美國電影藝術與科學學院博物館主辦2022年度好萊塢華人百年電影特展

 應邀轉載

美國電影藝術與科學學院博物館主辦2022年度好萊塢華人百年電影特展

https://www.aacyf.org/?p=18833

洛杉磯（2022年11月27日訊）- 由美國電影藝術與科學學院（奧斯卡獎的主辦機構）博物館主辦，華裔電影製片人、導演曾奕田（Arthur Dong）客座策展的主題為“好萊塢華人：第一個一百年”（Hollywood Chinese: The First 100 Years）的影展，歷時三個星期，11月27日晚在洛杉磯美國電影藝術與科學院博物館內最現代的泰德曼劇院內降下帷幕。這是美國電影藝術與科學學院在洛杉磯新落成的博物館內第一次舉辦的大型華人電影特展。

 

左起：陳沖、盧燕、曾奕田

作為當天壓軸大戲的三部華語經典影片《董夫人》、《天浴》和《末代皇帝》的主要演員盧燕和陳沖出席了當天這三部電影的展映，並在放映前與主持人曾奕田進行了專題訪談。今年8月當選的美國電影藝術與科學學院董事會主席、華裔知名電影人楊燕子（Janet Yang）參加了當天的展映。

今年95歲的國際知名華裔影星盧燕，正在溫哥華的迪士尼片場拍片，這次專門請假回來參加這場放映和對談，她在訪談中回顧了自己在好萊塢的艱難起步；以及在好萊塢具有一定知名度後，為了支持從南加大畢業的香港青年導演唐書璇，回到香港出演《董夫人》的心路歷程。她在結束訪談時表示，如果不是疫情阻隔，她歲末應該會在北京《如夢之夢》的話劇舞台上。

暌違洛杉磯多年的國際知名影星陳沖、目前定居在舊金山灣區，這次也專程來到洛杉磯出席並支持這次影展，她早年從中國來美留學，就是在南加州的加州州立大學北嶺分校，當時的她為了維持生活費用，課餘在餐館打工，每小時5美元。但是為了在對華人演員相當苛刻的好萊塢影視圈立足，她意識到必須提高自己的英文口語水平，為此她不惜支付200美元去上兩小時的一對一口語訓練課程。

多位年逾八旬的資深華裔演員，包括以成名作《蘇絲黃的世界》成為首位在西方電影成名的亞洲女星關南施(Nancy Kwan) 、第19位在星光大道留名的亞裔名人、高齡93歲的資深華裔演員吳漢章(James Hong)；主辦艾美獎的美國電視藝術學院演員組首位華裔主管、1968年進入好萊塢的華裔演員鄺耀庚(Peter Kwong) ；1961年開始從影、代表作包括《花鼓歌》等作品的華裔演員諸慧荷 （Irene Tsu）；曾參與《末代皇帝》等片演出的資深華裔演員鄧剛 （Dennis Gong Dun）；以及參與《喜福會》演出的好萊塢知名越南裔影星翹徵（Kieu Chinh）、傳奇華裔女星黃柳霜（Anna May Wong）的侄女等分別出席了這次系列特展的現場訪談，並分享了各自在影片以及好萊塢成長的歷程。他們的體驗以及對華人電影在好萊塢發展的責任感和使命感都非常令人感動。

 左起：齊濱英、穆曉澄、陳沖、楊燕子、董文潔

知名中國電影製片人、電影產業國際交流知名推手董文潔在觀看了當天展映的影片後表示，華人電影在好萊塢一直是獨特而閃光的存在，前一百年從未缺席；現在，我們又有了美國電影藝術與科學學院史上首位華裔主席楊燕子的加持，她多年來不遺餘力地支持奧斯卡獎的文化多元和包容，後一百年我們不僅不能缺席，還應該大放光彩。董文潔更感佩道：”希望我們到盧燕老師的年紀時，都有如她一樣的身體狀態和對電影的熱愛與投入。“

陳沖在北嶺州大的同期同學、資深華裔電影人、被譽為中國電影人在洛杉磯的“精神領袖”的原華納國際部總經理的穆曉澄表示：與陳沖最早的合作是她在中國的第一次拍片，陳沖是幾十年來中國電影人在好萊塢努力奮鬥成長的傑出代表。

