Welcome to our October edition of the Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Association newsletter! We're excited to bring you a selection of opportunities and events designed to inspire, educate, and connect. Inside this issue, you'll find exclusive information on upcoming events, details on grant opportunities that could support your business, and much more!

This November, out-of-state activists are pushing a harmful ballot measure—Question 5—that will radically change the way restaurants in Massachusetts operate. This change would devastate our restaurant industry, hurting employees, business owners, and even the guests who love dining out.

 

Question 5 threatens to impose costly mandates that will force restaurants to pay unsustainable expenses and cut into the hard-earned wages of our servers and bartenders. These employees, who rely on tips for a large portion of their income, overwhelmingly oppose this measure. If passed, the result will be job losses, higher prices, and struggling businesses.

 

We can stop this. Polls show that if we spread the word, we can win—and win convincingly. Let’s stand together and protect our local restaurants. Vote No on Question 5 and keep Massachusetts dining vibrant and thriving!

In the video, Bob is advocating for a "No" vote on Question 5 in the upcoming November ballot, emphasizing the potential negative impact it would have on businesses. He explain that if Question 5 passes, it could result in a minimum of $600,000 in additional expenses in his business, Kowloon Restaurant which may force them and other businesses to close. 

Steve emphasized the importance of voting "No" on Question 5. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA) has been opposing this measure for months. 

 

The opposition is based on three key reasons: 

Impact on tipped employees: The proposed change would require servers and bartenders to share tips with the entire restaurant, reducing their overall earnings. A survey showed 90% of servers oppose this change.

 

Financial burden on restaurants: The cost to implement the new system would average $18,500 per employee, which most restaurants cannot afford, especially in a struggling industry.
 

Higher costs for consumers: Similar changes in Washington, D.C., led to job losses, higher prices, and the implementation of service charges in restaurants.

 

We encourages everyone to visit protecttips.org for more information and to talk to MRA's networks about voting "No" in the upcoming election.

Join Chinese Culture Connection for an informative session to explore this year's Massachusetts ballot questions. Learn what’s at stake, how these issues could impact our community, and why your vote matters. 
 

Please prepare any questions you have for the candidates beforehand. You may submit your questions during registration or send them via email to info@chinesecultureconnection.org 

Join Chinese Culture Connection for an informative session to explore this year's Massachusetts ballot questions. Learn what’s at stake, how these issues could impact our community, and why your vote matters. 
 

Please prepare any questions you have for the candidates beforehand. You may submit your questions during registration or send them via email to info@chinesecultureconnection.org 

Weatherization teaches air sealing, insulation, moisture controls and ventilation. It reduces energy costs by increasing the energy efficiency of building, while ensuring health and safety.

 

One of America's fastest growing clean energy industries! Studies estimate there will be more than 16,000+ new jobs in Weatherization.

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The class is a 2 week intensive, hands-on training followed by guaranteed job placement.

 

Entry-level jobs require no experience and pay up to $25/hour. Higher-level positions such as Crew Chief and Supervisor jobs pay up to $120,000 annually.

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Weatherization is a pre-apprenticeship program that also connects graduates with apprenticeship options with our employer partners.

The Boston Chinese Musicians Association (BCMA) will host a special ethnic traditional concert on October 26, 2024, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the violin concerto "Butterfly Lovers."

You are invited to the 1st Small Business Finance Summit, organized by ElevAsian in partnership with the SBA and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, on December 12, 2024, from 8:30-11:30am. 

 

The event will feature a panel of small business finance experts and a fireside interview with Gilbert Tsang, CEO of MEM Tea, who will share his entrepreneurial journey and experience with the SBA 504 program. Attendees will also hear from traditional lenders, community development financial institutions, impact investors, and more. 

 

For additional details, contact Andy Goldberg at andrewgoldberg@elevasian.org.

Grant & Program Opportunities

(Rolling Deadline) Amber Grant - Women's Net gives away at least $30,000 every month in Amber Grant money. In recognition of the diversity of businesses owned by women, they've also expanded their grant-giving to include Marketing Grants, Business Category Grants, as well as two $25,000 Year End Grants.

 

(Rolling Deadline) Free LLC Formation for Moms - Zenbusiness is giving every mom in America the ability to start an LLC for free, plus the cost of your state fee.  

Let your Legislators know that 

Credit Card Fees are out of control!

Please email your legislators and let them know that credit card fees are out of control. Massachusetts is one of two states that does not allow a business to add a convenience fee to consumer purchases to cover the cost of processing payment by credit or debit card. And while it has been like this for many years, the pandemic has exacerbated the issue as more and more consumers rely on credit cards. While 2% to the customer only amounts to a few dollars, 2% on all credit card transactions is a large expense for the business owner.

Founded in 2018, Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Association (MARA) is a non-profit corpo­ration registered at Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It formed a partnership with Massachu­setts Restaurant Association (MRA) in 2020. MARA provides Asian restaurant businesses the resources and guidance needed to advance in the industry. MARA is a platform connecting Asian restaurant members with professional service providers as well as relevant governmental entities to enhance the communication collaboration and mutual benefits. Visit ma-ara.org to join or learn more.