Ashland’s Business Scene

Legislative Issues That Affect Businesses in 2018 to be Discussed
Christopher Carlozzi will be the guest speaker at the Ashland Business Association’s (ABA) first program in the new year, on Tuesday, Jan. 2, at the Ashland Library, 66 Front St. Carlozzi is state director of The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). He will discuss key updates on major labor legislative issues and new legislative proposals that will affect businesses in 2018.
Early networking will be held from 5:30 to 6 p.m.; the program will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Prior to being named state director of NFIB in June 2017, Carlozzi spent the last nine years as NFIB Grassroots Manager working with small business owners in Massachusetts and throughout New England. He learned firsthand from business owners the issues directly impacting their businesses. Carlozzi was responsible for educational programs, membership advocacy and raising awareness on vital small business issues such as healthcare, taxation, regulations and labor matters. He worked to involve NFIB members across New England in the legislative process.
In addition to working directly with New England NFIB members, Carlozzi worked to enact legislation that would help small businesses in both the Massachusetts and Rhode Island legislatures.
ABA programs or socials are scheduled for most first Tuesdays of the month throughout the year. For more information on the ABA, contact President Adam Sachs at president@ashlandbusinessassociation.com or call (508) 656-0503. To join the ABA, visit www.ashlandbusinessassociation.com.
News from the Economic Development Office
Ashland Economic Development Director Beth Reynolds reported several key accomplishments in 2017: creation of a community meeting place, The Corner Spot, where nine businesses tried out; 10 open mic nights; four large weekend events; 15 “tot spots” involving the Ashland Mom’s Club; and eight board game nights. Reynolds worked closely with the ABA to help increase membership. She launched a social media campaign for small business during the month of November.
In addition, she created an Economic Advisory Group to help support the Economic Development Office. “The group acts as ambassadors for the town to support existing business and recruit new business to town,” Reynolds said. “The year 2018 will focus on continuing to build relationships with local realtors and developers to make sure commercial space is full and developments are meeting the needs of the community. I will continue to market the town as business-friendly to attract new companies to town. We will stay focused on the revitalization of downtown and continue to promote the small business opportunities at The Corner Spot.”