作品《冰建王國》獲2022年度洛杉磯亞洲電影獎評審團最佳長紀錄片獎的知名華裔導演齊濱英在觀影后表示，這些經典的華人電影在幾十年後觀看，從盧燕、陳沖的表演到導演的張力、作品的藝術感染力仍然極具震撼效果。

英文《洛杉磯郵報》董事任向東表示，華人電影的百年也是一部爭取華人權益的史書，從反對“排華法案”到現在的抗擊“仇恨亞裔”的活動中，電影和華裔電影人以特別廣泛的社會影響力，都發揮了重要的作用。

定居在洛杉磯的《董夫人》編劇、導演唐書璇特別安排了獲2022年度休斯頓國際電影節最佳短片金獎的青年導演關雅冉參加了當天的展映。

 

據美國電影藝術與科學學院博物館的代表和客座策展人曾奕田的介紹， 27部電影系列（包括90 多部與華人相關的電影的寶貴片段）在本次影展中呈現，追溯了華裔電影人在美國電影業最初 100 年間的表現。從 1917 年華裔美國人製作的第一部故事片到在奧斯卡的突破，各種場景與華裔和美籍華人藝術家的訪談交織在一起，講述了他們在好萊塢工作的故事。包括《聖保羅砲艇》、《花鼓歌》、《喜福會》、《喜宴》、《蝴蝶君》等經典影片。美國電影藝術與科學學院博物館表示他們提供這些影片（特別是早期影片）最好的版本。

這次影展檢視了美國故事片中對華人的（錯誤）表現，並展示了開拓性的美國華裔電影藝術家在電影誕生後第一個世紀的代表作品，同時也是一次重要的百年華人電影學術回顧，具有相當重要的意義。

2022年董文潔出品的電影《世間有她》（上圖右），陳沖執導了其中的一個片段

 

左起：陳沖、盧燕、曾奕田

麻州新任正副州長訂1月5日在TD 花園就職

 Healey & Driscoll to Hold Inauguration Celebration at TD Garden

“Moving the Ball Forward” will serve as the theme of the celebration on January 5, 2023

BOSTON – Governor-elect Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor-elect Kim Driscoll today announced the details of their inaugural celebration. Following the swearing-in ceremony on January 5, 2023, they will hold an evening celebration at TD Garden inspired by the theme, “Moving the Ball Forward,” a nod to their time as college and professional basketball players and the history made with this election. This event will mark the nation’s first all-women executive team to serve a state. 

“This inauguration will be a celebration of teamwork, positivity and breaking barriers – and there’s no better place to hold the event than at TD Garden,” said Governor-elect Healey. “It’s about looking forward to the future and engaging directly with people about how we can deliver for them across this Commonwealth.” 

“We hope that anyone who attends this celebration will feel proud of Massachusetts’ history and excited about the bright future ahead,” added Lieutenant Governor-elect Driscoll. “We’re looking forward to honoring the fearless and groundbreaking women who made this moment possible, and laying the foundation for those who will follow us.”

The January 5th inauguration will mark the first time an all-women ticket is sworn in to lead a state in American history, and make Healey the first lesbian Governor in the country. Through their inaugural events, Healey and Driscoll plan to honor the people and movements that helped pave the way to make this historic moment possible. 

The event will be accessible and inclusive for all interested in attending with tickets becoming available in the coming weeks. More details on the timing, location, ticketing, program, and additional events will be available in the coming weeks. 

Commissioner's Trophy Game features second Army vs. Navy Flag Football Matchup

 Commissioner's Trophy Game features second Army vs. Navy Flag Football Matchup

 

BOSTON, Massachusetts  - The Office of Veterans’ Services for the City of Boston will host the second annual Army Navy Flag football game at 11 AM on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Clemente Field located at the Back Bay Fens. 

 

The Office of Veterans’ Services along with the FLAG Flag Football League, and The New England Patriots will serve as partners for this event.

