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A #SUPPORTSMALLBUSINESSCHALLENGE Nepwort Summer

ASK THE EXPERT

National Grid Energy Saving Solutions for Businesses

Thursday, March 25th 9:00 - 10:00 am

Register at NewportChamber.com Greater Newport Businesses: (including business owners and tenants) Join us for this Ask the Expert webinar with Vin Graziano, President of RISE Engineering, National Grid’s long-time partner in delivering small business energy efficiency across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and Andrea Moshier, National Grid’s program manager for Community Solutions. Learn about National Grid’s energy efficiency programs and how they can help businesses manage and lower electricity and gas bills, including new offerings. Find out what’s new for 2021, including new ways to participate and save - reduce your energy costs and improve your ability to serve your customers with a variety of incentives and programs.

The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce 513 Broadway Suite 218 Newport, Rhode Island 02840 401.847.1600 www.NewportChamber.com

Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce honors 2021 Women of Distinction Newport, RI - In honor of Women’s History Month, the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce will recognize four honorees with a 2021 Women of Distinction award. The recipients represent countless impressive traits and a long list of accomplishments deserving of recognition, including community involvement, industry impact, and professional success. The 2021 Women of Distinction are: Mary Beth Daigneault, Administrator, St. Clare Newport, Elizabeth Lynn, Executive Director, van Beuren Charitable Foundation, Nancy Piffard, Show Director, Newport International Boat Show/Newport Exhibition Group, and Debbie Proffitt, Vice President, DoD Operations and Business Development, Purvis Systems. “Women’s History Month is the perfect time to celebrate women who are making a difference in Greater Newport. We are grateful for all they do for our community.” Erin Donovan-Boyle, Greater Newport Chamber Executive Director. Virtual interviews with Erin Donovan-Boyle and each honoree will be shared on the Chamber’s social media platforms, online blog, and Youtube channel. The 2021 Women of Distinction awards are sponsored by Greenvale Vineyards.

ABOUT THE GREATER NEWPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce is one of the state’s largest business advocacy organizations, whose mission is to connect, innovate, enhance and advocate for the businesses of Greater Newport. As a trusted and reliable institution for nearly 100 years, the Greater Newport Chamber is a vibrant collective body of the greater Newport business community with nearly 1,100 members representing over 50,000 employees. We work to create valuable strategic partnerships, promote strong economic growth, diversity and prosperity to serve its members and the Greater Newport region.

Everyone Loves the Gift of Choice! New and improved Chamber Gift Cards are redeemable at over 300 local businesses and support the local community! Purchase your gift cards from the self-service kiosk in the lobby of Innovate Newport. Gift Cards can also be purchased in bulk by emailing JoAnne@NewportChamber.com. Promote your business products and services by participating in the Chamber Gift Card Program. Sponsored by:

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE

APPLICATION

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Company: _________________________________________________________________________________________ Position: __________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: (_____)________-_______________ Email: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ WHAT IS A CHAMBER AMBASSADOR? Ambassadors actively represent the Chamber by communicating the benefits, programs, and efforts undertaken by the Chamber and its members. Through enthusiastic Chamber representation, Ambassadors seek opportunities to educate, promote, and share the benefits of Chamber membership with the business community. Make Connections: Young professionals will gain exposure to business and government leaders that will help advance their networks and career opportunities. Established professionals have the opportunity to offer guidance and mentorship. Serving as an Ambassador offers visibility, credibility for your business and career, and an insider’s view of the local business community. Serve your Community: Giving time to initiatives such as the Ton of Love Food drive offers a way for local professionals to give back. Through enthusiastic Chamber representation, Ambassadors can make a difference, help others, and promote the benefits of Chamber membership with the business community, including local nonprofit organizations. Advocate: Ambassadors have the opportunity to support the Chamber’s mission of advocating on behalf of the broader business community by engaging in outreach efforts and weighing in on important issues at the local and state levels. Educate: Chamber Ambassadors play an essential role in member recruitment and retention. Requirements to be an Ambassador: Attend monthly committee meetings. (including virtual and in person.) Attend a minimum of 6 Chamber events per year. (Our full calendar includes networking events, educational seminars, ribbon cutting celebrations, luncheons, and more.) Be an active member in good standing of the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce. Commit to at least one year on the Ambassador Committee. There is no charge to be an Ambassador however all committee members are required to purchase A Chamber Ambassador name badge listing their name and business, and wear at Chamber events so as to identify those who are active in this group and to promote the group itself. Volunteer on at least one community initiative throughout the year. Commitment pledge: To fully support the policies and programs of the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce; to stay current on Chamber news, events, and activities; to represent the Chamber in a positive, professional manner. Applicant’s Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ___________________________________ Employer’s Signature (if applicable): ___________________________________________________ Date: __________________

Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce | 513 Broadway Suite 218 Newport, RI | NewportChamber.com

Greater Newport Chamber Hires Director of Innovation & Business Development Newport, RI - March 23, 2021

The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce has named Mollie Frazer Williams as Director of Innovation & Business Development. In this new role, Williams will be tasked with advancing innovative models of business engagement and program implementation at Innovate Newport, as well as developing effective strategies for regional economic, workforce and ecosystem development. “I am honored to be taking on this new role at The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce. I have always been drawn to the innovators and problem solvers of the world, for they look at challenges as opportunities for creating something better, easier, or more meaningful. Our complex world needs innovators and collaborators more than ever!”

Mollie comes to us from an extensive career in education. Most recently she was the Manager of Career Development at IYRS School of Technology & Trades. She has a Master’s Degree in Creativity & Innovation from Drexel University, and currently serves on the Board of The Better Bay Alliance, a non-profit organization that was formed in 2019 to

promote safety on Narragansett Bay.

Executive Director Erin Donovan-Boyle added, “I’m thrilled to have Mollie join our team at the Chamber. Her extensive professional background and passion for innovation will help to bring even more entrepreneurial and sector-specific programming to Innovate Newport and the Greater Newport Region.”

ABOUT THE GREATER NEWPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BIKE NEWPORT NAMED NATIONAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR BY LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS (Newport, RI) A Newport-based nonprofit received national recognition this week when the League of American Bicyclists named Bike Newport the Advocacy Organization of the Year for 2020. The announcement took place on Monday, March 1st at the virtual gathering of the National Bike Summit which takes place annually in Washington D.C. According to the Bike League, “each year this honor is awarded to a bicycling and/or walking advocacy organization whose leaders have worked tirelessly to grow and strengthen their organization and fulfill their mission.” The award seeks to recognize “organizations that are inclusive, welcoming and committed to growing bicycling.” For 2020, the League sought an organization that responded to the surging interest and promise of bicycles as a pandemic solution – for physical and mental health, for COVID-safe and dependable transportation, and for vital safely-distanced socializing. In choosing Bike Newport, the League first recognized the organization for its history in advocacy, education and community building, and then specifically for its work in 2020 - adapting program to ensure continued access for anyone who needed their services; ensuring access to bicycles for physical and mental health, for COVID-safe and dependable transportation, and for vital safely-distanced socializing. The surge in bike demand triggered a dearth in both new and used bike inventory – there quickly were no bikes to be had. Bike Newport staff and volunteers stepped up efforts to collect and restore donated used bicycles, and ultimately distributed 370 refurbished bicycles in the community. Additionally, the organization shifted in-person education and support to online videos, visits and trainings, ensuring that support was available in English and Spanish. Bike Newport also ran its first-ever Summer Bike Camp, giving local youth the fun activity and socializing they were craving mid-pandemic – while piquing their bike curiosity and bike love. They adapted school programs for middle school students and continued both online and in-person when possible. Federal, state and local support combined to make it possible to set up mobile workstations and run program outside in a heated tent well into the cold weather. And when the tent came down, the children’s holiday bike giveaway continued - in the snow - with heaters blowing and hot cocoa flowing. With all the shifting of methods, there was little lull in Newport when it came to bikes – and significant gain. Newport resident Maria Colon