One SouthCoast Navigator is the official news publication of One SouthCoast Chamber
New Bedford Office:
25 Elm Street, Suite 101
New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 999.5231 • fax (508) 999.5237
Fall River Office:
200 Pocasset Street
Fall River, MA 02721 (508) 676.8226 • fax (508) 675.5932
General inquiries: info@onesouthcoast.com
Chamber Staff:
CEO, Michael O’Sullivan
Vice President of Corporate Member Engagement & Sponsorships, Kimberly Coroa Moniz
Vice President of Marketing & Events, Katie Greene
Vice President of Public Policy, Ian Trombly
Director of Membership & Retention, Clifford Athouriste
Business Office Manager, Nicole Morris
Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Hunter Tackett
Executive Director, Southeastern Massachusetts Visitors Bureau, Chrisanne Tyrrell
Executive Director, Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition (FRACC), Tracy Silva Barbosa
2026 OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Executive Committee:
• Chair: Catherine Dillon, BankFive
• Immediate Past Chair: Rose Lopes, Sylvia Group
• Treasurer: Matthew Schondek, Fall River Municipal Credit Union
• Vice Chair-Government Affairs: William Burns, Southcoast Health
• Vice Chair-Governance Committee: Eileen Migliozzi, St. Anne's Credit Union
• Vice Chair-One SouthCoast Chamber Foundation: Carl Sawejko, Sawejko Communications
• Vice Chair-Membership Committee: Nathan Araujo, Advance Career Services
Members of the Board of Directors:
Terms to Expire in December 2026:
• William Burns, Southcoast Health System
• Marie Pellegrino, BayCoast Bank
• Stephen W. Connulty, Paul & Dixon Insurance
• Catherine Dillon, BankFive
• Charlie Fellows, Lafrance Hospitality
• Jeffrey Glassman, Darn It, Inc.
• Jeff Pagliuca, Bristol County Savings Bank
• Derek Santos, New Bedford Economic Development Council
• Matt Zenni, Liberty Utilities
Terms to Expire in December 2027:
• Nathan Araujo, Advance Career Services
• Kevin Carando, Acushnet Company
• Barbara Casagrande, AHEAD
• Rose Lopes, Sylvia Group
• Lynne Mastera, Precix
• Douglas Rodrigues, D. E. Rodrigues & Company, Inc.
• Carl Sawejko, Sawejko Communications
• Matthew Schondek, Fall River Municipal Credit Union
• Dr. Mark Fuller, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
• Cindy Ko, Cindy Ko Photography
Terms to Expire in December 2028:
• Peter Daley, People Incorporated
• Eileen Migliozzi, St. Anne’s Credit Union
• Dr. Sedgwick Harris, Bristol Community College
• Lucria Ortiz, YMCA Southcoast
• Chris Johnson, Isaksen Solar
• Jeff Davis, Waring-Sullivan Funeral Home
• Carole Billington, Saint Anne’s Hospital/Brown University Health
The Massachusetts Small Business Center (MSBDC) Network provides one-to-one free comprehensive and confidential services focusing on, business growth and strategies, financing and loan assistance as well as strategic, marketing and operational analysis. In addition, low cost educational training programs are offered across the state targeted to the needs of small business.
Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network 200 Pocasset Street, Fall River, MA 02721 Phone: (508) 673.9783 Fax: (508) 674.1929 www.msbdc.org www.facebook.com/msbdc
Rent Control Won’t Solve Massachusetts’ Housing Crisis
As Massachusetts voters look ahead to the November 2026 ballot, we may be asked to weigh in on up to 11 statewide ballot questions. Among the most consequential is a proposed rent control initiative that would fundamentally reshape housing policy across the Commonwealth.
Massachusetts has been here before. Prior to 1994, rent control existed in a few cities in and around Boston. In 1994, voters approved a statewide ballot question banning rent control across the Commonwealth. The measure reflected a recognition that while rent control may sound appealing, it ultimately failed to address the root causes of housing affordability and created unintended consequences for renters, property owners, and communities.
Today, there is no question that Massachusetts faces a housing affordability crisis. Housing costs have risen dramatically over the past two decades, placing enormous pressure on families, workers, employers, and entire communities. The challenge is especially acute on the South Coast, where businesses increasingly struggle to attract and retain workers because housing options are limited and costs continue to rise.
At One SouthCoast Chamber, we have consistently advocated for policies that increase housing production and expand housing opportunities. Last year, we partnered with the REALTOR® Association of Southeastern Massachusetts to establish the SouthCoast Workforce Housing Coalition. Together, we have worked with local and state leaders to identify barriers to housing development, support smart zoning reforms, and advance policies that
The simple reality is that Massachusetts is not building enough housing to meet demand.
If approved, this ballot initiative would establish statewide rent control across the entire state of Massachusetts. There would be no local option to opt out, it would cap the annual rent increases to 5% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower, limit rent increases even during tenant turnover, and use January 31st, 2026, as the base rent.
Supporters argue it will provide relief to renters. However, evidence from both Massachusetts and other states suggests it would worsen our housing challenges over time.
For renters, rent control can reduce housing mobility, discourage property maintenance, and decrease investment in new units, ultimately reducing the number of available rental units. For small landlords (65% of all landlords in MA), it would create additional financial and regulatory burdens. Many landlords own only one or two rental properties and rely on rental income to cover mortgages, taxes, insurance, and maintenance
costs. Limiting their ability to respond to rising expenses could discourage investment and reduce the quality and availability of housing.
The economic consequences extend beyond the housing market. Employers already face workforce shortages across many industries. Policies that discourage housing investment make it harder to attract workers, grow businesses, and strengthen local economies.
Most importantly, rent control does nothing to address the fundamental issue: a shortage of housing supply. If Massachusetts is serious about affordability, we must focus on building more housing, not creating policies that discourage its development.
Education will be critical over the coming months. Every resident, business owner, landlord, renter, and community leader has a role to play. Talk with your neighbors. Share accurate information. Engage in the conversation. Housing affordability is one of the defining challenges of our time, but rent control is not the solution.
Together, we can advance policies that expand housing opportunities, strengthen our communities, and ensure the South Coast remains a place where people can afford to live, work, and build their future.
We can defeat this proposal—but only if we all do our part.
Sincerely,
Mike O'Sullivan
encourage housing construction across a range of price points.
Our team of experienced clinicians provide a wide range of services including:
+ Camp and sports physicals
+ Laboratory services*
+ Imaging
+ Treatments for a range of everyday conditions
+ Urgent care laboratory services
*Lab-draw stations are available at our Lakeville and Taunton locations.
Compassionate care when you need it:
+ 7 convenient locations open 7 days a week
+ 8am-8pm Monday-Friday
+ 9am-5pm Weekends
+ Walk-ins are welcome (Having a Southcoast Health physician is not required.)
Urgent Care Locations:
Dartmouth, MA
435 State Road
Fairhaven, MA 208 Mill Road
Fall River, MA
450 William S Canning Blvd
Lakeville, MA * 12 Main Street
Seekonk, MA 39 Commerce Way
Taunton, MA *
772 County Street
Wareham, MA
Wareham Crossing 2421 Cranberry Highway
Visit southcoast.org/urgentcare to check wait times and save your spot online. Scan to check wait times and save your spot online.
Our team of experienced staff can assist you in all aspects of finding a job, getting the training you need, and pursuing your passions.
Business Services
MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center provides local businesses the essential services to support their workforce needs, as well as a variety of related resources at no cost.
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