Westborough – Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito joined nearly 160 business leaders and state and local officials for the Westborough Economic Development Committee’s (EDC) Third Annual Year in Review and Celebratory Event, which took place at the Doubletree Hotel on Computer Drive Dec. 12.
Westborough EDC Chair, Deborah Penta, CEO of PENTA Communications, Inc., welcomed guests and award honorees and shared the committee’s results of the past 11 months.
“Westborough has become a sought-after hot spot for companies to move, grow, incubate, and succeed. Over the past year, the EDC has impacted the expansion of 540,377 square feet of commercial space, contributing over $9.6 million to our local tax base,” she said. “In addition, over 750,000 square feet of commercial space has been retained, which is equal to $13,448,478 in collected tax revenue.”
She said that these projects have also led to new jobs, increasing the Westborough labor force significantly.
“710 new jobs were added since January,” said Penta. “The EDC was also involved in retaining over 1,861 jobs in Westborough, and is working on the potential of adding an additional 1,814 jobs in the upcoming years.”
“Westborough is being recognized by the national media as the place to be for businesses and residents alike,” said Penta. “Money Magazine recently ranked Westborough the 14th best place to live in the nation. US News & World Report showcased our high school as being one of the top high schools in the country. Family Circle Magazine featured Westborough as a Best Community for Families in America, and the Boston Globe featured Westborough schools as being among the best in the state.”
“I want to applaud what all of you have done to bring your town to where it is today and on the accomplishments which have brought you statewide and national recognition,” Polito said in remarks to the audience.
“The Westborough EDC is an excellent example of an organization that gets it. You have found what works and keeps attracting businesses to your community,” said Polito.
“I was so impressed to see your efforts this year impacting the expansion and tax base growth. From your enhanced social media presence to your efforts to generate shopper awareness of the benefits of shopping locally, you are doing everything you can to make Westborough a great place to love, work, and raise a family,” she added.
During the event, the Westborough EDC honored seven companies including CarMax for Best Expansion Project, Cumberland Farms with the Employee Attraction Award, The Nathan Fisher House Development with the Outstanding Revitalization Project Award, The Center for Women and Enterprise for Public/Private Partnership, Cold Harbor Brewery with the Small Business Award, MicroChem with the Company to Watch Award, and Civic Kitchen & Drink with the Westborough Foodie Award.
“In any relationship, communication is key,” said Penta. “The EDC reaches out to businesses, developers, and organizations to learn what we can do to help foster a great relationship with the town as the companies seek to grow, expand, and make progressive changes. It is through opening up dialogues, and truly listening, that we can assist or find ways of helping organizations navigate through the process to ensure a seamless and successful outcome.”
“We celebrate seven companies in 2016 that have made and will make a significant positive impact to Westborough’s economy, congratulate their efforts, and thank them for making Westborough home to their operations,” she added.
