CHAMBER TO DEVELOP REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

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The Chamber and its economic development arm, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corp, have hired national economic development strategists RKG Associates, Inc. to assist in the creation of a new economic development plan for the region.  RKG Associates is an economic planning and real estate consultancy with offices in Washington, Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, and Durham, NH. The RKG consulting team for the project will also include FXM Associates, a consulting firm based in Massachusetts that specializes in real estate and transportation, and Hodge Economic Consulting, an economic development consulting firm also based in Massachusetts.   

The RKG led team was chosen after a thorough selection process that included a formal request for proposals from economic development firms, evaluation of the responses received, interviews with finalists, and evaluation of past projects and experience.  The process was led by a selection committee, comprised of twelve business and community leaders. 

The purpose of this effort is to develop a multi-faceted and implementable plan to guide the Chamber’s regional economic development efforts over the next 10 to 15 years, providing for sustainable growth.  In the 1990s, the Chamber led a similar community and business-based planning effort that proved effective in driving economic development efforts over a twenty-year period and led to the creation of many of the region’s economic assets.  Recognizing that much has changed since that first plan was developed and the major impact it had in advancing the local economy, the Chamber felt that the time was right to undergo this process again and develop a new plan for the future.  

“In order to gain a competitive edge, we believe that it is time to reflect on the assets we have in North Central Massachusetts and how we can build on them,” said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “We believe it’s important to go through this process to develop a shared vision for the future of the region and a roadmap to ultimately achieve success.” 

Echoing Nascimento’s sentiments, RKG Vice President and Principal, Eric Halvorsen stated, “North Central Massachusetts is at an important point in its history.  It needs to set a new economic path forward that capitalizes on its regional competitive advantages but does so in a way that leverages new economic development opportunities and outcomes.”

The scope of the project includes a data driven assessment of the region’s competitiveness as a place to live, work, visit and do business; identification and analysis of comparable regions locally or nationally for benchmarking purposes; review and analysis of economic development resources and capacity within North Central Massachusetts; outreach and engagement with community, businesses and other stakeholders to gather input to help shape the plan; and the preparation of an economic development strategy and implementation plan. The project is expected to take 6 to 12 months. 

This development of this comprehensive regional economic development plan is part of the Chamber’s continuing efforts to advance the economy of North Central Massachusetts.  For more information on the project, please contact the Chamber at 978.353.7600.

Chamber Releases Transportation Platform Ahead of State House Debate

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With debate over transportation improvements and funding taking shape in the State House, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce has released a platform outlining its position on this important matter. “North Central Massachusetts is poised to be the next area of growth in Massachusetts,” stated Roy Nascimento, the Chamber’s president and CEO. “However, without a strong and reliable transportation system, we will be unable to expand our residential, commercial, and industrial tax bases.”

The platform itself is divided into three sections, covering the Chamber’s position on individual reforms, funding proposals, and priority regional infrastructure projects. “The platform’s goal is to ensure accountability and regional equity as the state explores prioritizing transportation infrastructure and ways to finance these projects” explained Christopher McDermott, the Chamber’s public affairs manager. Key highlights of the Chamber platform include:

· First and foremost, the Chamber believes that any new transportation funding initiatives should be accompanied by meaningful reforms, with increased focus on fiscal management, long-term planning, and sustainability. Moreover, any new funding measures passed for transportation infrastructure should be directly tied to those purposes;

· In regards to funding, the Chamber supports congestion pricing as a targeted method of addressing bottlenecks during peak periods along routes where public transit is readily available. It is also in favor of increasing ride sharing fees for transportation network companies;

· The Chamber is open to the Governor’s Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), provided that New Hampshire and other states in the Northeast participate so as not to place Massachusetts at a competitive disadvantage. While we have some concerns with this proposal, we appreciate the regional focus and the underlying goals of improving transportation infrastructure, reducing carbon emissions, and creating economic development opportunities;

· At the same time, the Chamber opposes expanding tolling along open access state highways. The Chamber will also resist efforts to increase the gas tax or implement mileage fees, as these are regionally inequitable options which penalize drivers in rural areas that lack access to public transit;

· Lastly, once funds have been raised, the Chamber will advocate for the modernization of Route 2 and Interstate 190; expansion of alternative transit options; and improved Commuter Rail service, to include increased frequency of trips, subsidies to address unreasonably priced fares, and express trains from Fitchburg to Boston.

