Wellesley Enterprise Buzz: Extra native companies get state COVID-19 grants; $1M in penalties for automotive dealership agency; regional chamber touts Feb. four open home

Our roundup of the newest Wellesley, Mass., enterprise information:

Extra native companies get state COVID-19 grants

Wellesley’s London Harness and Dance Republic are the newest Wellesley companies to be awarded state COVID-19 Small Business Grants as part of a new round of $37 million to 638 businesses. London Harness scored $75Ok, whereas Dance Republic obtained $30Ok.

More than a dozen Wellesley small businesses have obtained such grants over the previous month or so. Extra grants are anticipated to be introduced in coming weeks, together with these concentrating on trade sectors hit particularly laborious by the pandemic.

In the meantime, Wellesley is about to get wild once more. Gov. Baker has rescinded an order efficient Jan. 25 that required eating places, gyms, and different kinds of companies to shut by 9:30pm.

Colonial Automotive fined $1M for exploiting state unemployment system

Colonial Automotive, whose properties embrace Wellesley Volkswagen, has been required to pay $1M in penalties stemming from costs that it took benefit of state unemployment advantages in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic According to a press release issued by the state’s attorney general’s office: “Following the state’s mandated closure of automotive dealership showrooms in the course of the public well being disaster, the corporate inspired furloughed staff to use for advantages by means of the state Division of Unemployment Help (DUA), after which requested that these staff proceed to work with out pay.”

In accordance with a press release from Colonial printed by WCVB-TV, the automotive firm denied wrongdoing: “The COVID 19 pandemic created an existential enterprise menace. We acted in good religion effort to outlive as a enterprise and save staff jobs whereas complying with the regulation. We didn’t require any staff to interact in gross sales actions whereas furloughed. We don’t really feel we’re concerned in any violation of regulation and settled with the Commonwealth to place the matter behind us.”

Regional enterprise chamber touts Feb. four open home

On Thursday, Feb. four the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber can be holding an open home data session from 10-11 a.m. by way of zoom. Former Wellesley Chamber of Commerce members and all different companies and nonprofits are welcome to participate to be taught extra.

Meet Chamber President Greg Reibman, Board Chair Linda Sloane Kay, the Newton-Needham Chamber employees, and members of the Wellesley Chamber transition workforce.

There can be a brief presentation, however largely this can be a chance to ask questions , akin to: :So are you altering the identify to the Wellesley Newton Needham Regional Chamber? The Wellesley Chamber lately introduced it was folding itself into the farther-reaching regional chamber.

RSVP at nnchamber.com or by emailing [email protected]