EDIC News Archives - EDIC- Gloucester , MA

Gloucester’s industrial parks to get a boost
By John Laidler Globe Correspondent
Sunday, January 12, 2020

Spurred by a recent study, a Gloucester agency is taking new steps to bolster the city’s two industrial parks, including seeking a shuttle bus service to take their workers to and from commuter rail stations.

The initiatives by the Gloucester Economic Development and Industrial Corporation also include efforts to provide those parks with energy improvements and upgrades to roads, Internet service, and signage.

The study, conducted for the EDIC by the University of Massachusetts Boston’s School for the Environment, found that occupants of the Blackburn and Cape Ann industrial parks are generally satisfied with their locations, due to such factors as easy access to suppliers and services, and the local quality of life.

But they also cited concerns, including the need for a “last mile” transportation connection between the parks and the city’s two MBTA stations, and for enhancements to roads, lighting, park appearance, Internet capacity, and energy.

The 173-acre Blackburn Industrial Park, near the Blackburn Rotary off Route 128, and the 71-acre Cape Ann Industrial Park on Kondelin Road were developed by the quasi-public EDIC starting in the late 1970s and are mostly built out.

Though the parks are almost entirely privately owned, the EDIC commissioned the study “to make sure we are optimizing the value of assets we were chartered to help develop,” said Mike DiLascio, a member of the corporation’s board.

Referring to park occupants, he said, “We want to know what folks are satisfied with and what they think we can do better.”

Although the city has other industrial areas — including its working waterfront — the study noted that the two parks together encompass more than 130 businesses that employ 2,339 people, or about 15 percent of Gloucester’s workforce.

Among the city’s industrial areas, the report said, “Cape Ann and Blackburn industrial parks, in particular, represent major economic and industrial engines” for Gloucester and the surrounding region.

The parks’ occupants include such major employers as the Applied Materials semiconductor company, pipe organ manufacturer C.B. Fisk, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and seafood businesses. Other occupants include a new biotechnology academy run by the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute.

Even before the report was finalized in December, the EDIC had begun steps to address its anticipated findings.

Those actions included supporting a pending state grant application by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority to initiate the shuttle bus service on a pilot basis.

Carl Gustin, chair of the EDIC board, said shuttle service would be of particular value to the Blackburn park, whose occupants “draw many of their employees from outside of Cape Ann who would benefit from that ‘last mile’ connection.”

The EDIC has also been talking to National Grid about potential projects to improve energy efficiency and expanded renewable energy at the parks, and working with the city to increase broadband Internet capacity, add lighting, and upgrade roads. With park businesses, it is exploring ways to make signage clearer and more coordinated.

To address concerns expressed about lack of communication within the parks, the EDIC has begun facilitating regular meetings among park occupants.

“These really build a sense of community,” DiLascio said of the sessions.

Other EDIC initiatives are aimed at helping both the parks and the broader local economy, including its recent decision to join MassEcon, a statewide economic development organization.

DiLascio said part of EDIC’s aim is to bring more visibility to the parks, noting how many people in the city either have jobs in the parks or work for businesses served by them.

“We are trying to build awareness about all that the parks contribute,” he said.

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Contact: Mike DiLascio, 781-354-7663

For Immediate Release

December 9, 2019

Gloucester EDIC Actions Address Industrial Park Issues in UMass Boston Study

GLOUCESTER, MA – Occupants of Gloucester’s two major industrial parks express general satisfaction with their location, access to suppliers and services, according to a report issued by Gloucester’s Economic Development and Industrial Corporation.   The report also identified park-specific and other issues prompting the EDIC to take actions focused both on the parks and broader economic growth opportunities.

The two industrial parks – Blackburn and Cape Ann on Kondelin Road — are home to more than 130 businesses and account for about 15 percent of Gloucester’s total workforce.  Major employers include high tech leader Applied Materials, pipe organ manufacturer C.B. Fisk, NOAA Fisheries and a number of marine and seafood companies.

Among issues and concerns identified in the survey are transportation with a focus on bridging the “last mile” for employees from the MBTA station to businesses; infrastructure, including internet capacity and roads and lighting; park appearance, especially along Kondelin Road; lack of communications within the parks; and power supply and energy efficiency.

According to Mike DiLascio, an EDIC director, “The UMass stud (UMass Final Report) is a valuable roadmap for addressing issues important to economic development in the industrial parks and throughout the city.  The EDIC working with UMass Boston, the City, business partners, the Chamber of Commerce,  and other organizations began implementing actions to address findings from the UMass survey as results began to emerge from early discussions and subsequent interviews.”

As a result of the report, and other information gathered by EDIC board members on economic development issues more broadly, the EDIC has taken nearly a dozen actions including:

• Supporting the Cape Ann Transportation Authority’s proposal for a grant from the MA Department of Transportation to bridge the “last mile” for commuters from the MBTA station to employer locations in the industrial parks and elsewhere in the city.  The EDIC worked with major employers, the City, the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce to support the effort and is committed to participate in the matching grant requirement if the DOT approves the request.
• Initiating a collaborative effort with National Grid to streamline energy efficiency program availability and offer additional services such as demand response, electric vehicle and emerging technologies, including those to address momentary outages that can disrupt operations.  Information will be posted on the EDIC website, distributed through mail, emails and meetings with owners and occupants of the parks.
• Participating, including with financial support, in the Blue Economy Initiative led by UMass Amherst’s Gloucester Marine Station in partnership with the City, the Chamber of Commerce and other academic and regional organizations.
• Supporting a major initiative by the City to update the Harbor Plan to reflect the “evolving economy … (and) to capitalize on new opportunities in marine research and product development.”   The EDIC will participate in meeting the matching grant requirement if the proposal is accepted by the MA Seaport Economic Council.