 

Sailors from the USS Constitution and Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) New England will take on Soldiers from U.S Army Boston Recruiting Company in this annual event, Both teams are excited to create their version of this time-honored tradition. 

 

“United in one purpose to recruit the best talent for our nation’s military, on Saturday the Army- Navy game highlights that our teams are strong and ready to compete. From Evacuation Day in 1776, to our victory last year, the Army wins. We believe winning matters and are looking forward to an exciting game,” said US Army CPT Collin Clark.

LT Schmiegel, Operations Officer at NTAG New England said, “As a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and an active duty service member of the Navy, I am honored to have experienced the time honored tradition and rivalry of the Army-Navy Football game. It’s one of those events that just gives you chills to be a part of; it is truly more than a game and is a competition that represents the fighting spirit, but also the comradery, of our armed forces. That the city of Boston would take the time to honor such a tradition in its own way, honoring our branches of service, is truly exemplary and has such a profound impact on bringing our community together. Go Navy, Beat Army!

Commissioner Robert Santiago, who served as a crewmember on board the USS Constitution, said, "As Commissioner I'm not rooting for any team, despite my Navy service and ties with the USS Constitution. This game is just one way we get to honor and recognize our service members and is a great way for our community to come together and see another side of our soldiers, and sailors.  It’s an opportunity to get to know them.  This is going to be a fun game to watch."

“The Army Navy Flag Football game is a wonderful event, honoring our servicemen and women and bringing together members of the United States Army and Navy in the name of friendly competition and mutual respect,” said Phil Buttafuoco, Executive Director of Special Events for Kraft Sports + Entertainment. “We look forward to a similar opportunity as our organization and the entire New England region eagerly anticipate the honor of hosting the 2023 Army Navy Game presented by USAA. We are excited to continue to work in conjunction with the City of Boston’s Office of Veterans’ Services to create great memories and celebrate our military in the lead-up to America’s Game at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 9, 2023.”

 

The Army won the inaugural game and took home the Commissioner’s Trophy last year. 

 

For more information regarding this event or other resources, refer to the contact provided above.

麻州長查理貝克卸任前再特赦3人

 Governor Baker Announces Pardons of Three Individuals

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker announced the pardon of three individuals: John Austin, Phillip Hagar and Edmund Mulvehill. The Parole Board, serving in its function as the Advisory Board of Pardons, recently recommended these pardons.

 

The Massachusetts Constitution grants the Governor the power to grant pardons, and Governor Baker issued updated Executive Clemency Guidelines in February 2020.  Petitions for pardons are reviewed by the Advisory Board of Pardons. The Board evaluates the petition, weighing the factors laid out in the Executive Guidelines, and makes a recommendation to the Governor. The pardons must now be approved by the Governor’s Council.

 

“The clemency process is an integral part of our criminal justice system, and I take the responsibility of granting pardons very seriously,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “After careful consideration of these cases and the recommendations of the Advisory Board of Pardons, I have reached the conclusion that these individuals are worthy candidates for a pardon. I look forward to the Governor’s Council’s review of these recommendations.”

 

For more on John Austin, see here.

 

For more on Phillip Hagar, see here.

 

For more on Edmund Mulvehill, see here.

發"基本收入"的確有用 麻州雀喜市明年初將再次辦理

 (Boston Orange編譯) 每個月$400基本收入，怎麼用，隨你的扶貧計畫，在雀喜市實施效果不錯，該市政府決定和哈佛大學合作，2023年推出新版版行動。

            「雀喜吃 (Chelsea Eats)」原本是雀喜市為因應新冠病毒期間，市內食物銀行需求激增而推出，發給有需要家庭$400，不限用途”基本收入”的實驗性計畫。

            2020年暑假，新冠病毒疫情肆虐了5個月，雀喜市成為全麻州感染率最高城市。由於39000名市民中有許多人是無證件移民，得不到其他形式聯邦補助，以致市內食物銀行需求激增，市府每星期到處運送、發放約4萬磅食物，人力、財力資源吃緊，市經理Tom Ambrosino於是提出了發扣款卡給居民的想法。

