2007 MVEDC Annual Report

Transcription

2007 MVEDC Annual Report
Annual Report 2007
Made in the Merrimack Valley
M ERRIMACK
VALLEY
E CONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
C OUNCIL, INC.
Mission
“…to advance the economic
interests of the Merrimack
Valley of Massachusetts.
The Council encourages
greater communication and
cooperation between the
public and private sectors, and fosters
collaborative efforts between and
among communities, leading to sustainable
economic growth and prosperity for all.”
On the Cover
Congratulations and thank you
to the following companies,
represented on this year’s cover,
who prove every day that Smart
Companies succeed in the
Merrimack Valley.
Left to right: MVEDC President & CEO Robert J. Halpin, Executive Assistant Mary Cuticchia
and General Counsel David A. Tibbetts
Getting in Touch
If you have questions, suggestions, or would like to become more
involved with the MVEDC, please contact:
Merrimack Valley Economic
Development Council, Inc.
Heritage Place
439 South Union Street, Suite 211
Lawrence MA 01843-2800
Tel: (978) 975-8787
Fax: (978) 975-8811
www.merrimackvalley.info
-2-
Robert J. Halpin, President & CEO
978.975.8787, x 12
rhalpin@mvcouncil.com
David A. Tibbetts, General Counsel
978.975.8787, x 11
dtibbetts@mvcouncil.com
Mary Cuticchia, Executive Assistant
978.975.8787, x 10
mcuticchia@mvcouncil.com
Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, Inc.
1
2
3
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5
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7
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10
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12
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14
1.Old Newbury Crafters (Amesbury)
2. New Balance (Lawrence)
3.Luminus Devices (Billerica)
4. Lowell’s Boat Shop (Amesbury)
5. Mason & Hamlin (Haverhill)
6. Nexamp (North Andover)
7. Mark Richey Woodworking and Design, Inc. (Newburyport)
8. Konarka (Lowell)
9. Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, Inc. (Haverhill)
10. NxStage Medical (Lawrence)
11. Zoll (Chelmsford)
12. Raytheon (Andover/Tewksbury)
13. Alden Merrell (Newburyport)
14. Nuvera Fuel Cells (Billerica)
Executive Committee 2007-2008
Kendall M. Wallace, Chairman, Lowell Sun Publishing Company (Council Co-Chair)
Vincent C. Manzi, Jr., Esq., Manzi and McCann (Council Co-Chair)
Robert D. Ansin, Founder & CEO, MassInnovation LLC
The Hon. Steven A. Baddour, Massachusetts State Senate
Gary Campbell, CEO, Gilbert S. Campbell
John Chemaly, President, Trinity E.M.S., Inc.
Dr. Carole A. Cowan, President, Middlesex Community College
Normand E. Deschene, President, Lowell General Hospital
The Hon. James J. Fiorentini, Mayor of Haverhill
David J. Gendall, Vice President, National Grid
Al Getler, President & Publisher, Eagle-Tribune Publishing Company
Orit Goldstein, President, Ozzy Properties, Inc.
Dr. David Hartleb, President, Northern Essex Community College
The Hon. Thomas A. Golden, Jr., Massachusetts House of Representatives
Elkin B. McCallum, Chairman & CEO, Joan Fabrics Corp.
The Hon. William M. Manzi, III, Mayor of Methuen
The Hon. William F. Martin, Jr., Mayor of Lowell
The Hon. Martin T. Meehan, Chancellor, University of Massachusetts/Lowell
Thomas J. Minichiello, Jr., President, Minichiello Insurance Agency
The Hon. Kevin J. Murphy, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Richard D. Murphy, Vice President, KeySpan Energy Delivery New England
The Hon. Steven C. Panagiotakos, Massachusetts State Senate
James C. Powell, Vice President/Relationship Manager
Commercial Lending, TDBanknorth
The Hon. Harriett L. Stanley, Massachusetts House of Representatives
The Hon. John F. Tierney, Member of Congress
The Hon. David M. Torrisi, Massachusetts House of Representatives
The Hon. Susan C. Tucker, Massachusetts State Senate
Board of Directors
Peter Abair, Economic Development Director, Newburyport
Sam Ambra, Jr., Sales/Marketing Director, Simply Elegant Catering, Inc.