The Chamber’s position was developed after research and polling members. The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, comprised of members from diverse industries, also helped review and draft the position. A final draft was reviewed and approved by the Chamber’s Board of Directors at their meeting on January 16, 2020. It can be found on the Government Affairs Page under “Chamber Positions” by clicking here. Thank you to all the members who provided input on this issue.

State Council formed to Investigate Merged Market & Small Business Premiums

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Last Fall, Governor Charlie Baker established the Merged Market Advisory Council in an effort to examine the individual and small group insurance market, or “merged market,” and underlying trends that have driven insurance costs up for small and mid-size employers. This group is comprised of 13 appointed members and chaired by Gary Anderson, the Commissioner of Insurance. Its membership includes various experts with knowledge of the insurance industry, including actuaries, brokers, insurance carriers and representatives from employers and the small business community.

The creation of this market can be traced to the Commonwealth’s enactment of RomneyCare in 2006. The reforms included merging the “non-group” risk pool, comprised of individuals, with the “small group” risk pool, comprised of small business with 50 or less employees (including the self-employed). This was intended to reduce premiums for those in the non-group market- which faced elevated costs due to a higher utilization on services – by spreading the risk over a larger population. The Chamber and many business groups were opposed at the time, fearing that rates would increase for small businesses. Vermont is the only other state where the individual and small group risk pools were merged into a single merged market.

While it is true that the merged market has led to premium reductions for individuals, it has also resulted in dramatic increases for small businesses and their employees. According to the Center for Insurance Information and Analysis, Massachusetts has amongst the highest small business health care premiums in the country. Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise to the Chamber or our members who have struggled with increasing premiums for years.

The Governor’s Merged Market Advisory Council is expected to make recommendations to the Baker Administration, which may include separating the merged groups as a way to reduce costs for small businesses. Some have argued that since passage of the national Affordable Care Act, the merged market is no longer necessary due to the incentives and subsidies provided to individuals.

The Advisory Council has scheduled a series of sessions where the public may share their input and concerns. The closest session to North Central Massachusetts is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Room S-1-123 at UMass Medical Center, 55 Lake Avenue North in Worcester. The Chamber will be in attendance and encourages its members to participate and share any concerns they have as well. If you are unable to attend, please consider submitting written comments to the Merged Market Advisory Council via email at mergedmarket@mass.gov.

For more information, please feel free to contact Christopher McDermott, Public Affairs Manager at 978.353.7600 ext. 224 or via email at cmcdermott@northcentralmass.com

March Edition of Good Morning North Central features Executive Director of MassTech and New Owner of the Mall at Whitney Field

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The next edition of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber’s popular Good Morning North Central breakfast series is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 6:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Doubletree by Hilton, 99 Erdman Way, Leominster, MA.  The March edition is sponsored by the DoubleTree by Hilton.

The Good Morning North Central series is a high-profile, fast-paced and educational breakfast program geared towards executives, senior managers, professionals and business owners.  Each of the programs has a business-oriented focus and features popular speakers to present on topics of interest to local businesses.

The featured speakers for the month of March are Carolyn Kirk, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and Jim Hull, Owner and Managing Principal of the Hull Property Group.

Carolyn A. Kirk was selected by the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative as the agency’s new executive director in February, 2019.  

From January 2015 to early February 2019, she served as the Deputy Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED), a role she held since the beginning of the Baker-Polito Administration. As Deputy Secretary, Kirk supported the management of HED’s $1.4 billion dollar budget and approximately 1,000 employees.  In addition, Kirk’s portfolio includes serving alongside Lt. Governor Karyn Polito on the Seaport Economic Council. She is extremely familiar with MassTech’s work, having chaired the agency’s Board on behalf of EOHED, and has been a leader on the effort to bring broadband to 44 unserved towns, working closely with the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at MassTech.

