Good Afternoon,

Assistant Director Ralph Morang and I hope our viewers are well and staying healthy. January highlights include our work with the Noble Virtual Middle School and videos of MSAD 60 concerts we covered.  We seek someone interested in helping us produce a news program that summarizes Berwick happenings.  Check out the last page for more information.

Love is in the air.  Well, not quite yet but Valentine's Day is right around the corner.  February movies are all about love.  

Click Here to Open in Canva - this version includes the videos you can enlarge to view.  (No membership required - the newsletter will open automatically)

Attached below is the PDF version for those preferring to read without the videos.

Newsletter 6 - February 2022.pdf

Terri Wright, Director

Berwick Community Media

11 Sullivan St.

Berwick, ME  03901

www.berwicktv.org

Office:  207-698-1101  Ext. 153

Cell:  207-459-6155

Energy company prestaging crews in advance of heavy snowfall and high winds; encouraging customers to also prepare

MANCHESTER, N.H. (Jan. 28, 2022) – With the track of this weekend’s powerful snowstorm still uncertain, Eversource is preparing for whatever the storm may bring. The heavy snowfall and strong winds expected early Saturday into Sunday can bring down trees or tree limbs onto electric lines and equipment causing power outages. In advance of the storm, the energy company is strategically prepositioning equipment and line and tree crews across the state – including additional out-of-state crews – so they’re ready to respond quickly and safely to any storm-related outages. 

 

“We’ve had a close eye on this storm since the beginning of the week and continue to carefully track its path using several weather services and storm models,” said Eversource President of New Hampshire Operations Doug Foley. “This storm continues to be tough to track, and we aren’t leaving anything to chance. We have hundreds of line, tree and service workers who will be geared up and ready to respond to this storm and any damage it may cause to the electric system. We also remind customers that restorations may take longer as we ensure the safety of our employees who will be responding in challenging road conditions.”

Eversource reminds customers to always stay clear of downed wires and to report them immediately to 9-1-1. Be sure to report any outage online at Eversource.com, or by calling 800-662-7764. Customers who signed up for the company’s two-way texting feature can send a text to report an outage and receive outage updates as they happen. 

Customers are encouraged to prepare for the storm by assembling or restocking a storm kit which should include essentials like flashlights, batteries, water, non-perishable foods, pet food and essentials and any needed medications. In addition, make sure cell phones and devices are full charged, create an emergency plan with family members and check on elderly neighbors and friends.

Additional preparedness tips can be found at Eversource.com.

 

Dover, NH – Due to the winter storm that is predicted to hit this weekend, the decision has been made to curtail all service on Saturday, January 29, 2022. “We have been watching the weather forecasts closely and, while we try to avoid having to shut down, we feel this is the most prudent decision we could make based on the predicted conditions,” stated Rad Nichols, COAST Executive Director.

COAST services will operate as normal on Friday, January 28. The expectation is that COAST will return to regular operations starting on Monday, January 31. When COAST resumes service, expect delays as storm cleanup may still be affecting traffic.

Nichols commented further, “When traveling after the storm, please be safe on your way to and from bus stops. Please do not wait for the bus on top of snowbanks. Find the nearest driveway opening; make sure you are visible to the bus operator and wave as the bus approaches. In low light conditions wave a lit cell phone or flashlight to make you more visible to the bus operator.” COAST recommends wearing bright clothing, having reflectors and carrying a flashlight.

For updated information on COAST services, please tune in to area radio and television news outlets. COAST will also be using its website at www.coastbus.org, Facebook page at www.facebook.com/COASTbus and twitter account @COASTbus to provide additional updates

Cyber Attacks are a Growing Concern for #SmallBiz

Cyber-attacks are a growing threat for small businesses and the U.S. economy. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, the cost of cybercrimes reached $2.7 billion in 2020 alone.

Small businesses are attractive targets because they have information that cybercriminals want, and they typically lack the security infrastructure of larger businesses.

