• At Large: William Burns, Southcoast Health System
• At Large: Kim Perry, Waring-Sullivan Funeral Home Members of the Board of Directors:
• Eileen Migliozzi, St. Anne’s Credit Union
• Monte Ferris, Venus de Milo
• Gail Fortes, YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts
• Doug Glassman, SERVPRO of Dartmouth/New Bedford & Marion / Middleboro
• Gary P. Howayeck, Law Office of Gary Howayeck, PC
• Anthony Medeiros, Mechanics Cooperative Bank
• Curtis Nelson, Nelson Insurance & Financial Services
• Arti Pacheco, New York Life
• Kim Perry, Waring-Sullivan Funeral Home
Terms to Expire in December 2026:
• William Burns, Southcoast Health System
• Mike Bushell, St. Anne’s Hospital
• Stephen W. Connulty, Paul & Dixon Insurance
• Catherine Dillon, BankFive
• Charlie Fellows, Lafrance Hospitality
• Jeffrey Glassman, Darn It, Inc.
• Jeff Pagliuca, Bristol County Savings Bank
• Marie Pellegrino, BayCoast Bank
• Derek Santos, New Bedford Economic Development Council
• Matt Zenni, Liberty Utilities
Terms to Expire in December 2028:
• Nathan Araujo, Advance Career Services
• Kevin Carando, Acushnet Company
• Barbara Casagrande, AHEAD
• Dr. Mark Fuller, UMass Dartmouth
• Cindy Ko, Cindy Ko Photography
• 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
• Bernadette Souza, Youth Opportunites Unlimited
Terms to Expire in December 2025:
• Dugan Becker, SouthCoast Wind
• Paul Chasse, REALTOR® Association of Southeastern Massachusetts
• Peter Daley, People Incorporated
The Massachusetts Small Business Center (MSBDC) Network provides one-toone 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
Embracing Summer and Its Economic Magic on the South Coast
Nothing stirs up fond memories quite like the warm, carefree days of summer. For some, it is the feeling of sand between their toes at the beach. For others, it is hiking a wooded trail or savoring outdoor activities long put aside during the colder months. In New England — where the seasons run to their extremes — we hold our summers especially dear. We eagerly dust off our bicycles, unearth our beach umbrellas, and plan weekends packed with adventures the winter never allowed. Each gentle summer breeze feels like a long-lost friend returning home.
For the Chamber, summer isn’t just about leisure — it’s also peak season for local business. With the arrival of summer residents and visitors eager to experience the region’s charm, organizations like Explore New Bedford, Fall River Arts & Culture (FRACC), New Bedford Creative, Viva Fall River and the Southeastern Massachusetts Visitors Bureau work tirelessly, year-round, to attract tourists and strengthen the broader business community. Their efforts ripple through our economy, enriching not just hospitality but nearly every sector.
We all understand how circulating local dollars helps a community: workers are paid, they shop locally, and those dollars continue to circulate, lifting businesses and services in a continuous cycle. However, visitor dollars are a little different — and a lot more impactful. Every dollar a visitor spends is new money, imported
directly into our regional economy. In the years before the pandemic, visitor spending exceeded $750 million annually, and we are on a promising path to reclaim those numbers.
This influx of outside money does not just boost tourism businesses — it fuels jobs, generates valuable tax revenue for both the state and our cities and towns, and creates new opportunities in places you might not expect.
It is important to remember that Southeastern Massachusetts is what is known as a drive market. Most of our visitors arrive by car, often bringing their families, pets, and plans for long weekends or extended stays. While they will spend on hotels, attractions, and restaurants, they also fill their gas tanks, pick up groceries, visit pharmacies, and get their tires checked. These indirect purchases might seem unrelated to tourism at first glance, but they are a crucial part of the economic lift visitor spending provides. Every business, whether directly tied to tourism or not, benefits.
Our visitors come from near and far — predominantly from the Mid-Atlantic States, New York, New England, and eastern Canada. With strategic, focused advertising and limited resources, we work to keep Southeastern Massachusetts top of mind for travelers, especially families, retirees, and anyone searching for a classic New England experience at a friendlier price than the Cape and Islands, without losing proximity to those beloved destinations.
I cannot help but smile when I see out-of-state license plates scattered around town, knowing that each one represents more than just a tourist — it is a small but powerful contribution to the local economy, a family chasing their version of the perfect summer, and a shared experience that benefits us all.
So the next time the beach feels a little crowded, or the wait at your favorite restaurant stretches a bit too long, or a visitor seems unsure navigating our back roads, take a moment to remember: they’re chasing their perfect summer — and that perfect summer includes us.
Sincerely,
Mike O'Sullivan CEO
Here when you need us
+ Visit southcoast.org/urgentcare to check wait times, skip the line, and save your spot online.
+ Our 6 locations are open 7 days a week – 8am to 8pm Monday through Friday, and 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
+ Walk-ins are welcome and 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
Wareham, MA
Wareham Crossing 2421 Cranberry Highway
2 2Member Member
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