Prior to her appointment to the Administration, Kirk as the first woman popularly elected as Mayor of the City of Gloucester. Her professional career spans more than 25 years and includes time as a management consultant, working with clients that included many of the Top 20 banks in the U.S. along with Fortune 500 companies.

Jim Hull is the founder and managing principal of Hull Property Group- who recently acquired the Mall at Whitney Field in Leominster. He has led the acquisition, development and redevelopment in excess of 70 big-box retail, neighborhood and regional shopping centers, including the acquisition of 32 enclosed regional malls, many of which comprise the Company’s approximate 15 million plus square feet of owned retail portfolio located in 13 states.

Jim is a lifelong resident of Augusta, Georgia and is an active communicant of the Church of the Good Shepherd. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.  He is also on the boards of the Medical College of Georgia Foundation, Board of Visitors of Augusta University, AU Health System, State of Georgia’s REACH Scholarship Program, the Georgia Research Alliance, the Community Foundation of the CSRA, America’s Warrior Partnership and is the past Chair of the University System of Georgia Foundation.  

He is a long-standing member of the United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society and has been honored with the United Way’s Founders Award. Jim received the President’s Award from Augusta University, the Liberty Bell Award from the Augusta Bar Association and the Philanthropist of the Year Award from the Society of Fundraising Professionals. He is a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow, past president of the Augusta Assembly, and has been inducted in Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame and Beta Gamma Sigma’s Honor Society. Jim is a recipient of an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Augusta University.

The cost is just $25 for Chamber members/$40 non-members and includes a breakfast buffet.  Pre-registration is required. To register please click here.

Visit North Central Massachusetts Participating in SkiMass Collaboration

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Visit North Central Massachusetts is proud to participate in a #SkiMass collaboration in partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, The Massachusetts Ski Resort Association, The Berkshires and Franklin County. This is in an effort to bring more ski and snowboarding travelers to North Central Massachusetts and support our partners at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area.

A mix of targeted digital media on Facebook and Instagram platforms are set in place to target key markets in Greater Boston, New Hampshire, New York and Connecticut.

 

For more information on North Central Massachusetts, please go to:

www.VisitNorthCentral.com 

2020 Legislative Briefing

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On January 10th, the Chamber hosted a legislative briefing with the region’s state house delegation to discuss our budget and policy priorities for the coming year. The presentation touched on economic development priorities, including tourism, manufacturing, education, workforce development and transportation infrastructure.

Thank you to the North Central Massachusetts Delegation for helping secure a $100,000 grant in the FY19 budget to help our efforts to develop a comprehensive economic development plan for the region. Special thanks to Senator Dean Tran for sponsoring the item in the budget.

CHAMBER RELEASES STUDY PROFILING NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS ECONOMY

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A new report released today by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce provides an in-depth look at the twenty-seven communities that comprise North Central Massachusetts.  The Regional Economic Profile was compiled by a research team at the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute and combines detailed economic, labor market and socioeconomic data, as well as analysis on the economic conditions within the region. The Chamber commissioned the Economic Profile report to support economic development efforts and serve as a resource for local businesses to make evidence based decisions.

 

“Our top priority is to advance the economy of North Central Massachusetts,” said Roy Nascimento, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation. “This research validates what we already know – that North Central Massachusetts is a great place to live, work, visit and grow a business.  We envision using the report to showcase the region, answer queries and support ongoing economic development efforts.”

 

“We are very excited to have worked with the Chamber on this report, and accompanying online data tool, highlighting the competitive advantages and issues facing North Central Massachusetts.  It provides extensive benchmarking indicators comparing the region to other places around the state” said Mark Melnik, Director of Economic and Public Policy Research at the UMass Donahue Institute. “We hope this report will be a useful resource to help support economic development in the region and can serve as a model for other regions around the state.”

