鐵指出，現在巴士司機的薪資為時薪30元，以每週工作40小時計，約等於年薪6萬2千元。只要有高中文憑，有效駕照，乾淨的駕駛紀錄，優良的客戶服務技能，就可以申請。

              麻州重軌地鐵調派員部份，今年4月起已改為只要有一年經驗就可申請，直到12月31日前都還發給1萬元的加盟獎今。

              在8月3日早上的特別董事會中，本地589工會會長Jim Evers稱許伍偉華為他們爭取到了平均每年加薪4.5%的合約。

              美國各州的公共交通系統司機的薪資不一，麻州的加薪到30元一小時，將使麻州地鐵司機的時薪高居全美第一，其次為華府(DC)的華盛頓州都會區域交通局的29.94元，芝加哥交通局的28.99元，紐約都會交通局的25.49元，洛杉磯都會交通局的24.26元，以及新澤西交通局的20.14元。

              麻州地鐵最近還以共約100萬元的年薪，從紐約新聘4人，擔任新設職位的高管，包括Dennis Varley 擔任車站長 (Chief of Stations)，Sam Zhou擔任工程及資金助理總經理，Doug Connett擔任結構長 (Chief of Infrastructure)，Rod Brooks擔任營運及安全資深顧問，著手從各方面改革地鐵營運

麻州州長Maura Healey宣佈麻州地鐵和工會達成協議，4年加薪18%。 (周菊子攝)