Trails & Streets Map to Showcase Businesses

A full-color Ashland Business Association (ABA) map, produced every two years, features streets, trails and more. The map will be delivered to every resident and business in the fall as an insert in Ashland Local Town Pages newspaper. The attractive 7th edition map (to be designed by Mike Marschke of DareDevil Studios, Ashland) will feature ads and listings for many ABA businesses and serve as a guide for residents who want to shop local and support Ashland businesses. In addition to streets, schools and town buildings, the map identifies town forest and other hiking trails, open spaces, historic and scenic areas, boat launches, and bike rack locations.

The map will be available for 24 months in public venues, such as the library, town hall and police and fire departments, as well as at local storefronts. To list your ad or business name in this year’s map or for questions, email ABA treasurer Dick Bennett, [email protected].

COVID-19 Re-Opening Consult

Owning and operating businesses during COVID-19 is not easy. The town is here to help. Sgt. Burman, Ashland’s COVID task lead, will come to a business and help it work through workplace standards. To set up an appointment, contact Sgt. Burman, 508-532-7988.

MassHire

MassHire creates and sustains powerful connections between businesses and jobseekers through a statewide network of employment professionals, according to its website, www.mass.gov/topics/masshire. Check out MassHire if you are a job-seeker or a business looking to hire.

Restaurant Week

Gov. Baker signed an executive order in mid-September doubling the size of a $5 million grant program that funds street and sidewalk improvements to assist local businesses and create safe public spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program was established in June to hand out payments of between $5,000 and $300,000 to help cities and towns quickly build improvements. Baker is hoping the funds can be used to extend the outdoor dining season.

Based on this news, Ashland’s Economic Development Director Beth Reynolds is hoping to follow Boston and Worcester’s lead in holding a restaurant week here. “Boston and Worcester are doing it so you bet Ashland can, too!” Reynolds said in an email to business owners. “After all, we are becoming quite the destination for good food and drink thanks to all the great restaurants holding it together and keeping it safe for us to dine in and out! We are shooting for the first two weeks in October and are hoping at least 10 restaurants join us with weekly specials.” She will provide more details as they become available.