A local business is stepping up to help ensure the 57th Annual VFW Santa Parade is a big success by challenging others to contribute. Covanta of Haverhill, which in 2016 took second place in the overall float competition in the parade, is matching donations from other local businesses dollar-for-dollar up to $3,000. The parade is set for Sunday, Nov. 21, but initial uncertainty over COVID-19 dampened fundraising efforts. “Given our inability to gather last year due to COVID, we want to help make this year a little bigger, brighter and better.
Haverhill residents now have easy access to three U.S. Flag retirement drop boxes with Covanta donating one at the Citizens Center in downtown Haverhill. The new box, designed to collect worn flags for proper and dignified disposal, was installed in the center of the city at 10 Welcome St. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission Chairman Ralph T. Basiliere said Covanta contributed to the memorial and sought to continue its service to veterans. “It was just time to move forward and Covanta purchased the box, had it made and delivered it to us. We’re very happy to have it at a location where a lot of elderly veterans are inclined to use it,” Basiliere said.
Former state Secretary of Veterans Affairs Francisco Urena is the speaker when the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce holds a free Veterans Recognition Breakfast Wednesday, Nov. 10. Urena, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, also served previously as veterans service officer for the cities of Boston and Lawrence. The program also features a panel discussion of veteran entrepreneurs Salvatore DeFranco, former U.S. Navy Seal and co-owner of Battle Grounds Coffee Co.; Cal Williams, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Merrimack Valley director of United Way; and Luis Yepez, Navy commander, retired, and COO of Mainstream Global. The U.S. Marine Corps Sgt.
State Sen. Diana DiZoglio is co-hosting a Small Business Day of Action Monday is support of her legislation to extend restaurants’ option to sell cocktails to-go, third-party delivery fee caps and provide grants to small businesses startups that were not eligible for government assistance when the pandemic struck. DiZoglio said, “there remains significant work to be done to ensure the survival and vitality of our mom-and-pop shops, who have faced countless challenges over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“We can start by implementing these common-sense measures designed to help small businesses at a time when they need it most. We are on the road to recovery but must recognize that local businesses are going to need the legislature to provide continued support and financial relief as they rebuild. These tools are not just essential for them but to the health of all of our communities.”
Business groups across the state are also calling on the state legislature to investigate the insurance industry, which came under fire when most business interruption insurance claims made by small businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic were denied. THIRST, a citizen-led political action committee advocating for the hospitality industry, and representatives from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, Massachusetts Restaurants United, Cocktails for Commonwealth, Love Live Local, and Cambridge Local First for the Small Business Day of Action, plan a virtual rally Monday morning, a press conference from the State House steps in the afternoon and a cocktail hour at The Emory.
“Beyond Translations: Understanding, Selling to and Servicing the Hispanic Market” is a seminar presented to members of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Eduardo Crespo, CEO of Hispanic Market Solutions, presents the free, interactive workshop tomorrow, Tuesday Oct 19, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Seating is limited for the in-person event at the UMass Lowell iHub, 2 Merrimack St., third floor, Haverhill. There is also an online showing. According to the Haverhill Chamber, “The change in demographics in Haverhill and the Merrimack Valley and unprecedented growth of the Latino community is changing the marketplace and seriously impacting the modus operandi and bottom line of businesses and non-profits.”
The Greater Haverhill Chamber is beginning the search for a new leader following the resignation of Irene Haley as president and CEO. According to a statement from the Haverhill Chamber, Haley will be “transitioning out of her position over the next several months.”
“It’s been an honor to serve as the Chamber’s president over the past year. I’ve connected with so many wonderful business people and community leaders during my tenure. I’m especially impressed by their eagerness to work together and collaborate to benefit the City of Haverhill, the region and each other. This is a healthy, vibrant organization that is poised to move forward in operationalizing its vision of inclusivity and meeting its members’ needs in a post-pandemic landscape,” she said in a statement.
Construction is beginning on a new restaurant at The Heights at Haverhill, featuring a rooftop bar, event venue and full-service waterfront restaurant. Bosa, described as a “concept inspired by fishing villages along the colorful coast of southern Italy,” is being built by Lupoli Hospitality, a division of Lawrence-based Lupoli Companies. After facing multiple delays as a result of COVID-19, Lupoli Companies received a certificate of occupancy in August. “We’re very excited to start building Bosa in the next few months, as proof of our continued commitment to the City of Haverhill,” said Gerry Lynn Darcy, Lupoli’s senior vice president of real estate. “Between equipment delays due to COVID, labor shortages, supply chain constraints, and the unstable state of the restaurant industry, the timing just hasn’t been right. Now it is and we’re thrilled to be moving forward.”
According to a statement, Salvatore N. Lupoli, developer of the 10-story glass building in downtown Haverhill, convinced longtime friend and award-winning HGTV designer Taniya Nayak to work with him on “creating a unique and airy backdrop for the waterfront space, focusing on a colorful palette full of texture.”
The restaurant will offer “light flavorful seafood dishes, local greens, prime cuts, fresh pastas and signature brick-oven specialties.”
Last year, the company hired Fergal Gildea as its food and beverage director.
A variety of jobs at Amazon, Penacook Place, Atria Senior Living, Target and Market Basket are among those being featured during a Haverhill job fair Thursday. MakeIT Haverhill invites job-seekers to meet local employers Thursday, Oct. 14, from 4-7 p.m., at its offices at 301 Washington St. Bi-lingual assistance is available for Spanish speakers. Representatives from Amazon Workforce Staffing and Colis Express have Amazon warehouse and delivery driver positions available.