According to a recent SBA survey, 88% of small business owners felt their business was vulnerable to a cyber-attack. Yet many businesses can’t afford professional IT solutions, have limited time to devote to cybersecurity, or they don’t know where to begin.

Start by learning about common cyber threats, understanding where your business is vulnerable, and taking steps to improve your cybersecurity.

Learn about the threats and how to protect your data here 

Presented by SCORE Small Business Mentor Heather Turner

Join the SBA and SCORE as we review upcoming business trends for 2022.  Learn how to stay up-to-date on small business marketing efforts with online marketing, internet security and privacy, automated marketing initiatives, and learn what’s new in the marketing trend forecast for 2022. 

If you are a small business owner ready to discover the best marketing efforts to put your business on the right track for the coming year, this FREE workshop includes promising opportunities for you to grow your small business.

Register today!!

January is National Mentoring Month. Join us as we celebrate with SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteers and expert business mentors. Since 1964, SCORE has helped 11 million entrepreneurs start or grow a business. SCORE's  volunteers provide free mentoring, workshops and educational services to communities nationwide. 

Administrator Guzman kicked off her New Hampshire visit at the Derry Opera House with Senator Hassan and Congressman Pappas. Later, they visited The Grind Rail Trail Café and met café owner Melanie Davis. Davis was able to survive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with support through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Administrator Guzman and Congressman Pappas traveled to Manchester and met Peter Ramsey, President and CEO of the Palace Theatre, Joyce Craig, Mayor of Manchester, NH, and Mike Skelton, President, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. They also participated in a small business forum in the Palace Theatre where they discussed local business successes and continued challenges, as well as SBA resources. They ended their trip there with a tour of the Palace Theatre. Read more here and for photos of the trip

SBA Announce Launch of the “Small Business Digital Alliance”

Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Business Forward, Inc., a non-profit organization working with small business leaders in support of policies promoting America’s economic competitiveness, announced the launch of the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA). A joint public-private co-sponsorship, the SBDA will connect small businesses with critical tech resources to start and expand their e-commerce business to scale for success. The new initiative will also feature a series of free briefings and training to help small businesses access and utilize these digital tools to reach new markets, find diverse talent, improve operations, and raise capital.

Beyond access to technical skills development and tools, the SBDA will play a significant role in helping entrepreneurs expand their networks -- a key component for small businesses as they seek new customers and stronger relationships with vendors, lenders, and other stakeholders needed for success. Specifically, through the SBDA, the SBA and Business Forward will convene some of America’s most respected leaders in business, government, economic development, and other aligned spaces to facilitate cooperation and help small business owners fully harness the power of technology to fuel growth.

“The world’s economy has grown increasingly digital, particularly over the course of the pandemic, and small businesses have pivoted and adapted by adopting technology at incredibly high rates. Through our new Small Business Digital Alliance and agreement with Business Forward, the SBA will help more small businesses accelerate their online and social media strategies to power their businesses in e-commerce and better engage with their customers where they are,” said Administrator Guzman. “And as access to highspeed internet increases, thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $65 billion in broadband infrastructure investments, the SBA will be working to ensure that entrepreneurs in every community in America are ready to take advantage of new opportunities to innovate and leverage technology to start, operate, grow, and be resilient.” 

Small businesses depend on a comprehensive suite of tools to expand their customer base, manage their growth, find and retain talent, and enter new markets, including globally, but often encounter obstacles. Aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s focus on equity and leveling the playing field, the collaboration with Business Forward through the SBDA will prioritize creating access to competitive opportunities and lowering barriers to entry for small businesses, especially those from historically underserved and disadvantaged communities across the country.

“In today’s economy, small businesses are moving online to attract customers, open new markets, develop new products, and obtain capital – and there is a range of new digital tools and services that can help, particularly when small businesses partner with their community,” said Jim Doyle, President of Business Forward.  “By leveraging their community’s local tech incubator, VC firm, university lab, training program, and free digital tools from global businesses – small businesses are more likely to succeed. Collaboration is critical, and the SBDA will help small businesses and their communities work together to achieve and maintain critical mass for success.”

