March 14, 2008
Plenty Of Land With One Catch
Manufactures looking for available land where they can set up shop can find lots of it in North Central Massachusetts. The only problem is much of it already has buildings on it.
That was the sentiment of participants in a discussion Thursday of the region's economic future sponsored by Mount Wachusett Community College's Center for Democracy and Humanity.
Bonnie Biocchi, north central regional director for the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, said many high-tech companies and other businesses are looking for large pieces of land. City services, redundant power sources and access to rail lines all make parcels more appealing to certain companies, she said.
Michel Ellis, president and CEO of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, said many otherwise appealing properties are occupied by old, abandoned or partially occupied buildings. He said money for building demolition that was once included in the state budget is no longer available and few companies want to finance it themselves.
Ellis also said too many area residents have commutes that add up to three hours a day away from their families. He said the area needs both more local jobs and better transportation to economic centers.
Carly Antonellis, legislative aide to State Rep. Jennifer Flanagan of Leominster, discussed one measure that should help deal with that concern. She noted that, with federal and state funding, the Fitchburg-Boston commuter rail trip should be reduced from an hour and 45 minutes to one hour.
The event, part of the What's Next? Speaker series was held at the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster.
That was the sentiment of participants in a discussion Thursday of the region's economic future sponsored by Mount Wachusett Community College's Center for Democracy and Humanity.
Bonnie Biocchi, north central regional director for the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, said many high-tech companies and other businesses are looking for large pieces of land. City services, redundant power sources and access to rail lines all make parcels more appealing to certain companies, she said.
Michel Ellis, president and CEO of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, said many otherwise appealing properties are occupied by old, abandoned or partially occupied buildings. He said money for building demolition that was once included in the state budget is no longer available and few companies want to finance it themselves.
Ellis also said too many area residents have commutes that add up to three hours a day away from their families. He said the area needs both more local jobs and better transportation to economic centers.
Carly Antonellis, legislative aide to State Rep. Jennifer Flanagan of Leominster, discussed one measure that should help deal with that concern. She noted that, with federal and state funding, the Fitchburg-Boston commuter rail trip should be reduced from an hour and 45 minutes to one hour.
The event, part of the What's Next? Speaker series was held at the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster.
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