Pedro L. Arce, Principal, Emerging Markets Consulting
Rep. Cory Atkins, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Peter Aucella, Assistant Superintendent, Lowell National Historical Park
Adam Baacke, Assistant City Manager/DPD Director, City of Lowell
Deborah A. Belanger, Executive Director,
Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau
Curt T. Bellavance, Director of Community Development, North Andover
Joseph J. Bevilacqua, President, Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce
Rep. Linda Dean Campbell, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Frederick T. Carberry, Executive Director,
Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board
Robert Caruso, President, Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank
Rosemary Cashman, Town Manager, Tyngsborough
Timothy Coco, COCO+CO., Ward Hill
Paul Cohen, Town Manager, Chelmsford
James J. Cook, Executive Director, Lowell Plan
David L. Costello, Managing Partner, ADS Ventures
Rep. Michael Costello, Massachusetts House of Representatives
David G. Cressman, Town Manager, Tewksbury
Charles R. Cullen, President & CEO, The Provident Bank
Charles Daher, President, Commonwealth Motors
James D’Angelo, Principal, TEC Transportation
Stephen Delaney, Town Manager, Georgetown
Rep. Brian S. Dempsey, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Dalia Diaz, Publisher, Rumbo News
Dennis DiZoglio, Executive Director, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
Mark S. DiSalvo, Semaphore USA, Methuen
Angela Dushane, Vice President, Commercial Banking, The Savings Bank
David Earl, Vice President, Business Development, Venture Technologies, Inc.
Scott Emerson, General Manager, Wheelabrator North Andover
Sen. Susan C. Fargo, Massachusetts State Senate
Joseph W. Fahey, Community Development Director, Amesbury
Fred Faust, President, The Edge Group, Lowell
Elaine Finbury, President, Rufus Choate Group
Rep. Barry R. Finegold, Massachusetts House of Representatives
John S. Fouhy, Vice President, Government & Community Relations, Comcast Northern New England
Rep. Colleen M. Garry, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Pamela Goodman, President, Beacon Communities, LLC Rep. William G. Greene, Massachusetts House of Representatives Rep. Geoffrey D. Hall, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Robert B. Hanson, Town Administrator, Pepperell
Laurence Harrington, Senior Vice President, Bank of America
Neil Harrington, Town Manager, Salisbury
Rep. Bradford Hill, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Thatcher W. Kezer, III, Mayor of Amesbury
James P. Jajuga, President, Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce
Hooks K. Johnston, Jr, Senior VP (Retired), Smith & Nephew
Rep. William Lantigua, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Robert A. LaRochelle, President, Andover Strategic Alliances
Steven Larochelle, Senior Vice President Commercial Lending,
Enterprise Bank and Trust Company
Robert W. Lavoie, Esq., Devine, Millimet & Branch
Steven Ledoux, Town Manager, Westford
David B. L’Heureux, S enior VP & Commercial Regional Executive, Sovereign Bank
Rep. Barbara L’Italien, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Rocco Longo, Town Manager, Billerica
Sal Lupoli, President & CEO, Sal’s Just Pizza
Bernard F. Lynch, City Manager, Lowell
Sen. James Marzilli, Massachusetts State Senate
Paul T. Materazzo, Director of Planning, Andover
Julie McConchie, Executive Director, North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau
Stefanie McCowan, Executive Director,
Amesbury Chamber of Commerce & Industrial Foundation
Joseph S. McManus, President, Lawrence General Hospital
Michelle Hatem Meehan, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell
Rep. James R. Miceli, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Maria Miles, President, Salisbury Chamber of Commerce
John F. Moak, Mayor of Newburyport
Rep. David M. Nangle, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Barbara O’Neil, Director, Greater Lowell Workforce Investment Board
Ann Ormond, President, Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce
Jeanne Osborn, President, Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce
Christopher Perley, Managing Director, Wyeth BioPharma
Dennis Piendak, Town Manager, Dracut
William K. Piercey, Chase & Lunt Insurance
William Pillsbury, Director of Economic Development, Haverhill
Glenn Prezzano, Publisher, Merrimack Valley Magazine
Mark Rees, Town Manager, North Andover
Christopher Reilly, Economic Development Director, Salisbury
Joel Rosen, Esq.
Shaw M. Rosen, Chief Operating Officer, MassInnovation, LLC
Richard J. Santagati, President, Merrimack College
Karen Sawyer, Economic Development Director, Methuen
Richard Scanlon, Principal Assessor, Billerica
John R. Schneider, Executive Vice President, MassINC
Dr. Mahesh C. Sharma, President, Cambridge College
Chet Sidell, KGR, Inc., Lawrence
Reginald Stapczynski, Town Manager, Andover
Christopher Starr, Vice President, WinnDevelopment
Michael J. Sullivan, Mayor of Lawrence
Michael Sweeney, Director of Planning & Development, Lawrence
Sen. Bruce Tarr, Massachusettts State Senate
David A. Tibbetts Esq., Smith & Sowalsky
William Traynor, Executive Director, Lawrence CommunityWorks, Inc.