            Tom Ambrosino知道” 基本收入” 這直接發現金幫助貧困者計畫，是個在循環經濟中越來越受歡迎的做法，但也有人為此爭議，所以他提出這辦法時是把那當作一個解決問題的做法，沒有多談理念。

            哪想到僅只3星期，他就從市政府經費，聯邦新冠病毒疫情紓困款，以及Shah家庭基金等這些地方湊到了400萬元，推出了「雀喜吃」這計畫，從2020年11月到2021年8月，發出最多每月400元的借記卡，給大約佔了雀喜市人口六分之一的2000多戶人家。

            雀喜市因此也成了全美實施”基本收入”計畫的規模最大城市。哈佛大學的大波士頓Rappaport學院教授Jeffrey Liebman抓住機會，追蹤這計劃如何實際運作。

            Jeffrey Liebman在借記卡發出去前，先發短信給抽籤得到基本收入者做調查。他說自己被嚇到了，竟然有54%的小孩，沒有足夠食物可吃，實在讓人很心疼。他在美國從來沒有看到過這樣的數據。

            由於這筆基本收入是以借記卡的形式發出去的，研究人員得以追蹤這些錢都花在什麼地方。Jeffrey Liebman調閱數據發現，絕大部分都花在食物上。有四分之三是花在雜貨店、餐廳，批發店及市場、便利店。

            所有發出去的錢中，有三分之一都花到了雀喜市的市場籃子 (Market Basket)店。

            本週公佈的第2輪調查，更進一步的就收到基本收入者和沒有收到者的消費差異，發現總的來說，收到者花更多錢在食物上。買了更多的新鮮蔬菜、魚、肉。收到者都覺得財務上的壓力小了些，在取得食物上有更大滿足感。這顯示著額外收入給他們提供了更多穩定性。

            不過到2021年8月時，雀喜市政府每月支出70萬元的這筆錢用光了，儘管需求仍在，「雀喜吃」也只得停辦了。

            雀喜市經理Ambrosino 6日宣佈，在徵詢市民希望如何使用來自聯邦經費的意見後，雀喜市打算動用美國援救計畫款 (ARPA) 80萬元，在2023年1月至3月，以較小規模的650戶家庭為目標，再次推出這計畫。

哈佛大學華裔涉及賄賂錄取案開庭 哈佛學位價值再引議論

          (Boston Orange綜合編譯) 150萬美元換2個哈佛學位? 二年前的一名華裔電信高管賄賂哈佛擊劍教練，讓2個兒子先後進哈佛的聯邦案件，5、6兩日在波士頓的聯邦法院開庭，揭露許多細節。

           聯邦政府執法人員在2020年11月16日逮捕了涉案的現年63歲的電信公司執行長趙捷 (譯音，Jie "Jack" Zhao) 和現年69歲的哈佛大學擊劍教練Peter Brand。其後並成功遊說居間安排這一賄賂，在維琴尼亞州經營擊劍學校的Alexandre Ryjik當檢方汙點證人。

           在5日的聆訊中，Alexandre Ryjik告訴法官George A. O’Toole Jr.，Peter Brand預期著幫助馬里蘭州商人趙捷的兩個兒子以擊劍選手身分上哈佛大學後，會拿到750萬元，但頭期款只拿到10萬元，就抱怨了。

           Alexandre Ryjik坦言自己是中間人，要藉慈善組織把錢轉過去。他們的計畫是趙捷在2013年捐款100萬元給他的擊劍慈善機構，但有默契這筆錢在趙捷的兒子們被哈佛大學錄取後，會轉給Peter Brand成立的另一個慈善機構。

           不過Alexandre Ryjik說，在他自己的慈善機構董事會質疑他，為什麼要捐款給Peter Brand所成立，要付年薪7萬5千元給Pter Brand太太和兒子的新非牟利機構後，他決定只給Peter Brand十萬元。

           根據展示給法官看的電子郵件和簡訊內容，在那時候，Brand要求撥款750萬元給他的慈善機構。

           在一封2013年10月寫給Ryjik的電子郵件中， Brand寫道，”我只是要確認捐款總額一如我們最初討論的750萬元，以確保所有我做的事是值得的”。

           Alexandre Ryjik在作證時說，之前他曾告訴Brand，趙捷相信一位他認識的華裔家長，付了750萬元給賓州大學擊劍項目招募2名擊劍手。於是Brand也期盼拿到同樣數目。他因此害怕了，他想整件事會暴露出來。