was one of many to express her joy on receiving free bicycles from Bike Newport: “I have not ridden a bike in YEARS! I’m so grateful, especially in this time to extend this gift to families. My 12-year-old and I are so excited to ride bikes together for the first time, it’s awesome!” While announcing the award, the Bike League’s Executive Director, Bill Nesper, shared: “One of the few bright spots of this year was seeing people use bicycling as a way to escape and to get where they needed to go and get into a better headspace and improve their wellness. So we thank Bike Newport for what they’re doing!” On receiving the award, Bike Newport Executive Director, Bari Freeman, responded to the League’s question, What change do you hope bikes will bring in 2021? “The huge demand for, and use of, bicycles during the pandemic showed that bicycles are a very popular solution – for many people and for many reasons. Our hope - and our work - is to spotlight the surge in biking in 2020 - to amplify that people want to ride bikes, and to accelerate the changes that will make that possible. We need to welcome and support biking for everyone.” The National Bike Summit was a four-day conference of bicycle advocates from around the country, which culminated in a day of visits to senators and representatives in Congress. On March 3rd, the Rhode Island cohort, with representatives from Bike Newport, RI Bicycle Coalition, and the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, met with all four of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation and their staff to share upcoming bills in support of safer, extended and connected bicycle infrastructure statewide. Advocates from around the country likewise met virtually with their congressional representatives to share local updates and to focus on three federal bill proposals: - The Transportation Alternatives Program: to increase local control over federal funding for local transportation priorities such as bikeways and sidewalks, along with technical assistance in the application process. - The Complete Streets Act: to offer assistance, funding and guidance to local governments to implement Complete Streets plans nationwide. - The Safe Streets Act: which would require states to identify dangerous corridors and solutions to fix them. To follow Bike Newport’s efforts, please visit https://link.edgepilot.com/s/8c1fabcb/YK0pUd_TrkmjApPSI-5YZg?u=http://www.bikenewportri. org/ where you can sign up for updates on the home page, and follow Bike Newport on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @BikeNewportRI. Additionally, you may subscribe to the YouTube channel “Bike Newport”. # # #

Newport Daffodil Days & Newport in Bloom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWPORT’S DAFFODIL DAYS TO BLOOM FORTH THIS APRIL -

Promising Brighter Days Ahead NEWPORT, RI. Although the annual Daffodil Days Festival has been cancelled due to Covid -19, don’t tell that to over 1,200,000 daffodils ready to burst forth in a riot of blazing yellow throughout April.

To celebrate their arrival, for the first time Daffodillion and Newport in Bloom are teaming up to present “NEWPORT DAFFODIL DAYS”, a variety of free, safe-distanced activities throughout greater Newport during the month. Among the activities planned…..

The shops of Newport will be competing for “Best Daffy Dressed” awards by decorating their storefront windows

On April 10th, Bike Newport will hold their annual Tour de Jonquilles, cycling past the many fields of daffodils throughout the City.

On April 27th, the Green Animals topiary garden will go daffy with a curated tour among 11,000 daffodils featuring 29 different varieties.

Want to guess how many daffodils are blooming this April? The Newport Recreation Department and Daffodil Days will post a number at six major daffodil fields – add them all up to find the total number of daffodils in bloom – and a chance to win a prize – plus a free Daffodil pin.

The Black Dog, Newport Mansion Store on Bannister’s Wharf and the Pilot house at Bowen’s Wharf will all be selling commemorative daffodil pins. Those wearing the pin will receive discounts at select retailers throughout the City.

All donated funds during the month will go to purchase daffodils bulbs for the annual free bulb give-away in October. The greater the contributions, the more bulbs will be given away.

