FRAMINGHAM, MA – CNNMoney.com is featuring special reports and a brief online video about the impact of the recession on Framingham.

A CNNMoney reporter visited Framingham and interviewed State Senator Karen Spilka, Alison Steinfeld, Director of the Community and Economic Development Department, Ilma Paixao, a spokesperson of the Brazilian community who is well-known for her efforts to bridge the cultural gap, as well as many small business owners.

The reporter mentioned the layoffs at the larger companies, such as Bose and Staples, closing of long-time businesses, such as the FabricPlace, and the efforts of new businesses and institutions, like Ken’s Steak House, to weather the downturn.

Nine small businesses are featured, including Annie’s Book Stop, Taylor Rental Center, Party Flowers, and Old Station Steakhouse, with photos of their businesses and of familiar Framingham sights.

You can see the video and the main story on this link:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/27/smallbusiness/framingham.smb/index.htm

You can also get access to the video from that link as well as from this one:

http://money.cnn.com/video/#/video/smallbusiness/2009/02/27/smb.framingham.maltby.smb

Here is a direct link to the stories about the nine businesses: (click on the “next button” to see each of the businesses.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/smallbusiness/0902/gallery.framingham.smb/index.html

Where will they be a year from now? With your support, they will still be with us.

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