MARLBOROUGH – “Live, work, play.”
For many, it’s a saying. To the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), it’s a way of life.
The organization – a public-private partnership and 501(c) nonprofit headquartered on Main Street – works tirelessly to help Marlborough’s business community and, ultimately, make the city an attractive place for residents, visitors and companies alike.
Just ask Meredith Harris, the executive director of the MEDC, who moved to Marlborough after working for the organization. Marlborough has a full range of housing options (ranging from historic downtown dwellings to new development), robust employment opportunities in myriad industries, and a variety of entertainment offerings like Apex Entertainment and Fore Kicks.
“Marlborough itself, not just the business community, is incredibly unique. It’s a place where both residents and businesses can really thrive. We like to use the phrase ‘live, work, play,’ and you really can live, work, and play in this community. People come here to visit, to work during the day, to shop and utilize our recreation options. You can find everything you need here,” Harris told the Community Advocate.
In an effort to enhance this “special” community, the MEDC offers a suite of services to help companies – both large and small – succeed in the Marlborough business landscape. In particular, the MEDC offers expedited permitting, working with City Hall and government agencies to help local businesses get what they need in a timely fashion. Beyond that, the organization can help facilitate connections with stakeholders, supply research and resources to aid business growth or relocation, and provide financial incentives, like the Small Business Incentive Program and the Storefront Beautification Program.
But perhaps the most valuable part of the MEDC is the local business community it fosters, which includes dozens of professionals in almost every industry. When a company moves to Marlborough, it joins “a tightly-knit group that supports, helps, cares about and feeds off each other,” according to the MEDC’s website. “The MEDC is eager to help you achieve your business goals within our city.”
“We have a really robust small business community, but we also have Fortune 500 companies that sit in the same room (like Boston Scientific, Raytheon, TJX Companies, and Quest Diagnostics),” Harris said. “They’re all working together, which I think is really special. They’re all learning from each other, talking to each other, and working together to make Marlborough the best place to be.”
And that collaboration can yield incredible results. In the past, the MEDC has advocated for zoning changes to boost the local business community, including creating the Neighborhood Business District along Lincoln Street. The organization recently announced the 276-apartment, mixed-use Alta Marlborough development set to revitalize the French Hill neighborhood and bring improvements to the beloved Assabet River Rail Trail.
“We’ve been able to look at different pockets of the city and think strategically about what’s coming down the pipe. We’re thinking about what trends are happening nationwide to ensure that the city is being proactive,” said Harris.
The MEDC is dedicated to the business community, but the organization’s mission extends to the local residents as well. The MEDC received a $425,000 grant from the state to continue the “Marlborough Commuter Shuttle” service, which aims to help workers conveniently make the “last mile” of their trip on public transit. The shuttle – which makes several trips per morning and evening – connects the Southborough MBTA station with several key spots around Marlborough, including downtown and 200 Forest St. Additionally, during the midday hours, the shuttle is utilized by the Senior Center to help bolster its transportation services.
The shuttle helps employers attract talent and residents get to work, said Harris. It’s a win for everyone.
“We work on behalf of the business community, but our mission, truly, is to serve the residents of our community by keeping their taxes stable and predictable. We understand that by bringing in business and having a strong economic sector, it’s going to help residents be able to thrive … We’re trying to create jobs, and also making sure students and youth have opportunities within the companies we attract,” she said.
The MEDC can be reached at [email protected] or (508) 229-2010.
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