Stanley J. Usovicz, Regional Director, External Affairs, Verizon
David J. Wahr, The C.W. Companies
Dennis Warren, President, Merrimack Valley Venture Forum
Mark F. Welch, President & CEO, Institution for Savings
Leonard A. Wilson, Sovereign Bank
Beverly Woods, Executive Director, Northern Middlesex Council of Governments
Patricia Zapert, Executive Director, Billerica Plan
Annual Report 2007
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Co-Chairs’ Message
Lowell
Population: 105,167
Land Area: 12.78 square miles
Median Family Income: $52,938
Median Home Price: $205,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $2,887
Land Use Summary:
26.7% forest, wetlands & open space
0.9% agriculture
48.5% residential
18.6% commercial, industrial & transportation
5.3% water
Tyngsborough
Population: 11,081
Land Area: 17.86 square miles
Median Family Income: 78,680
Median Home Price: $281,775
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $4,332
Land Use Summary:
57.8% forest, wetlands & open space
3.8% agriculture
26.7% residential
5.1% commercial, industrial & transportation
6.6% water
Left to right: MVEDC Co-Chairs Vincent C. Manzi Jr., Manzi & McCann and Kendall M. Wallace, Chairman, Lowell Sun Publishing with
MVEDC President & CEO Robert J. Halpin
Spring 2008
T
he Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council is now in its ninth year of bringing together
business, government and community leaders “from Greater Lowell to the sea” with a shared
vision and mission:
“...to advance the economic interests of the entire Merrimack Valley by fostering greater
communication and cooperation between the public and private sectors, and by encouraging
collaborative efforts between and among individual communities, leading to sustainable
economic growth and prosperity for every community in the Merrimack Valley.”
Lawrence
Population: 72,043
Land Area: 6.97 square miles
Median Family Income: $31,276
Median Home Price: $204,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $2,133
21% forest, wetlands & open space
0.2% agriculture
50.1% residential
28.6% commercial, industrial & transportation
0.1% water
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The economic challenges facing Massachusetts and the Merrimack Valley economy in the 21st century
are complex and daunting. They cannot be addressed effectively by any single community, by any single
public official, or by any single business. But these challenges can be addressed successfully by all of
those leaders working together. Business and community government leaders throughout the Valley
know where to turn for help in addressing complex economic development challenges, because they have
seen the results.
The Council brings together members of Congress, state officials, business professionals, communitybased organizations and municipal government officials. Individual agendas are set aside and people
make the effort to communicate, cooperate and collaborate. The Council is uniquely positioned to
provide the forum for such communication, cooperation and collaboration. We look forward to even
greater success in the years ahead.
Kendall M. Wallace
Chairman, Lowell Sun Publishing Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, Inc.
Vincent C. Manzi, Jr.
Manzi & McCann President’s Message
T
he Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council has completed its eighth full year of
operation since it began representing the economic interests of the Merrimack Valley through the
four “C”s – communication, collaboration, cooperation and coordination. More than 100 public
and private sector leaders serve on the Council’s Board of Directors. These leaders have embraced the
collaborative approach to economic development challenges and opportunities, and provide a fresh and
creative approach to problem solving. Because of their commitment, the Merrimack Valley is better poised
than ever to leverage and focus our region’s resources and institutions to overcome challenges and take
advantage of opportunities.
One project serves as a prime example of the power of improved communication and coordination: the
new interchange proposed for Route I-93 in the Andover, Tewksbury and Wilmington area. The so-called
“Junction/Route 93 Development Area” is currently the location of more than 6,500 jobs at globally
recognized companies such as Wyeth, Procter and Gamble and Charles River Labs. The MVEDC first
became involved in this project late in 2001 at the request of the Town of Andover and Wyeth. Because of
the inadequacy of existing highway access, Wyeth had endured unacceptable delays in the expansion of its
Andover campus, and residents of nearby neighborhoods had been frustrated by increased commuter traffic
caused by drivers looking for alternate routes.
Finding a solution was complicated by the large number of stakeholders involved: major employers and
owners of vacant undeveloped land; the towns of Andover, Tewksbury and Wilmington and the three
different regional planning agencies to which they belong; state and federal transportation officials;
and elected officials at all levels of government. The collaborative efforts of all of these parties to work
together towards ‘win – win’ solutions to decade old problems and challenges was rewarded this year
when Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced funding to begin permitting and designing a new
interchange from the Junction Development area directly onto Interstate 93. As 2007 came to a close, the
construction of this long-awaited interchange was several significant steps closer.
The MVEDC will continue to provide the support necessary to keep everyone “at the table” until the
interchange becomes a reality. The Environmental Impact Review process, which will begin in early
2008, will require continued cooperation and understanding among the stakeholders. And as the design
of the interchange moves forward, the three communities will turn their attention to issues of zoning and
permitting for the unified, tri-town development vision which was developed in 2007 in consultation with a
leading land use consulting firm. It is a vision that knits together hundreds of acres of new development as
a single, sustainable economic development project, rather than three separate, uncoordinated projects in
each of the three communities.
