'Newton Hires' To Help Local Businesses Recover From Pandemic

NEWTON, MA — The City of Newton is helping local employers and employees recover from the pandemic with a new program called "Newton Hires," a partnership with MassHire Metro South/West and the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber that will provide a cash bonus incentive to attract workers to Newton-based jobs.

The program, which will officially begin Monday, August 9, will offer cash incentives of up to $1,000 to currently unemployed or underemployed individuals who register for employment assistance with MassHire, secure a job that involves 20 hours per week or more with a Newton-based employer, and remain at the position for at least four weeks.

"As Newton-based employers begin to recover and rebound from the pandemic, many are facing a challenge finding employees to fill a variety of job openings," said Mayor Ruthanne Fuller in a letter to the community Thursday. "The numbers are daunting - over the 90 days between April 15 and July 15, 3,400 jobs were posted for positions with employers located in the City of Newton."

"Simultaneously, people who faced layoffs and shorter hours during the pandemic are looking to re-enter the workforce or get more hours of work," she continued.

The Newton Hires program will be funded with approximately $220,000 from Newton's share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and will be administered by the MassHire Metro South/West office. The opportunity is limited to the first 200 individuals who get hired and remain employed in Newton.

Eligibility requirements for applicants are as follows:

• Be currently unemployed or underemployed and at least 18 years of age

• Register with MassHire Metro South/West here

• Secure employment of 20 hours a week or more with a Newton based business with a physical “brick and mortar” location in Newton

• Provide appropriate documentation to MassHire showing that they both have remained with the Newton employer for a period of four weeks (to receive an initial $500 cash incentive) and potentially receive an additional $500 cash incentive upon remaining with the employer through the week of December 20, 2021.

• The employee does not need to be a Newton resident

Eligibility requirements for employers are as follows:

• Be a Newton based employer with a physical brick and mortar location in the City of Newton

• Register their business and available job openings with MassHire Metro South/West here

Anyone with questions about Newton Hires can contact Newton Director of Economic Development Devra Bailin at dbailin@newtonma.gov or 617-831-0103.