           Ryjik說，趙捷的錢，他最後只給了Peter Brand 10萬元。他也承認自己拒絕把剩下的90萬元還給趙捷。這些錢他留給了自己位於華府的國家擊劍基金 (National Fencing Foundation)，還動用了一些錢供個人花費，包括他兒子上哈佛大學的學費3萬元。

           Ryjik在趙捷的兒子上高中時，教過他們擊劍。他和Brand則是多年朋友。檢方對此案的調查，引出了一連串的報導，包括趙捷在小兒子被Brand招募近擊劍隊時，付了估值一倍的天價來買Brand的住宅。

           趙捷的律師Michael Packard稱Ryjik撒謊，詰問他政府不起訴他的交換條件。在詰問中，Ryjik承認他報稱自己有14名員工，拿到15萬元的政府新冠病毒貸款，然後用那筆錢來付薪水給自己，卻沒有給員工。不過他責怪會計在申請貸款時有錯誤，也承認他自己濫用款項，並且沒有退款給已經付了錢，但課程因為新冠病毒而取消的學員。

          根據檢方控訴，趙捷在2015年時付了Brand在Needham的房屋貸款餘額11萬9千元，Brand兒子的賓州大學學費8400元，學生貸款3萬2340元，Brand的水費和汙水處理費2500元，還有Brand的Chevrolet Camaro新車費用。

          接下來的一年，趙捷以98萬9500元這比估值高44萬元的價格，買下Brand在Needham的那棟房子，17個月後，以32萬4500元賣了出去。檢方表示，Brand用出售Needham房屋的錢，在劍橋市買了一棟共管公寓，趙捷不但另外給了他5萬元，還再給了他15萬4600原來裝修。趙捷付給Brand的賄款總額不下150萬元。

          Brand的律師告訴陪審員，那些錢是朋友借給朋友的貸款，Brand去年從辭世母親那兒繼承了一筆錢，還掉了這筆貸款。

          (2020年時，檢方逮捕此案嫌犯的新聞稿https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-harvard-fencing-coach-and-maryland-businessman-indicted-bribery-charges)

Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Community Compact Programs and Announces $7 Million in Fiscal Year 2023 Grants

 Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Community Compact Programs and Announces $7 Million in Fiscal Year 2023 Grants

BOSTON – Today, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito was joined at the State House by municipal leaders from across the Commonwealth to celebrate the success of the Community Compact Cabinet over the last eight years, and to announce 78 new Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) grant awards through two Community Compact programs.

The Community Compact Cabinet was established by the Baker-Polito Administration in January 2015 as one of its first actions after taking office, with the goal of strengthening the state’s partnership with cities and towns and to allow the Administration to work more closely with municipal leaders. Led by Lt. Governor Polito, the Cabinet champions municipal interests across all executive secretariats and agencies, and develops, in consultation with cities and towns, mutual standards and best practices for both the state and municipalities.

“The Community Compact Cabinet, let by Lieutenant Governor Polito, has been a cornerstone of our Administration’s efforts to forge a stronger partnership between the state and local governments,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through its efforts, the Community Compact Program has successfully institutionalized a culture of collaboration, mutual accountability and support that will serve the Commonwealth’s communities and residents well going forward and make Massachusetts a better place to live and work.”

“It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of the Community Compact Cabinet and to work alongside so many dedicated municipal officials across the Commonwealth to create a sustainable and effective model for state-local collaboration,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Through the Community Compact programs, we are proud to have supported over 1,400 initiatives to improve local services and infrastructure across all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns. I am pleased to announce 78 new grant awards today, which will support technology and efficiency projects that will benefit residents in more than 150 communities.”

“This grant cycle includes a number of important technology and cybersecurity project proposals at the municipal level that will improve digital services offerings to constituents and strengthen municipal cybersecurity defenses against potential threats,” said Secretary of Technology Services and Security Curt Wood. “I thank our partners in municipal government for their continued leadership on technology modernization and cybersecurity enhancements throughout the Commonwealth.”   

