As you may know, in 2012 small businesses with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees became eligible for health care tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. This credit was specifically designed to assist small businesses and tax-exempt organizations in providing health insurance for their employees. Starting this month, (January 2014) an enhanced version of this credit takes effect that increases the rate to 50% for small business employers (up from 35%) and 35 % for tax-exempt employers (up from 25%) such as charities. The credits work on a sliding scale, so that smaller businesses and charities receive larger credits. Among the requirements for eligibility is that businesses must cover at least 50% of the cost of single (non-family) health care coverage to employees whose average wages are less than $50,000 a year. See how your business can benefit from this credit by clicking through the links on our website Resources page. 

As America's oldest, Touro Synagogue celebrates their 250th anniversary this year, we are pleased to feature this revered organization as our Client of the Month for January. We'll start with their history here and continue it in the following weeks in five parts on our Facebook page.

Part One, The Beginning:  By 1758 in Newport, the Jewish population had grown sufficiently that there was need for a larger, permanent gathering place and a house of worship. The Congregation accepted the offer of Peter Harrison, to design a new building to house the synagogue. Harrison, a British American merchant and sea captain, was self-tutored in architecture, studying mostly from books and drawings. He had already completed the building of Newport's Redwood Library and King's Chapel in Boston. Construction began on the "Jews Synagogue" in 1759. The Newport building was completed in 1763 and was dedicated during the Chanukah festival celebrations on December 2nd of that year.
<credit: TouroSynagogue.org>

Learn more about Touro Synagogue throughout the month by following our Facebook page. 

Top Ten Reasons to Buy Locally  

1. Keep money in our community: Significantly more money re-circulates locally when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned businesses. (A 10/04 study shows that locally-owned businesses generate a premium in enhanced economic impact-- For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 goes back into the community and our tax base. For every $100 spent at a chain store, only $14 comes back).
2. Support community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller locally-owned business owners than they do from large businesses.
3. Keep our community unique:Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit. "When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace." ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust
4. Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
5. Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.
6. Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.
7. Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community's future.
8. Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
9. Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
10. Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

We value all of our clients, but we're always happy to promote the businesses of our commercial clients.We've added a new 'Featured Client' section to our website and e-newsletter, where each month, we'll showcase one of our commercial clients. If you're one of our valued commercial clients, email us a photo, a brief description of your business (150 words max.) and the link to your website and we'll contact you shortly about your submission.