Business Bulletin

Thermo Fisher Scientific Pledges $25 Million to Minority-Serving Financial Institutions

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Waltham-based Thermo Fisher Scientific, which has Haverhill locations, said Thursday it is committed to investing up to $25 million in minority-serving financial institutions. The company has committed $20 million to the Black Economic Development Fund, launched by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to increase financing to Black-led financial institutions, anchor institutions and businesses. Thermo Fisher will also deposit $5 million in Hope Credit Union’s Transformational Deposits program, which provides financing to low-wealth families, people of color and financially underserved communities to finance small businesses, housing, healthcare and other vital needs in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee and Louisiana. “Unequal access to capital is hurting Black-owned businesses, Black entrepreneurs and Black communities in the United States,” said Marc N. Casper, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Minority-serving financial institutions provide a bridge to empowering historically disenfranchised communities.

Business Bulletin

Silverio to Receive David Tibbetts Economic Impact Award During Feb. 25 Online Ceremony

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Julia Silverio of Silverio Insurance Agency has been named as the recipient of this year’s David Tibbetts Economic Impact Award. Silverio is a longtime small business leader, Lawrence’s first Latina City Councilor and a mentor and advocate. She will be recognized during a virtual annual meeting of the Lawrence Partnership, Thursday, Feb. 25, from 10-11 a.m.

“Julia’s impact has been felt by so many people, in so many ways, over so many years. She fully embodies the Lawrence Partnership values, the spirit of the Dave Tibbetts Award, and our community’s assets,” reads a statement from the Lawrence Partnership.

Business Bulletin

UMass Lowell iHub Presents Webinar Explaining Roles of Strategy vs. Business Model

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Whether a start-up or mature business, UMass Lowell’s Scott Latham success requires both a well-defined business model and a robust strategy. Latham presents “Crafting Business Models and Strategy: The Balancing Act Must Be Perfect” during a free UMass Lowell Innovation Hub webinar Wednesday, Feb. 24, from noon-1 p.m.

“Strategy and business models are two distinct, but interrelated constructs, yet managers and entrepreneurs continuously confuse the two, use the two ideas interchangeably, and often fail to understand the simple relationship between these two complex dynamics,” reads a description of the webinar. By using well-known companies, from across a wide range of industries, the session aims to help managers and entrepreneurs by offering a clear distinction between a business model and strategy. In addition, it provides a framework for understanding the interplay between the two ideas.

Business Bulletin

Podcast: A Virtual Meeting with New Haverhill Chamber CEO Irene Haley

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The new president and CEO of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce will be “Guest of Honor” at tomorrow’s Virtual Leads Lunch hosted by the organization. Irene Haley took over job last month. Speaking recently on WHAV’s morning program, Haley praised her predecessor Dougan Sherwood

“Dougan did some excellent work with support, of course, of the board and I am very interested in keeping a lot of the programs going and making sure our members and stakeholders—people who have faith in the Chamber—know that I’ll continue that work and I’m excited to understand more about how I can influence not only the strategy but some of the program we have going forward,” she said. Haley’s career began in accounting, but she decided a change was in order during the 1990s when she returned to school an obtained a master’s in Business Administration from Boston University. She went on to answer the call from Mobil Oil about a new program the fuel giant offered, called “Friendly Serve.” The position entailed working with owners of gas stations, greeting people at the pump, checking oil and tire pressure and making sure stations are clean.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Chamber Presents Virtual Talk with Lawrence Acting Mayor Vasquez

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For those looking to hear from, and learn more about, Lawrence Acting Mayor Kendrys Vasquez have an opportunity when the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce presents, what it calls, a “virtual conversation” in February. Vasquez, who had been serving as Lawrence’s City Council president, became the city’s acting mayor when Mayor Daniel Rivera was named president and chief executive officer of MassDevelopment. Vasquez details his plans for the city and takes questions Friday, Feb. 19, from noon-1 p.m. The cost for Merrimack Valley Chamber members is $5 or $10 for nonmembers. Those interested may register and receive a link at merrimackvalleychamber.com or by calling 978-686-0900.

Business Bulletin

Greater Haverhill Chamber Honors Haverhill/Plaistow YMCA for Pandemic Response

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The Haverhill/Plaistow YMCA is the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s January business of the month for the nonprofit’s pandemic response. The Chamber bestowed the honor, saying the “YMCA has made an ever-greater contribution to the community by providing childcare for first responders in the midst of the global pandemic.” Their childcare services made it possible for parents working in critical fields, like police and fire, to continue performing essential roles. “The Haverhill YMCA is a pillar of our community,” said Chamber President and CEO Irene Haley. “The staff’s commitment to maintain excellent services, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, is a testament to their ingenuity, compassion, and resolve. We are proud to name the Haverhill YMCA our business of the month.”

Haverhill YMCA is a longstanding institution, founded in 1855.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Studies COVID-19 Impact on Businesses and Internet Access

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The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission is looking at how COVID-19 is impacting businesses and internet usage. Nate Robertson, a planner with the Haverhill-based agency, is working with the Essex County Community Foundation. He says the pandemic has forced more businesses to rely on the internet, but some need added help. “We’ll be setting up our Small Business Technical Assistance Program over the next month or two, and in that process we’re going to be reaching out to small businesses about what their needs are, and then the goal is to pair them up with technical assistance advisors that can help them with that need,” he says. Robertson, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program, says the events of the past year have brought the issue of internet inequality to the forefront.

Business Bulletin

Greater Haverhill Chamber Members May Meet New President at Leads Lunch Feb. 3

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Members of the Greater Haverhill Chamber have an opportunity to meet their new president during a “Leads Lunch” Wednesday, Feb. 3. Irene Haley, who has held positions at Starbucks and Exxon Mobil, succeeded Dougan Sherwood earlier this month as the organization’s next president and chief executive officer. The lunch takes place online Wednesday, Feb. 3, from noon-1 p.m. It is free for members and $10 for nonmembers.