3 min read January 2023 — In an interview with Invest:, Molyna Richards, executive director of the Waltham Chamber of Commerce, talked about the booming restaurant industry in Waltham, opportunities for further development and the necessity of establishing connections between local professionals to address the workforce shortage.
What are your priorities moving into 2023?
We have over 50 nonprofit organizations and something that the Chamber has continuously worked on is our Nexus program, which is in collaboration with Brandeis University, through which we are trying to bridge the gap between for-profits and nonprofits. We have nonprofits in various sectors, whether it be homeless shelters or a Boys and Girls Club, and every nonprofit needs something, which is not always money. Sometimes they need a building or painters. Then we have for-profit companies that range from furniture stores and tiling to showrooms and biotech companies. So, we have created a database that will allow the nonprofits to have access to this and the for-profits to actualize their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals as well, especially because employees are now interested in working for a company that has a CSR record and program.
What are some major programs or projects in place to better connect the business community?
We want to continue to serve our members and community to the best of our ability. We do research to see what our members need. Each year we hold an annual meeting, where we have a guest speaker and we vote in our new board members and honor those who are stepping down. Last year, we had Secretary Rosalin Acosta from the Office of Labor and Workforce Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The year before, we had Mike Kennealy, Secretary for the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. This year, we are looking to have a high-powered philanthropist, whose name I cannot announce yet, so we can bridge the gap between for-profits and nonprofits. We have a Women In Business series, which anyone can attend. We have had politicians, entrepreneurs, entertainers and business owners. These programs encourage and educate each other. We host several multi-chamber events a year. Lastly, we have our other annual events, The Waltham Chamber annual Luncheon, The holiday networking event, a restaurant raffle to promote the restaurants and The John Peacock Annual Golf Classic, which is named after my predecessor who was the Executive Director for 20 years. All of our events are designed for networking and to bring people together.
One of the things that I have changed about our event is that The Chamber used to hold big events at hotels but I am moving our events around to different locations to introduce professionals to other professionals around the area and to experience new places. We try to make connections happen because we are here exactly for that after all. For example, someone called me because they needed a bookkeeper. We have one, so we made the connection happen.
Where do you see the greatest opportunities in the market for developing Waltham?
Right now, our restaurant industries are really booming. Boston Property is also building another property for which they are looking at biotech and office spaces, so we have a lot of biotech space. Personally, I would like to see more retail shops here on the main streets to add to the diversity of the already existing great restaurants and salons that are present. Anywhere we can develop and give people jobs, I am happy with that.
What are some of the main challenges that come up for your members?
Workforce development is still at the top of the list as people are still struggling to hire. For example, Waltham is the second-biggest hotel hub in the New England market. They are struggling to find housekeepers, cleaners and servers, due to which they are even hiring and housing people from different parts of the country. The other big challenge is tech support for small businesses because they are facing challenges on how to effectively market their business and get the word out there, especially when there are simply not enough staff and the owner is essentially doing everything.
To address these issues, as I mentioned before, we had Sec. Acosta speak at our Annual Meeting. Many of our businesses have been able to stay in touch with her to figure out what her department can do for them and how to go forward. So, we listen to our members, figure out what they need and bring in the top dog to answer these questions. Additionally, our Chamber allows you to post job openings on our website and send them out on the 1st and 15th of every month in our newsletter.
What makes Waltham an attractive location for businesses to relocate to?
We are definitely less expensive than other big cities but we also have the benefits that you would get from being in those places. I say this with confidence because I have worked in big cities and towns before and I love the City of Waltham. If you need something the city counselors and the Mayor are very approachable. Waltham is a big city but it acts like a small town in the sense that people are actually accessible to you. So, you call the Chamber and say you need help and I will try to put you in touch with the person who can do what you need.
Waltham just has so much to offer besides work-related opportunities. If you want to take a lunch break, for example, there are simply so many options to choose from: Cuban, Korean, Mexican — almost any type of cuisine you feel like having. You can also go paddle on the Charles River or go to the various museums that are here as well.
What is your outlook for Waltham and the Chamber over the next few years?
My philosophy as a chamber executive director, as a mom, as a woman and just as a person is that my well-being and prosperity are dependent on others, just as theirs is dependent on me. There is a strong reciprocal relationship here. I truly feel that the better my neighbors do, the better I will do, and that is the way I feel about Waltham as well. That’s why, I dream for it to be a healthy economy and for people to come into our city and stay here. I want more economic development. I want people to live here, I want people to want to come here, I want them to live, travel and eat here, so I am hoping that we see this happen.
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