The visit by the federal panel coordinated by the U.S. Department of Commerce was in many ways a summit of the entire spectrum of businesses that exist here in Gloucester. Taken altogether, the panelists who participated have to walk away with an understanding that there are great economic challenges in Gloucester, but also great opportunities.
The robustness and the frailties of our local economy were on full display this past week.
In setting up the visits, my office made one rule: "no bureaucrats talking to bureaucrats."
Instead, I insisted that real people and real businesses address the panel and tell their experiences of trying to attract investment, jobs and opportunity to Gloucester and the area. And so it went. Here is a little of what they heard and saw.
One company spoke of the infrastructure challenges of operating a food manufacturing plant in the city, and how devastating a boil-water order is to their business.
Another spoke of their intention to expand their business and that so far the permitting is going well in the city. The EDIC gave a brief history of the industrial parks and referenced a long-range plan to expand the industrial park in West Gloucester.
Read the complete piece by Mayor Kirk at The Gloucester Times.