 

Over the last eight years, the Community Compact Cabinet has increasingly supported local communities through programs that have enabled more than 1,400 municipal initiatives across all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns. The initiatives have enabled the implementation of best practices, strengthened and modernized local infrastructure, streamlined operations, and improved the efficiency and quality of program and service delivery for residents.

Including the awards announced today, a total of $64.7 million has been provided across four Community Compact grant programs:

• The Best Practices program is based on voluntary, mutual Community Compact agreements that individual cities and towns have entered into with the Commonwealth. In a Community Compact, a municipality agrees to implement at least one government best practice based on its unique needs and areas for improvement, such as best practices related to financial management, housing, public accessibility, or public health. To date, 868 grants for a total of $18.4 million have been distributed through this program to support the adoption of 1,300 best practices in municipalities.
• The Information Technology (IT) grant program focuses on driving innovation and transformation at the local level via investments in technology. Over $24 million has been distributed through 425 grants, supporting nearly 300 municipalities and school districts in efforts to modernize and improve local technology infrastructure and software.
• The Efficiency and Regionalization grant program helps municipalities provide services to their constituents in a more efficient and cost-effective way. Funds are used for the planning and implementation of regionalization initiatives (such as shared services) and for efficiency efforts to improve local service delivery. Since being launched in Fiscal Year 2017, a total of $9.1 million has been provided through 103 grants that have supported 287 municipalities and school districts.
• The Municipal Fiber grant program was established in the Fiscal Year 2022 Capital Investment Plan to help municipalities undertake fiber network-related technology infrastructure initiatives that will improve the functioning of local government and enable long-term cost savings. In the first round of grant funding announced in June, 71 grants totaling $13 million were awarded, which will benefit 86 municipalities. The next round of Municipal Fiber grants will be announced in the first half of 2023.

At today’s event, the Lieutenant Governor announced the Fiscal Year 2023 award winners of the IT grant and Efficiency and Regionalization grant programs. A total of $5 million in IT grants were awarded to support technology-focused initiatives across 61 municipalities, and 17 Efficiency and Regionalization grants distributing a total of $2 million were awarded for regionalization efforts across 102 municipalities.

“Since coming into office, the Baker-Polito Administration has prioritized the needs of Massachusetts cities and towns throughout budget development processes, resulting in more than $64 million in high-value local investments through Community Compact programs," said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “Thank you to all the dedicated community leaders that have engaged with these programs to improve the efficiency and quality of services for their communities, and congratulations to the award winners announced today.”

The awards announced today include:

Information Technology grants

• Stoughton ($200,000), Foxborough ($198,960), Wellfleet ($190,708) and Southbridge ($143,360) for the implementation of e-permitting systems, which will improve efficiencies and enhance the ability of residents and businesses to transact and interact with town departments;
• Methuen ($200,000), Sheffield ($200,000), Watertown ($190,300), Newton ($140,000) and Paxton ($115,000) for the implementation of records management systems, which will enable more effective management of records, reduce record-keeping redundancies, reduce storage costs, and increase usable office space through the elimination of unnecessary files;
• Berkley ($173,349), Dedham ($139,398) and Chicopee ($133,391) for disaster recovery/cybersecurity enhancements;
• Rowe ($133,400), Goshen ($86,047) and Warren ($65,000) for the implementation of financial management systems;
• $200,000 for a surveillance system for the city of Taunton’s water department assets to enhance the city’s ability to quickly detect and respond to water quality issues;
• $196,495 for Hanover to purchase and install a multi-site Ultra High Frequency digital radio system for the town's schools, which will improve the communication capabilities and enhance the safety and security of public schools within the community;
• $23,791 for New Marlborough to purchase and implement management software; and
• $75,000 for Sandisfield to implement a centralized and web-based security system for a number of municipal buildings

For a full list of Information Technology grant awardees and projects, click here.

