April 9, 2010
For Immediate Release

Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Awarded Small Business Technical Assistance Grant

Whitinsville, MA: Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, Greg Bialecki announced Tuesday at a ceremony held at the State House in Boston, that the Massachusetts Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (OSBE) has awarded a $20,000.00 grant to the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce to help fund their continued work in education and training for small business and entrepreneurs in the Blackstone Valley. This award is part of the $600,000 in grants awarded to 25 community-based, non-profit organizations throughout the state that provide assistance and advisory services to small businesses. The surprise announcement was that a match of this award will be made in the Fall of 2010 thanks to a contribution from MassDevelopment.

"Small Business is the backbone of America, over 2500 small businesses are located in the Blackstone Valley. This grant will allow the Chamber to continue our good work to assist these businesses to grow and thrive and to nurture new small business initiatives in the Valley," stated Jeannie Hebert, President and CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. "We feel very fortunate to have been one of the 25 to receive this award."

This grant was submitted with the support of Blackstone Valley legislators who work closely with and lend their expertise and advice to the Chamber on many projects dealing with Small Business. "Jeannie Hebert and the entire Chamber of Commerce work tirelessly to support and develop business within the Valley," said State Representative Jennifer Callahan. "I am thrilled the State was once again able to assist their efforts with this grant on the heels of previous state funding to help grow jobs in this economic corridor."

"Congratulations to the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce for securing this important new grant. BVCC President Jeannie Hebert, Chairman Todd Gleason and the Chamber team should be commended for their initiative in applying for these much-needed funds. The grant will help the Chamber to promote the Valley's economic development potential and, hopefully, lead to future jobs for Valley residents and new tax revenues for Valley communities," Senator Richard T. Moore stated.

Senator Michael O. Moore adds, "I am pleased to see this funding made available to the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, as well as the other excellent outfits that will benefit from this program. "During tough economic times such as these, we must remember that job growth will come on the backs of small and local businesses. Government must do all that it can to invest in and support these businesses, and this program is a great step towards that goal."

The mission of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote the economic vitality of the Blackstone Valley. Meet the needs of the Chamber's business members, while providing leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in the Valley.

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About the Chamber

The mission of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote the economic vitality of the Blackstone Valley and meet the needs of the Chamber's business members, while providing leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in the Valley. The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce serves the eleven towns in the Massachusetts BV Region: Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. For more information on the Chamber please contact administrator@blackstonevalley.org or call 508 234 9090 X101.