A two-day "visioning summit," financed by the U.S. Commerce Department, will look into how Gloucester can continue to develop its maritime economy, and will be held here in November, Mayor Carolyn Kirk announced Wednesday.
The grant from the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration was the first tangible benefit from a two-ay visit by more than a dozen bureaucrats in May to gather testimony and data on Gloucester's economic condition. The team also spent time in New Bedford, Portland, Pt. Judith, R.I., Seabrook, N.H. and Montauk, N.Y.
The tour was ordered by then-Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in response to congressional pressure as the economic toll from the institution of the catch share regimen for the groundfishery in May 2010 began to come into focus.
The Metropolitian Area Planning Council is a state-created agency with municipal representatives.
It is matching the financial grant with in-kind contributions.
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