The SBA and Business Forward, along with Members of the SBDA, will also host a series of joint virtual and in-person events across the nation to include policy briefings on small business trends and showcase the digital tools small businesses can take advantage of -- free of charge. A list of Members of the Small Business Digital Alliance will be released in the coming weeks. We encourage any and all companies interested in supporting small businesses with trainings, insights, and free digital tools to contact us to become part of SBDA at info@smallbusinessdigitalalliance.com.

Co-sponsorship Authorization No: 22-5-C: The SBA’s participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products, or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

About the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA)

The Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA) is a joint co-sponsorship agreement between the SBA and Business Forward that brings together major players, influencers, and companies in the e-commerce technology space to help small businesses connect with resources and reach new customers through expanded e-commerce opportunities through trainings, tools, and expansion of their digital networks – free of charge. To learn more, visit www.smallbusinessdigitalalliance.com.  

January 10, 2022 – With major expansion and acquisition initiatives extending the company’s reach beyond its traditional east coast footprint, Atlantic Broadband, the nation’s eighth-largest cable operator, today announced it has rebranded as Breezeline^TM

Following the company’s acquisition of two cable systems in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio in September 2021, which expanded the company’s serviceable households and businesses to more than 1.6 million, the company decided to rebrand to describe more accurately its expanded geographical reach, as well as new service offerings and its commitment to customer care.

“We’re no longer just an east coast provider, and we’ve long offered much more than broadband, so our company identity must evolve with us,” said Frank van der Post, President of Breezeline. “The name Breezeline marks the beginning of a new, exciting era of transforming our company through new growth, while also elevating the customer experience through enhanced customer care options, innovative products, and investment in the latest technologies.”

In addition to recent growth through acquisitions, the company has launched a major fiber expansion initiative that will extend connectivity to more than 70,000 additional homes and businesses in New Hampshire and West Virginia via ultra-fast Fiber-to-theHome (FTTH) technology.

The company will also launch Breezeline Stream TV, a cloud-based, web-powered video experience allowing customers to access live and recorded programs on every compatible device in and outside the home. Breezeline Stream TV will be launched in select Breezeline markets early this year, with additional markets being added throughout 2022.

“The Breezeline name was chosen to convey our commitment to providing easy access to connected experiences for our customers,” said Julie Sullivan, Vice President of Marketing for Breezeline. “The Breezeline logo, a five-point pinwheel, represents our customers and the communities we serve, the innovation and services that enrich customers’ lives, and the elevated experiences we strive to provide in a seamlessly connected world. The pinwheel also implies motion – symbolic of both high-speed connectivity and the ease with which customers can interact with our company and services.”

The company has launched a series of new customer care initiatives, including enhanced self-service options, a new online experience, and simplified, transparent pricing. There is more to come, including a new customer app planned for release early this year.

The company transformation was set into motion by van der Post after joining the company in November 2019. He has worked with company leadership and all customerfacing employees to transform the company’s internal culture with the end goal of producing a superior experience for customers.

“With input from our employees, we established a Customer Experience Blueprint more than a year ago and began to reverse engineer our desired customer outcomes. At the same time, we have immersed our entire team in the skills and behaviors that are key to the experience we are striving to deliver,” said van der Post. “We are making progress, but there is still more we will do as we continue to evolve and transform from the inside out, with all employees involved in this effort. Our new brand signals how committed we are to this goal.”

The new Breezeline name and logo were introduced to customers beginning today through a redesigned website, rebranded social media platforms, email announcements and more. The company’s Columbus and Cleveland operations, which are currently operating under the WOW! brand name, will transition to Breezeline by summer 2022.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen's office has created this helpful reference tool to break down the funding and grant opportunities by agency. 

Find it here: 

https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Shaheen%20Resource%20Document%20-%20The%20Infrastructure%20Investment%20and%20Jobs%20Act%20-%20Formula%20and%20Competitive%20Funding%20by%20Agency%20-final1.pdf