Initiative to boost artists, business launched
By Doug Grindle Community Reporter

Marlborough - The Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce kicked off a drive Jan. 18 that aims to increase the number of artists and creative businesses in the Marlborough area. Increasing the number of small businesses devoted to creative occupations, such as architecture and engineering, would give the region a boost, speakers told a crowd of about 100 at a breakfast meeting in Framingham.

The initiative is co-sponsored by the Framingham Chamber of Commerce.

Susanne Morreale-Leeber, president of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Com- merce, said the initiative will capitalize on an influx of artists into the community.

"I'm finding more and more artists coming to town," Morreale-Leeber said.

Attending the kickoff meeting were representatives from businesses, property developers and nonprofit groups, and government officials, including seven state legislators.

"This was the inspirational piece to get people engaged," said Ted Welte, president of the Framingham Chamber of Commerce.

The group heard ways to boost the level of artists in the community. Incubators for small boutique businesses working with information technology and other highknowledge endeavors could help transform city centers, according to Anita Walker, the executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

"There's a value to an artist and a cultural enterprise that can't be measured by taxes and wages," Walker said.

She noted that the atmosphere of a community could improve if this type of entrepreneur moved in, and the eff ect could snowball as other similar people are attracted to the same place.

Dan Hunter, the head of the Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences and Humanities, agreed. He said incubators in downtown Lowell had transformed the area from one of high crime into one where lofts sell for $500,000 to $900,000.

"That opportunity exists in Metrowest today," Hunter said.

The initiative will span 12 communities from Hudson to Natick. Attendees were invited to begin brainstorming for ideas to push the initiative.

Organizers said the best approach would likely include a task force dedicated to the initiative and timely newsletters to spread the word. An arts festival similar to one that is scheduled for Sunday June 1 in Framingham was held up as a model endeavor.

Organizers said the government has a key role to play.

Walker called for the state to add millions of dollars to the Cultural Facilities Fund, which pays for culturally useful buildings and which will run out of cash at the end of the spring.

Morreale-Leeber said other money will be needed from the state. She noted that Marlborough has 1,600 hotel rooms, and the hotel tax they generate is sent to the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism in Boston, and is not returned to Marlborough.

"That money goes to Boston. It doesn't come out here," Morreale-Leeber said. "We need a reallocation of funds."

State Rep. Stephen P. LeDuc, D-Marlborough, said he supports the initiative, and the state needs to back the plan to increase the number of artistic endeavors.

"Where there are eff orts, when they are successful, other eff orts blossom around them," LeDuc said.

This comes as the state faces a deficit of about $1 billion.

State Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Framingham, said it may be possible to support the initiative and increase funding for artistic enterprises in the midst of the budget crisis.

"There may be ways to build it into an economic stimulus area," Spilka said.

Funds from state bonds may be an option, she said.

"Economic development is one of my top priorities," she added.

Morreale-Leeber noted several artist-inspired projects are currently taking place in Marlborough, including a plan to exhibit art along the public rail and bike trail running from Hudson to Marlborough, and the creation of the Renaissance Lofts on Lincoln Street, which has been marketed especially to artists.

The Renaissance Lofts will see its first customer take possession of an apartment in early February, according to Deborah Fairbanks, the president of Fairbanks Development, which created the project. But Fairbanks said the concept of an artistdirected community in the city is at its very earliest stages.

"We're really just getting started," she said. "They [artists] are there. I don't think they have an organized voice in Marlborough."

She noted that attracting artists is a difficult economic proposition, and in her experience government was good for advice but not for financial assistance.

"Trying to make something affordable for artists is an incredible challenge," Fairbanks said.