Efficiency and Regionalization grants

• $200,000 for the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to modernize a regional e-permitting system for 23 towns;
• $178,123 for Blandford and Chester to share Water Operators;
• $155,000 to complete the final design of a sanitary sewer connection between the towns of Amherst and Hadley;
• $147,855 for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments for the development and implementation of an enhanced regional emergency preparation system for the 26 towns of Franklin County;
• $100,000 for an electric vehicle (EV) charging station plan across Revere, Winthrop, and Chelsea; and
• $75,000 for regional Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) management for the Merrimack River, which will benefit 18 municipalities in the Merrimack Valley.

For a full list of Efficiency and Regionalization grants, click here.

Baker-Polito Administration Directs Nearly $169 Million from U.S. Department of the Treasury to Promote Small Business Growth and Entrepreneurship

Massachusetts Uses Allocation of State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Funding to Create and Expand Capital Offerings from MassDevelopment, Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, and MassVentures

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced plans to administer $168,591,178 from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to promote small business growth and entrepreneurship in Massachusetts. This funding, awarded to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), will support new or expanded programs offered by quasi-public agencies MassDevelopment, Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC), and MassVentures that provide access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs. These programs are designed to target small businesses, especially those owned and controlled by economically and socially disadvantaged individuals. “Since taking office, we have been committed to supporting small businesses in communities across Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This federal funding will allow us to increase access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs, helping them create jobs and expand their footprint here in the Commonwealth.” “Small businesses are the heart of our main streets and local economies,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are incredibly pleased to be able to expand the suite of resources available from our quasi-public partners that enable small businesses to finance real estate, equipment purchases, and other projects, and are grateful for this support from the federal government.” “This major federal investment will directly benefit our economy by empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs in Massachusetts – especially our smallest and underserved businesses – with the capital they need to grow,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “MassDevelopment, Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, and MassVentures already play a critical role advancing equitable business growth in the Commonwealth, and this funding will allow these agencies to expand their loan offerings to reach more companies.” Funding will be distributed among the following programs: MassDevelopment Enhanced Economic Development Loans This expanded program for real estate, equipment, and leasehold improvement loans makes direct loans for no more than 50% of the total debt package with extremely flexible terms. Enhanced Loan Guarantees This expanded program partners with banks to provide guarantees of up to 50% of the loan amount, on loans for real estate, equipment, and leasehold improvements. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) Commercial Lending Program This existing program makes direct (companion) loans for no more than 50% of the total financing to small business borrowers using its own balance sheet funds. Community Loan Fund Guarantee This new program will guarantee up to 50% of the principal loan amount originated by its community partners (banks and nonprofit community lenders) up to an average of $250,000. MassVentures Deep Tech Diversity Venture Fund This fund provides pre-seed, seed, seed-extension, and early-stage venture capital equity investments to deep tech startups (e.g. advanced manufacturing and materials, robotics, AI, synthetic biology, quantum, and clean tech). MassVentures has already led or co-led three investments leveraging almost 7X in private capital with the SSBCI funds. The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) was established by Congress as part of the Jobs Act of 2010 and was reauthorized in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, which authorized $10 billion to be allocated nationwide. The Commonwealth was awarded $168,591,178 that will be disbursed in three tranches. “We will be intentional in the use of this significant commitment from the Federal Government to help historically disadvantaged small business owners grow their business and build generational wealth,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera. “These small businesses and entrepreneurs – many of whom are from diverse backgrounds – energize our local economies with creativity, innovation, and quality jobs.” “The deployment of these loan funds and guarantees by MGCC to those businesses that are most in need, will continue empowering small businesses that may not have access to capital across the Commonwealth,” said Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation President and CEO Larry Andrews. “This support advances Massachusetts’ leadership at deep tech scientific and engineering discovery, while positioning the state as an innovation hot spot for diverse founders as well as founders from traditionally underserved regions of the state,” said MassVentures CEO and President Charlie Hipwood. “We are grateful for this support.” “The Coalition for an Equitable Economy (CEE) is proud to have worked with Secretary Kennealy to advocate for this support to help Massachusetts entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive, particularly in underserved communities,” said Coalition for an Equitable Economy Executive Director Tracye Whitfield. “CEE partners have heard from many small business owners who need extra financial assistance getting off the ground. This is why the SSBCI funds are so important and needed.” To learn more about these and other available resources, visit massdevelopment.com, empoweringsmallbusiness.org, and mass-ventures.com.