Westford
Population: 20,754
Land Area: 30.61 square miles
Median Family Income: 104,029
Median Home Price: $375,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $6,629
Land Use Summary:
56.9% forest, wetlands & open space
3.1% agriculture
31.1% residential
5.9% commercial, industrial & transportation
3.1% water
Georgetown
Population: 7,377
Land Area:16.55 square miles
Median Family Income: $79,649
Median Home Price: $399,900
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $4,118
Land Use Summary:
65% forest, wetlands & open space
3.1% agriculture
25.9% residential
4.5% commercial, industrial & transportation
1.4% water
The Merrimack Valley is fortunate to have such a powerful array of leaders and resources. When those
leaders and resources are on the same page, as in the case of the Junction/ Route 93 Development Area,
they are even more powerful and achieve goals that had been long unattainable.
The Merrimack Valley will be successful in confronting challenges and seizing these types of opportunities
only if we recognize the strength that we possess when we are united as a region, and we continue to
practice the four “C”s – communication, collaboration, cooperation and coordination.
I want to thank all who have supported the Council’s efforts in 2007. Our Co-Chairs Kendall Wallace and
Vin Manzi, our Executive Committee and Board of Directors, our sponsors, and all of the individuals who
have come to the Council’s table to help us move the Merrimack Valley forward.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Halpin
President & CEO
Amesbury
Population: 16,542
Land Area: 12.65 square miles
Median Family Income: $62,875
Median Home Price: $268,750
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $5,029
Land Use Summary:
47.9% forest, wetlands & open space
13.2% agriculture
25.8% residential
7.1% commercial, industrial & transportation
5.9% water
Annual Report 2007
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Saturday Chat: Well worth the wait on this project
Kendall Wallace is chairman of Lowell Publishing Co. He has more than 45 years of
newspaper experience, starting as a reporter at The Sun in 1959.
L
OWELL — As co-chairman of the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, I have to
brag a little bit today about the major step by the Federal Highway Administration this week to give
preliminary approval for a new interchange off Interstate 93 that could pave the way for up to 9,000
new jobs for the region and the potential development of an upscale shopping/business mall.
I’ve been an optimist all my life, particularly when it involves governments doing the right thing, in the best
interest of the majority. Sometimes you need to be patient, and sometimes you need to light a fire under
people in the power structure, but eventually things come together.
Kendall M. Wallace
Chairman, Lowell Sun Publishing
Co-founder and Co-Chair, MVEDC
Haverhill
Population: 58,969
Land Area: 33.33 square miles
Median Family Income: $59,772
Median Home Price: $240,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $3,294
Land Use Summary:
49% forest, wetlands & open space
9.9% agriculture
29.6% residential
8.1% commercial, industrial & transportation
3.3% water
Newbury
Population: 6,717
Land Area: 24.25 square miles
Median Family Income: $83,428
Median Home Price: $438,500
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $4,136
Land Use Summary:
44.8% forest, wetlands & open space
4.7% agriculture
41.2% residential
8.7% commercial, industrial, transportation
0.6% water
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But this was one project I thought would never get resolved. There just seemed to be too many hurdles.
Three towns — Andover, Tewksbury and Wilmington — had to agree to work with one other. Several state
agencies had to agree, and ultimately the federal government had to sign off on the project. Whenever you
have that many entities involved, each one blames the other and nothing happens. And that has been the
case for many years.
While a lot of people deserve credit, I’d like to single out the council because it is the agency that kept
people at the table and the agency that kept a focus on the huge potential of this project. Dave Tibbetts
and Bob Halpin, who were founders and daily managers of the council, deserve most of the credit, but
they quickly defer to others such as Sen. Ted Kennedy, Rep. Marty Meehan and, particularly, Sen. Steve
Baddour (D-Methuen), who is the state chairman of transportation, and Sen. Sue Tucker, who was trying
to solve traffic issues in the towns affected and to seek more economic growth. But they also recognize
the entire legislative delegation from Greater Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill played key roles in this truly
regional project. Most members of the delegations also sit on the council board.
They also heap praise on the administration of Gov. Deval Patrick, who ultimately jumped into the
issue that was ignored for so long by the Gov. Mitt Romney crowd. Nothing disappointed me more than
Romney’s pro-business crowd not moving on this project for four years because it didn’t meet all the
criteria of their so-called smart growth. As one of the few states losing population and jobs, finding ways to
accommodate industrial job growth in Massachusetts should have been a top priority.
Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, who understands regional economic issues, jumped in quickly and helped
coordinate the state and federal approvals. Unlike the Romney administration, when the Patrick/Murray
administration term ends in four years, they will be able to point to the fact they added thousands of jobs
for folks in the Merrimack Valley, the only area of the state, by the way, in which Patrick didn’t do well in
the election.
