Business Bulletin

Webinar, ‘Reopening: What It Means for Haverhill Businesses’ Takes Place Wed., 11 a.m.

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Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini and the two local chambers of commerce will be answering questions Wednesday morning about the first phase of business reopenings. Called “Reopening: What It Means for Haverhill Businesses,” the forum takes the form of a free webinar at 11 a.m. The webinar is hosted jointly by the Greater Haverhill and Merrimack Valley Chambers of Commerce. To register and receive a video link, visit haverhillchamber.com. A second forum, “Preparing to Get Back to Work: What Businesses Need to Know to Protect Their Employees,” features panelists Garrett Bomba of Pentucket Medical, Haverhill Director of Inspectional Services Richard MacDonald and Haverhill Bank Vice President Lise Zapatka. The forum, moderated by Haverhill Chamber’s Kate Martin takes place Thursday morning at 10.

Haverhill

Mayor: Brooks Brothers’ Haverhill Failure Falls on Workers ‘Least Able to Withstand the Blow’

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Despite retooling two months ago to make personal protective equipment at its Haverhill operation, Haverhill says a legal notice filed with the state last week suggests the end is near for Brooks Brothers. Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini said Brooks Brothers, which owns Haverhill-based Southwick Clothing, notified the state it planned to close its Haverhill operation as well as plants in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Garland, N.C. The mayor said he understands the company is faced with two options—find a buyer or declare bankruptcy. In the end, though, the mayor told WHAV, the poorest among us will suffer the most. “Once again, the burden of this pandemic-induced recession falls most heavily on those who are least able to withstand the blow,” he told WHAV. Back in March, the mayor said he hoped the Computer Drive company’s switch to making medical equipment would bring back all 400 laid off employees.

Business Bulletin

Drs. Lim and Farha Join SMG Pleasant Valley Primary Care in Methuen

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Drs. Andrew Lim and Durathun Farha have joined SMG Pleasant Valley Primary Care in Methuen. They will practice with Dr. Perin Thavaseelan who is currently in the primary care practice—part of Steward Medical Group. Lim is a board-certified family medicine physician. He graduated from the Nebraska College of Medicine and is a member of the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Chamber Invites Members to Mingle at Free Virtual Mixer Friday Morning

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The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce is asking members to mingle on their computers Friday as a free, virtual business mixer takes place. Part of the Chamber’s Business Assistance Webinar Series, members may sign in by telephone or computer, make business contacts and meet potential clients. Those interested must register here or look under webinars at merrimackvalleychamber.com.

Business Bulletin

Holy Family Hospital Staff in Haverhill to Receive Treat of Double D’s Hot Dogs as Gesture of Thanks

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Employees of Holy Family Hospital’s Haverhill campus are being treated this afternoon to hot dogs with all the fixin’s as a local vendor seeks to honor the staff’s frontline service during the health pandemic. Wade Dempsey and his wife Pam of Double D’s HotDogs expect to dish out 350 to 400 hot dogs along with chips and cold soda. Interviewed at Double D’s hot dog trailer yesterday at Bradford Common, Dempsey explained he has been moved watching healthcare workers make sacrifices. “Seeing how beat up they all look from dealing with the situation, I told my wife, ‘Pam. You know honey, let’s go give back a little bit,’” he said.

Business Bulletin

Energy North Group/Haffner’s Contribute Gift Bags to Workers at Emmaus, Bread and Roses

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Emmaus in Haverhill and Bread and Roses in Lawrence will receive bags of food, snacks and beverages from a local gas station chain as part of an effort by convenience store owners. Energy North Group/Haffner’s, which operates 48 locations in New England, joined the effort to provide supplies to homeless shelters, community groups, hospitals, first responders and nonprofits across Massachusetts. The gift bags contain snacks, energy bars, drinks and other items. Many of the items were to be handed out at a New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association’s annual trade show, which was postponed due to the COVID19 pandemic. Jonathan Shaer, director of the trade group, said “During this difficult time, convenience stores are essential services where people can buy food, fuel, drinks and other items, while maintaining safe social distancing guidelines. Our hardworking employees are doing their part to keep stores safe, stocked and open, and these bags are a small contribution to help the communities we serve that are in need during this crisis.”

Store operators packed the items into gift bags to be distributed to charitable organizations, first responders and medical facilities around the state.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill Bank Steps Up with $15 Million in SBA Funding for Local Businesses Hard Hit By COVID-19

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Haverhill Bank has stepped up with millions of dollars in funding aimed at supporting local businesses and reducing employee layoffs during COVID-19-related lockdowns. As a longtime participating lender in U.S. Small Business Administration programs, the bank was ideally prepared to help when Congress approved the Paycheck Protection Program. The PPP as it is known was the centerpiece of a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package and converts many loans into outright grants. Haverhill Bank President and CEO Thomas L. Mortimer said his institution has already funded $15 million to local businesses. “This isn’t just about business.

Region

Groveland Receives Second Grant to Help Revitalize Elm Square Business District

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Groveland’s efforts to revitalize its Elm Square business district received a boost recently when the state awarded the town $15,000 to develop a parking management strategy. The grant, from the state’s Downtown Initiative Technical Assistance program, pays for consulting services to examine available options to potentially increase the number and location of parking spots, officials said in a statement. Town Planner Rebecca Oldham spearheaded the town’s application for the grant, and is overseeing the Elm Square initiative. “We’re grateful to receive this funding for a second year in a row and look forward to using it to take this next step in the Elm Square revitalization efforts,” she said. Last year, the town used a grant from the same program to conduct an economic development study about the types of businesses residents would like to see in Elm Square and the current characteristics of the area.