SALEM COMPANY SUED AFTER FAILING TO REFUND STATE $3.4 MILLION FOR 900,000 UNDELIVERED N95 MASKS, FUNNELING TAXPAYER FUNDS TO OWNERS

SALEM COMPANY SUED AFTER FAILING TO REFUND STATE $3.4 MILLION FOR 900,000 UNDELIVERED N95 MASKS, FUNNELING TAXPAYER FUNDS TO OWNERS

Bedrock Group LLC Made Repeated False Claims That Payments Owed to State Were in Process While Owners Spent Funds for Personal Use 

BOSTON – A Salem-based limited liability company and its owners have been sued for their failure to return $3.4 million to the state for N95 face masks not delivered during the pandemic, instead diverting hundreds of thousands of dollars to the owners and their families for personal use, including casino trips, cash withdrawals, furniture and meal delivery services, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.  

In a complaint filed Monday in Suffolk Superior Court, the AG’s Office alleges that Bedrock Group, LLC and its owners – Bedrock Consulting Group, Anthony Damore, Jonathan Roth, Enrique Sperling, and Howard Sperling – made repeated false claims to the Commonwealth for more than two years concerning their intentions and efforts to return funds to Massachusetts for more than 900,000 masks they failed to deliver during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.  

 “During the height of the pandemic, when the country was facing a shortage of N95 masks, this company and its owners took millions of dollars from Massachusetts for much-needed PPE only to enrich themselves,” AG Healey said. “We are suing to hold Bedrock and its owners accountable for their deceit and to get taxpayers their money back.” 

The lawsuit further alleges that by failing to return the money owed to the state and by continuing to make false claims about their intention to do so, the company and its owners violated an assurance of discontinuance the company reached with the AG’s Office in 2021 in which they agreed to pay the state approximately $3.4 million by January 2022 to cover the funds owned plus $250,000 in penalties. To date, Bedrock has made only one $100,000 payment and delivered 100,000 of the 1 million masks ordered by the state. 

The AG’s complaint alleges that in the 13 months following the state’s $3.6 million payment to Bedrock for the N95 masks in April 2020, Bedrock used taxpayer dollars to complete more than $700,000 in direct transfers to Roth, Damore, Howard Sperling, and Enrique Sperling, and members of the Sperling family, while at the same time not paying the state and making false claims about the status of payments. Additionally, the company racked up more than $100,000 in debit and credit card charges that were unrelated to its business functions including $52,000 in charges at casinos, more than $46,000 in Venmo cash transfers, $7,400 at a furniture store in California, and more than $3,000 in UberEats food delivery services. 

Through the lawsuit, the AG’s Office is seeking to recover the full $3,355,422 owed to the state, treble damages, civil penalties and attorneys’ fees. 

              This case is part of AG Healey’s ongoing work to hold accountable those who have tried to profit illegally from the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2021, the AG’s False Claims Division reached a $1,000,000 settlement with Colonial Auto Group for encouraging its workers to continue working at the outset of the pandemic, despite being furloughed and collecting unemployment benefits. And in November 2020, the AG’s False Claims Division reached a $500,000 agreement with a Maryland-based company for falsely marketing and selling to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority a product claiming to be an effective hand sanitizer alternative to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Division later sued another distributor of the fake hand sanitizer product for falsely marketing and selling it to school districts across the state, claiming it could kill the COVID-19 virus and provide a multi-hour barrier against the virus without the need for reapplication.              

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Sean Hildenbrandt of AG Healey’s False Claims Division, with assistance from False Claims Division Chief Amy Crafts, False Claims Division Paralegal Cara Bradley, and Colleen Frost of the AG’s Civil Investigations Division.   

The False Claims Division was created by AG Healey in 2015 to safeguard public funds and promote integrity and accountability in public contracting. AG Healey urges anyone with information about suspected fraud or abuse relating to state or municipal contracts or funds to contact the False Claims Division’s tip line at 617-963-2600.