Let’s all get out and celebrate Newport’s springtime beauty - safely. Brighter days are ahead!

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CHAMBER CONNECTIONS DIVE INTO THE NETWORKING WORLD OF NEWPORT

Join us at our next meeting | 7:45 - 9:15 AM F EB 1 9 | M A R 5 | M A R 1 9 | A P R 9 | A P R 2 3 | M A Y 7 | MAY 2 1 JU N 4 | J U N 1 8 | J U L 9 | J UL 2 3 | A U G 6 | A U G 2 0 | SE P 3 | S EP 1 7 | OC T 1 | O CT 1 5 | N O V 5 | N O V 1 9 | D E C 3 | DEC 1 7

A T I NN O V A TE N EW PO R T Over the last few years, our group has exchanged over $8,000,000 of closed business between each other. There is a limit on the number of people in a given category of business (2). If you are interested in finding out more about our organization and the positions that are available, we invite you to attend a meeting!

EMAIL JOANNE@NEWPORTCHAMBER.COM

Member Information Center Create and manage your member profile online and take advantage of this new digital networking opportunity. HAVE

ACCESS

Member to Member communication Exclusive social network for active Chamber members Post to the community calendar Pay your bill online Register for events & more VISIT WWW.NEWPORTCHAMBER.COM

Step up to the MIC

In addition to this class schedule we are also currently offering a weekly virtual Chakra Series on Fridays at 10am focusing on a different Chakra each week and also new to the schedule is virtual

RESTORE GREATER NEWPORT CALLS ON GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND INCOMING MCKEE ADMINISTRATION TO ENACT MEANINGFUL MEASURES TO AID REGION’S ECONOMY NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, MARCH 2, 2021: A well-organized coalition of business, tourism, hospitality, manufacturing and marine entities is calling on the General Assembly and the incoming McKee Administration to immediately enact measures to minimize the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and restore economic prosperity to the greater Newport region. According to Erin Donovan- Boyle, executive director of the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce and spokesperson for the Restore Greater Newport Task Force, the next 90 days will be some of the most critical for Rhode Island’s economy and the livelihood of business owners and residents. “We must adopt an economic recovery plan that specifically addresses actions that will build revenue momentum. While we have been working collaboratively for several months, we cannot continue to go it alone, nor can any single geographic region. Statewide support and assistance for our initiatives are critical if this region – and our state - is to successfully emerge from the devastation of the global pandemic.” She continued, “While there is no denying the import the Newport hospitality, travel and tourism industries have on our state’s economy, we recognize that our challenges are similar to those experienced in other regions of this small state. For that reason, it is imperative that the state take a holistic approach to economic revitalization. We hope the Restore Greater Newport task force might serve as a model for effective collaboration between statewide public and private entities.” Restore Greater Newport is a coalition of private, public and government entities working collaboratively since March of 2020 to minimize the impact of Covid-19. A key task force objective is to develop short term programs to support business retention and longer-term efforts to mitigate the negative economic impacts of the coronavirus. The group is focused on accelerating recovery by leveraging the region’s tremendous assets (beaches, tourist destinations), and to be better prepared for future economic disruptions. Members organizations in Restore Greater Newport Task Force include the Chamber, Discover Newport, the Rhode Island Hospitality Association, the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance, the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, Polaris MEP. “We all recognize quality of life is our greatest asset for talent attraction and business retention, so it was clear to us at the outset that all of our respective industries must work together to ensure the common goal of economic recovery,” noted Ms. Donovan-Boyle. Specifically, the Task Force recommends the following action items: 1. Make permanent the Real Jobs RI program which provides support to industry-led partnerships to build demand-driven workforce solutions that address unique workforce challenges affecting employers. With Real Jobs RI, industries identify existing critical workforce opportunities and related training, then partners with RIDLT to execute solution-based efforts. Given the significant number of displaced workers, this program provides the opportunity for un and under-employed residents to re-engage immediately in the workforce and help them get the re-training resources they need. “While we recognize the budget challenges facing the General Assembly this session, we call for Real Jobs RI to be made permanent and funded no lower than the current budget level,” said Wendy Mackie, representative of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association. “This critical jobs training program has created and sustained jobs in many industries, including marine, defense, manufacturing and hospitality sectors throughout the past 12 months and will be critical for Rhode Island’s job recovery and retention.” 2. A one year pause on new legislation and regulations that would add increased costs, administrative burdens, or operational complexities for the small business community – including the hospitality industry – that would in any other way negatively impact industries during this critical recovery phase. “Said simply, now is not the time for costly new mandates. Many small businesses including restaurants, hotels and venues remain on the brink of closure, and an additional regulatory burden could push them over the edge,” noted Donovan-Boyle. “A one-year pause will allow the hospitality industry to focus on surviving the pandemic and

