Maynard Economic Development Committee Holds Successful First Meeting

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-841-9948
Email: john@jgpr.net

Maynard Economic Development Committee Holds First Meeting

MAYNARD — Town Administrator Kevin Sweet is pleased to announce that the Maynard Economic Development Committee (EDC), formed recently by the Board of Selectmen, held its inaugural meeting at Town Hall yesterday morning.

“The EDC is intended to provide input and advice on the town’s economic development opportunities such as ways to support existing businesses, creation of new employment opportunities and the attraction of new investment,” Town Administrator Sweet said.

The EDC includes members of the Revitalize Maynard Collaborative, Maynard Business Alliance, Clocktower Place, Town officials, as well as at-large residents and business owners. Also on the Committee is Representative Kate Hogan who was in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.

Tuesday’s meeting began with a presentation by Town Administrator Sweet that included a basic outline of objectives and strategies developed by the Town for discussion and feedback.  Initial discussions also included ways to enrich the Maynard business climate, the role of public space, community life, further development of Maynard as a cultural entertainment destination and the need for successful branding to attract new residents, businesses and capture outside dollars.

Virtually all of the members agreed that the committee must meet regularly and stay consistent to shared goals and objectives to be successful.  An ambitious schedule to maintain momentum begins with the next meeting scheduled for August 19. The upcoming meeting is expected to further solidify goals and objectives in part based on a model presented by the Town “Maynard 2020 – An Economic Action Plan.”  The blue print identifies six areas for initial “areas of concentration”:

1.       Business Environment
2.       Downtown Development
3.       Community and Living
4.       Gateways
5.       Recreation/Leisure/Culture
6.       Branding

The Town framework suggests utilizing “core” strategies to start moving the effort forward:

• Identify Maynard’s strategic investment opportunities
• Utilize and protect all our existing assets
• Proactively address our weaknesses
• Target key land acquisitions
• Communicate the Maynard message
• Evaluate and adjust our regulatory tool box

Meetings are open to the public with the next scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on August 19 at Town Hall in the MJG meeting room.

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