Great companies including Gillette, Agfa and Charles River Laboratories and most important, Wyeth,
are all affected by the interchange. The companies are practically landlocked and without the interchange
can’t expand because of access and disruption of neighborhood streets. With the interchange, Wyeth and
the others now have the opportunity to grow. Wyeth has a huge investment in Massachusetts and has been
very patient in waiting for the government bureaucracy to resolve the issues surrounding the interchange.
Hopefully the big step by the federal highway people will now allow them and the other companies to move
forward with expansion plans.
On a smaller scale, I’ve watched with great pleasure as the city of Lowell worked its way through tough
issues and ultimately came together for the common good. That’s sort of what happened on the interchange
issue, when all these groups came together on a bigger scale. Ultimately the entire Merrimack Valley
will benefit with new jobs available to folks who live in Greater Lowell, Greater Lawrence and Greater
Haverhill. So thanks to all who helped, particularly my friends at the Merrimack Valley Council.
Kendall Wallace
The Lowell Sun, April 21, 2007
Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, Inc.
Works in Progress
The Junction@Rte. 93 Interchange
A new interchange on Interstate 93
between the Dascomb Road and Route 125
exits would generate millions of dollars
in tax revenue and thousands of new jobs
for the region, while retaining thousands
of existing jobs at valued employers like
Wyeth and Gillette/Procter & Gamble.
The interchange would open 700 acres
in Andover, Wilmington and Tewksbury
to industrial, commercial, retail and
residential development. The project
involves many different stakeholders whose
needs and concerns must be addressed.
The MVEDC serves as the central point
of contact for businesses, employers and
The MVEDC continues to serve as the central point of contact for businesses,
residents involved with the proposed
employers and residents involved in the proposed new interchange on
Interstate 93 between the Dascomb Road and Route 125 exits, which would
new interchange. MVEDC President
generate millions of dollars in tax revenue and create thousands of new jobs.
Bob Halpin coordinated and facilitated
numerous Tri-town Task Force meetings, and participated in meetings of an I-93 Advisory Committee
organized by the EOHED and EOT to coordinate the start of the Environmental Impact Review process,
required prior to design and construction of the interchange. The MVEDC also participated in meetings
between the Mass. Highway Department and the Federal Highway Administration regional director to
coordinate the MEPA process with the continued process by which alternative interchange designs that
will be more acceptable to the FHWA are being developed and refined. The Merrimack Valley legislative
delegation deserves enormous credit for its unrelenting advocacy for the interchange, which secured a visit
from Governor Patrick in September with a $2.4 million grant. The delegation has also indicated that it will
include support for the project in any legislation to promote the state’s life sciences industries.
Osgood Landing, North Andover
The MVEDC continued its efforts to promote the redevelopment of the former Lucent facility at 1600
Osgood Street – now known as Osgood Landing - as a central part of the regional development strategy for
the Merrimack Valley. The MVEDC has worked closely with the property owners and the Town of North
Andover to bring about the local planning
and zoning changes required to fully realize
the development potential of the property,
consistent with “smart growth” principles.
The MVEDC also works closely with Ozzy
Properties to market the site as a location
for technology-related manufacturing.
In June, North Andover Town Meeting
approved a “smart growth” rezoning of
Osgood Landing, enabling a mixed use
development including residences, shops
and restaurants, while gaining the Town a
$600,000 grant from the state. By the end
of 2007, the 1.5 million-square-foot main
building was 60 percent occupied, with a
diverse range of tenants including defense
The MVEDC continued its efforts to promote the redevelopment of Osgood
contractor Ophir Optics and renewable
Landing – the former Lucent facility at 1600 Osgood Street. By the end of
energy company Nexamp.
2007, the 1.5 million square-foot main building was 60 percent occupied, with
North Andover
Population: 27,202
Land Area: 26.67 square miles
Median Family Income: $91,105
Median Home Price: $321,500
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $5,867
Land Use Summary:
55% forest, wetlands & open space
6.3% agriculture
28.1% residential
6.6% commercial, industrial & transportation
4.1% water
Methuen
Population: 43,789
Land Area: 22.41 square miles
Median Family Income: 59,831
Median Home Price: $260,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $3,219
Land Use Summary:
44.8% forest, wetlands & open space
4.7% agriculture
41.2% residential
8.7% commercial, industrial & transportation
0.6% water
Boxford
Population: 7,921
Land Area: 23.79 square miles
Median Family Income: $119,491
Median Home Price: $560,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $7,423
Land Use Summary:
66.6% forest, wetlands & open space
4.6% agriculture
24.5% residential
1.8% commercial, industrial & transportation
2.7% water
a diverse range of tenants.
