November 12, 2007
Shop Talk: Worcester's Pitch
Alexander "Oley" Carpp, the new head of Choose Worcester, a fledging organization funded by local businesses, has officially landed in Worcester. While he began work in the city on Aug. 1, he didn't settle into his permanent office space at the Sovereign Tower downtown until last month. To aid him in his effort to retain and draw business to the city, Carpp has two staffers - Steve Silver, vice president of business development and Maria Forshaw-Fletcher, executive assistant. Carpp came to the job from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.
My wife and I have never lived in an urban environment. We've always lived in small towns. So we're really enjoying the opportunities and the amenities of living in an urban setting.
First of all, I should say that the business community has been very welcoming. My overall impression of the many people I've met is that they all want to see this organization succeed.
Our first goal was to establish our base, and we're here, in our permanent space in the Sovereign Tower. Now, our goal is to aggressively reach out to existing businesses within Worcester. We've done some of that, but not at a level I'm happy with yet.
It's important to pay attention to companies that are already here, because if all you are doing is working on attracting outside companies, and the companies that are here are leaving, then what really have you accomplished at the end of the day?
As we speak, Steve Silver is in Atlanta at a conference for corporate real estate executives. He's down there, meeting as many people that he can meet, and hopefully, he's been able to make some connections. Steve's been there a number of times on behalf of a former employer, so he has existing relationships with some of those people. Now he can let those relationships understand where he is now, and pitch Worcester to those people.
As I see it at the moment, I would talk about Worcester as the center of Massachusetts and the center of New England. It's positioned wonderfully for business. And Worcester's workforce, I've come to understand, is dedicated with a great work ethic. I also think Worcester's particular competitive advantage is intellectual capital thanks to a number of academic institutions within the city.
The city manager is an ex-officio member of our board, and our board meets once a month, so he's part and parcel to what we're doing. My staff is also working closely with the city's economic development office.
I've reached out to a variety of state offices and have made it up to Boston to meet with various officials. When it comes to financing business expansion, that's the state's responsibility, so we need to make sure we have good relationships on that end.
If Worcester is competing for a business with other cities in New England, I think you'll find the tax rate here to be okay if not better. But if you're competing against neighboring communities, the taxes could be a hurdle. In the end it depends on what type of business the city is competing for, and what other cities or towns the city is competing against. That being said, who likes taxes?
Oley Carpp, head of Choose Worcester.What's been your first impression of the City of Worcester?
Oley Carpp, head of Choose Worcester.
My wife and I have never lived in an urban environment. We've always lived in small towns. So we're really enjoying the opportunities and the amenities of living in an urban setting.
And what's been your first impression of the city's business community?
First of all, I should say that the business community has been very welcoming. My overall impression of the many people I've met is that they all want to see this organization succeed.
What's your first goal for Choose Worcester?
Our first goal was to establish our base, and we're here, in our permanent space in the Sovereign Tower. Now, our goal is to aggressively reach out to existing businesses within Worcester. We've done some of that, but not at a level I'm happy with yet.
If Choose Worcester's purpose is to bring new businesses to the city, why bother meeting with businesses that are already here?
It's important to pay attention to companies that are already here, because if all you are doing is working on attracting outside companies, and the companies that are here are leaving, then what really have you accomplished at the end of the day?
What are some of the methods you'll employ to attract new businesses here?
As we speak, Steve Silver is in Atlanta at a conference for corporate real estate executives. He's down there, meeting as many people that he can meet, and hopefully, he's been able to make some connections. Steve's been there a number of times on behalf of a former employer, so he has existing relationships with some of those people. Now he can let those relationships understand where he is now, and pitch Worcester to those people.
What is "Worcester's pitch" in your view?
As I see it at the moment, I would talk about Worcester as the center of Massachusetts and the center of New England. It's positioned wonderfully for business. And Worcester's workforce, I've come to understand, is dedicated with a great work ethic. I also think Worcester's particular competitive advantage is intellectual capital thanks to a number of academic institutions within the city.
What's your relationship with the City of Worcester?
The city manager is an ex-officio member of our board, and our board meets once a month, so he's part and parcel to what we're doing. My staff is also working closely with the city's economic development office.
And on the state level?
I've reached out to a variety of state offices and have made it up to Boston to meet with various officials. When it comes to financing business expansion, that's the state's responsibility, so we need to make sure we have good relationships on that end.
There's always a great debate in Worcester over the tax rate for commercial property. Do you think the level of taxes in the city is a great hurdle to bringing in new business?
If Worcester is competing for a business with other cities in New England, I think you'll find the tax rate here to be okay if not better. But if you're competing against neighboring communities, the taxes could be a hurdle. In the end it depends on what type of business the city is competing for, and what other cities or towns the city is competing against. That being said, who likes taxes?
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