ROCKLAND, MA:The South Shore Chamber of Commerce is honored to announce that it has been awarded a Pilot Grant from the State of Massachusettsto assist in regional recovery from the economic impact of COVID-19.

The grant will launch a program to encourage residents to think of “local” more broadly than their own neighborhood or own town. The program will promote exploration of the South Shore by residents of the South Shore through an exciting and robust marketing campaign spotlighting many discovery excursions across the 25 cities and towns in the region. The project will help local businesses increase their volume of business this summer and expand their long-term market.  

“The South Shore region has a lot of really interesting, fun, vibrant local businesses, trails, history across all 25 communities. Our residents, the whole world frankly, knows about Plymouth Rock, the Adams family and our beaches nearby. While we will be highlighting these attractions — there is so much more to see and do in our region. We want our residents to experience what is in their own town or just two towns. We’re excited to unlock wonder in our residents all while supporting local businesses as they recover”, says Peter Forman, President & CEO of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce.

The goal of the project is to drive foot traffic into our region’s cities and towns, ultimately in businesses in our communities to help bolster economic recovery post-COVID.

“We believe a program such as the one being proposed by the Chamber will not only encourage people from all over the Commonwealth to visit the South Shore, but will also remind those of us that live and work here of the myriad of opportunities for recreation, dining, housing and the arts that are right here close to home,” says James Boudreau, Scituate Town Administrator.

In addition, we hope to lay the foundation and deepen our existing efforts around placemaking, which is so important to the economic development of a region.

“The Pilot Program will renew interest in and highlight the town’s and region’s assets through its showcases and activities. This will not only assist these economies during the pandemic but also provide long-term marketing of these assets for future economic development opportunities” says Mayor Robert Hedlund, Town of Weymouth. 

Keep an eye out for “Hello! South Shore” to learn more about places to explore right here in your own backyard.  The South Shore Chamber will be partnering with local organizations, businesses and towns to present up to 15 half-day to full day travel excursions.

Congratulations to our friends and partners in Cohasset, Hull, Marshfield, Milton, Quincy, Scituate who were also awarded funding to support economic recovery in our region.