It is also, participating with the City to address infrastructure issues within the parks, as well as efforts to enhance internet capabilities within the city.  Additional initiatives include addressing needed upgrades to signage in the parks; establishing a series of meetings with park occupants to address ongoing issues; providing through LoopNet.com listings of commercial and industrial properties throughout the city; and joining a state-wide economic development organization, MassEcon, that promotes Massachusetts to companies beyond its borders and features sites available to expand or relocate businesses.

In January 2019, the Gloucester EDIC engaged Dr. Antonio Raciti, Assistant Professor of Community Planning and Ecological Design in the School for the Envi­ronment at UMass Boston to assess the two industrial parks developed by the Glouces­ter EDIC.  Starting in March, the UMass Boston team interviewed more than two-dozen property owners and businesses.  It also conducted a focus group with representatives from both parks.

In a letter transmitting the report to Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, the EDIC noted that “these are important steps,” adding that “we also recognize that much remains to be done to support economic development in Gloucester …. the EDIC board looks forward to working with the City and other stakeholders …  consistent with its authority and responsibilities granted by the Commonwealth under Chapter 121C.  This may include expansion of existing parks and involvement in other areas such as the waterfront and related marine industrial activities that may be part of an updated Harbor Plan….”

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About the Gloucester EDIC

The Gloucester Economic Development and Industrial Corporation is a state-chartered corporation with authority to acquire, fund and develop land and buildings that support economic development. The EDIC works to retain existing businesses and create new economic opportunities within the City of Gloucester by (1) identifying expansion opportunities for traditional and emerging industries; (2) maximizing the economic value of assets originally developed under EDIC authority; and the (3) being an advocate for projects and policies that support job creation and economic growth.

Gloucester EDIC Joins State-Wide

Economic Development Organization

Announces updated website

New feature promotes link to commercial/industrial properties for sale/lease

The Gloucester Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC) has joined MassEcon, a state-wide membership organization that brings public and private sectors together “to enhance job growth, promote investment in communities and spread prosperity throughout the state.”

The EDIC has also updated its website, www.gloucesteredic.com, to feature information helpful to people and organizations considering Gloucester to start or expand a business.   Highlighted on its home page is LoopNet.com, a site for commercial and industrial properties for sale and lease in Gloucester.  It is similar to MLS listings for residential properties.

On the EDIC site’s “Resources” page there are now links to important site selection data for decision makers, including tax and assessment information, zoning maps, site plan reviews, general demographics, employment, wages, education and opportunity zones.

Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken said, “Gloucester is proud to be home to a thriving and diverse business community.  From seafood to manufacturing to life sciences, our city has built a sustainable economic development program.  The new partnership, between Gloucester EDIC and MassEcon, will further build on our success of attracting and assisting businesses in the City of Gloucester.”

Peter Abair, MassEcon’s executive director, said “Gloucester has significant economic development potential with a growing focus on biotechnology– highlighted by the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute — as well as other elements of the blue economy along with more traditional and maritime industries.    We look forward to working with the EDIC and the City of Gloucester to help promote that growth.”

Abair notes that while Gloucester is a destination location, “its quality of life, its history for innovation and creativity and the close working relationship among the EDIC, the City, the Chamber of Commerce, GMGI and other employers is an important, even vital element, of successful economic growth strategies.”

In addition to being a state-wide organization offering site finder services for companies seeking suitable locations, MassEcon provides members with research and education tied to economic growth and business expansion strategies.

The EDIC website’s home page also features a link to Gloucester400, the organization developing plans for the city’s 400^th anniversary in 2023.

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About the Gloucester EDIC

The Gloucester Economic Development and Industrial Corporation is a state-chartered corporation with authority to acquire, fund and develop land and buildings that support economic development. It works to retain existing businesses and create new economic opportunities within the City of Gloucester by (1) identifying expansion opportunities for traditional and emerging industries; (2) maximizing the economic value of assets originally developed under EDIC authority; and the (3) being an advocate for projects and policies that support job creation and economic growth.

About the City of Gloucester, Massachusetts

As America’s oldest seaport, the City of Gloucester is known as an authentic, working waterfront community, a place of spectacular natural beauty, and home to a diverse population of approximately 30,000 residents. Its sharp focus on economic development has helped build its reputation as the ideal location to live, work, and play. An important center for the fishing industry, the City is also proud of its vibrant cultural life and rich art heritage. Gloucester is a destination for thousands of visitors who come to the harbor and its beaches during the summer months. The City will be celebrating its 400^th Anniversary in 2023. For more information, please visit: www.gloucester-ma.gov.

About MassEcon

Bringing the public and private sectors together, MassEcon, a statewide economic development non-profit, champions Massachusetts as the best place to start, grow, or locate a business. www.massecon.com.

By Sean Horgan Staff Writer Mar 20, 2019

Antonio Basanta Fernandez and Mercedes Rodriguez Moreda had completed their tasks at the Seafood Expo North America in Boston and were scheduled to first fly … home to the Spanish region of Galicia.

But before they boarded the flight to New York on Tuesday night, the two executives of the Department of the Sea within the regional government of Galicia had an important stop:
They wanted to come to Gloucester and talk fishing.
Read it here