On Thursday evening, the Charles River Chamber held its annual Summer Celebration at Commodore Builders inn West Newton, bringing together members of the business community from across Newton, Brookline, Needham, Wellesley and Watertown.

There were business owners, business managers, employees, advocates and elected officials, celebrating the vibrant MetroWest culture and sharing their hopes for the region’s economic future.

“In the city of Newton, we have made it quite clear that we are interested in promoting economic development,” Mayor Marc Laredo said to the crowd.

He gave a shout out to Economic Development Director Lauren Berman and Deputy Director Cheryl Lappin, and promised that the city is embarking on “a very proactive approach to being supportive of our business community, both current businesses because we want them to grow and thrive here, and new businesses because we want them to be welcome in the community.”

“And what does that mean for us?” the mayor continued. “It means that we’re going to help you navigate City Hall much better. It means we’re going to help you get your building permits when you need to, get your other inspections in place. It means we’re going to help promote the different villages in Newton, and we have 13 villages, as you all know, in this great city. We’re going to promote each and every one of them. We’re going out and talking directly to our business owners, the folks on the ground, the folks who own businesses, the folks who own buildings, and we’re talking to them about what their needs are, and then we’re going to address those needs. So I want everyone in this room: if you’re not doing business in Newton, you should. If you are doing business in Newton. I want you to know that you are friends at City Hall.”

Commodore Builders is a construction management company based in West Newton on Washington Street. On Thursday. That business moved out of Newton to Waltham for a little while but moved back when space in West Newton became available.

“For us, it’s not just about projects. It’s about building communities,” Commodore CEO Joe Albanese said. “And here we are. Communities take communication, collaboration, advocacy, and that’s what’s the Charles River Chamber of Commerce does.”

Check out these photos and video from the party.

The Charles River Regional Chamber hosts its annual Summer Celebration at Commodore Builders in West Newton on July 23, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Left to right: City councilors Cyrus Dahmubed, Alison Leary and Maria Greenberg hang out at the Charles River Regional Chamber’s annual Summer Celebration at Commodore Builders in West Newton on July 23, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Commodore Builders owner Joe Albanese speaks at the Charles River Regional Chamber’s annual Summer Celebration on July 23, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Ellen Tanowitz, left, and Economic Development Director Lauren Berman, right, mingle at the Charles River Regional Chamber’s annual Summer Celebration at Commodore Builders in West Newton on July 23, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Mayor Marc Laredo attends the Charles River Regional Chamber’s annual Summer Celebration at Commodore Builders in West Newton on July 23, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle