In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition – Tuesday, June 30 – Worcester’s DPH receives a grant to support its efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, the RMV adds more online services, the City of Worcester is planting a tree today for Arbor Day, the American Antiquarian Society received a sizable grant, and another round of funding is available for collaborative workspaces across the state.
Worcester DPH Receives Grant to Hire COVID-19 Staff
The Worcester Division of Public Health received a $295,000 grant through the CDC Foundation to hire staff to provide surge support for the City’s ongoing response to COVID-19.
Through the grant, the CDC Foundation will hire contractors including a nurse, community outreach/education specialist, a contract tracing coordinator, as well as environmental health and administrative support. The positions will bolster the WDPH’s overall COVID-19 response efforts, which include monitoring more than 5,500 positive COVID-19 individuals and their close contacts.
“We are extremely grateful to the CDC Foundation and the donor, [The Medtronics Foundation], for selecting the Worcester Division of Public Health for this generous award,” said Karyn Clark, Director of Public Health for Worcester. “These funds will build additional capacity for staff to respond to the COVID- 19 recovery efforts and connecting those impacted, especially communities of color, to needed services.”
RMV Adds Services to Remote Offerings
The Massachusetts Registry of Motors Vehicles [RMV] has partnered with Boston Software Corporation to create new online services which enables independent insurance agents to renew and reinstate passenger and commercial vehicle registrations on behalf of their customers.
Boston Software’s Singlepoint software platform is used by the majority of Massachusetts insurance agents and carriers.
With new features, insurance agents can seamlessly access the RMV’s ATLAS system to confirm that the reinstatement or renewal transaction is eligible to be completed online, and attest that a vehicle is properly insured.
Owners or drivers will then get an email link instructing them to pay for the transaction and, when payment is provided, the registration will be reinstated or renewed immediately.
Celebrate Arbor Day with Worcester
Worcester’s Arbor Day tree planting ceremony is at 4 PM at the Frances Perkins Branch of the Worcester Public Library.
The event on Tuesday will recognize the City’s dedication to protecting its trees and improving its urban forest.
There was no event in April, as there usually is, due to COVID-19.
American Antiquarian Society receives $101,387 Grant
The American Antiquarian Society [AAS] has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities [NEH] to create virtual programs.
AAS received $101,387 for the “Activating Virtual AAS” project which will move AAS scholarly and public programs online during the pandemic .
AAS was on of 311 awardees fro 2,333 eligible applications to the NEH CARES Act, created by congress within legislation of the same name.
Fifth Round of Funding for Collaborative Workspaces
Governor Charlie Baker’s office, alongside MassDevelopment, announced funding for the fifth round of the Collaborative Workspace Program.
The MassDevelopment program accelerates business formation, job creation, and entrepreneurial activity in communities by supporting infrastructure that fuels locally based innovation.
Established coworking spaces can apply for grants of up to $100,00. The first four rounds of the program have made 136 awards for a total of $8.4 million.