 

Some key highlights of the Economic Profile research include:

 

  • Proximity to Boston, Worcester and Southern New Hampshire benefits North Central businesses in terms of labor and market access. Commercial leasing rates that are a fraction of Boston’s and significantly lower than those found in the MetroWest area also boost the appeal of North Central Massachusetts.

 

  • The availability of large parcels of land with high capacity infrastructure in combination with proximity to highways, rail lines and airports also constitutes an advantage for the region. Large parcels with access to both transportation and infrastructure are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive in and around the fast-growing Boston-Cambridge area.

 

  • North Central Massachusetts has a diverse economy with notable strengths in healthcare and manufacturing (led by plastics products, pharmaceuticals, and electronics). Manufacturing is nearly twice as concentrated in North Central Massachusetts compared to national averages. Since 2010, most major sectors in the region have seen job growth.

 

  • Agriculture and food and beverage manufacturing have seen growth in North Central Massachusetts and now employ about 3,500 people. Agriculture is more concentrated in the region than the national average.

 

  • Thirty-two percent of the residents in North Central Massachusetts have a bachelor’s degree or higher and fully 61 percent of adults have some level of college or higher, indicating that the region possesses a varied and skilled workforce.

 

  • On standardized tests, students in North Central Massachusetts score higher than the state in science and English. SAT scores are on par or slightly higher than the state while the region’s dropout rate is lower.

 

  • Quality homes in good school districts are a draw for North Central Massachusetts. The average home values in affluent towns like Groton, Harvard, and Princeton are well below those in comparable MetroWest towns like Natick and Sudbury.

 

A full copy of the Economic Profile study can be found here.

 

The Economic and Public Policy Research (EPPR) group at the UMass Donahue Institute is a leading provider of applied research, helping clients make more informed decisions about strategic economic and public policy issues. EPPR produces in-depth economic impact and industry studies that help clients build credibility, gain visibility, educate constituents, plan economic development initiatives, and prioritize investments.  For more information on the group, please visit www.donahue.umassp.edu/EPPR.

 

This research is part of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber’s continuing efforts to help promote the region and advance the economy of North Central Massachusetts.  For more information on the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate organizations, please visit NorthCentralMass.com or contact the Chamber at 978.353.7600.

Scholarships Available through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation

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The North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation is pleased to announce that applications for its 2020 Scholarship program are now being accepted. Each year, the Chamber Foundation distributes approximately 25 scholarships to local high-achieving high school students in North Central Massachusetts. Since the establishment of its scholarship program, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation has awarded over a million dollars in scholarships.

Students interested in applying for a 2020 scholarship through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation should contact their high school guidance department to submit an application. Deadline for applications is Friday, February 28, 2020. A limited number of scholarship applicants are submitted by each school in the Chamber’s service area each year and then reviewed by a committee of Chamber members.

Many of these awards are made possible through contributions from members of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. Scholarships endowed through the Chamber Foundation are often named in honor of prominent members of the North Central Massachusetts business community whose philanthropy and commitment to the community have helped shape North Central Massachusetts.

The Chamber’s Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization focused on assisting in the betterment of the region through charitable activities. Funds raised by the Foundation are utilized primarily for education/workforce development initiatives and charitable activities in North Central Massachusetts, including scholarships to eligible applicants pursuing education and grants to support economic and community development projects.

For more information on the North Central Massachusetts Chamber Foundation’s scholarship program or a list of the named scholarships, please visit northcentralmass.com or call 978.353.7600 ext. 222

Advertising Opportunities in the 2020 Manufacturers Directory

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Don’t get left out! The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation is getting ready to publish the 2020 edition of the Manufacturers Directory and Industrial Parks Guide for North Central Massachusetts. 

This publication is the region’s most comprehensive collection of this specialized information, outlining available industrial sites and local manufacturing related businesses, describing products, contact information and more. The directory is designed to promote and connect manufacturers with suppliers as well as serve as a resource for companies looking to relocate or expand throughout the region. Ad rates start at just $350. Please email Yasmin Loft at yloft@northcentralmass.com for more information or to reserve your advertisement.