Annual Report 2007
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Andover
Population: 31,247
Land Area: 31.01 square miles
Median Family Income: $104,820
Median Home Price: $475,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $3,962
Land Use Summary:
49.9% forest, wetlands & open space
2.5% agriculture
36.1% residential
8.8% commercial, industrial & transportation
2.7% water
Salisbury
Population: 7,827
Land Area: 15.43 square miles
Median Family Income: 56,327
Median Home Price: $259,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $3,005
Land Use Summary:
70.9% forest, wetlands & open space
5.7% agriculture
16.5% residential
6.8% commercial, industrial & transportation
0% water
Groveland
Population: 6,038
Land Area: 8.94 square miles
Median Family Income: 73,996
Median Home Price: $319,791
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $4,037
Land Use Summary:
61% forest, wetlands & open space
5.1% agriculture
27.4% residential
3.4% commercial, industrial & transportation
3% water
Analytical Industry Initiative
The analytical instrumentation industry is
one of the largest clusters of technology
based employment in Massachusetts. In
the northeast region of the state alone, this
industry employs approximately 10,000
people. The industry is heavily concentrated
in Massachusetts and is growing faster than
the national average. The reason, in the
words of one of our industry partners, is
that cutting edge developers of instruments
and tools want to be near the cutting edge
users of those instruments and tools.
And today that means biotechnology,
biopharmaceutical, and life sciences
companies with increasingly complex
testing, measurement, and process control
needs. The Merrimack Valley Economic
Former Congressman and now Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts
Development Council, with support
Lowell spoke to the MVEDC Board of Directors meeting in September,
from the University of Massachusetts at
emphasizing UMass Lowell’s importance to the economic vitality of the
Lowell and the John Adams Innovation
Merrimack Valley and outlining his ambitious vision for the University.
Institute, worked with a number of industry
leaders in Massachusetts, including Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Millipore, Thermo Scientific and Parexel
Consulting, to host a forum on April 11, 2007. Approximately 100 executives from biopharmaceutical and
analytical instruments companies in Massachusetts
participated in a discussion of the challenges and
opportunities of the Quality by Design/Process
Analytical Technologies initiative. This initiative
seeks to leverage the capabilities of the analytical
instrumentation industry – most notably process
measurement and control technologies – to better
understand the underlying processes in drug
production as the key to better managing the quality
of production and eliminate waste and inefficiency.
The process measurement and control sector
considers the Quality by Design movement to be
a major driver of growth in its industry globally.
Massachusetts has the second highest number of
process measurement and control jobs in the United
States. This event began a sustained dialogue with the
www.massinstrumentation.com
instrumentation industry.
Life Science Workforce Development Initiative
Newburyport
Population: 17,189
Land Area: 8.38 square miles
Median Family Income: $73,306
Median Home Price: $365,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $4,933
Land Use Summary:
39.6% forest, wetlands & open space
13.2% agriculture
32.6% residential
14% commercial, industrial & transportation
0.6% water
The MVEDC has convened a work group consisting of representatives of the University of Massachusetts
at Lowell, Cambridge College, Middlesex Community College, Northern Essex Community College, the
Greater Lowell Workforce Investment Board, and the Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board. The
group is evaluating current programs and assets available to meet the workforce development needs of the
life sciences industry and preparing a strategy to fill gaps and improve the utilization of those assets by the
industry in the Merrimack Valley.
Merrimack Valley Creative Economy Initiative
The MVEDC, the Cultural Organization of Lowell and the University of Massachusetts Lowell are
working together to identify and promote the “Creative Economy” cluster in the Merrimack Valley, with
support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
The kick-off forum took place on November 3, 2007 at the Revolving Museum in Lowell, with more than
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Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, Inc.
100 local artists and cultural leaders. A second forum was conducted on January 16, 2008 at Northern
Essex Community College’s Haverhill Campus. The “Creative Economy” – made up of both non-profit and
commercial organizations, as well as a significant population of individuals engaged in or trained in artistic or
cultural fields - is an essential force in maintaining the region’s economic competitiveness in the 21st century.
Mass. Medical Device Development Center
The MVEDC has played a supporting role in the creation of the new Mass. Medical Device Development
Center (M2D2) within the University of Massachusetts system. The president serves on the advisory
committee. A collaboration between the
UMass Lowell campus and the UMass
Medical Center in Worcester, the M2D2
Center figures prominently in the 2008
Life Sciences stimulus legislation.
Clean Tech Initiative and
Green Chemistry Summit
The MVEDC continues to work with the
University of Massachusetts at Lowell
to advance a Clean Tech and Alternative
Fuels Initiative in the Merrimack Valley.
Through funding from the Massachusetts
Technology Collaborative a successful
conference was held at Northern Essex
Community College on October 31, 2007,
which included industrial leaders, scientists
and financiers interested in harnessing the
global business opportunities for nontoxic
manufacturing through Green Chemistry.
