Chelmsford South Row Elementary School - 4th Graders

The halls of the Massachusetts State House were graced with the melodious voices of Fourth Graders from the Chelmsford South Row Elementary School.

Scheidt & Bachmann Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting

Scheidt & Bachmann USA President John MacDonald and Lowell Mayor Edward J Kennedy joined by 

( L to R )  Russell Pandres of Congresswoman Niki Tsongas’ Office, James Scanlan – Administrator of Lowell Regional Transit Authority (RTA), Lowell City Councilor William Samaras, State Senator Eileen Donoghue , 

and State Representative Thomas A . Golden celebrate the establishment of Scheidt and Bachmann's USA Headquarters in Lowell.    

Grant Recipient - United Teen Equality Center (UTEC), Lowell – Up to $152,000

For Immediate Release - July 08, 2016
 

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $917,000 to Help Businesses Increase Recycling of Glass, Other Hard to Recyle Materials

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded $917,000 in grants to seven companies under the Commonwealth’s Recycling Business Development Grant (RBDG) program to help increase the recycling of glass, mattresses and other hard-to-recycle materials.

“Recycling plays an important role in the Massachusetts economy, employing thousands of people and converting recyclable materials into valuable end products,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Continuing to advance opportunities to increase recycling not only helps protect our environment, but also creates jobs and supports our economy.”

“This grant program will help recycling processors and manufacturers in the Commonwealth to create sustainable markets for these materials and recycle items that would otherwise end up in landfills,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This investment also supports our communities, which benefit from increased demand and higher prices for recycled materials.”

The grant program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), will enable these companies to expand their recycling operations and increase the amount and quality of recycling now occurring across the Commonwealth. The program is funded through dedicated contributions of waste-to-energy facility renewable energy credits.

As a condition of receiving funding, grant recipients commit to meeting tonnage goals over a two-year period. The RBDG program targets difficult-to-recycle materials and this round of grants includes funds to promote the recovery of mattresses, packaged food, plastics and glass. 

“These businesses exemplify the innovative Massachusetts business environment and are making a positive impact on our environment,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Mathew Beaton. “Investments like this not only support the growth of viable Massachusetts businesses, but also help us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment for future generations.”

“As individuals, one of the more impactful things we can do to protect our natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to fully participate in community recycling efforts,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “Under this program, these businesses complement our individual efforts and add value to the environment and our economy.”

The grant recipients are:
Aaron Industries, Leominster – Up to $75,000

Abby Enterprises, Inc., Marshfield – Up to $150,000

Casella Waste Management of Massachusetts, Inc., Auburn – Up to $100,000

Northstar Pulp & Paper Company, Inc., Springfield – Up to $90,000

Raw Material Recovery Corporation, Gardner – Up to $150,000

Recycleworks, Inc., East Weymouth – Up to $200,000

United Teen Equality Center (UTEC), Lowell – Up to $152,000
UTEC will purchase a roll-off truck, forklift, five roll-off containers, a trailer setup for heat-treating mattresses, and assorted warehouse tools including a pallet jack, air compressor, strapping tool and rolling bins. UTEC employees manually disassemble mattresses and box springs from residential and commercial sources to divert wood, steel, foam and textiles for recycling. The roll-off truck and containers will enable more efficient collection of mattresses. The hot trailer is set up to sanitize mattress springs so that they can be sold for use in “rebuilt” mattresses. The warehouse tools will increase the efficiency of the mattress-processing operation.

 “I applaud the Baker Administration for identifying the challenges associated with hard-to-recycle materials and for seeking a solution through the Commonwealth’s Recycling Business Development Grant Program,” said State Representative Thomas A. Golden, Jr. (D-Lowell), Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.   “The United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) is the perfect partner for such a program.  UTEC has always made a positive impact on the Greater Lowell community, and this grant will only further enhance their efforts.”

For more information on the RBDG program, turn here:RBDG

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

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Citizens Bank & NECN Now Accepting Applications for Champions in Action Program

Citizens Bank and necn now accepting applications for Champions in Action program

Nonprofit will receive $35,000 and media exposure in 2017

BOSTON- Citizens Bank and necn are now accepting applications for the first 2017 Champions in Action in the Addiction Prevention & Treatment Services category. The Champions in Action^® program provides financial, volunteer and public relations support to local nonprofits.

Nonprofit organizations focused on addiction prevention and treatment services are invited to apply for the Champions award to be announced in January 2017. Applications can be completed online at www.citizensbank.com/community/champions and must be submitted by Friday, July 29 at 5pm.

Champions in Action is part of Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities, the bank’s program designed to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in local communities. It provides support for small nonprofit organizations to recognize their contributions to communities throughout Massachusetts.

The selected Champion in Action will receive:

• A $35,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens Bank;
• Media coverage from necn, including public service announcements and television profiles over the course of six months;
• Volunteer support from Citizens’ and necn’s colleagues;
• The opportunity for the organization’s executive director to participate in a “Executive-to- Executive” mentorship with a Citizens Bank executive;
• Extensive public relations support;
• Promotional support highlighting the Champion in Action on all Citizens Bank branch DCN screens and on its ATMs;
• Exposure on both Citizens Bank and necn’s websites.

Champions in Action in the Addiction Services category targets non-profit organizations or partnerships working to provide addiction prevention and treatment services addressing substance abuse, treatment, education and prevention. The Champions in Action award will be presented to an addiction prevention and treatment program or partnership with a demonstrated history of success and measurement. The nonprofit should apply for the award and include success/metrics around the success of the program individually or if through collaboration with another partner(s), the lead non-profit should apply.

To be eligible for consideration, an organization must:

• Be a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization that serves Massachusetts and addresses the designated social concern;
• Provide verification of tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code; and
• Have a total operating budget of $5 million or less. 

Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities is part of the bank’s broader Citizens Helping Citizens program addressing five key areas: hunger, housing, economic development, financial education and volunteerism. Get more information about Citizens Bank’s community initiatives online.

See below for more information:

·         Apply now for @CitizensBank's #ChampionsinAction! Your NPO could receive financial/volunteer/PR support—here's how: http://bit.ly/1ljh5gI

·         Does your NPO focus on addiction prevention? Apply by July 29 for @CitizensBank's 2017 #ChampionsinAction program! http://bit.ly/1ljh5gI

·         Citizens Banks is offering financial/PR support for nonprofits through the #ChampionsinAction program. Apply at http://bit.ly/1ljh5gI

·         Local nonprofits: Apply for @CitizensBank's #ChampionsinAction now through July 29th at http://bit.ly/1ljh5gI

·         Your nonprofit could be awarded financial & PR support—apply for #ChampionsinAction by July 29 to be considered! http://bit.ly/1ljh5gI

Applications can be completed online at www.citizensbank.com/community/champions and must be submitted by Friday, July 29 at 5pm.