The New England Council held an initial meeting in March to discuss likely cuts to the federal defense budget and the possibility of another round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) proceedings in the next several years. We were pleased that so many members took part in the meeting, and are delighted to share several developments since that initial meeting:

• NEC Defense Working Group – To formalize the Council’s work and to unite our members who have an interest in the future of our region’s defense industry and military installations, we are pleased to announce the formation of a new “Defense Working Group.” Kevin Conroy of Foley Hoag, a former member of the NEC staff who led the Council’s efforts during the last BRAC round, has agreed to serve as the chair of this working group. We invite any member who is interested in working to support and preserve our region’s military assets to participate in the working group, which will meet regularly in the coming months. Members who are interested in participating should email us at NECouncil@newenglandcouncil.com.
  

• DTI/Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force Partnership – As Massachusetts Lt. Governor Tim Murray announced today at the Massachusetts High Technology Council’s (MHTC) Annual Meeting, the New England Council is formally partnering with the Commonwealth’s Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force, chaired by the Lt. Governor, and MHTC’s Defense Technology Initiative (DTI). Under this new partnership, we will work to bring together public and private sector stakeholders throughout all six New England states to work collaboratively to advocate on behalf of New England’s military installations and our thriving defense industry. You can read more about this new partnership in this press release.

• Outreach to other regional business organizations – Knowing that there are many other organizations, from state-wide business organizations to local and regional chambers of commerce, we plan to conduct outreach to these various organizations to identify ways in which we can work together, as well as to share with them some of the important research that DTI is conducting.

We’re very exciting about these new initiatives and hope you’ll consider participating in these important efforts.

Tune in this Sunday morning for the latest episode of DC Dialogue.  This month, Kristy Lee, Jim Brett, and John Hailer take a look at the important role that small businesses play in our region’s economy and some of the challenges they face.

In the first segment, SBA Administrator Karen Mills–a Maine native–gives an overview of the SBA’s many resources for small businesses and some of the initiatives the agency has launched to support small businesses as they seek to grow and create jobs.

In the second segment, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, outlines some of Congress’ efforts to support small businesses, and discusses some of the feedback that she’s gotten from small businesses in the the Granite State.

DC Dialogue
Sunday, May 13, 2012
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
New England Cable News (NECN)

You can also watch the show online on NECN’s website, and Comcast subscribers can watch it OnDemand!

In a continued effort to provide our clients with optimal value, Collaborative Consulting focuses on delivering using an entirely US based workforce, continuing that model by recently establishing a Domestic  Software Solution Center in Wausau, Wisconsin. While many organizations have had success in lowering their per-hour development costs using offshore workforces, it has often come at the sacrifice of quality and total cost of ownership. Collaborative believes that there are new opportunities to capitalize on the quality, capability, speed, and ease of collaboration of a US-based workforce while balancing cost.

Senior Vice President of Services, John Williams, said, “We are keenly interested in networking with individuals who are like minded in their desire to grow business here in New England.  We believe that by working together as a business community, and with our state and federal government officials,  we affect positive change to promote a more advantageous business environment.  The New England Council provides a perfect channel for us to meet with, and work with, the exact community we think can help affect this change and improve the business environment overall.”

For more information, please visit www.collaborative.com.

Monday, May 14, 2012
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Bank of America
100 Federal Street
2nd floor – Long Lane Room
Boston, MA

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

We are thrilled to announce that The New England Council is now the exclusive sponsor of the New England Economic Partnership (NEEP) bi-annual economic outlook conferences.  NEEP is a highly respected organization organization dedicated to providing objective economic analyses and forecasts.  For more than 25 years, NEEP has identified and researched economic issues relevant to New England, providing tools to make informed, insightful business and policy decisions.  Twice a year, NEEP publishes macroeconomic forecasts for the New England region and its six individual states.

As the exclusive sponsor of the twice-yearly conference, The New England Council will have access to NEEP’s experts in our own policy advocacy efforts, and we will be able to share NEEP’s summary state and regional summary forecasts with our members.  In addition, NEC members will receive a significant discount on registration for the NEEP economic outlook conferences.   Our members can attend the half-day conferences, held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, for only $100 (normally $175).   The next conference will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2012 and the topic will be “Skills Mismatch: Where are the Jobs?” Stay tuned for details on registration in the coming weeks.