Chelmsford
Population: 33,858
Land Area: 22.65 square miles
Median Family Income: $82,676
Median Home Price: $299,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $3,962
Land Use Summary:
33.5% forest, wetland & open space
3% agriculture
49.4% residential
11.5% commercial, industrial & transportation
2.6% water
Merrimac
Pictured at the MVEDC’s Annual Meeting in May are MVEDC Co-Founder
and Co-Chair Kendall M. Wallace, Chairman, Lowell Sun Publishing; Leslie A.
Kirwan, Massachusetts Secretary of Administration and Finance; MVEDC CoFounder and General Counsel David A. Tibbetts and MVEDC Co-Chair Vincent
C. Manzi, Jr., Manzi & McCann. The 2007 annual meeting was held at Cross
Point Towers in Lowell, and heard a keynote address from Motorola’s Vincent
Bisceglia, General Manager, On Demand Solutions.
EMD Serono/Town of Billerica – Water Supply
EMD Serono operates a biopharmaceutical research center and pilot manufacturing plant in Billerica, on
the Burlington line. Because the plant is at the ‘end of the line’ for Billerica’s municipal water supply, it
needs a backup source in order to expand. The MVEDC commissioned a study by the engineering firm
that has worked with both EMD Serono
and the towns of Burlington and Billerica
in the past. BSC determined that a
cost-effective option would be to secure
a second municipal water service from
the town of Burlington. The MVEDC is
assisting in discussions between Billerica
and Burlington to execute this idea.
Population: 6,138
Land Area: 8.53 square miles
Median Family Income: $69,118
Median Home Price: $299,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $3,962
Land Use Summary:
57.2% forest, wetlands & open space
10.6% agriculture
26.2% residential
4.3% commercial, industrial & transportation
1.7% water
Dracut
Population: 28,562
Land Area: 20.9 square miles
Median Family Income: $66,633
Median Home Price: $224,950
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $3,206
Land Use Summary:
44.2% forest, wetlands & open space
12.3% agriculture
35.6% residential
5.3% commercial, industrial & transportation
2.7% water
Westford
Former state Senator Jim Jajuga, (left) now the President of the Greater
Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, is joined by State Representative Harriett
L. Stanley and MVEDC Treasurer Tom Minichiello, President of Minichiello
Insurance Agency in Bradford.
Population: 20,754
Land Area: 30.61 square miles
Median Family Income: 104,029
Median Home Price: $375,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $6,629
Land Use Summary:
56.9% forest, wetlands & open space
3.1% agriculture
31.1% residential
5.9% commercial, industrial & transportation
3.1% water
Annual Report 2007
-9-
Marketing the Merrimack Valley
Billerica
Population: 38,981
Land Area: 25.89 square miles
Median Family Income: $72,104
Median Home Price: $313,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $3,873
Land Use Summary:
42.5% forest, wetlands & open space
1.9% agriculture
41.8% residential
11.7% commercial, industrial & transportation
2% water
Marketing – BIO 2007
MVEDC participated as a member of the Mass. Business Resource Team at the Biotechnology Industry
Organization’s (BIO) Annual Conference, held in Boston from May 6 – 9, 2007. The MVEDC assisted in
staffing the Mass. pavilion and making floor calls to life sciences companies located in Massachusetts.
The MVEDC sponsored the Mass. Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI) International
Reception immediately prior to opening of BIO. The sponsorship put the Merrimack Valley in front of
more than 100 international life sciences companies and service providers. During the course of BIO 2007,
MVEDC President Bob Halpin made floor calls to approximately 25 companies.
Marketing – Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development
The MVEDC was a sponsor of the Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development’s “Team
Massachusetts” Economic Impact Awards luncheon on November 22, 2007. Ten companies, one
established company and one emerging company from each region of the state, were honored. Billericabased Millipore was selected for the honor in northeast Massachusetts.
Marketing – MAED - Priority Development Sites
Tewksbury
Population: 28,851
Land Area: 20.72 square miles
Median Family Income: 76,443
Median Home Price: $298,750
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $3,850
Land Use Summary:
47.3% forest, wetlands & open space
3.5% agriculture
39.3% residential
8.5% commercial, industrial & transportation
1.4% water
The Mass. Alliance for Economic Development
(MAED) retained a site-selector consulting firm to
develop a state-wide marketing program for “Priority
Development Sites.” The MVEDC organized
a roundtable forum of economic development
professionals from the Merrimack Valley to meet
with the consultant and assist him in developing the
marketing profile for the Merrimack Valley.
Marketing – CORENET
Billerica-based Millipore Corporation received the Team
Massachusetts Economic Impact award for Northeast
The MVEDC participated for the first time in
Massachusetts in November 2007. Left to right: Massachusetts
the fall CoreNet Global Summit in Atlanta, GA.
Alliance for Economic Development (MAED) Executive Director
CoreNet Global is the world’s leading professional
Susan Houston; MAED Chairman Michael DiGiano; Millipore CEO Dr.