CONTINUED... 3. Develop and clearly communicate the reopening plan to tourism, hospitality and retail on what will be required to host events, weddings, and conferences. “If we are to truly have a season this summer, our venues need clarity and guidance now on how they might re-open safely and efficiently. Predictability for the season is key,” commented Evan Smith, CEO of Discover Newport. 4. Identify state funding to support marketing activities to attract regional tourists. “Revenues generated from meals and hotels tax are down, which has resulted in an inability to spend the necessary dollars on tourism attraction, but as the vaccine roll-out commences, we must meet this moment with adequate planning for the upcoming tourism season. Guidance and financial assistance from RI Commerce Corporation is critical,” noted Mr. Smith. 5. Develop a coordinated effort to work with business associations, their company members and municipal leaders to assess immediate economic and infrastructure needs to aggressively pursue Federal stimulus funding. “We believe there should be a real balancing act between allowing regionwide groups, such as ours, to direct their own stimulus allocations while still participating in a statewide discussion on the appropriation of much needed funds,” said Donovan-Boyle. “Our regional public-private partnership is best equipped to identify and implement the programs and projects that we need to accelerate recovery and deploy strategic development.” 6. Build on the success - and lessons learned – of the CARES Act of Rhode Island Commerce Corporation programs that were rolled out in 2020, and gear up for implementation of refined programming with new stimulus dollars anticipated in the next round of state and federal monies. According to Dale Venturini, President of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association, this effort should include bringing together regional groups and intermediaries to support a Spring launch. “The roll-out of significant funding and grant programs in the last quarter of 2020 was a huge task for the state and there are some lessons learned about each of the programs that were implemented,” noted Ms. Venturini. “Prioritizing the programs that should be renewed or creating new ones to have more direct impact for the hardest hit small businesses is imperative. A dedicated revenue stream to support these initiatives will aid considerably, as would identification of statewide resources to produce and distribute supplies to help with reopening our economy.” The task force recommendations were made against a backdrop of some startling statistics also unveiled and include: • Unemployment in the Greater Newport region was at 7.5% in December 2020—5,158 workers—compared to the 2019 rate of less than 3%. • Jobs in the Greater Newport region are highly concentrated in the Accommodation & Food and Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation sectors. These sectors, which have seen large impacts in the form of layoffs and closures due to COVID-19 restrictions, also have high levels of “economically vulnerable” workers—those who work parttime, make less than $40K a year, and/or are self-employed. • Tourism is a key sector in the Greater Newport region that faces major risk: • Monthly occupancy rates in Newport-area hotels at least 20% lower than 2019 rates since the start of the pandemic. • Monthly meal and beverage tax collections down almost 24% in the greater Newport region from Q3 2019 to Q3 2020. • Pell Bridge traffic only reached between 73% and 80% of prior year’s traffic since at least August. • Historic attractions attendance/revenue down as much as 80%. For more information, contact: Erin Donovan-Boyle, Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce, 401-847-1600 erin@newportchamber.com Patti Doyle, media contact, 401-374-2553; patti.doyle@gmail.com www.restoregreaternewport.com