Q&A with Thomas Wellen, executive director of Marlborough 2010
Photo/Eileen Kennedy
Thomas Wellen,
Executive Director of Marlborough 2010
Thomas Wellen is the new executive director of Marlborough 2010, a quasi-public organization that focuses on economic development. The organization, only 3 years old, was originally led by John Racine, who stepped down about two months ago. Wellen is well-known in Marlborough, having once been the city’s treasurer. He was also president and CEO at St. Mary’s Credit Union from 1994 to May 2007. In his new role, he’ll focus on how Marlborough 2010 can help the city as it continues to work on bringing in new businesses and helping the firms that are already there.
>> What are some of the things that Marlborough has done right in the area of economic development?
Well, one big thing was back in the 1960s there was a lot of federal monies available for infrastructure. The powers that be in the city then said, “Sure we’ll put up 10 percent to get 90 percent matching federal money to extend the sewer and water lines.” We’re now feeling the benefits of that decision because our industrial parks have sewer and water.
>> What hasn’t the city done well in terms of economic development?
The tax increment financing agreement process isn’t as smooth as it should be. A TIF has to be flexible but because it must be approved by so many levels of government, it has to have a sound framework. When an application comes in it should fit the model of the established framework. Right now it is without structure and each one is sort of one-off.
>> What do you think the city and Marlborough 2010 have to do regarding economic development?
They have to have focus and work toward a vision into the future, like those from the 1960s had. At 2010 we’ve started to help construct and focus that vision. It’s much easier for a government to be reactionary because they have many immediate things on their plate. It’s hard to dedicate enough resources for the future, but it’s very important to do so.
>> So what do you plan do in your first year as head of Marlborough 2010?
I’m going to help redefine the direction of the organization. We’ll be looking at where the most value for our members will be. We’ll help push an agenda of planning for the future and educating the community about what some of the more successful economic development tools are and how they’re used.
>> Why is it important to educate the community?
It’s important because the mayor by definition is the only person tasked with working on economic development. There is no city planner at the moment. Other department heads in the city by statute have other primary responsibilities. And the chief economic director of the city faces re-election every two years, which can mean trouble with consistency and continuity. We want to help put some processes in place.
Is it good or bad for businesses if there is no city planner on board? (Building Commissioner Steven Reid is the interim planning director and the position has been vacant since August.)
It can’t help but hurt businesses when it comes to permitting, zoning, revitalization and leveraging other funding from the outside. Everything is cost-sensitive, including hiring a full-time planner and a grant writer. But if money was no limit and those positions were filled, you would see them have a pretty high impact on the city.
>> So the city has come to have a collection of life science companies like Boston Scientific, Sepracor and others. Should the city continue attracting them, but should they also have other eggs in other baskets?
Well, you certainly want to have your share of growth industries. But there has to be a diversity of companies and industries. The question is, “What’s next?” The state has a lot of economic development monies and departments and it’s important to keep in touch with them and with trade associations. Someone has to be tasked with keeping up on all of that.
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