Martin Madaus; Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic
association for corporate real estate and workplace
executives serving leading multinational companies Development Daniel O’Connell.
from the Fortune and Global 1000. More than 7,000 members manage more than $1.2 trillion in real estate
and workplace assets in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and North America.
Dunstable
Population:2,829
Land Area:16.74 square miles
Median Family Income: $92,270
Median Home Price: $413,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $5,344
Land Use Summary:
73% forest, wetlands & open space
10.5% agriculture, 14.2% residential
0.8% commercial, industrial & transportation
1.5% water
- 10 -
Marketing – MassMEDIC and Mass. Biotech. Council
To enhance the visibility of the Merrimack Valley and promote it as a business location for life sciences
companies, the MVEDC will once again join in sponsoring a portion of the annual meetings for the Mass.
Medical Device Industry Council and the Mass. Biotechnology Council in the spring of 2008.
Marketing – North of Boston Business Plan Competition
The MVEDC has partnered with the Enterprise Center of Salem State College to expand the North of
Boston Business Plan Competition in to the Merrimack Valley. The MVEDC worked closely with the
University of Massachusetts at Lowell and the Merrimack Valley Venture Forum to publicize and increase
participation in this effort. The winning business plan will be announced in May 2008.
Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, Inc.
Pepperell
Marketing – Web site and e-Newsletter
Web site: www.MerrimackValley.info
The MVEDC continues to improve the design and
content of its Web site: www.merrimackvalley.info.
The Web site has become a focal point for information
on economic development efforts and opportunities,
as well as on arts and cultural events in the Merrimack
Valley. The MVEDC’s goal for the Web site is for it
to be a useful source of information for any individual
or any business seeking information about what
the Merrimack Valley has to offer. The MVEDC
retained COCO+CO. to reconstruct and redesign the
existing Web site, making it easier for companies and
individuals to obtain information about all that the
Merrimack Valley has to offer. The new Web site will
be online by May 2008.
The MVEDC continues to promote the highly
successful online ticketing Web site, www.mvarts.
info, and continues to conduct a marketing effort to improve awareness of the site and brand the Merrimack
Valley as the home of quality arts destinations North of Boston.
The MVEDC continues to publish a weekly electronic newsletter, “Merrimack Valley happenings …”
distributed via e-mail to more than 700 recipients, including the Council’s full Board of Directors, as well as
to key business, government and community leaders
both in the Merrimack Valley and across the state.
“Merrimack Valley happenings …” contains
news about companies in the Merrimack Valley,
the region’s colleges and universities, and business
Merrimack Valley happenings...
organizations. It also offers an extensive list of arts,
cultural and recreational events.
Population: 11,142
Land Area: 22.56 square miles
Median Family Income: 73,967
Median Home Price: $286,825
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $3,486
Land Use Summary:
58.7% forest, wetlands & open space
13.9% agriculture
22.8% residential
1.8% commercial, industrial & transportation
2.7% water
Rowley
Population: 5,500
Land Area: 18.72 square miles
Median Family Income: $75,527
Median Home Price: $354,000
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $4,425
Land Use Summary:
74.1% forest, wetlands & open space
7.2% agriculture
15.6% residential
2.4% commercial, industrial & transportation
0.7% water
Excerpts from Merrimack Valley Promotional Video
“We watch the marketplace
carefully. If trends change,
we adapt to those trends.”
Carole Cowan
President
Middlesex Community College
“We offer (employers) customized education and
training, which can consist of an afternoon, a full
semester to a full year.”
David Hartleb
President
Northern Essex Community College
West Newbury
Population: 4,149
Land Area: 13.52 square miles
Median Family Income: 99,050
Median Home Price: $457,500
Average 2007 Single Family Tax Bill: $6,068
Land Use Summary:
55.5% forest, wetlands & open space
19.7% agriculture
21.3% residential
0.5% commercial, industrial & transportation
3% water
Annual Report 2007
- 11 -
Thank You!
The Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, Inc.
Thanks its Major Sponsors for Calendar Year 2007
Platinum Sponsors $25,000+
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
Gold Sponsors $10,000+
Silver Sponsors $5,000+
Bronze Sponsors $2,500 to $4,999
Lawrence General Hospital
COCO+CO.
Wyeth BioPharma
Citizens Bank
Institution for Savings
The Savings Bank
The Provident Bank
Trinity EMS
Friend $1,000 to $2,499
Beacon Communities Development, LLC
Fred C. Church Insurance
RiverBank
CW Companies
Gilbert Campbell/Builder-Realtor
TEC, Inc.
M ERRIMACK
VALLEY
E CONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
C OUNCIL, INC.
Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, Inc.
Heritage Place
439 South Union Street, Suite 211
Lawrence MA 01843-2800
Tel: (978) 975-8787
Fax: (978) 975-8811
www.merrimackvalley.info