PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL


INTRODUCTION:

      For approximately two years, the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee has been meeting to develop strategies to enhance the economic development of the Blackstone Valley and its constituent communities.   The Committee, in cooperation with the Central Mass Regional Planning Council, is in the process of mapping the existing roads, water/sewer lines and other infrastructure of the region in order to examine how cooperation between communities might work for the common good.

      The members of the Committee, representing a number of our towns, their governments, businesses and non-profit institutions, have reached the conclusion that the Valley’s needs would be served by creating a regional economic development organization.  The trend in Massachusetts, and nationally, is increasingly to operate economic development programs through partnerships between local governments and the business community.  Some of the Blackstone Valley communities already have economic development programs and provide modest financial support for such programs.  However, the Committee believes that our towns, acting individually, lack the resources and necessary size to address many problems that require the cooperation of two or more communities. 

      By embarking on a regional economic development approach, we will greatly enhance our resources, and magnify the visibility of the Blackstone Valley in the eyes of State government and companies considering relocation or expansion in our region.  By bringing together local government representatives and business leaders, supported by a qualified staff, the region will be proactive to insure quality economic development in the Blackstone Valley.

MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE COUNCIL:

      The mission of the Council would be to enrich the Blackstone Valley community through sound economic growth measured by increases in the tax base and the creation of quality employment opportunities for local residents.

STRUCTURE:

      The Economic Development Committee is proposing that the Council be established as a Massachusetts Chapter 180, non-profit corporation.  The Council would apply to the Internal Revenue Service for recognition as a 501-C-3 corporation.  The Council would have up to twenty-two members. Eleven would be representatives of the

Valley towns that have agreed to support the Council.  The towns would potentially include: Millbury, Grafton, Upton, Sutton, Northbridge, Douglas, Uxbridge, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville and Blackstone.  The other eleven members of the Council would be business and community representatives chosen by the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce.  The membership would elect a seven person Board of Trustees which would, in turn, elect a Chairman, Treasurer, Clerk and other officers as needed.  The Board of Trustees would set policy, much as a Board of Directors for a for profit corporation.  It s contemplated that the offices would be located within the facilities of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce in order to reduce expenses and facilitate mutual cooperation.   

FINANCIAL SUPPORT:

      The Committee has endorsed the concept that each participating community would contribute $1.00 annually per inhabitant.  This would raise approximately $100,000.  Each town would be asked to make at least a moral commitment to support the Council for three years and then decide if it wishes to continue participation.  The business community would be asked to match the contributions from the towns.  With these commitments, the Council would be in a good position to seek matching funds from the Commonwealth.  Most of the State is covered by regional economic development organizations that are receiving State support. With such municipal and business support, we should be in a good position to seek additional State assistance.  If all falls into place, the operating budget would be between $200,000 and $400,000 annually, sufficient to run a sophisticated program that can favorably impact the Blackstone Valley.

COUNCIL ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS:

      The Council’s activities would be guided by a Program of Work that would be developed through meetings with the supporting communities and businesses.  The Program would be divided into short-term- (six month-two year timetable), medium-term (two year to four year timetable) and long-term (four year-indefinite).  Examples of items that might make up the Program of Work would include:
Developing a Council web page that would identify key development sites that each town desires to promote.
Identifying infrastructure needs that could be addressed on a regional basis.
Developing a legislative program that would assist the economic development of individual towns and the region.
Act as a clearing house for companies wishing to explore the Valley as a business location.
Developing marketing materials and programs for the Valley.
Improving the flow of information leading to increased job placements with Blackstone Valley businesses.