As new summary forecasts and economic information are made available by NEEP, our members will be able to access the information by logging into the Members Only section of our website.  We will notify you via email when new forecasts are available.

Tune in this Sunday morning for the latest episode of D.C. Dialogue.  This month, Kristy Lee, Jim Brett, and John Hailer get the latest on federal transportation funding and changes coming to Logan Airport.

In the first segment, Congressman Michael Capuano (D-MA-8), a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, offers his insight into the ongoing debate in Congress over long term re-authorization of the Surface Transportation Bill and other regional transportation issues.

In the second segment, Massport Interim CEO David Mackey updates us on the new direct flight from Boston to Japan and what it means for our local economy, as well as other changes afoot at Logan International Airport.

DC Dialogue
Sunday, April 15, 2012
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
New England Cable News (NECN)

You can also watch the show online on NECN’s website, and Comcast subscribers can watch it OnDemand.

The Congressional Roundtable luncheon with Senator Scott Brown scheduled for this Thursday, April 5, in Boston, has been postponed due to an unexpected commitment that will require the Senator to remain in Washington, DC, on Thursday.  You will receive a new email invitation when the new date is confirmed.  The Senator sends his apologies for the change in plans.

Jim recently teamed with Alexis Henry, the principal investigator of Work Without Limits at UMass Medical School, on an Op-Ed encouraging employers to provide job opportunities to people with disabilities appeared on The Boston Globe’s Opinion Blog, “The Podium.” Click here to read the Op-Ed.

Work Without Limits is a wonderful organization here in Massachusetts that provides valuable resources and information on employment for many audiences, including people with disabilities, family members, employment service providers, and employers.  You can learn more about them on their website: www.workwithoutlimits.org.

Tune in this Sunday morning for the latest episode of D.C. Dialogue.  This month, Kristy Lee, Jim Brett, and John Hailer take a close look at cybersecurity and the threats that government and businesses face in the 21st century.

In the first segment, Senator Joe Lieberman, one of the lead. sponsors of the recently-filed Cybersecurity Act of 2012, discusses the various cyber threats our nation faces on a daily basis and how his legislation would protect our infrastructure, economy, and national security

In the second segment, we get the technology industry perspective from Robert Cresanti of
SAP America, who also served as the Undersecretary of Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce under President George W. Bush.

Sunday, March 11, 2012
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
New England Cable News (NECN)

You can also watch online on NECN.com.

FairPoint Communications, Inc. (NasdaqCM: FRP) is a leading communications provider of high-speed Internet access, local and long-distance phone, television and other broadband services to customers in communities across 18 states. Through its fast, reliable network, FairPoint delivers affordable data and voice networking communications solutions to residential, business and wholesale customers.  

FairPoint delivers VantagePointSM services through its resilient IP-based network in northern New England. This state-of-the-art network provides Ethernet connections and the dedicated bandwidth needed to support multiple users and bandwidth-intensive applications like video conferencing and e-learning.

The network is designed to meet the future demand for high-speed bandwidth in northern New England. Since April 2008, FairPoint has invested more than $172 million in the communications infrastructure and technology to bring broadband to northern New England, including building more than 3,100 miles of new fiber across the region.

Fairpoint strengthens communities by providing our customers with communications technology of the highest possible quality.  It also means making investments in the growth of the communities where the company does business – contributing to events, sponsoring local programs and supporting organizations that enrich our communities. FairPoint and its employees have a long tradition of partnering and volunteering in communities where they live.

FairPoint recognizes the value of technology as a powerful tool for creating real change in the way we communicate, conduct business, educate our children, serve customers and build economies. By employing technology, FairPoint is committed to improving the quality of life of its customers and communities.

The New England Council plays an important role in connecting business leaders with federal policymakers, including members of Congress and leaders of key federal agencies. “At FairPoint our business is all about helping our customers make connections,” said Pat McHugh, FairPoint’s state president of New Hampshire. “And we appreciate the NEC’s role in bringing businesses and policymakers together to discuss the important issues of the day.”

Additional information about FairPoint products and services is available at  www.FairPoint.com. ]]> http://www.newenglandcouncil.com/blog-post/member-spotlight-fairpoint-communications/feed/ 0