Rick Kidder

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON — The Blackstone Valley bills itself as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, and New Bedford was once a major producer of the whale oil used in lamps and candles. Now, business groups in those areas are asking lawmakers to boost the state's commitment to renewable energy, arguing that clean power can be the modern-day economic driver for their regions... Read M

The New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce is now doing business as the SouthCoast Chamber. The Chamber's Board of Directors voted Thursday to re-brand the organization. Chamber C-E-O Rick Kidder says the change comes after a six month review process...

NEW BEDFORD - A citizens group is looking to garner support to lengthen the mayoral term in New Bedford. The group, "New Bedford Fourward," is looking to expand the term for mayor from two years to four, beginning in 2019. The group will work to gather the necessary 2,500 certified signatures of New Bedford residents who support the initiative in order to have the question appear on the

  Local elected and business leaders from through out the Commonwealth met in Worcester last Wednesday with Governor Charlie Baker and members of his Administration to discuss strategies for economic development.  The purpose of the Economic Development Summit was to discuss a collaboration and comprehensive approach to regional economic growth that would allow municipalities to work within succes

The New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce has asked the state to approve a name change that might give it more regional appeal in hopes of generating additional revenue for the financially strapped agency. The local chamber, which largely exists on the dues paid by it's members is considering a change to The South Coast Chamber of Commerce in hopes attracting members from the Taunton and Fall River

All options are still on the table as far as Southcoast Rail goes. After attending Monday's MassDOT Fiscal and Management Control Board meeting, New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce President Rick Kidder says the state isn't leaning too much one way or the other in favor of one particular route...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says he plans to sign a bill that would require men and women to be paid equally for comparable work. The Republican told reporters on Monday that he would sign the legislation sometime next week. Supporters say women are currently paid on average about 82% of what their male counterparts make for comparable work in Massachusetts...

Members of the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce visited New Bedford on Friday to meet with their counterparts in the Whaling City.

The new President of the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce is coming from Arizona. The Chamber announced Tuesday it was hiring Frederick "Rick" Kidder as the new President and Chief Executive Officer.  He will start his new job no later than August 3rd...