Region

Groveland, Chesterton Company to Offer Free Small Business Workshop May 15

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The Groveland Economic Development Committee and Chesterton Company are inviting business owners and residents to a free small business workshop featuring a panel of experts discussing how to start, expand, grow and recover businesses. U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Development Specialist Lisa Gonzalez Welch, Northeast SCORE Mentor and Beverly Branch Manager Michael Thompson, and Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Regional Director Nancy Gerardi will discuss opportunities, outreach, loans and more. The workshop takes place Wednesday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, at A.W. Chesterton Company, 860 Salem St., Groveland. Registration takes place online here.

Business Bulletin

Fish to Leave Greater Lawrence Family Health Center; Board Plans Needs Assessment and Search

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Dr. Guy L. Fish, who became president and CEO of Greater Lawrence Family Health Center in 2021, is leaving the position. The Health Center’s board of directors said Tuesday it will assess the organization’s current and future needs and undertake a comprehensive search. In a statement, the board said members “appreciate the leadership Dr. Fish has provided over the last three years, especially as the Health Center navigated the challenges of COVID-19 and the transition from the pandemic, and we thank him for his leadership in the development of our strategic plan and our new Accountable Care Organization partnership.”

Fish succeeded John M. Silva. He previously served as acting CEO of Nextstage Therapeutics, CEO of Cellanyx Diagnostics and was a leader with profit and loss responsibilities for 17 years at the health care strategy consulting firm Fletcher Spaght. Greater Lawrence Family Health Center serves more than 68,000 patients with their primary health care needs at locations in Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen.

Haverhill

Podcast: Riding with MeVa Regional Bus Regulars and Driver Larry Corcoran

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(Additional photograph below.) The sky is still dark when Larry Corcoran, a bus driver for Merrimack Valley Transit, starts his route outbound from Haverhill at six a.m. For the few who ride this early in the morning, the transportation is essential. When MeVa leaders went before state lawmakers to request more money early this month, Chief Communications Officer Niorka Mendez said, for some of the people they serve, “This is the only way to get to food access, to get to medical care—even in the social aspect of visiting friends. On the bus, as a bus driver, I used to talk to them, and maybe we are the only people they talk to during the whole day. They don’t have a family member to talk to or vent [to].”

Corcoran, the most senior MeVa driver, said his job requires multitasking. He has to be “an expert motor vehicle operator, and also a personality.

Haverhill

Spilka Reappoints Sen. Finegold to Statewide Economic Development Planning Council

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State Sen. Barry R. Finegold was recently reappointed to Gov. Maura T. Healey’s Economic Development Planning Council. Finegold was named by Senate President Karen E. Spilka to serve on the Council, which provides input on and oversight of a four-year economic development plan. “Charting a robust and inclusive path for economic development in Massachusetts requires a willingness to listen and expertise in what our businesses need—both of which Sen. Finegold has in spades,” said Spilka. “I am grateful for his service to the Council and his steadfast commitment to creating a Commonwealth where families and businesses alike can envision a thriving future.”

To ensure a variety of perspectives and experiences, the Council includes appointees of the House, Senate, relevant cabinet secretaries, municipal leaders, small business owners and entrepreneurs and leaders from key business sectors and higher education. Finegold said he looks forward to continuing work on the council with Economic Development, Secretary Yvonne Hao.

Education

Feds Award Essex North Shore Agricultural and Tech Money for Veterans’ Program, Upgrades

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Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School recently won $850,000 in federal aid to expand workforce development and military veteran-focused programs.

Money earmarked by Congressman Seth Moulton for the Danvers-based school will be used to expand infrastructure, including upgrading Gallant Hall’s climate control systems, windows, doors and alumni gymnasium bathroom. Money will also provide space for Company2Heroes, a nonprofit service dog training organization, specializing in dogs working with combat veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or military sexual trauma. “We are proud of our work to provide workforce development opportunities to our day and evening students, including those with barriers to employment,” said Essex North Shore Superintendent Heidi Riccio.

Haverhill

Amid Steward Health Concerns, Walsh Lectures Legislature on Making Decisions in ‘Haste’

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Massachusetts Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh issued a broad warning Tuesday about hasty legislative solutions to address the role of private equity in health care, as officials and hospital leaders continue to brace for potentially major care disruptions amid Steward Health Care’s financial challenges. Walsh did not invoke any specific proposal when asked about the role of state or federal legislation to respond to the Steward crisis, following recent Beacon Hill hearings focused on the negative impact of private equity on patient care and possible strategies to boost regulatory oversight of health care transactions. “I think that the health care system in our country is really, really complicated, and I worry about broad brushstrokes that say, ‘private equity bad, not-for-profit good,’” Walsh told reporters following an event at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “I think we have seen an extreme set of circumstances, the choices that Steward made as a health system to capitalize their system—it just didn’t work,” the secretary continued. “And so what we need to do when we get patients, and staff, and people and regions through this is sort of step back.

Community Spotlight

Plaistow Library Friends Offer Bracelet-Making Workshop

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Always wanted a knit Viking bracelet? The Friends of the Plaistow Public Library can help. They will host a knit bracelet weaving workshop on Wednesday, April 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the library’s Nelson Room, 85 Main St., Plaistow, N.H.

This is described as a relatively simple technique well-suited to beginners. Visit plaistowlibrary.com and under the “Events” tab click on the bracelet item in the calendar for a link to register. A $15 fee includes materials and a kit to make a bracelet to take home.

Business Bulletin

Endicott College’s Misselwood Events to Host Area Chambers of Commerce

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Area chambers of commerce are getting together for a free, joint networking event in June. Members of the Greater Haverhill and Merrimack Valley Chambers join Beverly, Cape Ann and Salem for appetizers, conversation and mingling with Endicott College and Misselwood staff Wednesday, June 12, 5-7 p.m., at Misselwood Events at Endicott College, 407 Hale St., Beverly. Registration takes place online here. There is a registration link within this story at WHAV.net.