Good morning friends,

Three of the six Americans who were awarded a Nobel prize in the sciences this month are foreign-born.

That’s not an outlier: Immigrants have made up 40% of the U.S. science winners since 2000: 45% in physics, 43% in chemistry and 32% in medicine.

“You never know who or how the poorest refugee or migrant might blossom into a world-class scientist or entrepreneur,” writes the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal.  “This is talent the U.S. needs, and immigration is a force multiplier for American innovation.”

(Yes, you read that right, that’s from a WSJ editorial.)

“Some of our readers will sniff that these are mere anecdotes and say the Trump White House supports legal immigration,” the editorial continues. “Sorry, anecdotes matter because the contributions of individuals matter. And the restrictionists in the White House are trying to shrink even legal immigration too.”

Jobs and life-saving therapies hang in the balance. But why rush?

Back in July, Gov. Maura Healey proposed creating a $400 million fund to help institutions affected by devastating cuts to federal research grants.

“This bill is about creating jobs across industries from construction and food services to health care and education,” Healey said this summer.

“And in the face of uncertainty from the federal government, this is about protecting one of the things that makes Massachusetts so special – our global leadership in health care and helping families across the world.”

The governor’s sense of urgency is well-founded economically at a time when our biotech supremacy is at risk.

The $8.57 billion in federal research and development funding that Massachusetts received annually supported 81,300 jobs. It generated $7.8 billion in income and drove more than $16 billion in economic activity, according to a UMass Donahue Institute report.

For every dollar invested, the state sees an economic benefit of twice that, the report added.

Given the economic risk — and upside — you might think our Legislature would be all over this, right?

Wrong.

Three months after Healey proposed the DRIVE Initiative, lawmakers have yet to hold a hearing on the bill, reports Bloomberg’s Greg Ryan.

Also in limbo is a proposal from Healey to establish a separate fund with contributions from philanthropists and private investors.

Ryan notes that lawmakers have been hesitant to make new financial commitments, particularly as the state also confronts devastating cuts to Medicaid and other programs.

It’s an appropriate concern.  But it does not justify the Legislature failing to even hold a hearing to consider this bill.

Form could assist in the event of an ICE detainment

Congresswoman Katherine Clark’s office has shared with us a release form that could be beneficial for certain business owners, employees, customers, family members or other acquaintances in the event of an ICE detention. Details. 

Langer and daughter collaborate on Watertown biotech

Watertown biotech Soufflé Therapeutics has raised nearly $200 million in venture money and is planning clinical trials for a muscular dystrophy treatment next year.

The company, at 250 Arsenal Place, is the latest creation of MIT professor and serial entrepreneur (and Newton resident) Bob Langer, who has co-founded more than 40 ventures in his career.

Langer’s daughter, Susan, is Souffle’s founding president and chief business officer, while his son, Michael, recently launched a new biotech venture capital firm with support from his dad.

Friday grab bag

• The Boston Federal Reserve Bank estimates that small importers will soon pass along an average of half of the tariff hikes and other cost increases to consumers. That’s up from earlier this year, when the average passed along to consumers was about one-third. (BBJ)
  
  
• We have rescheduled our Ward 4 at-large Newton City Council debate to Weds. Oct. 22nd at noon. Join us and hear from candidates Josh Krintzman, John Chaimanis and Cyrus Dahmubed ahead of the Nov. 4 election.
  
  
• Clarification: In Tuesday's newsletter, I mischaracterized Wellesley Select Board Vice Chair Tom Ulfelder’s position on the state’s plan to designate 45 acres at MassBay for housing under the Affordable Homes Act. Ulfelder recognizes housing will be built, but is seeking clarity on yet-to-be-issued regulations, opportunities for community input on design and aesthetics, and preservation of the forest and Centennial Park.
  
  
• I was this many days old before I learned that the inventor of the Swiffer is a Needham guy (Needham Observer).
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• Newton law firm Tamkin & Hochberg LLP has merged and combined its law practice with Dalton & Finegold LLP. Founding partners Jonathan Tamkin and Andrew Hochberg will continue as partners, along with the T&H staff, at the D&F Newton office.
  
  
• Yes, that’s Kevin Hart and David Beckham together in a new digital series for Needham’s SharkNinja.
  
  
• Chamber members can receive discounted tickets for the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation's Tax Policy Conference on Oct. 17 in Boston. The event will feature expert panels on state tax developments, the impact of OBBBA, and federal policy effects on Massachusetts. Let us know if you are interested in attending with the discounted rate.
  
  
• NBC10 reports on a Bad Bunny Boney Halloween display in Watertown.
  
  
• The Green Energy Consumers Alliance is hosting a webinar Oct. 14 at noon to introduce Community Charge, a program helping Massachusetts public and nonprofit entities install EV chargers through pre-negotiated contracts.
  
  
• Looking for a way to support the chamber’s advocacy and programming, but you don’t work locally - or perhaps you’re retired? Become a citizen member for $95 a year.

West Newton Cinema recommended for $2M city grant

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has introduced a new matching grant pilot program to support employer investments in childcare for working families.

Projects eligible for $2.5 million Employer Child Care Innovation Fund include:

• Tuition assistance or shared-cost programs with contributions from employers, employees, and the state.
• Expansion or reservation of seats in local child care programs.
• Development of on-site, or near-site, child care.
• Infrastructure investments through community partnerships.
• Flexible scheduling or dependent care assistance programs.

Find out if your company might be eligible here.

Join us Wednesday for a special  Wellesley celebration

On Wednesday (Oct. 15), we’re hosting Wellesley Night, the last of four special events for 2025 that celebrate each of our chamber communities.

These Business After Hours events always bring out an engaging mix of business, nonprofit leaders and elected leaders, along with many residents and customers of our local businesses and the attendee list for Wednesday looks amazing.

We hope it will include you, too.

Wednesday is noteworthy because we’ll be on the campus of the No. 2 best college in America and joined by Babson College President Stephen Spinelli Jr. and other college leaders.

During a brief speaking program, we’ll be presenting a Wellesley Business Award to Captain Marden's Seafoods, a cherished fourth-generation family restaurant that’s recently undergone a transformation.

We’re also honoring Peter Mongeau, president of the Wellesley Historical Society and learning how he led efforts to create a permanent, dignified space for retelling and exploring the town’s history.

And we’ll tip our hats to Sustainable Wellesley for its thoughtful approach to climate action, waste reduction, energy, transportation and more.

Oh yes, there will be food, drink and lots of time for conversation and connecting.

You don’t have to work or live in Wellesley to participate. Please join us.

And that’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know where you land in the new  2026 tax brackets or why motorcyclists tap their helmets.

Enjoy the long — and soggy — weekend.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.

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