Tending to the Needs of SouthCoast Businesses

Two years ago, the SouthCoast Chamber in New Bedford and the Bristol County Chamber in Fall River decided to merge, creating the fourth-largest Chamber of Commerce in Massachusetts. How is it working? Quite well, according to the Co-Chair of One SouthCoast Chamber, Rick Kidder.

Kidder joined Townsquare Sunday this week for a wide-ranging discussion on business matters in the region.

After nearly two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone's focus is to get people back to work. Kidder said that's slowly happening in our part of the Commonwealth. As a further incentive to bring people back, Kidder said the state and MassHire New Bedford is offering training programs where trainees are paid. As a result, he said, some workers my find themselves with better positions that they had previously.

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Kidder also praised Mayor Jon Mitchell's list of priorities for spending federal ARPA money. Kidder also had kind words for Gov. Charlie Baker, who recently announced he would not seek re-election next year. Kidder said the Baker administration has spent a lot of time and resources on the SouthCoast, and will be missed.

Townsquare Sunday is a weekly public affairs program heard every Sunday morning on 1420 WBSM. Program segments are also available on wbsm.com and the WBSM app.

The program highlights individuals and organizations striving to make Greater New Bedford a better place to live and work. If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please e-mail the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.