Boston Glory to Have Full Capacity at Home Games
In accordance with state and local guidelines, Boston Glory will have full capacity at Hormel Stadium. Boston Glory is a professional ultimate team and member of the 22-team AUDL (American Ultimate Disc League). Featuring men’s players from across New England, the team is poised to begin its inaugural season.
“This is what it is all about,” team owner Peter Collery said. “Going through this past winter and spring without the guarantee of fans in the building was tough, we’re so excited to be able to shar our product. We’re going to create a really fun environment for fans of all ages. With an incredible product on the field, we’re excited to get the stands packed. Even if you’re not too familiar with ultimate, we’re confident you’ll fall in love after a couple hours at Hormel.”
The AUDL has been gaining popularity across the country since 2012. Boston Glory’s season will begin in Pittsburgh on June 5. Glory will make their home debut at Hormel Stadium in Medford on June 11 against Atlanta. Tickets are available now on the team website at https://theaudl.com/glory.
National Guard Returns from Washington, D.C. Mission
This week, 400 soldiers and airmen of the Massachusetts National Guard returned home from a 10-week public safety support mission in Washington, D.C. The deployment fell under Governor Charlie Baker’s Jan. 25 activation order, which made up to 700 Massachusetts National Guard personnel available to augment the security and logistics capabilities of various agencies in the region. With the Governor’s consent, these service women and men undertook this second phase of the federally funded mission.
On Friday, May 14, Governor Baker had the chance to meet, address, and thank members of the Guard for their continued service while he was in Washington D.C. for a series of meetings with federal authorities.
Although the Massachusetts National Guard remains ready to assist when called, there are no current plans to deploy further personnel to support public safety in Washington, D.C., and all Guard personnel associated with this mission have returned to their home stations.
Veterans Lost to Service-Related Illness Bill Re-Filed
The Baker-Polito Administration has re-filed legislation to establish the Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity, which will be presented by the Massachusetts National Guard to the families of veterans who lost their lives to service-related illnesses and injuries.
“The Medal of Fidelity is an important opportunity to honor the brave men and women and their families who have served not just the Commonwealth, but the nation,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Service-related injuries and illnesses can persist long past service, and our administration is proud to offer legislation that, if passed, will demonstrate our gratitude for the sacrifices of our veterans and their loved ones.”
The bill, entitled “An Act Relative to Establishing the Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity,” will authorize the Commonwealth to award the Medal of Fidelity to the next-of-kin of Massachusetts service members who “died as the result of service-connected diseases, conditions or injuries that are related to either exposure to harmful toxins, herbicides, agents, and materials or service-related post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Complementing the Medal of Liberty, which is presented to the families of Massachusetts veterans who die of combat-related physical injuries, the Medal of Fidelity will recognize service-connected injuries related to exposure to harmful substances, such as Agent Orange, as well as death attributed to service-related mental illness.
“The brave men and women who serve in the military suffer visible and invisible trauma. Massachusetts is a leader in providing benefits and services to veterans, and helping veterans access mental health and other services,” said Secretary of Veterans’ Services Cheryl Lussier Poppe. “We can never express enough gratitude for those who have served, but we can take every opportunity to honor and pay our respects to those who give so much to us, and their families.”
The bill will also authorize a commission to make Medal of Fidelity award recommendations to the Governor. The commission will be composed of The Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard and two field grade officers of the armed forces of the Commonwealth.
Grants for the Future of Work Program Available
The Baker-Polito Administration and MassDevelopment have announced up to $1 million in funding for the sixth round of the Collaborative Workspace Program, a MassDevelopment program that accelerates business formation, job creation, and entrepreneurial activity in communities by supporting infrastructure that fuels locally based innovation.
Eligible organizations may apply for seed grants of up to $15,000 to study the feasibility of new collaborative workspaces or fit-out grants of up to $100,000 for new equipment or building improvements, including adjustments to help spaces adhere to the social distancing and health and safety standards outlined in the Commonwealth’s sector-specific COVID-19 Workplace Safety Standards.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the outlook for what it means to be ‘at work’ for many people, with Massachusetts’ vast network of coworking spaces offering another avenue for working, creating, and collaborating,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment’s Board of Directors.
Since its pilot launch, and through the first five rounds of grants, the Collaborative Workspace Program has made 164 awards totaling $9,842,041 for the planning, development, and build-out of collaborative workspaces.
The full Request for Proposals is available at massdevelopment.com/cowork. Responses are due by 5 p.m. on July 2.