By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
Marlborough – Lt. Gov. Tim Murray believes that making Marlborough stronger will ultimately help make the entire central Massachusetts region stronger. At the Oct. 21 Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Speakers Breakfast, Murray praised the partnership the city has had with the local business community. He also highlighted issues that he and Gov. Deval Patrick believe are priorities as the state slowly makes its way out of the recession.
Marlborough was a leader, Murray said, in “43D,” a government initiative that helps to expedite special permitting, allowing businesses to quickly and efficiently become established in the city. And the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation was also effective in helping to foster the relationship between private and public sectors, he added.
“Too many times they are against each other,” he said. “When they work in partnership, successful projects are created,” he added.
Maintaining and improving the state's highways and railways was critical, he said.
Using a combination of state bonds and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds, he said the Patrick Administration had committed to an estimated $1 billion in funds for infrastructure needs around the state.
Although he acknowledged that commuting from the Marlborough area into Boston was many times frustrating due to heavy traffic, he said he doesn's support adding more lanes to the state's existing highways. Instead, he said, he supports more rail assets.
“I fought for additional commuter rail services between Worcester and Boston,” he said. “Soon the number will double [from 25 to 50].”
Murray said that he is frustrated that “federal government officials don's always see transportation as critical to the future success of America.”
“Investing in transportation makes sense,” he said. “Transportation is the enabling network of our communities.”
For more on Murray's speech to the Chamber of Commerce, go to communityadvocate.com/Marlborough.